At Iberostar Selection Playa Mita, Wixárika cultural elements make for the perfect Mexico mix

all of them focused on this culture.” The resort also sells their handicrafts.

The family-focused Iberostar’s 451 rooms in three sections offer views of the Pacific, the mountains or the gardens, and are accessed by a wristband chip, a new-to-Iberostar technology that eliminates carrying a key (loved it!).

By Theresa Storm

RIVIERA NAYARIT — Classy. Secluded. Spacious. Tranquil. These were my impressions of the Iberostar Selection Playa Mita. The all-inclusive five-star on the Riviera Nayarit near Punta Mita, 30 kilometres north of Puerto Vallarta and 20 minutes south of Sayulita, is the sole Iberostar in Pacific Mexico and part of the brand’s Beachfront Resorts collection.

I was the only guest checking in Sunday evening after a 45-minute drive from the Puerto Vallarta airport. I was offered lavender-infused cloths and a refreshing Tajin-rimmed red hibiscus drink, which I sipped while riveted by an enormous multi-coloured jaguar head protruding above the front desk. Scanning the QR code, I learned the one-of-a-kind jaguar took six Wixárika artists 2.5 months and more than three-million beads, one of the largest pieces ever. The ancestral territory of the indigenous Wixárika (or Huichol) is the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains, which run through northeast Nayarit.

Later, I discovered more art peppering the sprawling 7.6-hectare resort, a mix of Balinese and local pieces (a self-guided art tour would be a great addition). The Iberostar is incorporating Wixárika art and cultural elements, while phasing out the almost 10-year-old property’s original Indonesian theme.

“We are the first Iberostar Beachfront hotel to have storytelling,” explains Daniel Llinás, the resort’s GM. “We have decoration details starting with our magnificent Jaguar’s Head, services like our new Wixárika tasting menu at our Pacific Express restaurant ($75 USD), activities like artisans coming to the hotel to teach bracelet-making, and shows like the sunset ritual dance at our Wirikuta Bar,

My oceanfront junior suite looked down to the pristine golden beach with bathtub warm waters, which the Iberostar shares with just one resort. Next year, construction is slated for an Iberostar Grand nearby, an adults-only premium product with 305 rooms, Llinás says. Renovation plans here include room redecorating.

Although spring break was in full swing, it wasn’t crowded or too noisy; no lounge chair saving was required. Occupancy is about 60%, which, compared to pre-COVID, is “back to normality,” says Llinás. Most winter guests hail from Canada and the U.S., particularly westerners, with Canadians comprising up to 60%.

In addition to families, the resort is a good fit for groups, meetings and conventions (five meeting rooms), and couples seeking a romantic, idyllic retreat. Destination weddings are back, says Llinás.

I witnessed no nuptials in the wedding gazebo, but the rooftop lounge terrace overlooking the ocean provides a spectacular sunset backdrop for dinner and dancing. It certainly did for the lively weekly Mexican Fiesta. That’s just one of the myriad activities guests will find with free WiFi on the Iberostar app (a paperless initiative that needs some tweaking). It includes scheduled activities offered by the Star Friends entertainment team, things to do, tours, bars, restaurants and menus, etc.

I enjoyed morning yoga, aqua aerobics in the huge freeform pool, a body scrub and massage at SPA Sensations, an aguachile cooking class, and a tour with Dressel Divers, the onsite PADI-certified diving centre, to the Islas Marietas National Park in Banderas Bay.

Breaching humpback whales and leaping mobula rays elicited “oohs” before the boat circled the uninhabited islands for views of the 90+ species of nesting seabirds, including blue-footed boobies. Divemaster Bruno then guided a group snorkel to look at colourful reef fish. For divers, four sites are conveniently located near the Iberostar. Dressel also offers PADI courses, jet skis, sport fishing, whale watching (winter), and surf classes and excursions.

Back at Iberostar, those with energy can hit two tennis courts, Technogym equipment in the fitness centre, the activity pool for games like waterpolo, or play pingpong or billiards. Within the grounds is the 18-hole, Par 72

Higuera Golf Club designed by Greg Norman, with oceanfront holes and a peninsula green. Shuttles to Sayulita and Puerto Vallarta are also available (extra cost).

For youngsters (4 - 17), Star Camp focuses on local culture and caring for the planet, plus outdoor play on Aquafun’s waterslides and in the splash pool. Lifeguards are on duty at the beach and the pool. Other family-friendly services include kids’ menus and a babysitting service.

When the sun begins to drop, the oceanfront rooftop Wirikuta Bar is the ideal place to witness it set behind Punta Mita. Don’t miss the Monday Sunset Circus on the adjacent lounge terrace, a high-calibre show, as was much of the entertainment.

In addition to a buffet for dinner, four international restaurants include Asian, Mexican, a steakhouse, and a train-themed gourmet. At the new El Agave Mezcalería, guests can enjoy a sommelier-led tasting of Mexican spirits (US$45). And the 24-hour Starcafé is always popular.

As part of Iberostar’s Wave of Change commitment to responsible tourism, the hotel eliminated single-use plastics. By 2025, it will be waste-free and use 100% sustainable seafood, and by 2030 will be carbon neutral. The resort has earned LEED Gold and EarthCheck certifications.

For more information visit Iberostar’s site at https://www.iberostar. com/en-ca/hotels/riviera-nayarit/ iberostar-playa-mita.

Cruising

Holland America Line is getting ready to celebrate a day 150 years in the making. The cruise line’s sesquicentennial birthday is April 18, 2023, and on that date, Rotterdam VII will arrive at its namesake city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to revel with local dignitaries, port officials and guests. Zuiderdam will be at Amsterdam that day and will host an evening gala party on board for Grand World Voyage guests. Holland America Line’s President, Gus Antorcha, will lead the celebrations. Also scheduled to attend the events are Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Rotterdam’s godmother; Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam; and descendants from two families of Holland America Line’s original founders.

Princess Cruises has announced its longest voyage ever, set to depart in 2025. The epic 116-day World Cruise onboard Island Princess will traverse over 33,500 nautical miles and visit 51 destinations in 26 countries and six continents. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand/South Pacific, the Mediterranean, Central America, Africa and Asia. Plus, the cruise will include Princess’ first-ever visit to Bar, Montenegro and Taranto, Italy, along with inaugural World Cruise calls to the Greek island of Patmos and Volos. Two roundtrip options with departures from Ft. Lauderdale will be available, both embarking Jan. 5, 2025, and well as from Los Angeles on Jan. 20, 2025.

Tech

Air Canada and Amadeus have expanded their long-standing partnership. Air Canada will enable access to its full range of New Distribution Capability (NDC)-sourced content through the Amadeus Travel Platform by leveraging Altéa NDC, Amadeus’ IT solution that enables airlines to provide enhanced travel retail experiences by distributing personalized and tailored offers. Additionally, the airline’s traditionally sourced content (EDIFACT) will be available worldwide to travel sellers and corporations that utilize the Amadeus Travel Platform. As an Amadeus Altéa customer for its passenger service system, Air Canada will benefit from a single passenger name record (PNR) for managing the end-to-end passenger experience. Advantages also include increased efficiency and seamless integration of Altéa NDC with the Amadeus Travel Platform, enabling travel sellers to efficiently shop, book and manage NDCsourced travel content.

Airlines

Emirates is stepping up its frequency with two additional flights per week between Dubai and Toronto. Starting April 20, Emirates will offer daily flights on the popular route. The move follows the expanded air transport agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Canada, announced last week. Emirates has been serving customers between Toronto and Dubai since 2007. The carrier’s flagship A380 aircraft on the Dubai-Toronto route has capacity for 491 passengers across three service classes. With the two additional flights per week, Emirates will offer close to 2,000 additional seats on the route.

Sustainable Travel

Planeterra, the world’s leading non-profit dedicated to uplifting communities through travel, has announced the launch of the second round of the Global Community Tourism Fund, a grant program that fosters entrepreneurship and innovation for community tourism enterprises worldwide. Through this fund, Planeterra provides grants up to US$3,000, as well as community specific training and mentorship to help local entrepreneurs and communities scale up and improve existing experiences. The aim of this initiative is to create opportunities for local people to reap the benefits of tourism.