Seeing and Doing
Make a drive for the Pacific Coast, most well known for Vallarta’s LGBT party community, surfing, and luxurious sunsets…
The most adorable town on the Nayarit Riviera is a hippy haven by the name of Sayulita and its sister-town San Pancho (San Francisco). This is where the real surfers and those wanting to stay away from that glam Insta-life.
Surfing is the main hobby in town and it’s probably the best place to learn how to surf. The surf instructor will surely take you to the best beaches, but make sure to hike out to Playa Malpaso, Playa de los Muertos, la Lancha, and all the beaches dotted along the coast line that don’t even have names.
Take a day-trip to San Pancho where you can unexpectedly find a Buddha statue in the middle of the forest if you follow the route up the mountain. This one, even most locals, don’t even know about but the views up the mountain are worth it. Speaking of mountains, head up the Mirador in Sayulita to watch a sunset too.
Eating and Drinking
You’re pretty much in the clear if you avoid any spots around the main square, except maybe for ice cream.
Bichos has the cheapest and best tacos in town with a table full of salsa’s and additives and El Puesto de Gabi is a hole-in-the-wall for delicious fish tacos and aguachiles. Cava is the town’s small-batch mezcal bar where the bartender David is a modern-day Tarzan truly in love with his little village He is also a host on the makeshift Sayulita Insider channel.
Where to Stay
You’ve got an array of affordable Airbnb’s in town, but for a fun hostel experience head to Selina, or a swanky day at the adults-only hotel Avela.
Looking for luxury?
Unrivalled luxury at Careyes
A little village perched on the rocky hillside over the Pacific Ocean, this is the kind of place where you’d want to go with a healthy budget to rent a house with 10 of your closest friends (complete with an infinity pool). All the rental residences are equally swanky, but the real prestige is the sunset that sets directly over the Pacific, putting on nature’s own fireshow every night. And for those looking to become one with the jungle, Cuixmala’s incredible resort in the middle of lush palm groves is as if straight out of a storybook. This was originally Sir James Goldsmith’s estate, a “multi billionaire financier turned crusading politician” as described in Vanity Fair. In its heyday, it was a destination for the Italian elite, celebrities, nobility and models (Naomi Campbell still loves it) to live la dolce vita in North America.
Careyes as a town is quite exclusive and there isn’t a whole lot to do other than celebrate nature, but it’s got a few wacky things. For example, the Copa del Sol is an installation where you can enter and sit inside of what looks like a giant antenna on the edge of a cliff.
Treat yourself in Manzanillo
Think of Manzanillo as the Greek Mykonos of Mexico. Whitewashed stone homes are tetris’d onto the facade of a fishing port. Mexican families come to many of Manzanillo’s local resort-type hotels with ultra-blue pools and vibrant interiors as if time traveling directly back to the ‘90s.
We are now in the state of Colima, and while the beaches are still as pristine, the surrounding areas are quite interesting. We are in the world’s lime capital (which makes sense since we are next door to Jalisco, the world’s tequila capital.
You can swim in Manzanillo, but waves are huge, and you’re going to get much more of the ocean as you continue going down the coast. Head to Playa Azul, and Playa Las Brisas where you will find a nice selection of seafood restaurants.
Hop back into your car and head into the landmass towards Colima City. You’ll be staying in the mountains at Hacienda San Antonio in the shadow of the valley’s volcanos. You’re on a 5,000 acre rancho – ride horses, explore the jungles, or even ride a hot air balloon if you please!
Escape to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
Cangrejo y Toro, La Casa Que Canta, Amuleto or any Airbnb for less than $50 per night .
Carmelita’s Café – Loot – La Raíz de la Tierra – Casa Vegana
Memories of Acapulco
Okay, so we’ve skipped a few towns on our way down because we were rushing to the infamous crimetown of Acapulco. This is where you can pretend to be Ursula Andress in the 1963 film Fun in Acapulco starring Elvis Presley as a performer turned lifeguard (there’s a film for a rainy day.) Stay at the Hotel Boca Chica to fully indulge in your Elvis nostalgia.
Acapulco attracts a mostly Mexican crowd and so you’ll always find an abundance of authentic and delicious Mexican fare. Check out La Cabaña De Caleta, El Zorrito, and/or Alejo all in the old town for a proper but relaxing meal. You don’t have to dress up for any of them.
Since you’re here, you have to see what a Mexican mall looks like: namely, La Isla Shopping Village. Think of it as the Venice Hotel of Vegas in Mexico. The kitschy destination is a great place to people-watch.
But of course, let’s not forget about the beach. Visit La Quebrada cliff diving destination famous from old school postcards. You’re welcome to jump off while we watch from the sidelines.
Hop on a boat charter in Acapulco, and make your way to Laguna de Coyuca, a quiet lagoon with calm waters and a handful of small restaurants.
Hike to Palma Sola, an archaeological settlement located in the amphitheater or upper part of the port of Acapulco where you can find ancient art, carved on the rocks thousands of years ago.
Vitamin Sea in Puerto Escondido
You’ve arrived on Oaxaca’s coast where everything feels just a tad more rustic. This is also a destination for blonde Australian surfer heads, hippies, and ukulele players. In short: this is your quintessential hippie beachtown..
Your best bet is an Airbnb like Casa Ollama for a bigger group or Casa Arena. Both contemporary spaces feature no wifi, and all the more connection with the Earth.
When you’re in Oaxaca, the world moves slower. Visit Casa Wabi for artistic inspiration. And then proceed to all the beaches dotted along the coastline and you might even find a secret one.
Visit nearby towns Mazunte, Huatulco, Zipolite and Zicatela. These could be equally listed as separate towns, but we’re really looking at a similar hippy atmosphere just 20 minutes from each other.
Experience bioluminescence in those magical waters at the Laguna de Chacahua. There are companies that can take you there if you don’t want to find it at night on your own accord.
Help release a baby turtle into the sea! Mazunte has the Mexican Turtle Center, where you can volunteer while learning about the biology, management, development and conservation of sea turtles.
The best seafood eatery in the area is Piedra de Fuego in Zipolite. Get your ceviche at Costeñito Cevichería, octopus at Coco Fish Zicatela, and don’t forget about drinks at Espadin for a romantic dinner with a view