"I've got too much stuff," said Jimmy Buffett, singing about going to One Particular Harbor. Have you ever thought the same? Maybe, as you pick up the stuffed animals and step on those really painful Legos, you think, "My kids have too much stuff!" The solution is experiences instead of things.
Rather than spending money on holiday or birthday presents, consider taking the family on a trip. Not only will you make wonderful family memories and cut down on clutter, but your children can learn how people live in another part of the country or world.
I recently traveled to Nayarit, Mexico with 45 other Macaroni Kid publishers. We learned so much about the culture and how they live. It was fascinating! Nayarit is a state in Mexico. The area we visited is located in one of the largest bays in the world called the Bay of Banderas, about 30 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. This coastal area, full of resorts, has been named Riviera Nayarit, a very long stretch of beach with large waves that runs parallel with cute little towns full of cobblestone streets, small authentic shops, and quaint local restaurants. It is beautiful!
| We stayed at one of the many all-inclusive resorts in the area, Reflect Krystal Grand Nuevo Vallarta. All-inclusive is the way to go! You pay one daily price and all of your food, beverages, and entertainment is included, even adult beverages if you like to unwind a bit on vacation. They have 4 pool areas, including an infinity pool, named so because it looks like it merges with the ocean and goes on forever. There are several different dining areas including an Asian restaurant and a buffet. They have various types of entertainment every night like musical acts, karaoke and more. They also have games going on throughout the day to keep the family entertained. |  |  |
Wherever you stay in Riviera Nayarit, there are locals offering activities along the beach like horseback riding, parasailing, and banana boat rides.
There is a wonderful company nearby called Vallarta Adventures. They offer many different tours throughout the area. You can swim with dolphins, go zip lining, snorkeling, whale watching, sailing, diving and much more. We took 2 tours with them while we were there. The first day we went off-roading and took a hike through the forest. It was really interesting to learn about all the plants, trees and critters that live there. We got a lesson about the cacao bean that is grown in Mexico and tasted the bitter bean before it's turned into delicious chocolate. It turns out Mexicans drink their chocolate cold, not hot. They have to because the heat and humidity get very high there. We also learned how to make the staple Mexican food, corn tortillas. Our guides were very knowledgeable about the area and answered all of our questions. They were personable and funny and even kept the Tecate beer flowing!
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| The next day we took a tour to the nearby towns of San Pancho and Sayulita. In San Pancho, we visited Entre Amigos, an amazing facility that provides the local children a place to learn and create. I never realized how green Mexico was. Not the color, although the vegetation was amazing, but recycling. There are recycle bins all over the streets. Entre Amigos, a non-profit, is huge on recycling. They make products like silk screened shirts, Christmas ornaments, and vases, just to name a few, all out of recycled materials. Their building is even recycled from an old abandoned warehouse! |  |
 | All of the proceeds help to support scholarships so the local children can learn and have a place to create. Many of these children go on to college or a career and these opportunities would not be possible for them if not for Entre Amigos. If you are interested in sponsoring a child or purchasing their recycled products, check out their website, http://entreamigos.org.mx/. |  |
With all the media talk about border crossing, one of the things we asked our guide was who is it that wants to go to the United States. He immediately said everyone. He told us that education is expensive and not really a priority in Mexico, so parents want their children to have better opportunities in the U.S. Also, the pay scale is very low in Mexico. Minimum wage is $5...a day! Even professionals like doctors and lawyers can make a lot more money in the U.S. And just because the pay is low, doesn't mean that goods and services are cheap. A gallon of gas costs roughly $4 in Mexico! So you can see why life can be difficult there.
This was my first trip to Mexico and it won't be my last. It's a beautiful place to visit with the ocean vistas, colorful buildings, gorgeous artwork and friendly locals, but it really made me appreciate our life here in the U.S. This is why traveling with kids is so important. It will ground them. They will learn about different cultures, see how other people live and they will come home with gratitude and wonderful family memories. So ditch the presents this year and try traveling instead. Riviera Nayarit is a great place to start!
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"Oh Mexico, it sounds so simple, I just got to go," Jimmy Buffett, Mexico.
We were hosted by the Riviera Nayarit visitors bureau, but all opinions about the area are my own.
