Three Days at Villa Lala Boutique Hotel, South of Puerto Vallarta

Arrive in Puerto Vallarta and proceed to Villa Lala Boutique Hotel via private transfer. Indulge in a welcome drink while enjoying the view. If you've arrived in time for lunch, enjoy some delicious tacos while gazing at the sea. You may wish to use the complimentary kayaks to explore the bay, or soak in the sunshine by the infinity pool. Or perhaps set the tone for your relaxing getaway with an open-air massage in the gazebo.

Villa Lala is a great destination whether you're looking to simply relax, or you want to be active. There are hiking trails and multiple activities you can enjoy, or you can simply do nothing at all.

Evening: Make dinner reservations for the onsite restaurant. The fresh fish is delicious and our filet mignon was fork-tender. If you time things right, you'll be catching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Villa Lala isn't a place with the nightlife you'll find in nearby Puerto Vallarta. Instead, take the time to gaze at the moonlight reflected on the water and engage in a tete-a-tete with your partner. This is the perfect spot to reconnect with someone you love.

Begin your day with complimentary breakfast as you watch the boats come and go to nearby Boca de Tomatlan. Embark on a boat tour from the hotel's dock or from nearby Boca, just a short stroll down the hill. You can go snorkeling off the coast and then have the boat drop you off at Playa Las Animas.

Lunch: With your toes in the sand, sip an icy margarita or cerveza and feast on fresh ceviche, guacamole, and fish tacos. You have your choice of several restaurants. The restaurants all have lounge chairs and tables. The use of the lounge chairs is included if you're purchasing food and drinks. Take some time to walk down the beach to scope out the spot that suits you best.

Afternoon: Enjoy your afternoon on the beach. Or if you're feeling adventurous, hop back in the boat and head farther down the coast to Yelapa, where you can either hike or ride donkeys to see waterfalls. After a relaxing day, enjoy the breeze in your hair as you head back to Villa Lala by boat.

Evening: For a romantic dinner, I recommend nearby Le Kliff, a multi-tier restaurant with fine dining, excellent cocktails, and drop-dead views. This is the perfect restaurant to celebrate an anniversary or special birthday. The food and service are both top-notch.

Leave the hotel (if you can bear to do so).

I'll be honest, it was really hard for me to motivate myself to even leave Villa Lala. We started our stay in the Master Suite Plus, which was spacious and comfortable. It had a large deck area with a hammock, the perfect spot in which to catch up on reading, alternated with lazy catnaps. And then we were upgraded to one of the hotel's new Love Nest Suites. They each have a private infinity pool and huge deck area. You may be tempted to just stay there, and then see if you can extend your stay altogether. They're really that nice.

But if you can manage to tear yourself away from Villa Lala, here are a couple of solid choices:

Vallarta Botanical Gardens: A short cab ride away, here you can enjoy the diverse plants and beautiful landscape. If you're going here, consider lunch at Chico's Paradise, a hillside restaurant in the jungle overlooking a river.

Another option for your day is to head into Puerto Vallarta itself and stroll along the malecon. If you've never been to Puerto Vallarta, then I do suggest this option as the old town has lovely cobblestone streets and the malecon has lots of sights as well. You'll have lots of dining options either along the malecon or just a block or two in from the beach.

Dinner: La Choza My Tony in nearby Mismaloya is an excellent choice for really fresh seafood. It's not fancy, but the service and food are both excellent. They don't actually have a menu, but will bring you a tray with options to choose from. Start with the guacamole and move on to the seafood.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to travel to Mexico. In need of further inspiration? Check out Lindsay Rawitscher’s guide, The Best of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico..