Whether you want to surf, lie on the beach, shop for local souvenirs, eat fish straight out of the Pacific or simply walk around a colonial town, Sayulita has something for you
You must have heard of the term ‘Pueblos Magicos’ by now. A group of small towns that offer visitors a ‘magical’ experience, by way of their natural beauty, cultural riches or historical significance. Since the criteria to become a magic town are quite strict, many of the towns appear fairly similar. Today, however, I find myself in the town of Sayulita, which was promoted to Pueblo Magico status in 2015, and is where surfing and hippies mix with the local magic.
An hour north of Puerto Vallarta, part of the Riviera Nayarit, you will find Sayulita, home to one of the top stand up paddle (SUP) boarding surfers and a member of the Mexican surf team: Fernando Stalla. Just because he is showing off his skills does not mean you can’t learn a thing there too! Shallow waters for up to 50 meters, mostly sandy and mossy grounds and easy access to where the waves break, all provide the ideal conditions to get your feet wet.
The area is not just pristine beaches, surfing waves and jungle-like forest. In the downtown area you will find colorful colonial buildings and an abundance of eateries, from street tacos to Italian pasta. This is a town that breathes surfing, from the decoration in the bars to the surfers walking in the street. It all exists alongside the Huichol artists that sell their handmade wares on the street.
So whether you want to surf, lie on the beach, shop for local souvenirs, eat fish straight out of the Pacific or simply walk around a colonial town, Sayulita has something for you. The magic town program which provides them with subsidies will make sure the feeling and surroundings are preserved, so that we can enjoy surfing there for many years to come.
