Kirsten is a professional travel writer & editor living in Puerto Vallarta. She's been published in Luxury Latin America, Culture Trip, International Living, and BBC. As an editor, she collaborates with writers worldwide to create blogs and landing pages. Her blog, SandInMyCurls.com, is a resource for anyone considering moving overseas. It's the realities of expat life, warts and all.
La Paz Untourist: How to Experience Baja Like a Local
Under-the-radar La Paz offers something rare. From baby sea
lions to hidden coves, this Baja city delivers experiences most
people miss.
Is Mayto, Jalisco, Worth Visiting? A Weekend Travel Guide
A quiet weekend in Mayto, Jalisco-no crowds, no beach clubs, no agenda. Here's what it's really like to visit this remote Pacific beach town.
Boca de Agua — Bacalar
Chetumal-Cancun 307 KM 4.5, Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Lagoon front Boca de Agua delivers for discerning travelers seeking a harmonious blend of luxury and nature. These elevated treehouses, 19 kilometers from Bacalar town center, combine sleek minimalist design with an eco-conscious ethos. The property is a tranquil refuge surrounded by lush jungle and serene water views.
Turning off the highway onto the private road leading to Boca de Agua feels like you're leaving civilization behind. I...
Versalles Puerto Vallarta: A Neighborhood Guide for Visitors & Long Stays
Versalles, Puerto Vallarta, is one of those colonias (neighborhoods) you don’t stumble into by accident. You come here on purpose. Most likely for the food. And then you start asking yourself, wait… could I actually live here? This guide breaks down what Versalles is really like: where it is, how it feels, who it’s best for, and where it falls short.
Zacatlan, Puebla: A Misty Mountain Escape in Mexico
Zacatlán de las Manzanas and I didn’t exactly hit it off. It poured for five straight days, and the town was wrapped in a blanket of fog so thick I could barely see across the plaza. Not a blue sky in sight. Ever. But every so often, when the clouds parted, I caught a glimpse of a place so beautiful it made me want to see more.
I may not have had the trip I’d hoped, but I did get a real feel for small-town Mexico. And even with the rain, there’s still plenty to do, see, and taste here, from e...
How to See Lucha Libre Wrestling in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but watching lucha libre wrestling in Puerto Vallarta is far more fun than whatever you had planned that night.
I had no idea what I was in for when I said yes to a match the other night. I mean, of course, I knew what it was. I saw Nacho Libre with Jack Black in 2006. But I had no idea what was about to unfold.
If you want a night that’s loud, local, and wildly different from the usual PV activities, this is 100% worth it.
Here’s what you need to know before jumping into the wild, masked world of Mexican lucha libre.
Amainah Bacalar – Bacalar
Nestled along the mesmerizing shores of Bacalar's lagoon, the adult-only 16-room Amainah hotel offers an unforgettable stay with its edgy design and modern amenities.
As we approached the Amainah Hotel, the unassuming high stone walls created a sense of intrigue. The sharp, precisely cut triangular motifs in the concrete facade stand in striking contrast to the warmth of the golden-hued stone walls, immediately setting the tone for...
Cachasol: Nayarit’s Coolest Tequila Tour & Tasting Experience
This isn’t your average tequila tour.
It’s an agave experience.
If you’re last tequila tasting was in a fluorescent-lit tequila store with a salesperson pouring you a thimble of booze in a plastic shot glass, think again. A small-batch, sunshine-fueled agave project is here to blow your mind (and maybe your liver).
48 Hours in Sayulita: A Colorful, Contradictory Beach Escape
Sayulita is deceptive.
On one hand, it’s an old hippie haven for barefoot surfers with dreadlocks who’ve called it home for decades. On the other hand, it’s a high-end shopper’s paradise, with boutiques selling unique pieces of wearable art, collectible finds, and wall-worthy decor. These aren’t your typical Mexican souvenir or tequila-tasting shops—this is where you’ll find threaded or beaded cow skulls made using traditional methods, modern art, and textiles dyed with natural pigments.
And ...
15 Coolest Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta with AC
It’s hotter than a muthatrucka in PV right now. I’d dine in a walk-in freezer if they served tacos. With temperatures soaring and the humidity relentless, I get why so many people flee from July to October. But we don’t, which means finding air-conditioned restaurants in Puerto Vallarta becomes a survival skill.
What to Pack for Mexico (13 Things Beyond the Obvious)
What to pack for Mexico usually starts with the obvious: swimsuits, sunscreen, and flip-flops. You don’t need me for that. What you do need is the other list. You know, the stuff no one tells you about until you’re here sweating, swatting mosquitoes, or wishing you had packed just one smart thing.
I’ve been living in Mexico for years, and I’ve learned the hard way what should earn a spot in your bag.
These are the little lifesavers that make the difference between a trip that’s easy-breezy an...
Casa Velas—Puerto Vallarta
Located merely one mile from the airport on one of Puerto Vallarta's best and most convenient golf courses, Casa Velas is more than a hotel for golfers. It is an 80-suite, adult-only, all-inclusive resort and spa that feels like a large hacienda—with a beach club nearby.
Casa Velas feels like a Grand Dame. It's not a brand new, shiny, modern hotel. It's elegant but not overstated. It is opulent but unassuming, and best of...
The Best 5 Neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is one of those rare places that caters to beach lovers, bar hoppers, retirees, digital nomads, and taco fiends alike. But not every neighborhood suits every lifestyle. Some are made for peace and quiet, others for party-all-night energy. And some hit that sweet spot in between.
I’ve lived in here for years and have spent a lot of time exploring the neighborhoods, so here is a peek into the top five areas people move to — quirks and all.
Learn more about Mexico and other count...
How to Find the Best Beaches in Puerto Vallarta
So, you’re planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta, but you’re not familiar with the beaches. I am here to help. After living here since January of 2022, I’ve done the hard research of beach hopping to find the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta (and its surrounds).
Think of this as a tell-all about which beaches fit your vacation style.
Want a beach with a party vibe? I got you.
Prefer a secluded beach with no vendors? I got you.
Like the idea of a family beach without all the tourists? Guess what? ...
A Bar, A Community, A Calling: How San Pancho Became Home
The life of Dan and Talula, mezcal bar owners in San Pancho, Mexico