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Sayulita, Mexico
NEXT STOP
Sayulita, Mexico
A few weeks ago I had the chance to take a trip to Mexico with my husband for a friend's wedding. The kids stayed at home and that alone felt like it was OUR honeymoon.
Drive 30 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta and leave the all-inclusive resorts behind, and you will find the charming beach town of Sayulita. My husband, Edward, went surfing here 15 years ago and always wanted to return with me. Certainly, the former sleepy town has changed quite a bit since then. While some corners feel like a stylish "Mexican Williamsburg" with trendy boutiques and coffee shops offering gluten-free cookies, other parts of town remain quaint and slow-paced to enjoy simple pleasures: watching the ocean waves while savoring an aqua fresca.
On our first day, Edward hits the waves. If you are a vintage board lover as he is, Quiverito Surf Shop is your spot. Meanwhile half a block from the beach, sitting on a colorful rug on the sidewalk, I meet Greta, a local, self-taught jeweler with long curly hair, who shapes gold leather into delicate feather necklaces. When I admire her craft she asks me to sit down with her on the rug and starts teaching me to use her jewelry tools on leather and metal.
At night Edward and I enjoy many of the excellent restaurants in town, with "Mary's" being our favorite. My pick: Grilled Red snapper fresh off the boat with crunchy fresh vegetables and creamy guacamole. But even the very simple fish taco stalls spread across town serve deliciously fresh fish with juicy mango salsa and home-made tortillas.
For dessert we couldn't help but go to the same spot every night: the ice-cream shop Waikika Heladeria, serving mouthwatering, hand-crafted ice-cream ......tamarind gelato, pineapple popsicles sweetened with honey, all made naturally with a few simple, ingredients.
"Ah, and that little pony..." There is one free-spirited, miniature pony that we kept seeing in different parts of town grazing on dry weeds on the side of the roads, obviously running free, no halter, no rope, no fence. It had a rugged yet charming personality, an inspiring little guy with an independent attitude. He rounded off my image of Sayulita: a place of all different personalities and lovers of life.
Drive 30 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta and leave the all-inclusive resorts behind, and you will find the charming beach town of Sayulita. My husband, Edward, went surfing here 15 years ago and always wanted to return with me. Certainly, the former sleepy town has changed quite a bit since then. While some corners feel like a stylish "Mexican Williamsburg" with trendy boutiques and coffee shops offering gluten-free cookies, other parts of town remain quaint and slow-paced to enjoy simple pleasures: watching the ocean waves while savoring an aqua fresca.
On our first day, Edward hits the waves. If you are a vintage board lover as he is, Quiverito Surf Shop is your spot. Meanwhile half a block from the beach, sitting on a colorful rug on the sidewalk, I meet Greta, a local, self-taught jeweler with long curly hair, who shapes gold leather into delicate feather necklaces. When I admire her craft she asks me to sit down with her on the rug and starts teaching me to use her jewelry tools on leather and metal.
At night Edward and I enjoy many of the excellent restaurants in town, with "Mary's" being our favorite. My pick: Grilled Red snapper fresh off the boat with crunchy fresh vegetables and creamy guacamole. But even the very simple fish taco stalls spread across town serve deliciously fresh fish with juicy mango salsa and home-made tortillas.
For dessert we couldn't help but go to the same spot every night: the ice-cream shop Waikika Heladeria, serving mouthwatering, hand-crafted ice-cream ......tamarind gelato, pineapple popsicles sweetened with honey, all made naturally with a few simple, ingredients.
"Ah, and that little pony..." There is one free-spirited, miniature pony that we kept seeing in different parts of town grazing on dry weeds on the side of the roads, obviously running free, no halter, no rope, no fence. It had a rugged yet charming personality, an inspiring little guy with an independent attitude. He rounded off my image of Sayulita: a place of all different personalities and lovers of life.
Colors! Colors! Colors!
What tantalizing textures and shades! These saturated tones are unaltered, so bright and rich! How refreshing.
We brought home 2 felted wool monkeys for our sons - a huge hit.
What tantalizing textures and shades! These saturated tones are unaltered, so bright and rich! How refreshing.
We brought home 2 felted wool monkeys for our sons - a huge hit.
On the way back to our casita we always got our daily fresh coconut. Did you know that they use coconut water for blood transfusions?
Pretty much on any trip I try to make time for a horseback ride, my true passion. The stable was "Painted Ponies de Ninos" which I highly recommend, especially if you are an experienced rider.
So many little backyards cafes to explore...
Mary's was my favorite place for dinner. Fresh red snapper caught on the beach landed immediately in Mary's pan.
This fish vase painted in a traditional style took the local artist 5 month to finish. Look at all the teeny tiny dots! Incredible craftsmanship.
Love!
Houston International Airport Baggage Claim.
Houston International Airport Baggage Claim.
Stepping inside one of the well-curated galleries of Sayulita.