Travel Blog | Hotel Mousai | Puerto Vallarta | Jalisco, Mexico
Hi friends, and welcome! This blog will detail our March 2022 visit to beautiful Puerto Vallarta, one of my favorite vacation destinations.
Puerto Vallarta is a Mexican beach resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean's Bay of Banderas in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The weather was perfect during our visit in March (high season), but temperatures stay mild for the majority of the year, albeit you’ll experience heavy downpours during the summer months. One drawback to visiting during March and April is the crowds at the airport since these months are Spring Break season.
During our travel to PV in March via American Airlines, proof of vaccination or a negative test was not required for entry. However, we were required to show proof of a negative test upon check-in for our flight back to the US. There are testing sites all around PV, including on-site testing at the airport.
Please CLICK HERE to get the latest information regarding COVID regulations.
This trip we wanted to spend more time relaxing than focusing on filling our days with activities. We decided on Hotel Mousai, and booked an 8-night stay at the adults-only luxury resort, which bills itself as “The first and only AAA 5 Diamond rated resort in Puerto Vallarta and the state of Jalisco”. Hotel Mousai is about a 40-minute taxi ride from the airport and a 15-minute ride from downtown.
We booked our trip via costcotravel.com and opted for Hotel Mousai’s Gourmet Culinary All-Inclusive package, which covers the following: meals at all their restaurants (North Tower, South Tower, Garza Blanca Resort & Rooftop Infinity Pool); 24-hour room service; premium international and domestic alcoholic beverages; activities & entertainment; Wi-Fi; and, access to all the hotel amenities. The All-Inclusive package also covers tax, service, and gratuities (we ended up tipping extra for the amazing service we received at each restaurant).
We try to avoid all-inclusive packages since we normally do not drink and/or eat enough to warrant the extra cost, but we HIGHLY recommend upgrading to Hotel Mousai’s Gourmet Culinary All-Inclusive since their restaurants are all top-notch in terms of menu options and service (our favorite is Hiroshi). You’ll see what we mean when you read on for more info, photos, and of course videos!
We always purchase insurance when traveling internationally, for peace of mind in case anything bad ever happens. For this trip, we purchased travel insurance via Allianz Global, which was offered when we booked our trip via Costco Travel.
Hotel Musai offers on-site COVID testing for $30 USD per person. We were able to schedule our COVID-19 test upon check-in, to be taken on the day before our departure (Wednesday, March 16th).
We felt very safe during our stay at Hotel Mousai. The staff wore masks at all times and we always spotted someone cleaning the public areas.
CLICK HERE for more info on the resort’s COVID-19 testing option.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA TO PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO
We flew round-trip with American Airlines from Sky Harbor International Airport to Puerto Vallarta’s international airport, Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz.
We prefer the convenience of getting to/from the airport on our own and not rely on the rideshare service to avoid the possibility of missing a flight. Our flight was scheduled to depart Phoenix at 12:00pm, and so we got to the East Economy parking lot around 9:30am. We chose covered parking for $14/day ($12/day for uncovered), parked our car, and caught the Sky Train to Terminal 4 – easy peasy!
We arrived at American Airline’s check-in area around 9:45am to drop off our luggage and since the area was packed with Spring Break travelers, were not done until close to 10:30. Since we didn’t want to spend most of our time waiting to board, we spent an hour enjoying breakfast at Chelsea’s Kitchen before making our way to the TSA line.
Phoenix (PHX) to Puerto Vallarta (PVR), Operated by American Airlines: 2 Hours 31 Minutes
The flight was supposed to depart Phoenix at 12:00pm, but we didn’t taxi away from the gate until close to 12:30 due to some late boarding passengers.
We landed in Puerta Vallarta around 3:30pm, but didn’t get off the plane until close to 3:40 since we had to wait for a bus to pick us up for the ride from the tarmac to the terminal.
We filled out and printed the online Multiple Immigration Form/Tourist Card a few days before our flight to PV, and so didn’t have to worry about completing the paper form handed out by American Airlines during the last hour of the flight. The form must be completed per person and printed out to be presented with the passport. CLICK HERE to be directed to the online Multiple Immigration Form (Forma Migratoria Multiple).
There were multiple lines for clearing immigration, but due to the many Spring Break travelers, we were in line for over an hour before our turn arrived. After clearing immigration (less than five minutes), we headed to grab our checked baggage and got in line to clear customs (took less than 15 minutes from start to finish).
Note: As US citizens, we were automatically given a six-month visa on arrival.
You will encounter timeshare/salespeople as you make your way from customs to exit the airport. Some will aggressively approach you and insist upon helping you find transportation/tour options, but politely refuse their services and continue on your way. There are several ATMs in the airport, which we made use of to withdraw $4,000 MXN (~$200 USD) to cover cash tips and miscellaneous items. Dollars are accepted at many places, but keep in mind that change will be given in Pesos. Also, many restaurants accept credit cards, but it’s a good idea to have Pesos on hand to cover cash only places.
We exited the terminal, made a left, and got in line at the taxi stand to check in for our prepaid transportation (via Costco Travel) to Hotel Mousai. The ride from the airport to our hotel took about 40 minutes with traffic.
We read wonderful reviews about Hotel Mousai, but the pictures and videos do not do it justice; the resort complex is huge and the grounds are gorgeous!
We checked in with Fernando at 5:00pm, which was quick and easy. Since we booked their all-inclusive package, we were each given a black bracelet to wear for identification, and were scheduled for the COVID test on the 16th (a day before our departure). Fernando tried to usher us to go speak with Leticia (the concierge), but she was busy with another couple, so he escorted us to our room. (We later learned that Leticia is supposed to give each guest an obligatory timeshare presentation before guests are able book any activities.)
Our Ultra Mousai Suite was in the North Tower, on the 7th floor (#6074). The room was beautiful and spacious, and HUGE! Immediately upon walking in, we were stunned by the gorgeous view of the ocean – and this is just from the doorway! We explored the room and then hung out at the balcony, taking in unobstructed views of the ocean and mountains. We witnessed many amazing sunrises and sunsets from the privacy of our balcony.
NOTE: The recently built South Tower (opened November 2021) is almost identical to the North Tower, with a few differences. However, we heard from other guests staying at the South Tower that their rooms had obstructed views, based on the location of the building.
Our reservation was for 8:00pm, and it was a quick walk from the North Tower to the South Tower lobby, where NOI is located. We checked in with the hostess, who asked for our room number and seated us promptly. We opted to sit outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. Our servers for the evening were Luis and his assistant, Alberto; both were so knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive.
We started off with a cocktail each: Kevin ordered the Classic Margarita (~$8 USD) while I opted for the Piamonte Copa (~$11 USD).
We each got an amuse bouche, compliments of the chef (top right). For starters we ordered the Burrata (bottom left / ~$23 USD) and the Tritico Del Mare (bottom right / ~$25 USD). The Burrata was nestled in a bed of grape tomatoes, baby spinach, and topped with an oregano-honey vinaigrette. I make it a point to order Burrata whenever available, and the one offered by NOI was so fresh, creamy and delicious!
Let’s talk about my favorite of the night – the Tritico Del Mare! WOW! This is THE BEST Carpaccio I’ve ever tried – melt in your mouth goodness. The Carpaccio was a combination of thinly sliced Tuna, Salmon and Sea Bass topped with a mustard-truffle vinaigrette and fennel shaped like capellini in the middle. I could have ordered three of the Carpaccio and had it as a meal – it was THAT GOOD!
For the entrées we ordered the Gnocchi Carbonara ~$13 USD), Filetto di Pesce Mediterraneo / Catch of the Day ~$28 USD), and Boscaiola Pizza ~$28 USD). Same with the Burrata, I always make it a point to order Gnocchi whenever available, and the one offered by NOI didn’t disappoint! The Catch of the Day (sea bass w/ crispy skin) was topped over grilled asparagus and a pea puree, dotted with a balsamic reduction and Sicilian sauce. The Boscailo Pizza was cooked in a wood-fired oven, and the crust was topped with mozzarella, wild mushrooms, red onion, arugula and burnt garlic oil. (We didn’t have room for dessert after the delicious meal.)
Everything we tried was tasty, and dinner at NOI capped off our first evening at Hotel Mousai very nicely.
All-Inclusive Total: We had a combined three more cocktails during dinner, and our bill came to approximately $193 USD with included tax and gratuity ($3,933 MXN). We added an additional tip to the bill for the outstanding service.
On the agenda today is our food tour with Vallarta Eats! We booked their Signature Taco Tour for $55 USD/person the day before our trip to Mexico.
We requested a taxi from the front desk, which arrived at 8:30am to take us to the Malecon ($10 USD), which was about a 20-minute ride. Walking around and exploring the Malecon before the area was crowded with vendors and visitors was a nice way to kill an hour before we had to meet up with our food tour group.
It was a 10-minute walk from the Malecon to our food tour meeting point at the River Cafe Restaurant, a scenic area perfect for taking pictures (which we did). (The meeting point is at the bottom of the stairs.)
Our small tour group included our guide, Manny, as well as two other couples. Manny gave us an introduction to Puerto Vallarta and showed us on the map where we will be headed during our tour. He also gave each of us a souvenir bag filled with a bottle of water. We purposely did not have breakfast because we wanted to save our bellies for all the food we get to try during the tour.
Our first stop was to Birria Ricky, where we had the birria beef taco with a side of consomé (so flavorful!). Manny said that since the street food vendors do not have access to running water, for sanitation purposes, they cover each serving plate with a thin plastic, which will be tossed after use each time.
Our second stop was to this juice stand operated by two ladies, where we had the special – the green juice made with a combo of cactus, pineapple, celery, parsley, spinach and orange juice. For sanitation purposes, Manny brought little plastic cups for the drinks we tried during the tour, including the delicious and refreshing green juice at this stand.
Our third stop was to Marisma Fish Taco, where we each had the fried fish taco and fresh fish taco. The food is cooked in front of you – made to order fresh tortillas and fish! My favorite was the fried fish taco – so crunchy, piping hot and delicious!
Our fourth stop was to a Tortillera (tortilla factory), where we watched fresh tortillas being made. Manny said that since tortillas have a short shelf life, vendors and restaurants buy fresh ones daily or every other day based on need, from several factories located throughout the town. He said you can always tell a tortilla factory is nearby based on the loud, grinding noise the machines make.
Our fifth stop was to Fonda el Cucon, a sit-down restaurant that is relatively new (open less than a year). Here we got to try the chicken taco with mole sauce and a soft shell shredded pork taco. Kevin and I opted to share a plate. I was not a fan of the mole sauce, but Kevin liked it. (There is a clean bathroom here, so I recommend making use of it, even if just to wash to your hands.)
Our sixth stop was to my favorite – Macareno – a cute sit-down restaurant owned by a mother-and-son duo. The son runs the restaurant during the day and the mother runs it during the evening – each offers different menu options. We were here while the son was running it, and we got to try the inside-out hard-shell taco – I chose the shredded Tinga de Pollo (seasoned shredded chicken), while Kevin chose the carne asada (steak). I love the concept of the hard-shell taco with nothing inside, topped with the meat of your choice, pickled veggies and a flavorful salsa. We washed down our taco with the guava agua fresca.
Our seventh stop was to Mariscos Cisneros, where we each had the shrimp taco and stuffed jalapeno pepper taco. Kevin and I shared a plate again since we were getting pretty full at this point. There is a sit-down restaurant, but our group sat outside at the food stand (which we prefer), where we were able to watch the food being cooked.
Our eighth stop was to Carnitas Lalo, where we tried the shredded pork cheek and crispy skin taco…SO GOOD!
Our ninth stop was to La Michoacana (top right and bottom right), where we each got an ice cream of choice. I love tamarind and so chose that flavor; sweet & tart, and so refreshing!
Our tenth and final stop was to Azteca (bottom left), a cute shop selling SO MANY types of candies. We were able to sample several types of sweet, salty, and savory candies. Kevin bought a cap here for $10 USD.
We definitely recommend booking a tour with Vallarta Eats if you want to get a sampling of the various tacos and street food offered by the mom-and-pop vendors, while learning about the history and culture. Our tour lasted from 10:00am to 1:30pm, but our guide Manny was so informative and entertaining that it didn’t even feel like we spent 3.5 hours walking and eating. Manny walked us to the taxi stand and we were off to Hotel Mousai ($10 USD fare).
The street food is so good in Puerto Vallarta, and there are taco/food stands on almost every corner in town, so don’t be afraid to try it! You can enjoy a delicious meal for less than $5 USD per couple.
Once back at Hotel Mousai, we made contact with our assigned butler, Eduardo. He gave us his mobile phone number to call/text with any requests and also made dinner reservations for us the rest of the trip.
At 9:00pm we headed up to the Rooftop Bar to chill and enjoy some cocktails and take in the nighttime scenery. There was a live band playing chill beats, and we stayed up there for over an hour before heading back to our room.
All-Inclusive Total: Our bill came to approximately $40 USD ($800 MXN), with tax and gratuity included, for four cocktails and two bottles of water. We added an additional tip to the bill.
Late Night Room Service Dinner: Scallops w/ mashed sweet potato (left), Steak Fajitas (middle), and, Seafood Pasta (right). The food was hot, fresh, and delicious. It was so nice to have a relaxing dinner in our room.
All-Inclusive Total: Our bill came to approximately $93 USD ($1,891 MXN), with tax and gratuity included, for two cocktails and the food. We gave an additional cash tip for the delivery.
This is my favorite part of the day – starting off our mornings with breakfast on the balcony. We spent a few hours enjoying the food, and taking in the breathtaking views of the ocean & Garza Blanca.
All-Inclusive Total: Our bill came to approximately $62 USD ($1,267 MXN) with tax and gratuity included, for a pot of black coffee, a latte w/ whole milk, pastry basket, an Omelette, French toast, as well as a side of sausage and two fried eggs. We gave an additional cash tip.
We got ready to spend several hours at the Rooftop Pool and made our way up there at 10:45am. The Rooftop Pool opens at 9:00am, but bar and food service won’t be available until 11:00am.
One of the staff checked in with us to see which loungers we wanted, and went about setting up the area for us (umbrella and towels). We chose the loungers in the middle for the best views. Although we were the first there, more guests started arriving shortly afterwards.
We spent about six hours at the Rooftop Pool and really enjoyed our time there. It was so nice to relax on the loungers and/or in the pool and have our every need catered to by Miguel, our assigned server. During our six hours at the rooftop, we ordered many cocktails and food items from the menu. There are plenty of tables for those wanting a sit-down meal.
Note: We heard that cocktails are watered down, and we can attest to that. It wasn’t a big deal for us, but if you want a stronger cocktail, ask your server for a double (or triple); there will of course be an additional charge.
The Rooftop Pool at the South Tower is almost identical to the one at the North Tower. However, the South Tower has the added benefit of having restrooms on the same floor as the pool, as well as TVs at the bar. With that said, we hung out on the loungers and/or in the pool the whole time we were there, and it was just a short walk down one flight of stairs (or elevator ride) to get to the bathroom (next to the Spa).
All-Inclusive Total: Our bill came to approximately $169 USD ($3,363 MXN) with tax and gratuity included, for the following: Tuna Tartare, Caprese Watermelon Salad, Chicken Popcorn (2), a bottle of Perrier, Guacamole and ten somewhat watered-down cocktails. I highly recommend the Watermelon Fresh cocktail – so refreshing and delicious. We were given four complimentary bottles of water when our area was set up. We of course gave an additional tip for the attentive service.
We spent about six hours at the Rooftop Pool; such an amazing way to relax.
We ventured out of our room in the evening for our 8:00pm dinner reservation at DAO in the South Tower. There was a lovely flutist providing musical entertainment in the lobby of the North Tower – lends to the classy and serene atmosphere of Hotel Mousai.
It was a quick walk from the North Tower to DAO, a recently opened restaurant that serves gourmet contemporary Chinese.
We started off with a cocktail each: Kevin ordered the Pagoda cocktail (~$11 USD) while I opted for the a glass of Sparkling Wine ($5 USD). It was a treat to see the Pagoda cocktail (top left) being smoked tableside, and scent of the thyme was heavenly. I took I sip of the Pagoda cocktail and promptly ordered one for myself – so good!
We were each treated to an amuse bouche, which was half of a fried egg roll stuffed with seasoned diced vegetables.
We ordered the following items, to be brought out at the same time: Sauteed String Beans w/ XO Sauce (top left / ~$8 USD); Salt & Pepper Spices Calamari & Shrimps (top right / ~$14 USD); Crispy Five Spices Duck (~$30 USD); Chef’s Hor Fun Noodles w/ Beef (~$28 USD); and, a side of white rice (~$5 USD). Everything tasted fresh and delicious!!
Okay, truthfully I wasn’t expecting to be wowed by Chinese food in Mexico, but – the food here was amazing! The standout here is definitely the Chef’s Hor Fun Noodles with Beef – the best I’ve had! The noodles are prepared daily, and we can definitely taste the freshness.
I skipped dessert, but Kevin ordered the Green Tea Crème Brulee, served with a side of strawberry sorbet. The service was top notch, and the staff surprised me with a birthday song & complimentary dessert (same thing Kevin ordered). Kevin told me later he texted Eduardo (our butler) earlier in the day to let him know I was celebrating a birthday this trip.
All-Inclusive Total: In addition to the food, we enjoyed a combined three cocktails and glass of sparkling wine, and our bill came to approximately $157 USD ($3,195 MXN) with included tax and gratuity. We added an additional tip to the bill.
After dinner we took the complimentary trolley to go down to the TierraLuna Village, an outdoor space located within the Garza Blanca Preserve. Although the village was beautifully lit up, it was very quiet the evening we went, with barely any attendees.
We had Room Service breakfast on the balcony around 7:30am, and afterwards spent two hours exploring the resort complex on foot, including the TierraLuna Village and Garza Blanca Resort.
All-Inclusive Total: Banana Pancakes (~$10 USD); Side of Bacon (~$2 USD); Tropical Fruit Salad (~$9 USD); Omelette (~$12 USD); Traditional Pancakes (~$9 USD); Carafe of Black Coffee (~$6 USD); and, Side of Sausage (~$3 USD). Our total bill was approximately $66 USD ($1,344 MXN) with included tax and gratuity. We added an additional tip to the bill.
We dressed in workout gear for our walk, and highly recommend wearing comfortable shoes. This easy trail was to the right of the North Tower as you exit the lobby.
We loved exploring the TierraLuna Village since the shops and restaurants do not open until the afternoon.
We used the pedestrian bridge to cross over from the North Tower/South Tower side to the Garza Blanca side, where the beach is located. We had to walk down multiple flights of stairs from the Mousai side to get to the pedestrian bridge, but it was all scenic. There’s a section with cobblestone pathways, so comfortable shoes are a plus.
As guests at Mousai, we had access to Garza Blanca, including their restaurants, pools and the private beach. Garza Blanca is a family resort and has a more typical vacation vibe.
We didn’t have a chance to hang out at Garza Blanca’s private beach, but loved exploring the grounds. Although small, the beach area is nice, with clear water. This is the starting point for the complimentary Los Arcos Kayak Tour offered by resort.
The walk around the acres of private land (vegetation/pristine grounds) definitely lends to a scenic way of getting in some exercise. The trolley comes around every 10-15 minutes for those not wanting to make the uphill walk back to the North/South towers. The trolley stops outside the lobby of both Mousai towers, outside the BocaDos STK steakhouse, outside Garza Blanca’s lobby, and one other area. CLICK HERE for more info on the trolley service.
We ordered Room Service lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon into the early evening hours basking in the views from our balcony, napping in the hammock, and relaxing in the hot tub.
All-Inclusive Total: Ceviche Vallarta ~$12 USD); Shrimp Fajitas (~$11 USD); and, Mimosas x 2 (~$13 USD). Our total bill was approximately $41 USD ($830 MXN) with included tax and gratuity. We added an additional tip to the bill.
We ventured out of our room in the evening for an 8:15pm dinner reservation at Hiroshi, located next to the lobby area of the North Tower.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to score an outside table to take in the fresh air and views. However, this did not take away from the amazing experience we had at Hiroshi. Our servers for the evening were Miguel and Alejandro.
We opted for the Cool Breeze cocktail (each at ~$10 USD), and ordered as starters the Mix Tempura (~$16 USD), Grilled Zucchini (~$7 USD), as well as my favorite – Hamachi Sashimi (~$19 USD).
The Hamachi sashimi, my favorite of the evening, was served with a truffle vinaigrette and topped with Ikura (Salmon eggs) and slices of Serrano pepper. My mouth is watering just thinking about the freshness and deliciousness of this menu item.
We ordered the Eel roll (~$19 USD), Spider roll (~$20 USD), the Wasabi Rib Eye (~$41 USD), and another Hamachi Sashimi.
We ordered a carafe of the Hana brand of lychee flavored sake to share. This was such a smooth tasting sake with a strong note of lychee - perfecto!
I skipped dessert, but tried a bite of Kevin’s Miso Crème Brulee. The service at Hiroshi was top notch, and the staff surprised me with a birthday song & complimentary dessert.
All-Inclusive Total: In addition to the carafe of sake and food, we had a combined three cocktails, a bottle of water, and a bottle of Pellegrino, bringing our total bill to approximately $258 USD ($5,250 MXN) with included tax and gratuity. We added an additional tip to the bill.
As guests of Hotel Mousai, we had access to on-site activities; advanced reservations are recommended. CLICK HERE for more info on the offered activities, and to download a PDF of the Activities Program.
I didn’t partake of any of the activities offered by the hotel, but our butler reserved a spot for Kevin to join this morning’s guided kayak trip to Mismaloya and the Los Arcos formation. Kevin went to Blanca Blue at 7am to eat breakfast (~$29 USD) and met the guide (Eduardo) and others in the group at the beach around 7:30am. Kevin was partnered with another guest in a tandem kayak, and the group set off from the beach around 8am after Eduardo went over the safety procedures.
Kevin said that it took about 40-45 minutes to reach the Los Arcos formation, and since the water was too murky for snorkeling, they spent 10-15 minutes there before making the return trip back to the beach.
If you’re not up for the Los Arcos tour, reservations can be made to borrow a kayak, stand-up paddle boards, and/or snorkel gear for personal use.
I ordered the following Room Service breakfast items to enjoy on the balcony: Chilaquiles, a traditional Mexican breakfast consisting of fried corn tortilla pieces cooked in salsa, sprinkled with cheese, and topped with a fried egg (~$8 USD); Tropical Fruit Salad (~$8 USD); and, a carafe of black coffee (~$6 USD). The Chilaquiles was kind of bland, so I added hot sauce for more flavor. To be honest, I only ate a few bites, so safe to say I’m not a fan of the Chilaquiles. The fruit plate hit the spot as usual - the papaya is especially sweet and delicious.
All-Inclusive Total: Chicken Fingers (~$13 USD); Beef Fajitas (~$17 USD); Blueberry Ginger Cocktail (~$9 USD), Classic Margarita x 2 (~$18 USD); and, Coconut Mousse with Passionfruit (~$9 USD). Our total bill was approximately $77 USD ($1,554 MXN), with included tax and gratuity. We gave an additional cash tip. We also got two glasses of pineapple juice (complimentary) to use as a mixer for the alcohol in the mini-bar.
We caught the trolley for a ride to Garza Blanca for our 7:30pm dinner reservation at Blanca Blue. It’s a bumpy ride, but it was neat to be in an open-air vehicle enjoying the breeze and views along the way.
Blanca Blue offers inside and outside seating, and we opted to sit inside at a table that offered us a beautiful view of the mountains. Our servers for the evening were Jose and Refugio.
We started off with a cocktail each: Kevin ordered the La Catrina (~$9 USD) and I chose the one recommended by Jose, the Tesguino by Pedro Palomera (~$11 USD). The La Catrina (red cocktail) is a mix of Union Mezcal, pomegranate liquer and damain tea. Kevin wasn’t a fan of the smoked and sweet flavors of the La Catrina, and ordered his go-to, the Classic Margarita (~$7 USD). The Tesguino by Pedro Palomera is a mix of Union Mezcal, avocado puree, and lime sorbet. This creation was named as the Best Cocktail of Puerto Vallarta in 2018. Although I didn’t fully enjoy the creamy and tart flavors of the cocktail, I am glad I tried it.
We were offered an array of fresh bread, and I chose a mini croissant (top right). As starters we chose the Fried Squash Blossoms (~$12 USD) and Scallops Tiradito (~$13 USD). The squash blossoms were filled with Oaxaca cheese and epazote, and were served on fresh tortillas, with a side of tomato sauce. The Scallops Tiradito was pan fried and served on a bed of avocado mousse, mango puree, and citrus puree – delicious!
Left Pic: Fried Octopus (~$24 USD), which was served with a salad, roasted garlic emulsion, and topped with chilli paste. The octopus was too chewy and kind of bland, so I would skip this next time.
Top Right Pic: Ajillo Shrimps (~$20 USD), which was cooked in chilli butter and served on a bed of potato gratin. We agreed this was full of flavor and was the best dish of the evening.
Bottom Right: Short Rib Blanca Blue (~$28 USD), which was served in the braised sauce, with side of grilled sweet potato strips, baby corn, and grilled onion. It tasted fine, but we should have skipped this one.
The lovely flutist provided musical entertainment for at least an hour. She played the flute to a number of popular pop hits – such lovely sounds as we dined. We gave her a $20 USD tip since we enjoyed the performance so much.
For dessert I ordered the Guava Fruit Tart (~$9 USD) with two small scoops of vanilla ice cream, and Kevin ordered the Bunuelos (~$9 USD), fried dough stuffed with vanilla ice cream.
Kevin wanted some after-dinner coffee, so he ordered the Café Mexicana Taza (Mexican Coffee / ~$11 USD), not realizing the amazing show we were about to experience! Victor was pretty generous with the Kahlua, Baileys and tequila, and the end result was a VERY strong coffee drink! Kevin said he got pretty buzzed after only a few sips. The Mexican coffee was meant for two, but I declined the offer for a glass and opted for a Cafe Latte (~$2 USD). The show became the highlight of the evening for us – bravo Victor!
All-Inclusive Total: Our bill came to approximately $186 USD ($3,759 MXN), including a bottle of water, a bottle of Pellegrino, as well as tax and gratuity. We added an additional tip to the bill for our waiters, and gave Victor a cash tip for the wonderful performance.
TIP: A romantic dinner on the beach for around $200 USD per couple can be reserved in advance via your butler or by contacting Blanca Blue.
We woke up around 6:30am to have an early breakfast since we had to be in downtown PV for our ATV tour by 8:45am. All-Inclusive Total: Side of Sausage (~$3 USD); Tropical Fruit Salad (~$9 USD); Omelette (~$12 USD); Carafe of Black Coffee (~$6 USD); and, two bottles of Perrier Sparkling Water (~10 USD). Our total bill was approximately $46 USD ($937 MXN), with included tax and gratuity. We added an additional tip to the bill.
We had the front desk call a taxi to take us downtown for our ATV adventure with Estigo Tours, and left the hotel around 8:10am. The taxi driver had a hard time finding the tour office, even when we gave him the address and told him it was across from Captain Don’s restaurant. He had to stop twice to get help from other taxi drivers. However, we still made it in time for check-in around 8:40am.
The tour we booked was the Sierra Madre ATV Mountain Adventure, leaving from downtown Puerto Vallarta. We paid $150 USD for the 3.5hr tour, and opted for the double ATV (I rode as the passenger).
We signed in at the front desk, and once the others in our group checked in, were given safety and driving instructions. Since we forgot to bring our own face coverings, they provided us with complimentary handkerchiefs.
We were off by 9am, and started our scenic drive from the Estigo Tour office and through the cobblestone streets of downtown.
There were four guides with us and they were diligent about keeping us safe on the roads, keeping our group together, and stopping traffic in order to let us pass safely.
Loved the drive up and down the mountain for scenic views, but not so much the dust we picked up on our clothes, shoes and hair.
Our first pit stop was at a cantina, where we were given a demonstration on making fresh corn tortillas, and two from our group volunteered to make some salsa.
Next we moved on to tequila tasting. We got to try a sip of various flavors - my favorite is the passionfruit! You’re able to purchase bottles from them, which you can take with, or have shipped to your preferred destination. Overall we spent about half an hour here, which was enough time to refresh before heading off again.
Our second pit stop was at a riverside cantina, with indoor and outdoor seating. We chose to sit outside since we were covered in dust and the weather was so nice. We ordered a margarita as well as chips and salsa to share. The group spent about half an hour here before we were on the road again.
We were back at the Estigo Tours office around 12:30pm. We gave the last of our Pesos as tips for the guides and went to the currency exchange place around the corner to withdraw more.
The guides were good at making sure they got great shots of each quad, and within a few hours after the tour, we received an email with a link to download the free photos - BONUS!
Although we were covered in dust from head to toe, we wanted to take advantage of being in town and explore the area. It was so nice to see the locals going about their day.
Walking The Malecon in the early afternoon is a perfect way to spend time people watching, enjoying the beautiful ocean views, exploring shops and restaurants, as well as catching a free show.
There are taxis aplenty, and we were able to flag one down easily for our ride back to Hotel Mousai ($10 USD fare). We were back at the hotel around 2:45pm and ordered Room Service lunch.
We ordered the following items to enjoy on the balcony: BBQ Chicken Wings (~$12 USD); Shrimp Fajitas (~$12 USD); Fish Tacos (~$13 USD); and, three cocktails (~$18 USD). Our total bill was approximately $63 USD ($1,496 MXN), with included tax and gratuity. We added an additional tip to the bill.
We had an 8:30pm dinner reservation at DAO (contemporary Chinese) in the South Tower. Our servers for the evening were Miguel and Angel.
We started off with a cocktail each: Kevin ordered the Buda cocktail (bottom right / ~$11 USD), while I opted for the Pagoda cocktail (top right / ~$11 USD).
We ordered the following items to share: Wok-Fried Chinese Lettuce (~$11 USD); Mapo Tofu, consisting of silken tofu and ground pork stir fried in a spicy sauce (~$22 USD); Chef’s Hor Fun Noodles w/ Beef (~$28 USD); and, Dao Combination Fried Rice (~$11 USD). The standout again is the Chef’s Hor Fun Noodles with Beef.
As with most fine dining establishments, portions aren’t big, but this worked out better for us since we never felt too stuffed after each meal. Also, you’re welcome to ask for leftovers to be boxed to go.
For dessert Kevin ordered two small scoops of the Green Tea Ice Cream (~$12 USD) and I opted for the Green Tea Crème Brulee (~$12 USD), served with strawberry sorbet.
All-Inclusive Total: Our bill came to approximately $162 USD ($3,300 MXN), including a bottle of water, a bottle of Pellegrino, as well as tax and gratuity. We added an additional tip to the bill for our wonderful waiters.
We spent our morning relaxing and having breakfast on the balcony before getting ready to spend the day at the Rooftop Pool. We ordered from Room Service to share – a pot of black coffee, an Omelette, a side of bacon, and the Tropical Fruit Platter (total bill came to approximately $38 USD/$764 MXN).
We headed to the Rooftop Pool at 11:00am and grabbed a couple of loungers in the middle section. We spent about four hours at the Rooftop Pool lounging, napping, eating, drinking and just basking in the views.
All-Inclusive Total: Our bill came to approximately $105 USD ($2,135 MXN) with tax and gratuity included, for the following: Tuna Sashima (~$11 USD), Coconut Shrimp (~$10 USD), Chicken Popcorn (~$17 USD), two bottles of Perrier, two bottles of water, five Watermelon Fresh cocktails and a bottle of Corona. We gave an additional tip for the attentive service.
After a long and relaxing nap, we got ready for our 6:30pm dinner reservation at Hiroshi. This time we were able to score an outside table, and were able to bask in the perfect weather and beautiful sunset. Our servers for the evening were Diego and Alejandro.
We ordered a carafe of the Hana brand of lychee flavored sake to share – smooth and delicious!
Kevin ordered a small bottle of Sapporo (~$11 USD) while I opted for the Musa cocktail (~$8 USD).
We started with the Tuna Wonton Tostada (~$10 USD) and Hamachi Sashimi (~$19 USD). Definitely recommend both – so light and delicious!
Next up we got the Eel Nigiri (~$12 USD), Hamachi Nigiri (~$10 USD), and from the grill, the Bacon Asparagus (~$8 USD).
For the entrees, Kevin ordered the Grilled Catch of the Day (~$21 USD) while I opted for the Duck Magret (~$24 USD).
I didn’t order dessert, but tried a bite of Kevin’s Vegan Chocolate Cake (~$10 USD).
All-Inclusive Total: In addition to the Sapporo, carafe of sake, and food, we had a combined two cocktails, a bottle of water, and a bottle of Pellegrino, bringing our total bill to approximately $221 USD ($4,510 MXN) with included tax and gratuity. We added an additional tip to the bill. The food and service at Hiroshi are so top notch!
Our COVID test was scheduled for 11:30am at one of the buildings within the resort grounds, and so we walked there to get in some exercise. The resort partnered with CMQ Hospital for on-site COVID testing for a fee (~$60 USD for two), and it was a quick process. We were in and out within 15 minutes, and our results (both negative) were emailed to us within a few hours.
We used the pedestrian bridge to cross over from the North Tower/South Tower side to the Garza Blanca side, for our lunch at Blanca Blue. It was a nice afternoon, so we opted to sit outside. Service today was really slow, but we didn’t mind since the views are amazing.
We ordered two bottles of water (~$3 USD), as well as a Mimosa (~$5 USD) and Classic Margarita (~$6 USD). We shared the Duck Tacos (~$13 USD), Garza Breaded Beef Sandwich (~$19 USD), and Seafood Rice (~$26 USD). The beef sandwich was a nice surprise – very flavorful, tender, and they didn’t skimp on the quality or quantity of the meat!
All-Inclusive Total: Our total bill came to approximately $83 USD ($1,690 MXN) with included tax and gratuity. We added an additional tip to the bill.
I highly recommend the Seafood Rice. Even though the sauce looks heavy, it’s actually a very light dish, and they didn’t skimp on the chunks of seafood!
We chose NOI to have dinner on our last evening at Hotel Mousai. Our reservation was for 6:30pm, and it was a nice walk from the North Tower to the South Tower lobby. Most of the walkway is constructed of glass, so I avoid looking down as we pass through since it can be a little disconcerting. We checked in with the hostess and were seated promptly at an outside table – the better to enjoy the beautiful weather and sunset. (You can see DAO in the background.)
Our servers for the evening were Noe and Gabriel – both were so knowledgeable and entertaining!
We started off with a cocktail each: Kevin ordered the Portofino (short glass), while I opted for the Piamonte (each at ~$11 USD).
We started with the Tritico Del Mare (~$25 USD). I can’t say enough about this Carpaccio – melt in your mouth goodness! Each bite of the combo of thinly sliced Tuna, Salmon and Sea Bass, as well as the fennel capellini was just *Chef’s Kiss*.
Right Pic: Complimentary amuse-bouche from the Chef.
The Gnocchi Carbonara (~$13 USD) and Mussels in Tomato Sauce (~$11 USD) were both flavorful and delicious. The Gnocchi is a potato dough pasta that has an amazing texture, and is something I always order when offered, no matter the type of sauce. NOI’s Gnocchi offering comes with a white sauce made from Pecorino Romano, black pepper and egg & was topped with Guanciale (cured meat, similar to Prosciutto).
I ordered the Filetto di Pesce Mediterraneo (Catch of the Day / ~$28 USD), and Kevin opted for the Spaghetti Alla Chitarra E Granchio (Egg Pasta with King Crab / ~$119 USD). Kevin loved the taste of the pasta (sauce was amazing), but was underwhelmed with the King Crab offering - especially for the price.
Note: The King Crab Spaghetti is a premium culinary item and is offered at a 20% discount for those with the All-Inclusive Meal Plan. However, we had a travel credit, so the $119 USD charge was removed when we checked out of the hotel the next day.
For dessert I ordered the Panna Cotta with Lemon Essence and Kevin ordered the Nutella Stuffed Crepes (each at ~$12 USD). I normally opt for Crème Brulee, but since it wasn’t offered this evening, the Panna Cotta works just as well since it also has a creamy texture and sweet taste.
All-Inclusive Total: We had a combined four cocktails during dinner, as well a bottle of water and a bottle of Pellegrino, bringing our total bill to approximately $316 USD ($6,430 MXN) with included tax and gratuity. We added an additional tip to the bill for the outstanding service.
I got another birthday surprise (my third) when we entered our room! In addition to the balloons, they also left dessert and a bottle of champagne. Hotel Mousai really knows how to make guests feel special!
All-Inclusive Total: Tropical Fruit Salad (~$9 USD); Burrito Machaha (~$11 USD); Side of Sausage (~$3 USD); Sunnyside Up Eggs (~$9 USD); Carafe of Black Coffee (~$6 USD); Pellegrino x 2 (~$10 USD); and, Orange Juice x 2 (~$5 USD). Our total bill was approximately $64 USD ($1,314 MXN) with included tax and gratuity. We added an additional tip to the bill.
We checked out of the hotel around 11:30am and sought out Eduardo (out butler) to personally thank him and to give an envelope with a cash tip. Since we were on the all-inclusive plan, the final statement showed only the additional tips we gave, as well as an adjustment of $119 USD (~$2,436 MXN) in resort credit we used for the King Crab Spaghetti at the Italian restaurant (NOI).
Our taxi (prepaid via Costco Travel) arrived to the hotel around 12:30pm and it took an hour and 15 minutes to get to the airport because of heavy traffic. We arrived at the airport around 1:45pm and got in line to have an airport employee verify our negative Covid test results before we were even allowed to proceed to the check-in line for American Airlines. By the time we were done checking in our luggage around 2:30pm, it was a mad dash to the other side of the airport and down the stairs to get in line to board the bus to take us to the tarmac. It was a stressful time since our flight was scheduled to depart at 3:30pm, and we thought we were going to miss it.
To allow sufficient time for check-in and security, we normally arrive to an airport a minimum of two hours beforehand. However, we had no control over when the prepaid taxi arrived to pick us up from Hotel Mousai, so next time we’ll grab our own taxi. (We also do not plan to travel during Spring Break again.)
We loved our stay at Hotel Mousai and will definitely return one day. However, we plan to be closer to all the action during our next trip to Puerto Vallarta, and will be booking a stay at an AirBnb or hotel in the Zona Romantica area - this will allow easy walking access to The Malecon, restaurants, shopping and nightlife.
Our total food and drink costs at Hotel Mousai came to about $2,600.00 USD the whole trip (not inclusive of additional tips), so we feel that their all-inclusive plan is definitely worth the upgrade.