Are you living in Puerto Vallarta or hope to one day? There is so much to do in PV with its miles of gorgeous beaches, hip gastronomy culture and welcoming locals. It is easy to see why Puerto Vallarta is a top vacation destination and has a large expat community as well. Next time your find yourself in Puerto Vallarta on vacation, or if you live in Riviera Nayarit at Villa La Estancia, we recommend you take a day trip to Sayulita, a “Pueblo Magico” town just 45 minutes north of town. In 2015, this charming and quaint town was designated as a Pueblo Magico due to the town’s rich history and charm that enchants visitors. A day trip from PV to Sayulita will surely be a great way to enjoy the best of Mexico. Keep reading below to find out more about Sayulita, a Pueblo Magico that you have to see for yourself.

Sayulita is a Pueblo Magico

Sayulita is situated on the Pacific Coast of Mexico about 45 minutes of Puerto Vallarta, and only about a half hour north of Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit. Sayulita is popular with surfers and vacationers who are mesmerized by the town’s relaxed vibe and tons of great shops, restaurants and bars. Sayulita was designated as a Pueblo Magico (which means “Magic Town” in English) back in September 2015. The Mexico Tourism Board decides which towns are worth of this special designation. In order to be declared a Pueblo Magico, they must meet three requirements. To begin with, the architecture should be very pleasing. The balconies, facades, and roofs should all be painted the same color tone chosen from a list of seven approved colors that the National Institute of Anthropology and History selected. Secondly, the town, city, or village should have their own unique cultural identity that shows the traditional history. Last, there should be a village square or one major attraction that stands out above against other towns, cities, and villages.

Popular Beaches in Sayulita

There are a couple popular beaches in Sayulita where visitors will enjoy walking along the beach. Surfers especially love surfing at the beaches in Sayulita which are known for nice swells due to its open ocean location. If you want to go surfing, you can even rent a surfboard for the day right on the beach. If you aren’t a surer, you can try paddle boarding and paddle boards are available for rent on the beach as well. The Sayulita Beach does receive a high volume of visitors, so if you love people watching, you will have a great time. If you prefer a less crowded beach, then you should walk to the Los Muertos Beach. In order to reach Los Muertos Beach, you will need to walk past the yellow Villa Amor hotel, then you will walk up the hill past the graveyard until you reach the tranquil beach. Los Muerto Beach is ideal for swimming, and plan ahead to bring snacks, drinks, and a shade umbrella since there are no stores or restaurants.

Colorful Central Plaza

When you arrive in Sayulita, head to the central plaza that has been vibrantly decorated in colorful huichol art hanging high above the plaza. There is a lovely gazebo in the middle of the plaza that is a great spot for picture taking. Love art? Sayulita has tons of fine art galleries located in and around the plaza. Why not check out locally made Huichol handcrafts or maybe you can find the perfect piece of art for your home. Getting hungry? Sayulita has tons of great restaurants that range from fine dining to casual. If you are in the mood for sushi, pizza, tacos, or a five-course gourmet meal, you will have no trouble satisfying your taste buds. If you have room, try some homemade ice cream for dessert, too.

Residents at Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit should take time to day trip to Sayulita, a Pueblo Magico town that has charm to spare. A day trip to Sayulita is a great reminder why the beachfront residences at Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit make a dream vacation home or second home in paradise.