Majahuitas: Quimixto Waterfall Hike in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

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The first night was the hardest at Majahuitas Resort. Adjusting from sleeping in a quiet house every night to sleeping with all the sounds of the jungle, animals, and bugs is a big change.

There was a pot of coffee and hot chocolate waiting for us on the steps of the house before we awoke. We shared our experience sleeping in the jungle for the first time together over cups of coffee and hot chocolate before hearing the sound of a giant gong letting us know that it was time for breakfast.

We walked along the dirt path to the main building where our semi-private family table was waiting for us. The staff welcomed us with big smiles and gracious greetings as they helped our family get settled in at the table for breakfast, even providing us with bug spray to help keep the bugs away.

Breakfast started with a giant fruit platter for our family to share, followed by a ham and cheese omelet. While we were eating breakfast, the staff came over to welcome our family on a boat ride to the neighboring town of Quimixto along with a hike to the waterfall.

Quimixto is the town where most of the staff lives with their families, and they were excited to share their community with our families. Along with the dogs that live at the resort, we all boarded the boat to visit the town of Quimixto.

The kids sat at the front of the boat with the dogs (who they adored) while admiring the beautiful coastline of Puerto Vallarta. When we arrived in the fishing village of Quimixto, we were captivated by the beauty of the village.

We were greeted by a kind gentleman who offered his giant iguana to the children to take fun pictures with. The kids giggled with delight as he placed the iguana on their head and shoulders to create a fun picture keepsakes that we will cherish forever.

After all the guests had finished taking photos, we walked throughout the village along the cobblestone sidewalk. We first stopped at a local church before embracing the beauty of the culture throughout the town. Our children stopped to admire every small detail of the village until we were surprised by being greeted by a herd of horses.

Rey (who would soon become one of our kids favorite employees at the resort) helped to translate with all the guests about the horses. For $20, we could rent a horse to take us to the waterfall. Since we are a family that loves to be active, we all choose to walk, except for our youngest Tyler, and another guest who had a son the same age.

As the two younger boys jumped on their horses, all of us followed along the dirt path to make our way to the waterfall. My older son (who is terrified of bugs) started screaming when seeing all the giant crabs along the small narrow hiking trail. Once we told him to pretend he was in a game of Super Mario Bros, in an obstacle where you need to jump crabs, he felt at ease. We all made a game out of it making our way to the falls. (If you have kids who are afraid of bugs or giant crabs, I recommend purchasing the horse ride for all of them)

Our children started to bond with the German boys who were also staying at the resort while we walked along the trail to the waterfall. When we arrived at the falls, we were captivated by its beauty. We walked along a small bridge where we placed an order for drinks at a small cafe before jumping into the dark brown water.

Our kids splashed, swam and jumped off the cliffs of the waterfall. In the water, I watched the expressions of pure happiness on my children’s face while telling myself never to forget this moment.

After spending time in a natural waterfall, we had our drinks on the patio before starting the hike back to the town of Quimixto. Together with the other guests staying at Majahuitas, we all talked and laughed together about our experience at the waterfall. The experience brought us all together, making it feel like we were traveling together as one giant family.

When we arrived at the docks to make our way back to Majahuitas Resort. Everyone sat on the chairs while my children ran off to play with some of the local children. I followed them around the small pathways of the village as they frolicked and played together. Language and culture were not a barrier for the children as they connected on a level that many adults can never do, creating lifelong friendships.

When we returned to Majahuitas Resort, our family was greeted with a giant feast. We had shrimp, fried rice, ceviche, fresh coconut and pork ribs. Together, with the other families at the resort, we finished the afternoon relaxing in the calm waters of the Majahuitas cove before Ella got to hit the gong for dinner.

At Majahuitas Resort, all the guests have breakfast and lunch alone, but come together for dinner. Steve had purchased a bottle of “moonshine” tequila in Quimixto that he shared with the other guests during our communal dinner. For dinner, we enjoyed a cup of warm broccoli soup followed by coconut shrimp.

We ended the evening with a game of Monopoly (en Espanol) before exploring some of the bugs in our house. Did you know there is a black bug with two green eyes that light up? One night in the Majahuitas jungle and you’ll meet this friendly night creature.

Stay tuned for our third day in Majahuitas tomorrow night…

Did I mention this was day #2 of no electricity..wifi..video games..etc..and we didn’t even care.