3- or 10-Night Stay at Xinalani Retreat in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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Tropical jungle along private beach hides thatched-roof bungalows at resort with fresh fare & open-air ocean views
What You Get
Stay with three daily meals and one daily yoga class per guest
- $259 for a 3-night stay for one in the Big Palapa shared house
- $599 for a 3-night stay for two in a Petite suite
- $749 for a 3-night stay for two in an Eco-Chic suite
- $2,299 for a 10-night stay for two in an Eco-Chic Suite
Book by: 6/23/12
Travel by: 7/31/12Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.
Thatched-Roof Bungalows Immersed in Jungle Along Private Beach
Banderas Bay on the Pacific coast of Mexico is best known for its proximity to Puerto Vallarta, the popular tourist destination filled with glittering high-rises. But there’s another side to the bay. On the south end, the jungle is still nearly untouched, allowing hundreds of orchid species to flourish. Xinalani Retreat nestles amid this overgrowth on land so secluded that it's accessible only by boat. It's a yoga-centered resort where tranquility is a way of life and guests enjoy gourmet vegetarian meals, open-air suites, and stunning views of a private beach.
From the shore, it’s hard to tell that there’s a hotel here at all. Throughout the 10-acre property, thatched-roof bungalows are perched on stilts so they blend seamlessly into the forest. To arrive at your accommodations, you’ll board a 30-foot fiberglass boat known as a panga and disembark in knee-deep water.
Along the shore, standalone Petite suites combine treehouse charm with chic bamboo and linen decor. An open-air fourth wall allows ocean breezes and birdsong to drift in, but netted canopies protect each bed. There’s also a heavy bamboo blind to shut out the sunlight or simulate a partial solar eclipse by closing it only halfway. Each suite boasts a terrace overlooking the Pacific, a view best savored from the provided hammock. Eco-Chic suites include extra space and prime beach views, and the dorm-style Big Palapa houses up to eight travelers at once.
At the top of the hill, the open-air jungle yoga studio lets you pair optional 90-minute classes with sunbeams and rustling leaves. Instructors provide mats, blocks, and cushions, and there's a spa to banish any lingering tension.
Included meals, which feature fresh seafood three times a week, round out the resort's healthful offerings. Although the menu frequently evolves, delectable vegetarian dishes might include zucchini-blossom soup and poblano-pepper enchiladas.
Banderas Bay, Mexico: Boating Excursions and Scenic Puerto Vallarta
Though the resort is secluded, hiking trails connect it to nearby beaches and fishing towns, and speedboats can cruise anywhere in the bay. Staff members lead a variety of excursions, including a trip to the Marieta Islands wildlife reserve, which was lauded by diver Jacques Cousteau for its rare sea turtles and reef fish.
When passing through Puerto Vallarta, it's worthwhile to explore the Malecón, a beachfront boardwalk lined with sculptures, and the adjacent Zona Romántica, a historical district where couples stroll cobblestone streets past bougainvillea boughs and cupids posing for greeting cards.
Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.
Other Details
Room Details
In All Included Rooms
- Private thatched-roof cabin on stilts
- Balcony with views of ocean and surrounding jungle
- Private bathroom with hot-water shower
- One open-air wall with bamboo blinds
- Silky canopy netting above beds
- Construction using local wood, bamboo, and straw
- Organic, biodegradable bath products and low-energy lights
- Children 14 or younger not permitted
Big Palapa
- Single beds, each with private canopy netting
- Maximum occupancy: 8
- Dorm-style shared room
- Drawer below bed to store belongings
- Two bathrooms total
- 880 square feet
Petite Suites
- Two double beds
- Standard occupancy: 2
- Maximum occupancy: 4
- Adding occupants above standard: $200 per night for each guest 15 or older. Rates include all meals.
- Hammock hanging across porch
- 350 square feet
Eco-Chic Suites
- Two double beds or one king bed
- Standard occupancy: 2
- Maximum occupancy: 4 in double room; 2 in king room
- Adding occupants above standard: $260 per night for each guest 15 or older. Rates include all meals.
- Best ocean views on property
- Hammock hanging across porch
- Four-poster canopy netting
- Sitting area
- 525 square feet
Hotel Policies
- Check in: 4 p.m.
- Check out: 11:30 a.m.
- Parking: free
- Rollaways: available for an additional $65 per night
- Smoking policy: no smoking inside the property
- Pet policy: pets are not allowed inside the property.
- Accessibility: handicap-accessible rooms are not available.
- Room upgrades: upgrades may be available during booking for an additional cost.
What It's Worth
Stay with three daily meals and one daily yoga class per guest
- $259 for a 3-night stay for one in the Big Palapa shared house (a $495 value)
- $599 for a 3-night stay for two in a Petite suite (a $1,200 value)
- $749 for a 3-night stay for two in an Eco-Chic suite (a $1,560 value)
- $2,299 for a 10-night stay for two in an Eco-Chic Suite (a $5,200 value)
Amenities
- Private terrace with ocean views
- Standalone cabins in jungle
- Included seafood and vegetarian fare
- Fully equipped yoga studios
- Beachfront spa
- Free WiFi in many public areas
Traveler's Tips
- The hotel is on a beach accessible only by boat. After taking a shuttle or cab to the Boca de Tomatlan pier, you'll board a panga to reach the hotel.
- Chefs can accommodate special diets, including vegan, raw, and carnivorous, for an additional $25 per day per person.
- Due to the hotel's ecological focus, rooms have low lighting, do not use air conditioning, and cannot power hair dryers.
- Since the boat transfer does not run at night for safety reasons, make sure your flight lands by 4:30 p.m. local time to make it to the hotel that evening.
- The local rainy season lasts from July to September; if you're coming during this time, don't forget bug spray.
Getting There
- By plane: about 16 miles southwest of Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR)
- By cab: about $450 pesos ($35 USD) for one to three people from PVR to Boca de Tomatlan pier.
- By boat: $20 USD round trip per person for boat transfer only from Boca de Tomatlan pier to hotel.
- By shuttle: $100 USD round trip per person from PVR—includes boat transfer from Boca de Tomatlan pier to hotel.
Need To Know Info
- Promotional value expires Jun 23, 2012. Amount paid never expires.
- Must book by 6/20/12 or promotional value expires
- Must travel by 7/31/12
- Limit 4 per person, may buy 4 additional as gifts
- Limit 4 per visit
- Valid only for option purchased
- Subject to availability
- All cancellations incur a $50 fee
- 30-day cancellation notice incurs a nonrefundable credit valid for 1 year; 5-day cancellation notice or fee up to Groupon price applies
- Must be 18 or older to check in; 15 or older to stay
- Credit card required at check-in
- Not valid with reward points.
- Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
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