Pelicans bob along the waves, lazily fishing for a late lunch. Bright colorful rainbow umbrellas dot the beach, as families, friends and vacationers enjoy the beach under a brilliantly blue cloudless sky. Merchants walk along the sand, selling jewelry, fabric and pottery. Children and adults alike play along the crashing surf. Soft chatter in English and Spanish wafts through the air, as tourists and locals spend a relaxing afternoon at the beach. As surfers catch the occasional wave at the west end of the beach, the rhythmic sound of the endless waves lulls many of us into afternoon naps Sundays are made for.  The perfect weekend in Sayulita.

The eastern stretch of the beach, a quiet and peaceful departure from the hustle and bustle of the vibrant and busy center of town, reminiscent of the sleepy village Sayulita used to be twenty years ago.

Long before Bachelor in Paradise crashed the shores of Riviera Nayarit, Sayulita, a mere 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta was a small, quiet fishing village. When I first visited twenty years ago, there was one phone in the entire town. If you needed to make a call (or send a fax, which people still did twenty years ago), you’d stand in line in the town plaza, often with a frozen limón bar in hand.

Something Old, Something New

Over the years, we’d notice changes with each visit- pay phones appearing along the main road, internet cafes popping up; followed closely by sleek boutique hotels and restaurants. What was once a quaint, unspoiled beach town, has become a scene of sorts- complete with fire dancing street performers and gluten free pizza. Traffic collects around the town square; taxis, golf carts and bikes bouncing along the worn cobblestone.

Streets around the square bustle with activity- outdoor seating at restaurants full, street performers serenading guests. Surfers and sun worshippers wander through the crowds, heading to and from the beach. Art galleries and clothing boutiques now interspersed with small family markets along formerly quiet streets.

Yet, even with all the changes, some things remain the same- familiar faces, fresh seafood, perfect guacamole, friendly greetings from strangers along the road and the unspoiled beauty of the Pacific Ocean just steps away. A tranquil reminder of a slower, simpler time.

Where to Stay

For many years, we only stayed at Los Delfines; my aunt and uncle owned a house there and it’s one of my favorite places in town. The small collection of villas is just steps from the beach and our family has enjoyed many days and beautiful sunsets there. On this most recent trip, we stayed a few doors down at Casablanca Hotel. The grounds are beautiful, the property is along the same beach as Los Delfines and the sound of the ocean serves as the soundtrack for a great night’s sleep.

Of the two, if I had my pick- I would choose Los Delfines, especially if you are traveling with a group. That said, Casablanca is another solid option. I enjoy staying a bit outside of the center of town, as it’s quieter but still close enough to walk into the town plaza and still in very close proximity to restaurants and shops.

Food and Drink

When you’re in a new place, it can be a challenge to decide where to eat. Here’s a quick cheat sheet of a few favorites from this trip. I’m sure you’ll discover others along the way too.

Happy Hour

Margaritas at Calypso – I love a good margarita anywhere; they are an essential food group on a trip to Mexico. Sit on the open air, second floor patio and people watch while you enjoy your drinks.

Tequila flight at El Conejo – KT and I stumbled upon this cute, new restaurant and tequila bar just off the main road to the plaza. I didn’t get a chance to stop by for their tequila flight on this trip but my aunt and uncle enjoyed it. It’s on my list for next time!

Perfect Bites

Brunch at ChocoBanana – I live for breakfast all day, so this was an easy pick for me. The banana chocolate chip pancakes are soo good.

Tacos at Medusa – wander up from the beach and grab some grilled shrimp or mahi mahi tacos.

Chicken Molé at Sayulita Cafe – enjoy your dinner and if you’re lucky, a lively show from street performers directly in front of the restaurant.

Sweet Treats

Limón bars at La Fuente – an old favorite for my family, at a new place. After our walk through the town, mama and I stopped for a cold treat for our walk back to Casablanca.

Gelato at Buonissimo – KT and I stopped by Buonissimo after brunch one day, while window shopping. Try the coffee gelato, it was my favorite!

Pastries and dessert @ Casa Gourmet – in search of something sweet after dinner at Sayulita Cafe, KT and I found our way to Casa Gourmet. The chocolate eclair was amazing; dad loved his lemon fruit tart. If you like croissants, grab a few chocolate ones for a quick breakfast.

Finding Treasures

You may opt to shop from a beach chair on the sand, as many vendors will come to you with everything from handwoven bags, to jewelry, sarongs and colorful fabric. If you do want to explore and shop a bit, here are a few good options.

If you’re in town on a Friday, head over to Mercado del Pueblo; there’s nothing like a Farmer’s Market to introduce you to local community and all types of cool vendors.

There are countless shops and boutiques in the town square, wander through and see what jumps out at you. I’ve picked up some beautiful art and pottery over the years.

Off the Beaten Path

Take a walk through town, away from the crowds and find beautiful handmade leather sandals and traditional embroidered dresses at Ego Piel. KT and I walked made the short walk from Casablanca Hotel on our last day to get a dress she wanted. I ended up finding a really cute pair of leather sandals too. My trip to Europe has me on a handmade leather sandal kick. It’s not safe!

Art Walk

One of my favorite things about exploring new places is discovering art- whether it’s interesting buildings, galleries or murals on the street. Take an art walk to introduce yourself to Sayulita; you won’t be disappointed!

Back to Reality

After a long weekend in Sayulita, I woke up this morning missing the sound of the waves; wishing I was in a swimsuit rather than a sweatshirt (*deep sigh). All good things must come to an end, I suppose. I’m grateful to have had some time to relax and enjoy family- and eighty degree weather is always a welcome gift in January!

If you’ve never spent any time in this region, hopefully this post inspires you to make a visit. I think my next Mexican adventure will be to Tequila. I’d love to find some tequila tastings to complement all my weekends in wine country.

Have you spent any time in Mexico? Where are some of your favorite places?