A Travel Community for San Francisco Bay Area Families
Sayulita Family Spring Break
A sleepy fishing village turned surfer haven about 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita definitely qualifies as a low hassle, high relaxation holiday from the Bay Area.
Flights (4 hours direct) are available from United, American and Mexicana and generally run between $350 and $500 round trip.
Where to Stay:
Villa Amor : Lovely villas built into the hillside with plunge pools. A bit of a hike up the hill from the beach and no swimming pool but in spite of that everyone who stays there seems to love it. It does offer resort amenities and has a well-regarded restaurant.
Los Gemales and Delfines Two beautiful complexes built right on the beach, offering some wonderful “beachfront” villas built around shared pools. You are steps from the beach and easy walking distance to restaurants and town. The villas are often rented by owners and there are several different sites that offer the villas.
Playa Escondido. On the beach on the north side of town, this resort is not marketed as as "family oriented" but folks who have gone there with kids claim it is great. An option to Villa Amor if you are looking for the resort experience.
Places to Eat:
El Thai: One block from Los Delphines, at corner opposite Diamonte. Bar and restaurant specializing in Thai oriented seafood and meats,.
Bicyclette: Outstanding (and reasonably priced) French food.
El Costeño (also known as Ruperto's): On the beach, great seafood, traditional Mexican dishes & breakfasts, beer, margaritas & softdrinks. Great for hanging out watching the beach action.
La Terrazola: Great food any time of day, breakfast lunch or dinner. Open six days per week, and the day off changes every once and awhile, so check when you visit.
Choco Banana: Adjacent to town square, coffee, muffins, breakfasts, shakes & burgers at lunch, along with newspapers.
La Ola Rica (in neighboring San Pancho): serves excellent seafood, steak and BBQ dinners, full bar, takes credit cards. Drive north on Highway 200 about 4 miles, take the San Francisco turn to the left, then straight ahead, 2 blocks from beach.
Fish Tacos: Opposite the town square, on the uphill side. This is a favorite of many visitors, at least those who love fish tacos. They also opened a “dinner only” branch two blocks north of the river on the main street into town.
Activities
Around Town
Surfboards, kayaks and other water equipment can be rented on the beach (between Margarita's & Ruperto's restaurants), along with surf lessons. There is usually always surf at the beach in front of town and when there is a good swell you’ll get a nice left break in front of La Terrazola Restaurant.
Playa de los Muertos (Beach of the Dead) is usually gentler water. Walk past the hotel Villa Amor, then take the pathway (cutting off the point) past the cemetery, and you arrive in a couple of minutes. In the other direction, a path from the end of Calle Palmar leads through the woods to fairly deserted beaches to the north, and ultimately all the way to San Pancho. There are plenty of things to do right in town, including surfing, swimming, horseback riding (on beach or through jungle), hiking, fishing and just relaxing.
Snorkeling
If you have any interest in snorkeling or just want a fun boat ride, you should spend a morning at the Islas Marietas, where decades ago Jacques Cousteau filmed one of his diving specials. This set of islands is uninhabited by people, but has thousands of birds, including the blue footed booby found only in these parts and in the Galapagos, and the surrounding coral is teeming with colorful fish.
Leave Sayulita by 9am by taxi and head down to Punta de Mita (30 minutes). On the beach you’ll find folks that will set you up with a boat and pilot to the islands as well as snorkels and masks. I’ve heard Oscar is the person to look for. You take 15 minute boat ride to the island, snorkel for around 1.5 hours and the head back to shore. The trip to and from the islands can be great, with sea turtles, dolphins, whales and even a school of manta rays, each one 6 to 10 feet across gliding just under the surface. Even if not so lucky, there will be beautiful birds flying past. You’ll be back at the beach by noon and can catch lunch at Pedro’s restaurant on the beach at Punta de Mita.
Flights (4 hours direct) are available from United, American and Mexicana and generally run between $350 and $500 round trip.
Where to Stay:
Villa Amor : Lovely villas built into the hillside with plunge pools. A bit of a hike up the hill from the beach and no swimming pool but in spite of that everyone who stays there seems to love it. It does offer resort amenities and has a well-regarded restaurant.
Los Gemales and Delfines Two beautiful complexes built right on the beach, offering some wonderful “beachfront” villas built around shared pools. You are steps from the beach and easy walking distance to restaurants and town. The villas are often rented by owners and there are several different sites that offer the villas.
Playa Escondido. On the beach on the north side of town, this resort is not marketed as as "family oriented" but folks who have gone there with kids claim it is great. An option to Villa Amor if you are looking for the resort experience.
Places to Eat:
El Thai: One block from Los Delphines, at corner opposite Diamonte. Bar and restaurant specializing in Thai oriented seafood and meats,.
Bicyclette: Outstanding (and reasonably priced) French food.
El Costeño (also known as Ruperto's): On the beach, great seafood, traditional Mexican dishes & breakfasts, beer, margaritas & softdrinks. Great for hanging out watching the beach action.
La Terrazola: Great food any time of day, breakfast lunch or dinner. Open six days per week, and the day off changes every once and awhile, so check when you visit.
Choco Banana: Adjacent to town square, coffee, muffins, breakfasts, shakes & burgers at lunch, along with newspapers.
La Ola Rica (in neighboring San Pancho): serves excellent seafood, steak and BBQ dinners, full bar, takes credit cards. Drive north on Highway 200 about 4 miles, take the San Francisco turn to the left, then straight ahead, 2 blocks from beach.
Fish Tacos: Opposite the town square, on the uphill side. This is a favorite of many visitors, at least those who love fish tacos. They also opened a “dinner only” branch two blocks north of the river on the main street into town.
Activities
Around Town
Surfboards, kayaks and other water equipment can be rented on the beach (between Margarita's & Ruperto's restaurants), along with surf lessons. There is usually always surf at the beach in front of town and when there is a good swell you’ll get a nice left break in front of La Terrazola Restaurant.
Playa de los Muertos (Beach of the Dead) is usually gentler water. Walk past the hotel Villa Amor, then take the pathway (cutting off the point) past the cemetery, and you arrive in a couple of minutes. In the other direction, a path from the end of Calle Palmar leads through the woods to fairly deserted beaches to the north, and ultimately all the way to San Pancho. There are plenty of things to do right in town, including surfing, swimming, horseback riding (on beach or through jungle), hiking, fishing and just relaxing.
Snorkeling
If you have any interest in snorkeling or just want a fun boat ride, you should spend a morning at the Islas Marietas, where decades ago Jacques Cousteau filmed one of his diving specials. This set of islands is uninhabited by people, but has thousands of birds, including the blue footed booby found only in these parts and in the Galapagos, and the surrounding coral is teeming with colorful fish.
Leave Sayulita by 9am by taxi and head down to Punta de Mita (30 minutes). On the beach you’ll find folks that will set you up with a boat and pilot to the islands as well as snorkels and masks. I’ve heard Oscar is the person to look for. You take 15 minute boat ride to the island, snorkel for around 1.5 hours and the head back to shore. The trip to and from the islands can be great, with sea turtles, dolphins, whales and even a school of manta rays, each one 6 to 10 feet across gliding just under the surface. Even if not so lucky, there will be beautiful birds flying past. You’ll be back at the beach by noon and can catch lunch at Pedro’s restaurant on the beach at Punta de Mita.
Comment
About
© 2010 Created by Julie on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
You need to be a member of 99 Places to add comments!
Join 99 Places