Hosted by Scott Sheehan
Directed & Produced by Michael Corbiere

I just love getting to see new places, and as luck would have it, the western leg of our lightning tour of Mexico takes us to no fewer than four distinct regions that are wholly new to us: Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Ixtapa, and, most mysteriously, the Riviera Nayarit.

Well, it turns out that the name refers to the coastline of the state of Nayarit, and that coastline offers the exceedingly upscale resorts of Punta Mita and Nuevo Vallarta, including the Four Seasons Resort, frequented by the rich and famous; and many golf courses, including no less than two designed by Jack Nicklaus himself! It also boasts the charming bohemian town of Sayulita, thats been attracting surfers and vagabonds for many years.

Natural wonders abound here as well, with many species of sea turtles returning here to lay their eggs. The coast is also renowned in birder circles as being one of the top spots in the Americas to see an astonishing assortment of our feathered friends, including the elusive Blue-Footed Booby!

The tiny island town of Mexcaltitan, found further up the coast in a large lagoon, is thought to be the mythical land of Aztlan, where the Aztecs were shown a vision of an eagle clutching a snake in its talons while perched upon a nopales cactus. 7 tribes set out across the country, searching for this sign that would tell them where to found a new city. One of those tribes did come upon this scene (that is now the coat of arms on Mexicos flag) in the spot that would one day become Mexico City. So the entire Aztec empire was really born here in a vision!

Were off to Ixtapa tomorrow! Come back and see whats going on there