Travel

What We Ate in Mexico

I really feel like the title of this post should instead be called “what we didn’t eat in Mexico”….everything was SO delicious and fresh! I don’t even want to know how many pounds of chips, salsa and guacamole I consumed over the course of four days…or how many margaritas I drank (it always gets a bit fuzzy after the first one, right?).

First of all, the food at our resort was great! A few people on TripAdvisor said it was just so-so, but I was incredibly impressed with everything. I don’t think I ate one thing I didn’t care for the entire time we were there (well, except for the twenty dollar Mexican chocolate I bought at the airport on my way home…but that’s another story completely). The service was also wonderful. Each morning around 6:45 (yeah, I don’t sleep in on vacation!), I would come down in my pajamas and Carlos would give me some delicious hot coffee even thought they didn’t “officially” start serving breakfast until 7am.

Speaking of breakfast, my favorite at the resort was freshly squeezed watermelon juice and “Mexican delight”, which was just scrambled eggs with tomatoes, chilies and cactus with refried beans and cotija cheese on the side. The resort made a KILLER salsa verde, which we proceeded to dump on everything.

The egg burrito was also very tasty! Don’t you just love the little tortilla chip cups that the beans are in?! And that random huge sprig of rosemary?

On Friday night, we stayed and ate dinner at the resort because they were doing some sort of fun poolside fiesta. There was a huge buffet full of delicious treats, but my absolute favorite thing was the tortilla soup!! It was the very best tortilla soup that I have ever had—I need to get the recipe because mine pales in comparison.

The tortilla soup had a thick base—almost creamy!—and had excellent spice. It was loaded with fresh chunks of avocado, crispy tortilla bits and cheese.

It was so good that I ordered a bowl every day while we were there. Along with those fish tacos…and pina coladas. Yum.

It was all delicious….and I won’t even go into the fact that after two tequila shots, Adam convinced me to enter (against my will!) in a poolside dancing competition that we lost at the last second to an older couple who had some serious moves.

However, I have no photo evidence of this miraculous event so we’ll never know if it actually even happened.

All I can say is what happens in Mexico stays in Mexico.

We ate out in downtown Cabo three times while we were there and I have the names of the restaurants we tried at the bottom of this page in case you are planning a trip.

Everywhere we ate was great, but most notable were the $16.95 lobster tails and grilled shrimp at Maro’s Shrimp House (seriously!), the giant margaritas at The Office, and our entire meal at Puerto Vieja (where the above photo was taken). We ate there the last night and it was so close to the resort that we walked instead of paying for another taxi. Adam and I both agreed that it was the best dinner date we had ever been on together.

At Puerto Vieja, we shared the most delicious grilled asparagus with goat cheese to start:

And I had the catch of the day, which was sea bass, topped with a creamy verde sauce. Adam had lobster, shrimp and lamb, which was fabulous as well. Unfortunately my meal arrived after the sun set so I couldn’t snap a photo but I DID snap a photo of this….which we are still talking about:

And that, my sweet friends, is a little thing we like to call Mexican Coffee. It’s a magical combination of tequila, kahlua, espresso and melted vanilla ice cream with a burnt sugar rim. At Puerta Vieja, they will make a big production out of it and light the drink on fire at your table. Highly recommended.

But be warned: it will make you do crazy things.

Not that I know from experience or anything….

What happens in Mexico stays in Mexico.

We had such a fabulous time in Cabo and I can’t wait to go back again someday. Our resort also had free wifi (which was faster than the wifi at my own house), which made it easy to blog on location…it also had a lovely fitness center with ocean views that we never made into.

I’ll say it sure looked nice from the outside though!

Here’s the lowdown:

Where we stayed: Sirena del Mar (we stayed in a regular room because of the Groupon deal, but next time would probably opt to stay in a villa and split it with another couple—the villas had hammocks on the balcony, full kitchens and two bedrooms with king-sized beds—perfect for going with another couple or taking kids!)

Where we ate: Our resort, Maro’s Shrimp House, The Office, Puerta Vieja <—fav!

Excursions we went on: Cabo-Adventures Whale Watching Trip and Glass Bottom Kayaking around The Arch (the trip included snorkeling but we opted for hiking instead because the water was a bit on the chilly side still! <— I’m a thin-blooded Floridian/Californian wus)

“Beachy Wave” Scoop: To make the “beachy waves” in my naturally straight, limp hair, I wrapped individual sections around the barrel of a 1 1/2″ curling iron, held for 10 seconds then released and sprayed with hair spray. I’m pretty sure they make fancy shmancy curling irons that are suited for this specific thing and that don’t involve burning the tips of your fingers off, but oh well. After I had wrapped each piece of hair around the curling iron (wrap, don’t clamp!), I ran my fingers through the waves and sprayed with more hair spray. It seems really time consuming, but only takes about 10-15 minutes for me to do my whole head.

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  • Serena
    March 14, 2012 at 4:14 am

    That looks like an awesome vacation!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
    March 14, 2012 at 4:16 am

    Everything looks gorgeous. I’ve been to Mexico a handful of times, but havent’ been since my honeymoon. My husband and I are itching to go back!

  • Maja
    March 14, 2012 at 4:21 am

    Dude, all that yoga teacher training is also paying off for your back, huh?! You look amazing!!

    • Lisa
      March 14, 2012 at 4:50 am

      I seriously have to agree with her! Not to mean this in a creepy way but you do look amazingly fit!! Also_ I must say that when I read this post, I don’t know why but I just had the thought…”I wonder if an engagement is getting close?” hmmm…. 🙂

      • Elisabeth
        March 14, 2012 at 6:19 am

        No kidding! Your back and arms looked ripped 😀 The vacation looks wonderful! I’ve never been to Mexico, but if I go someday, it’ll definitely be Cabo 🙂

        • maria @ so she ran
          March 14, 2012 at 6:56 am

          Ditto on the back and arms. Holy smokes–need to up my yoga time, obviously.

          • jenna
            March 14, 2012 at 7:01 am

            thanks!! It’s from some serious Warrior Two’s…. 🙂

          • Jen
            March 14, 2012 at 10:53 am

            I wish I could get into yoga for that! From static Warrior 2’s though?

  • Kristen @ notsodomesticated
    March 14, 2012 at 4:31 am

    Wow, everything looks incredible! When we went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon, I loved all of the exotic fruit juices they had to offer! Why can’t we have those fun flavors in the US??

  • Jody
    March 14, 2012 at 4:49 am

    Maro’s Shrimp House is the best!! Melted garlic butter? Yes, please! Looks like you had a great trip. I went to Cabo 5 years ago and absolutely loved it. I wish it wasn’t so far away from the East Coast. I want to go back!!

  • Lindsay @ biking before bed
    March 14, 2012 at 4:52 am

    I feel like it is a crime that I have been living in TX for 2 years and haven’t been to Mexico yet! Now I want to go just for the food…seems like a good enough reason to plan a vacation around.

  • Bev Weidner
    March 14, 2012 at 4:55 am

    Looo-oooo-ooooove it!

  • The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh
    March 14, 2012 at 5:06 am

    Oh man, that food all looks amazing and I love the Mexican coffee show! So cool!

    That kayaking pic makes my heart ache. I desperately hope to get down to the proper weight to do that this year! What a wonderful time! Off to check out all of your links.

  • Molly @ RDexposed
    March 14, 2012 at 5:08 am

    Dang, Girl.
    Two words: back muscle!

  • Jennie
    March 14, 2012 at 5:25 am

    That’s how I do my hair too… but I regret to say it normally doesn’t stay in place if I’m sweating in a tropical locale! Case in point – I went to Florida in JUNE two years ago (whhhyyyyy) and my hair was like a depressed dish cloth.

    Mmmmm, food… it all looks incredible, and that tortilla soup. Bestill my heart!

  • Ashley @ Hop Skip Jump
    March 14, 2012 at 5:41 am

    You mentioned you bought a Groupon voucher for this trip. What are your thoughts on it? Any fine print you missed or any problems in general? I’m always skeptical to make such a big purchase on a ‘coupon’ but the deals are just so good!

  • Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
    March 14, 2012 at 5:43 am

    awesome pics! LOoks like a fab time 🙂

  • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers
    March 14, 2012 at 5:58 am

    this looks like such an amazing and memorable trip, jenna! glad you had so much fun! and i love the hair tips. definitely will be trying that soon!

  • Rachel
    March 14, 2012 at 6:03 am

    Sunshine? Tequila? Fresh local avocado? Tequila? Cotija? Tequila?

    Sooooo jelly.

  • Jess@recipesandrunning
    March 14, 2012 at 6:06 am

    Looks like a great trip! Thanks for sharing.

  • Jessica J
    March 14, 2012 at 6:18 am

    Everything looks soooo good! I love Mexican food! The fish tacos and tortilla soup look to-die-for! I would love to see the recipes you come up with for them.

  • sarah
    March 14, 2012 at 6:20 am

    I LOVE when you post about trips and what you ate… 🙂 you’re too cute!

  • gwen
    March 14, 2012 at 6:37 am

    I cannot even handle those food photographs! I’m ready to lick my computer screen — and I’m really, really ready to book an impromptu trip to Cabo. Unfortunately my thesis proposal is calling my name instead…

  • Urban Wife
    March 14, 2012 at 6:40 am

    Looks like such a fun time! Thanks for putting me in a wanderlust mood. Now poor husband will have to put up with my whining for a few days. 😉

  • amy walters, aDESIGNdock
    March 14, 2012 at 6:45 am

    Love, love the dance competition. Yay for Adam for dragging you into the thing. Would have loved to see that elderly couple showing off their moves. Haha…only in Mexico, right?! xo

  • Ali @ Around the VeggieTable
    March 14, 2012 at 6:52 am

    Sounds amazing…I’m drooling! Everything looks super delicious 🙂

  • Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning
    March 14, 2012 at 6:58 am

    Your trip to Cabo looks A LOT better than mine!
    I went back in 2008 for a friend’s destination wedding (the couple has since divorced!). The resort that we stayed at was beautiful- but I felt like I was on lock down when we were there. Everyone got sick from the food over the course of the week, and it was a huge pain to travel downtown. (We only went once- to Cabo Wabo and a few other places for shopping, but got harassed everywhere!_
    The water was too rough for anyone to go out in, so all of our plans for para-sailing, deep-sea fishing and sea-kayaking were slashed.
    I drank a lot of “dirty bananas” and ate way too much guac and chips- that was probably the best part. 🙂
    Glad to know that YOUR trip turned out so much better- it gives me hope!

  • Heather Michelle @ A Sweet Simple Life
    March 14, 2012 at 7:02 am

    Sounds like an awesome trip and the food looks so.very.delish!

  • Julie
    March 14, 2012 at 7:10 am

    Oh my goodness. Your vacation looks amazing. You’ve inspired me and the bf to stalk groupon getaways!

  • Ginny
    March 14, 2012 at 7:12 am

    Mmm…I’m going to have to get Mexican for lunch and just pretend. That looks so delicious!

  • Faith @ For the Health of It
    March 14, 2012 at 7:14 am

    Looks like the perfect vacation! I’m dying to do an all-inclusive resort like this. Homegirl needs to travel more! And from the looks of it, I need Mexican coffee in my life too!

    • jenna
      March 14, 2012 at 7:16 am

      It actually wasn’t all inclusive–probably would have been cheaper if it was! After cab rides, dinners out and drinks by the pool, it all added up even though we had the Groupon.

  • Gillian
    March 14, 2012 at 7:15 am

    There’s nothing I love more than Mexican food! I recently won a soup competition with my tortilla soup – thanks to my amazing Mexican grocer who told me how to make it and helped me find all the authentic ingredients.

    Beach hair – noted – I have fine straight hair so would love if this worked!

  • Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic
    March 14, 2012 at 7:22 am

    Great recap! I am dreaming of going there one day!

  • Cait's Plate
    March 14, 2012 at 7:23 am

    Oh my that looks like some gooooooood eats. That whole vacation is something I could TOTALLY go for right now actually!

  • DessertForTwo
    March 14, 2012 at 7:32 am

    So fun! 🙂

  • megan
    March 14, 2012 at 7:36 am

    Is there a ring on that finger yet? 😛

    • Nina
      March 14, 2012 at 9:58 am

      HAHA I was also thinking the same thing! Figured it might be coming once you said you were away in Mexico. 🙂

      Either way, looks like you had an incredible vacation! And like others have said above, you look totally ripped– strong and beautiful!

      • jenna
        March 14, 2012 at 11:44 am

        LOL sorry to disappoint 😉

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing
    March 14, 2012 at 7:36 am

    Watermelon juice?! I neeeeeeed this in my life!

  • Jenny
    March 14, 2012 at 7:46 am

    I just got back from St. Johns and one of the not so good things about the island is that everything is imported – the island has nothing local!! All of this food looks delicious and great that you guys got a little taste of the local culture 😉

    • julia
      March 14, 2012 at 11:29 am

      do you mean St. John (no “s”) the USVI?

      If so, I’d have to disagree with you. I’m not sure where you stayed but are lot of local restaurants that obviously sell local dishes. I’d say Mexican cuisine is much more famous but there is Caribbean cuisine on St. John. Did you know they have huge pig roasts during he full moon there? Also St. John has rocky and thin soil, not much can grow there in terms of farming. That’s one reason they have to import everything. I know this because I’ve been there many times and happen to be soil science major! 🙂

  • katie @KatieDid
    March 14, 2012 at 7:48 am

    I would kill to try some authentic Mexican guacamole. And tequila for that matter. Everything looks SO fresh and incredible!

  • allie@sweetpotatobites
    March 14, 2012 at 7:57 am

    i love cabo and the food there is definitely delish! the office has always been one of my faves.

  • Andrea @ The Skinny Chronicles
    March 14, 2012 at 8:14 am

    Resort escapes can be the absolute best. So glad you were able to indulge and enjoy. And muy impressed Adam is the kind of guy who wants to enter a poolside dancing competition. Very sweet.

  • Sarah
    March 14, 2012 at 8:27 am

    This looks like it was SO wonderfully fun, and I agree with everyone about your back! You look great!

  • Sonia the Mexigarian
    March 14, 2012 at 8:50 am

    Blah, interent didn’t load my comment.

    In short, I am glad you had a fun safe trip! (especially with the state that Mexico is in) It looks like a fabulous vacation. I really enjoy these posts from you. It makes me want to book a flight to the sunny shores. That and get on track with my yoga practice! Your back is smokin’!

    Furthest I’ve been into Mexico, Rosarito. Papas and Beer anyone?

  • Averie @ Averie Cooks
    March 14, 2012 at 8:53 am

    Thanks for the trip recap, all the pics, and stories. I love them all and it makes me feel like a went on a five minute vacation…thanks, Jenna 🙂

    And yes, what happens in Mexico stays in Mexico from the poolside dancing competition to the flaming Mexican coffee…it sounds like tons of fun. Glad you guys had a blast!

  • Rhonda
    March 14, 2012 at 8:57 am

    I am going to Cabo in July and feel optimistic about the food after reading about your experience! Had heard and read warnings about food safety of uncooked fruits, veggies, and, of course, the local water, and ice warnings. Was glad to hear your experience was so great. Thanks for sharing!

  • Katie @ Katie Without Restrictions
    March 14, 2012 at 9:09 am

    Okay, I’m having some serious, serious food envy over here!! Every single thing you at looks absolutely fantastic! I’m a sucker for asparagus AND goat cheese though, so put them together and that is definitely something I would like to eat! Your whole trip sounds completely fantastic.

  • elizabeth @ chronic venture
    March 14, 2012 at 9:23 am

    It looks like you had an amazing time!! I might just have to plan a trip to Mexico soon….

  • Maria
    March 14, 2012 at 9:27 am

    So jealous! All of that food looks amazing and all of your photos are just drop-dead gorgeous. It’s amazing that Groupon provided such a great deal! You’ve awakened my travel bug…

  • Jenny
    March 14, 2012 at 9:30 am

    I see no chimichangas in those pics. What a waste of a trip. J/K (does anyone say j/k anymore?)

  • Laura @ She Eats Well
    March 14, 2012 at 9:35 am

    That recap is great and I would love to try that resort out. The asparagus dish looks so fresh and seasonal and I’ve never seen anything like the Mexican Coffee. I wish I was there right now!

  • Dee
    March 14, 2012 at 11:15 am

    What an amazing review! Will be starring in my G reader for future reference. Thanks Jenna!

  • Lauren @ Sassy Molassy
    March 14, 2012 at 11:29 am

    Looks like an AMAZING trip. We just got back from Puerto Vallarta and loved the fresh guac, salsa and margaritas. And the relaxation factor on a vacation like that is just so refreshing and good for the soul.

  • Jacqueline@digintobooks
    March 14, 2012 at 11:45 am

    Oh. My. Word. The food pictures alone make me want to book a flight to Mexico this instant. Looks incredible, glad you had an awesome trip!!

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  • Aylin @ Glow Kitchen
    March 14, 2012 at 11:55 am

    I like the tattoo!

  • Margarita
    March 14, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    All the food that you had sounded so good… Thanks for sharing the info on the place you stayed and the restaurants. Always great to have recommendations! You went kayaking! Awesome! I love kayaking… Jenna, you are buff! Seriously, all you do is yoga?

    • jenna
      March 14, 2012 at 12:23 pm

      Thank you! And yes, all I do is yoga…but the type of yoga I do is pretty physical. I’ve seen more results doing power yoga than spending hours at the gym lifting weights like I used to do a few years ago.

      • Elle
        March 14, 2012 at 1:04 pm

        I have never commented before although I really enjoy your blog but I have to agree with you on this! just over 3 months ago I gave up a 60 mile + a week running habit for Baptiste Yoga and I have never felt stronger , I have lost weight, seen greta results and I am so much happier! I started with podcasts and progressed to a studio environment shortly after and I love what yoga has done for me 🙂

  • Lauren
    March 14, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    Hey jenna! Could you recommend a dvd that is similiar to the type of yoga that you practice? Thanks!

    • jenna
      March 14, 2012 at 3:58 pm

      Baron Baptiste Journey into Power level 1 & 2 dvds….that would be a great place to start!

  • Michelle
    March 14, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    Looks so fun!

  • Sabrina @ Radioactive Runner
    March 14, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    Oh my goodness, looking at your pictures makes me want to go to Mexico that much more. My husband is from Mexico and I’ve yet to get there. The food.. ohh the food looks SO good! Thankfully my husband cooks really great authentic mexican food but I know it would taste that much better IN Mexico!! So glad to hear you had such a fantastic time away!!

  • Moni'sMeals
    March 14, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    What a nice time you had! You sure lived it up, looked like a dream vacation for sure. I love sea kyaking too.

    Hellllo Back Muscles! good for you. 🙂

  • Tammy @ Palm Trees and Manatees
    March 14, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    Hi Jenna! I’m a tad behind on your blog (we just had our baby girl in January!), but just wanted to stop by, say hi, tell you that it looks like you had an amazing trip, and tell you how excited I am about your book coming out!! Just saw that! So excited to read it. It just may be the first book I read since having our baby, LOL. Great to catch up with your happenings!

  • Tracey
    March 14, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    Oh Jenna, those scrambled eggs! Would you ever feel like trying to recreate them for us? I would make them immediately if you did. 🙂

    • jenna
      March 14, 2012 at 3:56 pm

      Sounds like a plan! I need to find out where I can buy cactus first though…

  • Sarah @ The Cyclist's Wife
    March 14, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    I found an old soup cookbook that advised to put tortilla soup broth into the blender before adding all of the solid veggies. It works well to thicken the base by blending the tomatoes and does come out a bit creamier. YUM! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

  • Megan @ Megan's Munchies
    March 14, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    So glad you had so much fun…and I will take one of those Mexican coffees right about NOW!

  • Isabel
    March 14, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    I bought this exact same Groupon! Did you upgrade to all inclusive food and drinks or did you just buy the food in its own?

    • jenna
      March 14, 2012 at 6:59 pm

      Nope–we weren’t given the option of anything all inclusive (probably since we opted for another night free in exchange for listening to their timeshare spiel)

  • Carly
    March 14, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    You really changed my mind about Cabo! I’ve never been, but I always thought it was just a crazy party place where college kids went for spring break! I’m in So Cal… so it’s so close for a getaway. Glad you got to relax & enjoy!

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  • Charise
    March 15, 2012 at 5:21 am

    You are the first person to ever make traveling to Mexico to stay in a resort sound appealing to me. Sounds like a great (and delicious) trip!

  • Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
    March 15, 2012 at 11:02 am

    What a wonderful holiday! I laughed at the dancing competition part…when I was in Mexico, those same tequila shots (along with pressure from my bf and family) led me to enter into a bikini contest…SO embarrassing!

  • Lauren
    March 15, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    Geez louise, why are you so beautiful! And I’m not just saying this- you are one of the prettiest women I have ever seen. And I’m not a weirdo stalker. Just wanted to share my thoughts, as I believe it’s always a good thing to tell someone you think they’re beautiful. People always like to hear that, right? 🙂

    • jenna
      March 15, 2012 at 3:45 pm

      Thank you so much! your complement really made my day 🙂

  • alex
    March 15, 2012 at 8:48 pm

    I LOVE the tortillas at The Office! Mi Casa is another super fun restaurant in Cabo, we had our rehearsal dinner there. Mama’s for breakfast and Pancho’s is right next door for lunch…awesome limeade! I’ll have to try Puerta Vieja!

  • Laura
    March 16, 2012 at 8:06 am

    Great photos of some of my favorite dishes…. YUM! Tortilla Soup NOW please!

  • Natalie @ Adventures in Jackson
    March 17, 2012 at 9:46 am

    Hey Jenna!

    We just got back from a 9 day cruise in Mexico and stayed 2 days in Cabo. Isn’t The Office fun? I love the white furniture and hot pink table cloths. I’m glad to see you guys rented kayaks. That was one of the best things we did on our trip. We also went to Cabo about 5 months ago and stayed a week at Pueblo Bonito Blanco resort and we had a very similar experience.

    I’ve been reading your blog forever but never comment. I’m so glad to see that you’re so happy with your honey and your life. Get it girl.

  • Sarah
    March 20, 2012 at 5:07 pm

    WOW where do I sign up! This trip looks amazing:0

  • Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
    March 22, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    I’m going to Cabo in 4 weeks! These posts are making me so excited!!!

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  • Ashley
    February 25, 2013 at 8:12 am

    Jenna,
    I just got back from Cabo and did almost all the same things as you did! It was SO much fun! I love The Office! And Lover’s Beach!