Sayulita, Mexico

Just about an hour up the road from Puerto Vallarta is the little bohemian beach town of Sayulita. Sayulita is a tiny, eclectic village with only about 5000 permanent residents. It’s a multicultural community where tourists and locals mingle together seamlessly.  This laidback town sits right on the beach and attracts visitors who want something more unique than the touristy mega-resorts that line the southern coast.  We were only able to visit for a day, but I can see allure of wanting to kick off my shoes and spend more time here.

Getting to Sayulita was easy.  We were staying about 20 minutes south in the neighboring town of Punta De Mita, so we grabbed a cab and were there in no time.  Our cab dropped us off in the town square and I instantly fell in love. Sayulita is a lot like what I pictured a true coastal Mexican town to be with it’s cobblestone streets and it’s colorful laid-back vibe.   The streets are lined with artisanal shops, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries.  It was such a welcomed change from the plethora of tee-shirt and souvenir shops you usually find in the more popular touristy cities.

 

The wonderful thing about the town is that all roads seem to lead to the beach. On a hot day, the beach is exactly where you want to be.  We visited in late July and it was hot.  I mean really hot and humid, so the beach was packed with people trying to keep cool during the mid-day heat.  Surfing is one of the main attractions in Sayulita.  The town was discovered in the late 1960’s by roving surfers, and to this day it is one of the best surf spots for surfers of all ages.  This area is also a perfect spot for beginning surfers, since the beach here has a reputation for having a great beginner’s surf break.

In addition to surfing and the beach, this region offers a variety of activities such as snorkeling, hiking, jungle canopy tours, fishing and horseback riding. Unfortunately, we only had just enough time to do a little shopping, throw back a few beers, and wander the town’s colorful streets. I wish we could have stayed a little longer, but hey… there is always next time.

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