5 Reasons to Venture Outside of Puerto Vallarta
A Mexican vacation offers a multitude of enjoyment and adventure, all under the welcomed, predictable sun. Puerto Vallarta is certainly one of the most popular spots to escape the winter blahs, but what resides on its outskirts away from the usual crowded tourist traps? Plenty.
Traveling north from PV, there are five stand-outs that will take you away from the bustle of the popular PV, and catapult you into Mexican culture offering authentic, original experiences.
1. San Francisco
Perhaps the loveliest aspect of traveling anywhere is to blend in with the native community: eat local pleasantries, walk uninhibited avenues. A multitude of fascinating villages and towns reside nearby PV, all with an array of gorgeous details and color explosions.
Following the coast north even just 15 minutes exposes towns such as Bucerias, and the popular surf town of Sayulita ranges about 30 minutes north from PV. While Sayulita is an amazing place to take surf lessons (look for Patrica), troll around in a golf cart, shop, sun, and eat legendary burritos (Burrito Revolution) and even some familiar non-traditional Mexican fare (lattes and hummus), the chaotic crowds can easily rival PV, and parking is an adventure in itself.
Yet, just minutes past Sayulita is San Francisco, or San Pancho. The beach is impressive, the cuisine unique, the shops eclectic, and, thankfully, the main road mostly free from the hordes. Venturing up side streets often leads to pleasant surprises: a surf shop or a fish taco haven.
The entrance to the vast beach offers various local treats to take back home, and the tables set on the sand are a wonderful place to enjoy a michelada. Be careful of the undertow in San Pancho, though. On our last trip, we watched a woman lose her bikini bottoms!
Drive up the hill, and experience the new polo club or just take in the amazing views. After being exposed to San Pancho, you will feel like you truly experienced a hidden secret of genuine Mexico.
2. Tiangus
Free on Thursday? Follow the tree shrouded highway past San Pancho another15 minutes or so to La Penita, or LP as the local inhabitors lovingly call this fishing village. The multitude of vendors used to just occupy the plaza and one long side street, but Tiangus has flourished in the past years and now expands to the Malecon. Here, you will find the best paintings, jewelry, and delicacies. Our favorites to grab: jalapeno sourdough and stone-embellished bracelets.
Everything from housewares to a sugar over-load will keep you busy for hours.
Afterwards, stroll the malecon, sit on the open beach, float in the gentle waves, walk the avenida, or enjoy an award-winning mango margarita at Jaime's.
3. Hidden Beaches
PV is not necessarily known for its beaches, unlike the more tropical Cancun or Cozumel. However, the Nayarit coastline is sprinkled with long and often desolate sand. While Rincon de Guayabitos is a popular destination for Canadians, in particular, and can get super busy during the Mexican holidays, there are several hidden and not-so-hidden choices.
El Monteon's mile and a half long beach is ideal for strolling, sunning, and swimming.
You may just have the entire area to yourself! Plus, the trip through town and along a windy country road towards the turtle estuary will afford you glimpses of Mexican farming life.
While a mangrove-covered estuary rests behind the beach, a peaceful stream trickles through the far left end. Here, you can watch heron's dive for fish as you gaze back at your private paradise!
Another pleasant find hides through the town of Lo De Marcos. At the far south end of town, we drove on a dirt road, up a hill into a housing district, and found such a delight. Plus, there was an abandoned house for sale, so we spent our time here dreaming of the possibility of waking up daily to an exquisite view.
The town's main beach is also enjoyable, and the small, sweet town offers a few good restuarants. We stopped at the Canadian-owned Endless Summer.
When on Rincon's busy beach, take a steep path at the left end to the private "Kissing Beach" where- a short distance away- a small cove awaits your exploration.
4. Chacala
While not so hidden, the small town of Chacala, north of La Penita and about nine miles from the highway, claims ownership to one of our favorite beaches, especially attractive when our daughters were little. The waves are friendly and there is plenty of sand to stretch out on. Bordering mountains frame the long beach, and we have yet to feel overrun by sun worhippers.
Recently, we found a restaurant that we will definitely be back to try: Chac Mool. While we just enjoyed a cocktail this trip, we will be sure to come back to try their scrumptious looking onion rings.
5. Carry a Croc!
About 10 minutes past La Penita, you will begin to see cartoon "cocodrilos" signs. Turning left off the highway, then taking another left, you will come upon the quiet crocodile rescue area. For 20 pesos, you will meet Turin-a large beast who was starved for six full months and survived-and his less aggressive friends. While the guides don't speak much English, they will offer some written details about this rescue farm and its guests. The smaller crocs can be cradled and petted. Nothing like holding a crocodile to make you feel adventurous.
Each of these cool experiences will allow you to feel you touched on Mexican's inner beauty. The special draw of exploration will guide you back home fulfilled and awaiting more unique excursions off PV's toursist paths.
Next trip: secret waterfalls!
Love and enjoy whatever discoveries you choose to make in wonderful Mexico.
Lianne