Sunshine, Salty Air, and Unforgettable Days in Puerto Vallarta

Stan and I celebrated 30 years of wedding bliss last month.

Now guess how many vacations we’ve taken completely by ourselves since our honeymoon before this trip… ZERO.

But as they say, better late than never!

Destination? Puerto Vallarta. ☀️🌴

Were we totally alone? Not exactly… but we were in the very best company: my cousin, her husband, and basically the people responsible for setting us up in the first place. 💕

But let’s start from the beginning. ❤️

We left for the airport in the very early hours of the morning on Stan’s big milestone birthday (keep reading 🥳🎂). And by early, I mean way too early if you ask me. But we were so excited for this little getaway of ours — five days away from the hustle and bustle, away from responsibilities, and filled with the promise of sunshine, good food, and quality time together.

When we arrived at O’Hare, we had a couple of hours to spare before our flight. Between TSA lines and bad weather, we didn’t want to risk feeling rushed. Now, I am definitely not an early breakfast person, and Stan is absolutely not a McDonald’s kind of guy… but can you guess what our very first meal of the trip was at 6:30 in the morning? McDonald’s. 😅

And honestly? It was delicious and completely worth it.

The coffee tasted amazing, the breakfast sandwiches were perfection, but I think what made that McDonald’s breakfast so special was something much bigger than the food itself. There we were, standing in a loud airport with sandwiches in hand, and for once, we had nowhere to be except our gate… and nothing else to worry about.

Ahhh… I can still taste the sweetness of that moment in every possible way. ❤️

It had rained SO much in Chicago the entire week before we left, and it poured all night into the morning of our trip. By the time we arrived at O’Hare, there were buckets all over the airport catching water from ceiling leaks. Ay, ay, ay!

And then, of course, our flight was delayed for maintenance checks.

Later, we found out they were doing a thorough inspection of the plane for possible hail damage from the storm the night before since the aircraft had been sitting at the airport overnight. Honestly, after hearing that, I didn’t mind the wait at all!

Two hours later than our scheduled departure they announced we’d be boarding, hurray!!!

Off we went… trading rainy Chicago skies for sunshine, warmth, and the beginning of our little adventure.

Arriving in Puerto Vallarta and walking out of the airport into pure SUNSHINE and that instant feeling of “we’re officially on vacation” felt like pure magic. ☀️🌴❤️

Now, I do have to say… as magical as it all was, the humidity made itself known immediately. Like WOW. There was absolutely no ignoring it. But honestly? We were so excited and grateful to be there that it didn’t bother us one bit.

Well… except for my hair. My hair definitely had some feelings about it. But we managed.

Our cousins were already waiting for us, and after changing from “surviving 40 degree Chicago weather” clothes into “we now live in tropical weather” clothes, we immediately headed out in search of a beachfront restaurant for lunch.

And wow… was that first meal delicious. Yum!!! And with the best company! 🥰

Stan in search of the “perfect” hat! This man loves a good hat!!!

💭🧐 “Amigo, make up your mind already!”

Even the friendly stray dogs looked relaxed, happy, and completely unbothered by life.

Ok, ok, I got a hat too! 🤩

Our view from the car on our way to the grocery story to get a few things for the Airbnb.

Dos amigos at the COOLEST and one of the nicest grocery stores I’ve ever been to!

Ahhhh… the view on our very first night in Puerto Vallarta from the condominium where we were staying, as we headed out to celebrate Stan’s birthday. One of those moments you wish you could freeze in time for just a little longer.

Also, I don’t remember seeing Stan this happy in a long time. Like, look at this face! Blurry and all, but it spells out JOY!

We arrived at the restaurant for Stan’s birthday dinner tired from a long day of travel and honestly not even super hungry after our big late lunch right after the airport pickup. But celebrating was absolutely in order… so celebrate we did. ❤️

And somehow, between the good food, the beautiful atmosphere, and simply being there together, we enjoyed every single minute of it.

HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY, STASIU!!! Cheers to a new decade of health, and joy. We love you!!! Stay cool! 😎

Make a wish! ✨

Good night day one, thank you for a great, and memorable day. Hasta mañana!

DAY TWO ☀️

Soooo excited for this day!!!

We woke up bright and early to hop on a large catamaran for a beach excursion in Puerto Vallarta, and it ended up being one of those moments you wish you could bottle up forever.

About an hour out on the water with gorgeous weather, fresh ocean air, salty splashes, music, complimentary drinks, laughter, and just pure FUN.

Honestly, I could do that on repeat every single day.

But first… coffee, before we got on the boat!

DELICIOUS hot coffee with kahlúa! Cheers!

Stan took this picture of me befriending a woman from Wisconsin! Stan said “I’m not surprised!” I’ll take that as a compliment! 😂

Upon arrival at the beach we were visiting, they were waiting for us with delicious food, and the most amazing, and flavorful coffee!

Let the adventure begin!!! Or should I say… continue?! 😉

Stan impersonating “Rocky”, a brilliant, highly-strung alien engineer from the planet Erid in the movie Project Hail Mary. If you haven’t seen it yet, do, it’ll warm your heart in more than one way! 🪨🌗

PINCH ME, and take me back! 😍

Stash waiting for his drink! 🍹

Between drinks, beach time, delicious food, laughs, and long conversations, my cousin and I somehow decided it would be a great idea to go zip lining off the top of a cliff straight into the ocean. At first, it didn’t look intimidating at all. But then my turn came.

The moment I got to the top and looked down, I immediately questioned every life choice that had brought me there. Right before they pushed me off, I basically decided, “Never mind. I’m not doing this.”

The young man running the zip line looked at me calmly and said, “You can do it. You’re already here. Close your eyes, and before you know it, you’ll land in the water and be happy you did it.”

And then, out of nowhere, a whole group of teenagers on a school excursion waiting for their turn started chanting in unison:

“You can do it! You can do it! You can do it!”

Honestly? I think I did it for them. I didn’t want to show that kind of fear that completely freezes you and keeps you from enjoying the moment. I mean, the jump wasn’t exactly two miles long.

So I closed my eyes like the operator suggested, opened them halfway down, hit the salty ocean water at full speed, and by the time I swam back to the platform, I felt like I had overcome something much bigger than a zip line.

Was I proud of myself? Absolutely.
Was it fun? Ohhhh yes.

Perfect timing for a free hug after the zip lining experience! 😍

Ok, now that the fright has passed, time for some delicious food!!! Oh my goodness!

Well, I guess a day only has so many hours, and before we knew it, it was time to hop back on the catamaran and head back to the port. One more beautiful ride filled with ocean air, sunshine, tired happy smiles, dancing, singing, entertainment and the kind of memories you wish you could bottle up and take home with you.

And back on the boat we went! Another hour of pure FUN… or honestly, a complete blast. Amazing weather, salty ocean water splashing on our faces, music, drinks, laughs, and that carefree vacation feeling that makes you forget what day it even is.

Stan’s face, “why me, why???” 🤣

Arrived at the resort after a day of fun, and time to watch the sunset! 🥰

Well, he’s arrived at a much happy (and peaceful) place his way. Can you tell? 😊

A GREAT day!!! ❤️

DAY 3 ☀️

We started the day with breakfast at yummy local restaurant, and ended up being serenaded and all, what a treat!

My coffee partner, Balti! ☕️

A beach cat chilling across from the restaurant on our way back to the car.

And now it was time to visit a little town near Puerto Vallarta that Stan had been daydreaming about for quite a while. He’d read about it, researched it, and talked about it enough that we knew we had to go see it for ourselves.

So off we went on another adventure! Was it everything he hoped it would be? I’ll save that review for an upcoming Puerto Vallarta Things to Do post. 😅

I’m pretty sure it was at least 100 degrees that day, with the kind of humidity Puerto Vallarta is famous for. There were hills to climb, hills to walk down, cobblestone streets, uneven paths, and plenty of opportunities to wonder whose idea this adventure was in the first place (we know! 😬😂) for a while, or at least the beginning of the visit!

But honestly, it was all part of the experience. The charm, character, and beauty of this charming, and picturesque town made every sweaty step completely worthwhile.

Stan, the man, ready to take on Sayulita!

Pretty ☀️🌴

I wanted a picture of the mangos.

Stan wanted a picture of the ocean.

Mango vendor wanted a picture of us! 😎

Just the two of us exploring the streets of Sayulita. A small, and easy to navigate kind of town.

A must 🥰📸

The prettiest entrance to this Mexican restaurant owned by a Polish couple. How about that??? 🇲🇽🇵🇱

Best treat on a hot day!!!

After spending time exploring Sayulita, relaxing on the beach, sampling delicious food—a special shoutout to the pizza in the photo above because WOW, it was so good!—and simply soaking it all in, we decided it was time to head back.

But not before making one more stop, of course: a beachfront restaurant for supper. Because when you are on vacation, one more meal with a view just feels like the right thing to do!

My ceviche was AMAZING!!!

Dos amigos! 😎🍻

Stan and I ended the day sunset watching, relaxing, chatting, and being together which was the biggest gift of all.

DAY FOUR ☀️

Day four in Puerto Vallarta was so much fun—and one of Stan’s favorite days of the trip.

We started the morning with breakfast at a local restaurant that I absolutely loved. It wasn’t fancy, but it had everything I enjoy: great food, amazing service, and so much charm. Those are always my favorite kinds of places.

I ordered an egg and chorizo burrito that was absolutely delicious, and Stan went with chilaquiles topped with a fried egg and served with refried beans. Every bite was amazing!

And the service? Outstanding. The kind that makes you feel genuinely welcome and turns a good meal into a memorable experience. Sometimes it’s the simplest places that end up being the highlights of a trip.

Egg and Chorizo burrito 😍

Stan was VERY proud of his hat holder, which wasn’t meant to be a hat holder at all, but he made it one anyway. 😅

Stan’s chilaquiles 😋

Proud coffee drinkers! Salud, Balti! ☕️

Juice drinkers 🍍😅

The message on the plate 🥹

“Nothing is worth it, if you aren’t happy”

After breakfast, we headed back to the resort to relax for a bit and get ready for a fun evening ahead. But as soon as we got back, Stan and I decided we weren’t quite ready to sit still. We ventured out for a walk around the area and discovered the cutest little pop-up café near where we were staying.

It was a hot day, but with our hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen, we were fully prepared and didn’t mind the heat one bit.

We ordered some delicious drinks—Stan chose fresh coconut water—and settled in for one of those simple moments that end up becoming some of the best memories. We talked, laughed, and daydreamed about a future with fewer obligations and more afternoons like this one.

And honestly, just look at Stan’s face in the photo. His expression says it all. Pure joy!

After some relaxing time and endless conversations, it was time to get ready for our evening adventure.

We boarded another catamaran and headed to a beach about an hour away by boat, where a delicious dinner and an absolutely spectacular outdoor show awaited us. The evening was filled with live music, talented dancers, jugglers, and some of the most entertaining performers we’ve ever seen.

We were completely captivated from beginning to end. And if Stan didn’t say, “This is incredible! I’ve never seen anything like this before!” at least ten times, he didn’t say it at all.

Honestly, I’m not sure what I enjoyed more—the show itself or watching Stan light up with wonder the entire evening. There is something pretty special about seeing someone you love experience pure joy. 🥹

On this particular boat ride, I got incredibly seasick (although, if we’re being completely honest, I think the rum punch may have had something to do with it, too 🫢).

By the time we arrived at the beach where dinner and the live show were taking place, I could barely function. I was determined not to let it ruin the evening, but I definitely wasn’t feeling my best.

My cousin and I stopped at a little boutique inside the resort to see if they had anything for nausea. Unfortunately, they didn’t. But the lovely woman working there came to the rescue with a suggestion. She told me to order a Russian—a simple drink made with seltzer water, lemon juice, and salt. According to her, it’s a local remedy for seasickness and upset stomachs.

At that point, I was willing to try just about anything.

As soon as we got to the dinner area, I ordered one. And guess what? It worked!

Within a short time, I felt so much better. The nausea eased up, my appetite came back, and I was able to enjoy both the delicious food and the incredible show that followed.

Sometimes the best travel tips don’t come from guidebooks—they come from kind strangers who know exactly what you need. 😊

Fun, and yummy rum punch 🥰

Me and my Russian - you can see the 🤢 in my face…

Oh, what a night ❤️

DAY FIVE ☀️

The official day of our 30th Wedding Anniversary!!! 💕

Before I share some of the day, here is one of my favorite pictures of Stan and I on our special day, and the reason behind the planning of this trip.

We started the day with breakfast at the resort, followed by a little poolside relaxation before setting off for the day’s adventures.

But first, an “important” mirror fit check. 😎

A bowl of Greek yogurt, with all the goods on the way to the pool. And yes, picture because I loved the bowl itself. 🥰

Most likely a lizard picture. There were so many of them roaming around. 🦎

A great view to start the day ☀️

Nothing better than Vacation Stan 🍽️

The mandatory morning coffee picture with my buddy Balti ☕️

And the juice friends. More like iced tea for Stan, which he loved!🍍🍹

Breakfast was actually pretty good.

Our way to one of the most magical, delicious, and most special dinner experiences of our lives. Truly. ❤️

The cutest cat on our walk to dinner. 🐱

My cousin and I “gifted” ourselves local flowers for our hair on the way to dinner. 🌸

The view from the resultant terrace 😍

I would really love to see the pictures these two took! 😅📸

And look at this view!!! 😍

Awwww 💕💕

We were serenaded by two very talented violinists during dinner. A dream.

Stasiu LOVED this restaurant. 🌅

This restaurant, dinner, and conversation was definitely one of the best experiences, and memories we will forever hold dear in our hearts.

Just look at this church steeple. The view from the restaurant terrace.

Now it was time for something especially meaningful—heading to church to thank God for thirty years of marriage.

Thirty years. Three decades filled with love, laughter, challenges, growth, countless memories, and more adventures than I could ever fit into a single blog post. And what made it even more special was sharing this milestone trip with our cousins, who have their own beautiful story and years of marriage to celebrate as well.

It felt like the perfect way to pause, reflect, and give thanks for all the blessings that have carried us this far.

And can we talk about Stan’s glow for a second? Just look at him leaving the restaurant! He was absolutely beaming. Whether it was the sunshine, the vacation vibes, or the joy of celebrating thirty years together, that smile says it all. ❤️!!

Dos amigos chatting it up after Mass 😅

Come on let’s go! Time to visit the malecón!!!

The festive vibe was real! There was so much joy in the air. Locals just having a blast on Sunday evening dancing, and spending time together.

The tree!!! 🌸🥰

This sign was on some fest on the way back to the resort from after a magical day of celebrating. It says “today will be a great day!” ❤️

DAY SIX ☀️

We started the day with… of course cafe! And food!!! And time together, one more time before we parted our own separate ways. Us to the Midwest, our cousins to Southern California.

Already miss my coffee buddy. Soon! ☕️

Not a goodbye, but a see you soon! 💕

And to wrap this up, here’s Stan at the airport before our flight home, proudly wearing his impressive collection of three hats all at once. A happy guy, indeed! 😊

PUERTO VALLARTA… thank you for the memories. ❤️