Cultural Immersion at CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa

There is just nothing quite like a vacation to an exotic foreign land—especially one that immerses visitors in the local culture so they can enjoy the essence of the region in an authentic way. This the CasaMagna Marriott Resort and Spa in Puerto Vallarta delivers in droves, offering guests the opportunity to partake in a bevy of genuine experiences that exemplify why Puerto Vallarta has become one of my favorite Mexican destinations.

It was toward the end of spring when I visited the CasaMagna Marriott—just before the annual rainy season so the weather was hot and sunny, but without the oppressive humidity notorious in the summer months. It was perfect since my intention was to sunbathe both beach and pool-side often throughout my stay. This is made easy since the resort is optimally situated right on the Pacific coastline nestled alongside the “Banderas Curve.” The property’s particular location offers breathtaking views of the Sierra Madre Mountains from both the expansive pool deck and the adjacent private beach just beyond. With no other commercial or residential properties in plain sight, it feels like this resort inhabits its own private island.

Attitude of Gratitude
As a premier Mexico-based Marriott property, it’s apparent that CasaMagna Marriott prides itself on offering a litany of rich and unique offerings that are representative of Puerto Vallarta on the whole in tandem with gracious hospitality that’s doled out in abundance. Travel anywhere throughout this city and you will quickly note how charming and affable the locals are and how appreciative they are toward tourists. This cordiality is equally engrained in the staff at CasaMagna Marriott where genuine smiles, warm greetings and gratefulness is plentiful.

Ample Accommodations
The CasaMagna Marriott has 433 complete guest rooms, 29 of which are executive-quality suites with large, private balconies that overlook the property’s spectacular infinity pool, tropical landscaping and the vast ocean backdrop. Also serving as an outstanding retreat for families, the resort has been touted as “the most kid-friendly resort in Mexico” by Travel + Leisure Family. Abundant in kid-safe entertainment, children can enjoy playground equipment, picnic facilities, and a shallow kiddie pool surrounded by soft sand. To give a more immersive experience to kids at the resort, there are also Spanish and cultural lessons, barro clay pottery painting, bilingual folktales and cooking classes tailored for the youngsters.

Spa-Sational
For those seeking an especially relaxing respite, a visit to the on-site Ohtli Spa will do wonders. At a whopping 22,000 square feet, this spa is the largest in Puerto Vallarta. Also adhering to a cultural enrichment protocol, this spa introduces and honors ancient healing techniques and shamanistic treatments and rituals from the Huichol Indians, a reclusive tribe living in the heart of the surrounding Sierra Madre Mountains. Additionally, with the plentitude of agave that grows in the region—including around the CasaMagna Marriott grounds—it’s no surprise Ohtli Spa features specialized agave treatments like its Agave Syrup & Sea Salt Scrub.

Eat and Imbibe
Of course, there’s no better way to experience a foreign culture than through authentic food and drink. I particularly love this property’s Catch of the Day program that lets guests participate in a local customary way of living. Before becoming a mecca for tourists, Puerto Vallarta was once a fishing village. The property’s Catch of the Day option pays homage to this tradition and history. Each Friday and Saturday guests are given the ability to meet a local fisherman on the beach and select fish from his morning catch, or use their own catch, to be prepared on-site at the resort for their evening meal. Selections often include red snapper and sea bass, and the resort’s chefs are on-hand to make pairing and preparation suggestions. Guest catches do need to include a signed waiver of responsibility prior to meal preparation.

As notable, CasaMagna Marriott is one of the few resorts in the world that produce and bottle their own brand of tequila. The resort grows its own blue agave plants that are harvested in the traditional Mexican way by jimadors. The juice from the plant’s pineapple is then fermented, distilled and aged in oak barrels for up to one year. The resort offers a complimentary tequila tasting experience for all Marriott Rewards Members every Friday at 5:00 p.m., and is available to all other guests on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. for $15 per person. Tastings include a vast tequila education about the libation’s history, traditions, suitable food pairings, and proper tasting etiquette by the resort’s affable Master Sommelier, Audrey Formisano. The tequila tastings are held at La Cava, the resort’s private dining room and exhibition tequila cellar.

Guests Give Back
Each year from June to November CasaMagna Marriott commissions biologists to comb the beaches and gather sea turtle eggs that are to be transported to the Marriott nursery for incubation. The National Institute of Fisheries and the Fishing & Marine Biology Station of the University of Guadalajara have established procedures for keeping the turtle eggs and babies safe and giving them the best chance for survival.

The resort invites children staying at the property to participate and name the tiny sea turtle babies. Families staying at CasaMagna Marriott then gather at sunset to wish the delicate babies luck and release them into the ocean. This special event not only provides long-lasting memories for the families, but also contributes to a critical regional conservation effort. Since the program’s inception, more than 4,000 nests have been incubated at the resort’s nursery.

Family Fun
Speaking of children, CasaMagna Marriott provides access to a myriad of nearby activities and excursions that allow participants of all ages to revel in Puerto Vallarta’s beauty and bounty both on land and at sea. There is something for everyone with such activities as jungle canopy zip line tours, ATV trail riding, white water rafting, deep sea fishing, whale watching, swimming with dolphins, birding tours and more. While the location of the resort is well off the crowded hotel path, it’s close enough to enjoy the splendor of downtown Puerto Vallarta by day or night.

Of course, the CasaMagna Marriott property itself is rife with recreation options. Those who love the water can indulge in snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing and SCUBA at the adjacent private beach. There is also the convenient choice of the sprawling oceanfront infinity pool complete with a palapa-style swim up bar, a sunbathing desk with 14 rentable cabanas and a lovely view of the mountain range and bay.

Keeping in shape while vacationing at CasaMagna Marriott is made easy since the resort has a complete health club with a whirlpool and sauna, in addition to three lighted tennis courts. Golfing at the resort also doesn’t disappoint. A dedicated golf concierge ensures preferred tee times at each of the three available 18-hole courses showcasing the splendor of indigenous foliage and flora.

Upon checking out of the CasaMagna Marriott I reflected on how much I learned about the people who live in the beautiful city of Puerto Vallarta, as well as their way of life, revered traditions and what they value. Having this more in-depth knowledge of both people and place has certainly made me appreciate this locale on a higher level and has left me longing for more. Farewell Puerto Vallarta…we shall meet again.

reserve online

 

 

There is just nothing quite like a vacation to an exotic foreign land—especially one that immerses visitors in the local culture so they can . . .

Follow Us On Google News | Get Our Newsletter



Trending News on PVDN

  • tropical-storm-flossie-hurricane-mexico-pacific-coastTropical Storm Flossie to Strengthen into Hurricane as It Tracks Along Mexico’s Pacific Coast Tropical Storm Flossie is expected to become a Category 2 hurricane by July 2 as it moves parallel to Mexico’s Pacific coast, bringing dangerous rainfall, wind, and surf. Tropical Storm Flossie is on the verge of forming from Tropical Depression Six-E and is forecast to strengthen rapidly into a hurricane as it parallels Mexico’s southwestern…
  • hurricane-flossie-strengthens-july-1-2025Hurricane Flossie will bring tropical storm conditions to parts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco Hurricane Flossie intensifies off Mexico's Pacific coast with winds near 90 mph. Heavy rain, flooding, and tropical storm conditions expected in parts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco. Hurricane Flossie continued to intensify early Tuesday morning as it moved west-northwestward off the coast of southwestern Mexico, prompting tropical storm warnings and watches across multiple states.…
  • puerto-vallarta-rainfall-hurricane-flossie-july-2025Puerto Vallarta braces for torrential rains as Hurricane Flossie gains strength Puerto Vallarta faces a high risk of flooding as Hurricane Flossie intensifies in the Pacific. Torrential rains and overwhelmed drainage systems pose major challenges for the city. Puerto Vallarta, a city wedged between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is no stranger to dramatic weather shifts—but this summer, the skies are testing the…
  • tropical-storm-flossie-mexico-coast-rain-surf-alertCabo Corrientes under tropical storm watch as Flossie expected to Bring Heavy Rain and Dangerous Surf to Southwestern Mexico Tropical Storm Flossie is forecast to strengthen and may impact Mexico's southwest coast from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes with heavy rain, flooding, and hazardous surf early this week. Tropical Storm Flossie is expected to deliver heavy rains, gusty winds, and dangerous surf conditions to Mexico’s southwestern coast in the coming days, prompting authorities to issue…
  • tropical-storm-flossie-strengthens-mexico-june-2025Tropical Storm Flossie Strengthens Off Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Could Become Hurricane by Tuesday Tropical Storm Flossie gains strength off southwestern Mexico, with hurricane status possible by Tuesday. Storm warnings issued from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula. Tropical Storm Flossie continues to gain strength off Mexico’s Pacific coastline, prompting tropical storm warnings and watches across several southwestern states. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Flossie is expected…
  • raw-sewage-playa-los-muertos-puerto-vallartaMore Raw Sewage Dumping at Playa Los Muertos Appear to Come From Local Hotel Business owners in Puerto Vallarta are demanding action after raw sewage was discovered leaking onto Playa Los Muertos, raising public health and tourism concerns. A raw sewage leak at Playa Los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta has sparked outrage among local tourist service providers and business owners, who say the contamination is driving away visitors and…
  • cancun-beach-cleanup-sargassumMassive Beach Cleanup to Combat Sargassum in Cancun After a week of the Cancun’s tourism department denying sargassum existed and insisting media photos were fakes, over 600 public servants and volunteers joined the first simultaneous beach cleanup. In a bold step toward environmental preservation and tourism sustainability, Cancun's Municipal President Ana Paty Peralta led the city’s first simultaneous beach cleanup effort this week.…
  • cancun-2025-sargassum-beaches-and-activitiesSargassum won’t ruin your Cancun vacation, there are plenty of clean beaches and tourist activities As the 2025 sargassum season continues through September, visitors to Cancun can still enjoy clear beaches like Playa Delfines and Playa Caracol. As the 2025 sargassum season intensifies across Quintana Roo, tourists are finding it more difficult to enjoy the region’s iconic white-sand beaches without encountering the unsightly brown seaweed. While the influx of sargassum…
  • oregon-murder-fugitive-extradited-puerto-vallartaFugitive Wanted for 2008 Oregon Homicide Captured in Puerto Vallarta and Extradited to U.S. Jesús Rodríguez Borrayo, a fugitive for 17 years, was extradited from Mexico to Oregon for his role in a 2008 drive-by shooting that left one dead. He was located in Puerto Vallarta. A man wanted for murder and other violent crimes in the United States for nearly two decades has been extradited after being found…
  • tropical-wave-7-floods-bacalar-chetumal-emergency-responseTropical Wave Floods Bacalar and Chetumal as Navy and Army Activate Emergency Plans Torrential rains from Tropical Wave 7 flood Bacalar and Chetumal, prompting emergency response from the Navy and Army. Several towns remain isolated in southern Quintana Roo. Torrential rains caused by Tropical Wave Number 7 have flooded multiple communities in southern Quintana Roo, prompting a joint emergency response from Mexico’s Navy and Army. Authorities activated their…
Scroll to Top