In celebration of National Cactus Day (May 10), Velas Resorts announces their first annual Cactus Fest in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Los Cabos with special food & beverage and spa offerings throughout the month. The event celebrates the cactus’ historical significance in Mexican culture, which dates back to the Aztec empire, and superfood benefits. Featured on the nation’s flag as a symbol of the country’s origin and sacrifice, the cactus has woven itself into the fabric of Mexican history, art, and cuisine. Packed with vitamins and nutrients, cactus is full of fiber, antioxidants, and carotenoids for healthy benefits. The cactus is also enjoying new prominence in landscaping which is also showcased during the event.
Grand Velas Los Cabos
Guests at Grand Velas Los Cabos can savor cactus based dishes throughout the festival with an exclusive menu at Cocina de Autor. Highlights include a wagyu beef topped with remoulade and cured nopal; Comondu oysters topped with green apple, nopal pearls, and creole cilantro; corn velouté consisting of a sweet and sour jicama dumpling, cactus, and pecan nuts; and a short rib beef filet with onion and roasted cactus. To finish, guests can indulge in a prickly pear ice cream topped with nopal caramel confit and a prickly pear and ginger granita. Special cocktails around the resort include a cactus margarita and a choyera mezcalita with prickly pear. In addition, Caliwater, the premium cactus water beverage created by actors Vanessa Hudgens and Oliver Trevena and backed by additional celebrity investors like Gerard Butler, Aaron Rodgers, and Brooke Burke, will be available at the hotel. With five naturally occurring electrolytes, Caliwater boosts hydration and is packed with skin fortifying antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and extract of the super fruit Prickly Pear. To complete the entire experience, guests can enjoy a walk through the resort’s cactus garden with ocean views.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
At Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, the award winning SE Spa will offer a cactus face and body treatment for relaxation and renewal of the skin. Cactus is a powerful antioxidant that prevents oxidative stress, diluting the appearance of dark circles, spots, and roughness on the skin. The treatment generates an energetic balance for the mind while bringing softness and hydration into the layers of the skin.
Velas Vallarta
In Puerto Vallarta, Velas Vallarta will serve a cactus themed menu at its Andrea Restaurant. Menu highlights include a pickled nopal salad topped with dehydrated tomatoes and canasto cheese, a nopales and panela soup, and nopal stuffed with paella. The meal will finish with coconut ice cream topped with a signature cactus compote. Additionally, at breakfast there will be a nopal juice with pineapple served daily.
