Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (June 4, 2019) - Taking guests to highlights on Mexico's Pacific Coast seldom visited by tourists, a new Hidden Gems Cultural Tour is available from the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. Enveloped by the flora and fauna of the Sierra Madre mountains, guests begin with a horseback ride along the crystal-clear Cuale River to a secret waterfall. After building up a bit of appetite, a food tour includes stops for Mexican antojitos (snacks) served at a Mexican family's table. With a refreshing agua fresca to cool the palate, here guests will also learn about the Pre-Hispanic origins of mole. Before heading on, there's a sweet stop at a Mexican candy store serving up a wide variety of traditional colorful candies. Next up is a visit to Puerto Vallarta's Botanical Garden to explore a variety of orchids and oaks. Doña Marta's Bakery visit follows where she recounts the secrets to making her bread, a town favorite. Later, guests will visit a distillery to try a typical drink known as "Raicilla", made with the agave plant of western Jalisco. Here, the owner of the distillery will explore the history of this little-known alcoholic beverage. Before heading back to Grand Velas, the final stops on the tour are Alpacora Gallery to learn about magical Huichol art and the 4D Modern Art Museum with Prehispanic abstract art experienced through all the senses. The cost of the Hidden Gems Cultural Tour for up to four people is $2,044 USD.

Nightly resort rates start at $340 per person based on double occupancy and include luxury accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, taxes, gratuity and more. For reservations or more information, call 1-888-407-4869 or visit https://vallarta.grandvelas.com/. 

 About Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit:

The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit enjoys a privileged natural setting with flowering, landscaped gardens beside a long stretch of pristine beach and a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains. The centerpiece of the gardens is a three-tiered, multi-temperature infinity pool, a preferred spot for catching the legendary sunsets. The resort features 267 ocean-view suites, some with private plunge pools, and all with fully stocked mini bar, L'Occitane amenities and Nespresso machines. Wellness Suites include a personal training session and massage in-suite in addition to other fitness amenities, such as a Lifecycle Exercise Bike, organic soaps, Aromatherapy Kit, and more. Of the resort's six restaurants, four, serving French, Italian, Asian and Mexican gourmet cuisine, have received AAA Four Diamond awards for distinguished cuisine and presentation. An oasis of wellbeing, Se Spa has been included on Forbes Travel Guide's list of The World's Most Luxurious Spas. This Puerto Vallarta spa offers 20 treatment suites, more than 30 spa treatments, many inspired by the native traditions of Mexico and a signature water journey. Other features include a fitness center, 24/7 in suite service, water sports, business center, tennis, baby concierge, Kids' Club, and state-of-the-art Teens' Club. The all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Nayarit features more than 25,000 square feet of indoor meeting facilities, including the Grand Marissa Ballroom, which consists of more than 6,000 square feet and is easily subdivided into five separate rooms. The resort's facilities also include four other rooms ranging from 681 to more than 1,954 square feet that offer several arrangement variations to maximize meeting productivity and efficiency. Things to do in Puerto Vallarta include water sports, exploring the lush jungle, visits to traditional villages and more. This Puerto Vallarta luxury resort has won numerous awards from Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, TripAdvisor, U.S. News and World Report and Forbes, which named it one of the Top Ten Coolest All-Inclusives. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela, vice president of Velas Resorts, by his side. For reservations or more information, call 1-888-407-4869, email reservationsrn@velasresorts.com or visit https://vallarta.grandvelas.com/.