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Surfing and blonde gypsies: Sayulita, Mexico

May 17, 11:28 PMSF Getaways ExaminerMelissa McArdle
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Throughout the years, I have visited several Mexican destinations, but none of them captured my heart until my recent trip to Sayulita. Maybe it was the bohemian vibe, the savoring of a slow pace, or the quaint feeling of an idyllic small village, either way, I found Sayulita to be a perfect beach getaway.

With a 3 hour plane ride to the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, it is an easy escape from the San Francisco fog. Before I knew it, I was sipping cerveza and eating fish tacos on the beach. It is easy to slip into the laid-back energy of this authentic Mexican seaside fishing village, yet it is also a must to take advantage of the long sandy beach with 80-degree waters and enjoy some surfing. Whether you are a beginner or have been surfing your entire life, the waves of Sayulita welcome you. There are two surf spots in Sayulita; a right (longboard) break in front of Papa’s Palapas in the main village and a left (faster) break just north of the river mouth in front of the campground. Surfing lessons are offered along the main beach, and our surf guru of choice is Tigre’s Surf School. The consistent waves all year-round have fulfilled the tropical surf dreams of surfers from all over the world. There’s no wonder the community is a delightful mix of American, European, and Aussie surfers, as well as local fisherman, laid-back artists and affluent vacationers from all over the world.

There are many great places to eat in this charming little village. Whether you are looking for easy fare or something a bit more formal, the choices are available and everything is within walking distance to the beach. ChocoBanana offers a variety of breakfast items including fruit smoothies, fresh baked goods, and espresso drinks. For lunch, a Sayulita must is Burrito Revolución. Each delicious burrito is handmade with the freshest ingredients, and the special three sauces perfectly compliment your custom created burrito. Panino’s Bakery prepares the freshest organic breads which make excellent sandwiches for a beach picnic. As with all great beach destinations, dining by the sea is the perfect ending to a sun-filled day. Don Pedro’s is the ultimate dinner spot for this getaway ritual. The Mediterranean-style food with a Mexican influence results in unique and delicious dishes. The food is fresh, the service is first class, and the views are spectacular.

Flamenco guitar is one of my favorite listening pleasures. Lucky for me, Sayulita is home to Latcho & Andrea: The Blonde Gypsies. These talented European transplants perform Gipsy Rumba and Flamenco Guitar from the soul, and you will inevitably become an instant fan. We had the great fortune of hearing them live at Don Pedro’s where they perform every Thursday evening. They ignite a lot of sound and energy with their great voices and guitars, and this dynamic energy carries throughout the audience because your feet become just as happy as your audible senses.

In choosing a place to stay, there are several options: vacation home rentals, hotels, bed and breakfasts, or campgrounds. Our pick is the Villa Amor Hotel. It is a beautiful and affordable ($85 and up) hotel located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. All of the villas feature open-air design with breathtaking views from the terraces. For those who wish to make Sayulita their permanent residence or frequent vacation destination, Punta Sayulita will be Sayulita’s first private luxury residential/resort community. This private oceanfront club and residential community will rest on an extraordinary 33-acre peninsula of pristine beach and jungle. By respecting the land, keeping the community small and implementing eco-sustainable and green practices where possible, Punta Sayulita has designed a development plan that honors the earth. It is definitely a development I look forward to seeing completed.

In this quaint authentic Mexican village by the sea, conversations between strangers start easily: on the beach, in the family-owned shops and restaurants, and on the streets. People are just friendly. They are happy to live there and happy to share where they live. It has been noted that many people who come to visit or vacation never leave. They fall in love with this tropical paradise and decide to make it their home. This friendly, heart-warming energy is contagious, and I look forward to returning soon.

For more Sayulita visitor information: www.sayulitalife.com

To read more about my Sayulita trip, please visit  Reverie-Daydream blog.
 

 

More About: Mexico

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