Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Immersive Mexico | Real-Life Travel Moments with Kids
16
items From beach towns to backstreets, this is Mexico through the eyes of a family who lives here. We highlight the off-the-beaten-path experiences, local favorites, and kid-approved adventures that make every day a little more magical.
Sections
5
Puerto Vallarta Hidden Gems | Local Spots Worth Exploring
Cultural Moments & Reflections | Living the Everyday in Mexico
Everyday Life in Mexico | The Stuff No One Talks About
Seasonal Events & Local Festivals | Around Mexico
Healthcare & Real Life Logistics | What It’s Actually Like
Puerto Vallarta Hidden Gems | Local Spots Worth Exploring
Beyond the resorts and Malecon crowds, these are the places where local life shines — peaceful rivers, neighborhood eateries, and real-deal experiences that show the heart of Vallarta.
Just outside the busy tourist zone, Paso Ancho is one of Puerto Vallarta’s best local escapes. The Río Cuale winds through this peaceful neighborhood, where kids leap off rocks, families grill under the trees, and the vibe is slow and real. 👉🏼 For a guided adventure exploring the Río Cuale and surrounding jungle, check out this 4-Hour Jungle Hike and Waterfall Swim: https://www.getyourguide.com/puerto-vallarta-l265/puerto-vallarta-4-hour-jungle-hike-waterfall-swim-t499557/ It includes river crossings, a refreshing dip in a waterfall, and insights into local flora and fauna.
Paso Ancho River Days — A Chill Escape from the Crowds
Every time we spend a lazy afternoon by the river with our Mexico family, it feels like adding another piece to the life we’re building here. These are the days that blur into memory — full of laughter, tacos, splashing, and warmth that goes beyond t...https://www.instagram.com/p/DCLKpMMuJOk/?img_index=1
Back to Paso Ancho — River Days & Mexico Family
Cultural Moments & Reflections | Living the Everyday in Mexico
Not everything can be mapped or booked — some moments just have to be felt. These are the sights, smells, sounds, and emotions that define life in Mexico when you're fully immersed.
How do you explain Mexico to someone who’s never been? You can’t — not fully. It’s the smell of firewood in the morning, the sound of tortillas being flipped, and the rhythm of vendors and kitchens in motion. It’s being called mijo by a stranger and ...https://www.instagram.com/p/DGpE5Ctu-OS/?img_index=1
Presencia — When You Stop Explaining and Just Live It
Looking for something deeper than a tourist blog or AI-generated checklist? This guide is the real deal. Written by a Canadian family who moved to Puerto Vallarta, it’s packed with honest stories, useful tips, and the kind of info you can’t Google, b...
Immersing in Mexico – Complete Bundle with Bonus Guides + Interactive Maps
This isn’t another “move to paradise” checklist — it’s the story of how one family actually did it. Written by a Canadian mom who relocated with her kids to Puerto Vallarta, this 89-page book covers the messy, beautiful, real-life journey of immigrat...
Immersing in Mexico – A Real-Life Guide to Moving, Adapting & Raising a Family in Mexico
These aren’t generic downloads — they’re the tools this family wished they had when moving to Mexico with kids. This 44-page bonus collection includes 22 printable guides and 2 interactive Google maps covering everything from driving tips and Spanish...
Bonus Guide Collection – Tools for Moving to Mexico with Kids
This is the full Payhip store where you’ll find all our digital downloads, including our bestselling book Immersing in Mexico and the companion bonus guides and maps. We share honest, real-life resources for families moving to Mexico — written from l...
Explore All Travel Guides & Bonus Content from The Wandering Wongs
What’s a carne asada in Mexico? Not just a barbecue — it’s a flash mob of joy with folding chairs, fire, and tacos that hit your soul. No invite needed: if you smell smoke and hear cumbia, you’re in. My kid wandered over to a back cancha and came bac...https://www.instagram.com/p/DE88kG9unN8/?img_index=1 — the magic was lived, not filtered.
The Neighborhood Carne Asada — Spontaneous Joy, Mexican Style
From traditional dances to a standout “iguana performance” by Hendrix, our school’s Día de la Revolución Mexicana event was pure magic. We saw kids, parents, and teachers pour their hearts into every moment, celebrating the history and pride of a cou...https://www.instagram.com/p/DCa5XpNuSez/
Revolution Day at School — Heart, History & Iguanas
Everyday Life in Mexico | The Stuff No One Talks About
The not-so-glamorous side of living in Mexico — from paperwork and banks to what happens when your name breaks the system.
Trying to open a bank account in Mexico with a hyphenated name? Good luck! 😅 This was part 2 (and 3) of a multi-day saga just to finalize my BBVA account. Name formatting, passport copies, and three trips later — we made it. 📸 Full story here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFv26x2qdlx/
Opening a Bank Account in Mexico (When Your Name Breaks the System)
Opening a bank account in Mexico as an immigrant isn’t just paperwork — it’s patience, persistence, and sometimes a little Borat Spanish. From system errors with my hyphenated name to navigating the process entirely in Spanish, this was a two-day men... View full post on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFswZLmPW42/
Opening a Bank Account in Mexico (From Language Barriers to Hyphen Drama)
Think your 12:25 PM appointment means you'll be helped at 12:25? Cute. I walked out at 4:15 PM — slightly dehydrated, fully initiated. Three years in, I finally have my RFC, which means I can open a real bank account. Shoutout to Frida (@gocafmx) and...https://www.instagram.com/p/DFrCRMPvv7N/
Getting an RFC in Mexico (AKA a Masterclass in Waiting)
Seasonal Events & Local Festivals | Around Mexico
From spontaneous street fiestas to annual food festivals, these events give you a taste of real local life in Puerto Vallarta. Most are free or family-friendly, and all are worth working into your calendar if you’re in town. Come for the tacos, stay ...
This family-friendly festival at Parque Hidalgo was all about smoky meats, craft beer, micheladas, and good music. It’s free to enter, great for kids, and packed with food stalls grilling up everything from ribs to whole spit-roasted meats. We stumbl...https://www.instagram.com/p/DFl-Jg2OoBC/?img_index=1
Grill Kings Festival — BBQ, Beer & Family Vibes in the Plaza
Navidalia is a Christmas festival in Guadalajara that transports you through global holiday traditions in one magical night. From Nordic snowfalls to European market stalls, themed zones, music, and lights — it's a full sensory experience for familie...https://www.instagram.com/p/DEMY4UauvEB/?img_index=1
Seasonal Events & Local Festivals | Around Mexico
Forget snow — in Puerto Vallarta, Santa wears sunglasses and your kids take Grinch photos at sunset. We spent the evening playing basketball, grabbing ice cream on the Malecón, and soaking in the festive downtown energy. Christmas here might come wit...https://www.instagram.com/p/DD3W02zOCjs/?img_index=1
Christmas on the Malecón — Sunshine, Santa & a Grinch
Healthcare & Real Life Logistics | What It’s Actually Like
From clinic visits to name mismatches on documents, these are the real details about living in Mexico full-time. No fluff, no filters — just honest stories about the systems, services, and everyday logistics that most travel blogs skip over but every...
Need an X-ray or physio in PV? We were in and out in 20 minutes, no referral, and paid just 700 pesos for the first consult. Follow-ups were 500 pesos, and we got to keep the X-rays — no waiting for transfers or printouts. It’s one of the underrated ...https://www.instagram.com/p/DC--A4du7jG/?img_index=1
What It’s Like Getting Physio & X-Rays in Puerto Vallarta