Celeb Secret South of the Border

Two hours south of Puerto Vallarta, Las Alamandas, an intimate twenty-eight-guest resort, combines Mexico's indigenous tropical trees, freshwater lagoons, and domestic wildlife with rest and rejuvenation. The artfully appointed oceanfront villas painted in hot pinks, burning oranges, and cooling blues accent the crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. Spend the day relaxing by the sixty-foot freshwater pool in your palapa-shaded hammock, horseback riding, hiking, surfing, scuba diving, or taking a yoga class. To please the palate, executive chef Aguilar Morales, praised for his exotic and creative cooking, combines sauces and spices with organic produce and fresh fish to cut calories without sacrificing flavor. For more information call (888) 882-9616 or visit www.alamandas.com.

—Myara Sherwood

March/April 2005