An hour northwest of Puerto Vallarta on the west coast of Mexico, Sayulita is often called pueblo magico, or, “magic town.” It’s a lively, hip beach town full of surfers and friendly locals cruising around in golf carts.
Often recognized for the colorful art strung above the streets, Sayulita is becoming an ever more popular place to visit thanks to its laid-back atmosphere, beautiful natural setting, and abundance of cool things to do. Here are some awesome activities to try there:
Surf
Sayulita is a surfer’s paradise, and is great for beginners. Taking a surf lesson is easy and fun, especially with one of the reputable companies in town. Lunazul Surfing, for example, is one of the best in Sauylita for board rentals, surf lessons, and surfing excursions to other spots on the coast. The family-owned company has been praised by publications like Travel + Leisure and Lonely Planet for friendliness, location, equipment, accommodations, and knowledge. For a 1.5-hour lesson, prices range from $45 to $65.
Yoga Retreat or Class
The chill, laid-back atmosphere of Sayulita makes the area a great place for a yoga retreat. While there are countless retreats ranging in length all around Sayulita, I adored Haramara, where you can choose the length of your retreat, stay in gorgeous cabañas, and enjoy clean, whole food prepared for you daily. The Haramara property grounds are simply stunning and would make the perfect setting for some much-need rejuvenation. Depending on when you go and the accommodations you prefer, prices range from $215 to $390 per night.
I attended a weeklong women’s retreat there and while I thought it was magical, it’s important to know that the villas don’t have walls. You’re totally immersed in nature and will see many birds, butterflies, and even iguanas. There’s no electricity, either, and nights are lived by lamplight. I never felt unsafe and loved the experience – get out of your comfort zone a bit!
Or, if you’re simply looking for a few yoga classes, check out Paraiso Yoga, which offers between one and four classes per day in all different yoga styles. The studio even has a cool online deal where you can purchase seven days of unlimited yoga classes for just $55, which would be perfect if you’re taking a week-long trip to Sayulita!
Islas Marietas Tour
The Marietas Islands are small, uninhabited islands off the coast of Nayarit, the province of which Sayulita is a part. Take a tour to the islands where you can explore clear waters, great beaches, and coves. Some tours include snorkeling and others include whale-watching, but most are half-day excursions departing from and returning to Sayulita. One great tour company is WildMex, which offers a few different tour options to the islands.
Jungle Hike
WildMex offers another cool activity: a jungle hike. Climb Monkey Mountain for panoramic views from the summit, or hike through the jungle from Sayulita to the neighboring town of San Pancho. Either trek will allow you to get out into the beautiful natural surroundings of the area and see some cool flora, fauna, and wildlife. Plus, all the profits of these tours are used to create new trails and maintain existing ones! Book a spot on a group tour (where you’ll meet some other cool travelers) for $65.
Horseback Ride
Hop on a trusty steed and ride through the jungle and along the beach to explore even more of Sayulita. The horseback ride itself would be a ton of fun, plus it is a great way to get out and about! Rancho Mi Chaparrita offers both long and short rides at different times of the day, so you could go for a shady afternoon ride under the trees or a even sunset ride along the coastline. A short tour lasting an hour and twenty minutes costs $50, while a long tour of two hours and twenty minutes costs $90.
ATV
If you’re really feeling adventurous, also take one of Rancho Mi Chaparrita’s thrilling ATV tours, where you’ll be splashing, crashing, and cruising through the ocean, jungle, and Sayulita town on a four-wheeler. A single ATV costs $85 for a two-hour trip, complete with fruit and beverages. Beware, you might get muddy, but it’ll be one awesome ride!
Zip Line
Among Rancho Mi Chaparrita’s other adventures is a jungle canopy zipline tour. With 13 lines and four suspension bridges throughout the jungle, you’ll spend two hours zipping through the treetops high above the ground. Believe it or not, Rancho Mi Chaparrita’s trip even comes with a free tequila tasting! This fun excursion costs $85 per person.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Back in town, Sayulita has a ton of great shopping options. There are plenty of stores all around town with cute, unique clothing options, though they can be pricey. For more of a local feel, browsing markets can be a fun activity to get a sense of the town, starting with Sayulita’s riverside “hippie market” full of colorful, handmade goods and crafts. Stroll through the rows of tables topped with fun, unique items and pick out a pair of earrings or beach blanket to remember your trip by.
On Fridays, check out the Sayulita famers’ market, where local vendors sell delicious baked goods and other foods. Then, on Sundays, head over to the tianguis, another open-air market with clothing, textiles, and local artwork.
Art Peep
One of the best things about Sayulita is the art all around town. From the streamers hanging over little roadways branching out from the town square to the murals by talented artists, Sayulita is quirky and colorful.
I loved walking through town and finding new murals and streamers every time I went out.
Enjoy the Beach
Sayulita’s main beach, where the surf waves are and plenty of hawkers and bars, was not my favorite part. But you don’t have to go far to find quiet places to lay your towel down and go for a swim. I recommend turning right and walking up the beach until you find your perfect spot.
The water is a touch above lukewarm, and usually the waves aren’t too big, either.
Escape to San Pancho
I admit, the first thing I wanted to do upon reaching Sayulita was leave. From what I’ve heard it has changed a lot in the past few years and morphed from a quiet, artsy hippie town to more of a tourist spot. It’s perfect for those who want to drive around golf carts and party in bars, but that’s not me. In time I did find the quieter, more beautiful parts of the town and came to enjoy the surrounding areas, but I still liked San Pancho beach in San Francisco, just a 20 minute drive north, much better.
If you want peace and tranquility and are OK with skipping the bars, head to San Pancho. I adored it.
Explore Nearby Beaches
There are several lovely beaches nearby that you can take a long, hot walk to, get lucky with an Uber (there are a few around!), or cruise over with a golf cart:
- Playa Escondida/Carricitos – Gorgeous for sunset.
- Los Muertos Beach near Punta Sayulita.
- Playa Malpasos near San Pancho (will need a taxi).
Eat
One of the best things about traveling in Mexico is the food, amiright? It’s hard to beat Mexican food, even when comparing it to the rest of the world, at least in my Southern Californian heart. I adored the food in Sayulita, particularly the following:
- Yah-yah cafe: If you’re looking for organic and delicious breakfast food and lunch bowls, plus amazing coffee. Vegan options available.
- Organi-k: Acai and poke bowl heaven.
- Maria’s Fish Tacos: Always packed but always delicious. If you’re not feeling fish or there’s no space, there’s a taco place right next door to the right (when facing the restaurant) that is just a counter to order from with some tables outside and DELICIOUS.
Getting There and Around
Getting to Sayulita can be simple and straightforward, and doesn’t have to be expensive. For most people, Puerto Vallarta airport is the starting point.
- Private car: The most expensive option would be to take a private car or taxi from the airport to Sayulita, which takes about an hour, but why do that? For example, the shuttle that Haramara offers cost $90 one-way. There are better ways.
- Bus: There is a public bus that you can take, provided that you don’t have much luggage and can speak Spanish, for closer to one dollar. If that is out of your comfort zone, then I highly recommend Uber.
- Uber: It only cost me about $24 to get into town using Uber. In order to do this, you’re going to have to walk across the bridge to the other side of the highway. It’s very easy to find, very obvious, and it’s orange. You can’t miss it if you look around for it after walking outside from the arrivals hall. Keep in mind that once you cross the bridge you won’t be able to use airport Wi-Fi anymore, so this will only work if you are using a data plan, because it can be a bit chaotic and you might need to communicate with your driver about an exact pickup spot. Still, it would be cheaper to activate your daily $10 data than to take the airport taxi or a private shuttle.
Though it took Sayulita a bit of time to grow on me, I came to enjoy the variety of things to do, the perfect location for a retreat, the abundant butterflies, and healthy food options. This part of Mexico has a special magic to it that is worth experiencing firsthand.
Read Next:
San Francisco, Mexico, is a Dream
The Best things to do in Tulum, Mexico
https://ift.tt/2sT4ot2
No comments: