Yoga in Sayulita, Mexico

 Fitness, Sayulita  No Responses »
Jul 142011
 

Where Did Yoga Come From?

The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit term meaning “union” or “yoke”. Therefore, the practice of yoga seeks to create unity between the mind, body, and spirit of a person. Yoga is an ancient tradition that subscribes to no religion. It began in India more than 5000 years ago and was used as a tool to help yogis reach nirvana. Today, the ultimate goal of yoga is still to reach nirvana; however, today in this modern age of society, its positive effects can be seen and felt every day through deeper relationships, more focused career paths, a healthier physical body, and a simpler, more honest way of communicating with ourselves and others. Whether you want to lose weight and get fit, reduce stress and cope with life better, or explore your own spiritual path, yoga offers a way to cultivate personal awareness with more than physical relaxation. It can be a pathway to a greater understanding of the question “who am I?”

Yoga Centers in Sayulita

Here on the Riviera Nayarit, in Sayulita Mexico, you can enjoy the benefits of yoga and all it has to offer. You can teach yourself the positions and breathing exercises without an instructor, but it is best to seek out a teacher to help you learn the basics if you have never done yoga before. It is most helpful to have a “hands on” experience to help train your body to feel the poses. If you are already experienced in yoga, you may want to go to a deeper level with an instructor that can guide you, as there are many levels of yoga.

Sayulita has many different yoga centers during the winter months, which is the high season here in Sayulita Mexico. There will be many different kinds of yoga being taught in retreats and right on the beach. However, yoga in Sayulita is a year round activity, and two of the yoga centers in Sayulita are Paraiso Yoga and Om Yoga.

Paraiso Yoga owned and operated by the lovely Narayani, who is an International Yoga Instructor and Thai Massage Therapist.  Narayani is certified in Hatha and Ashtanga styles of yoga, and has spent the last ten years teaching in Brazil, Thailand, London and now resides in beautiful Sayulita Mexico. She also speaks French, Spanish and English fluently. Narayani has created a beautiful  retreat center located in a quiet space in Sayulita Mexico, and teaches private classes and group classes of all ability levels.  Click  Paraiso Yoga for more information on classes and availability.

Om Yoga is owned by Daniel and Jill, and is operated by Tanis Hofmann. Tanis  received her teaching from yogi Amrit Desai in the lineage of Swami Dripal Kripalu. She offers Hatha Yoga in the Kripalu tradition. She also teaches yoga for depression.  Tanis teaches in Canada and Sayulita Mexico, where she now resides full time. She loves teaching in the beautiful Om Yoga studio here in Sayulita, helping you to develop your own awareness of life.

Beginner or Advanced Yoga

So, whether you are a beginner, or an advanced yoga student, or would like to go even further and train to become a teacher of yoga yourself, Sayulita is a great place to find an authentic and well educated instructor in the summer months as well as the winter months. There are many programs and retreats to choose from.

Take time and find the right Yoga studio and instructor for you, and come visit us on the Riviera Nayarit in Sayulita, Mexico.

 

 Posted by Cat at 12:31 pm  Tagged with: , , , , ,

Chacala Surprise

 Chacala  No Responses »
Jul 122011
 

Surprising Chacala, Mexico

Charming Chacala

You may not have heard of it yet, but the quaint beach town of Chacala is starting to catch on as an enjoyable vacation spot in the Riviera Nayarit on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.  Just a 45-minute drive north of Sayulita, Chacala is growing in popularity. This is largely due to the construction of a paved road in 1998, which made the town much easier to find.

Before the road was built, Chacala was just a sleepy fishing village, where fishing and selling fish were the locals’ only livelihood.  The town was especially known for the large shrimp caught to the north of town in Chacalilla Bay, although it has been suggested these were actually lobsters which were once abundant here.  In fact, the word ‘Chacala’ derives from the Náhuatl (pronounced “now what”) language, meaning “place of the shrimp” or “large shrimp.”

After the road was built, it attracted the growth of new tourism businesses, increasing work opportunities for its residents.  Now the town includes a few hotels, shops, restaurants and popular beach activities, such as sport fishing, snorkeling in Las Cuevas cove’s underwater volcanic caves, expert surfing on Caleta Bay, turtle watching year round, and Humpback whale watching between December and March.

Cultural Attractions

View of Chacala Beach

With 52 indigenous languages, Mexican culture is equally diverse.  Náhuatl, the language of a dominant ethnic group, the Nahuan, includes the Aztecs, Toltecs, and other indigenous cultures.  The nearby town of Altavista was inhabited by the Tecoxquin (Tequectequi) group, which includes the Cora and Huichol indians who still inhabit Nayarit. Containing 800 petroglyphs (rock engravings) dating back to 2300 BCE, this small archaeological site is still considered sacred by the Huicholes.

An interesting cultural and language twist is on the terms Chac Mool, Chac, and Chacala. The words sound similar but are not even related.  Chac Mool (meaning “thundering paw”) is a statue of Toltec origin, a Mesoamerican civilization who invaded the Maya, and the statue only received its Mayan name from the archaeologist who excavated it.  Chac (also Chaak or Chaahk) is the Mayan god of thunder, lightening, and rain.  Interestingly, the Maya were an empire in southern Mexico and Central America far from Nayarit.

Appropriately, Chacala is a native Náhuatl word of Aztec origin and is befitting of the delightful fishing village that carries its name.

Delight in the Chacala Surprise of Chacala, Mexico in the Riviera Nayarit.

 Posted by Cat at 2:19 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,

Super Sayulita Lodging

 Sayulita  1 Response »
Jul 072011
 

Sayulita Lodging for Everyone

The New Hostel in Sayulita

Whale-watching season is just around the corner and whether you enjoy surfing, sailing, or sightseeing, the golden sand beaches of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit are waiting.  Once you’ve decided to vacation here, the first question is where to stay.  Whether you’d rather ‘rough it’ or prefer to be pampered, you’ll find just the right Sayulita lodging that fits your style.

The eclectic style of this beach town is what makes Sayulita so popular among tourists, retirees, and locals.  Travelers can opt to stay anywhere ranging from youth hostels, tents, or beach bungalows to ocean view hotels, condos, or luxury villas containing one or more bedrooms with kitchens or kitchenettes.  You can choose lodging fit for king or camp on the beach like a sand crab.

Lodging Services

If you select one of Sayulita’s luxury hotels, you can expect to receive a full range of services from housekeeping, room service, restaurants, bars, spas, pools, Jacuzzis, Internet access, money exchanges, gift shops, tour coordination, laundry, and more depending on the hotel selected.  Of course, if you choose basic accommodations like a hostel or bungalow, you’ll need to fend for yourself (which can also be fun in its own right).

Camp Grounds in Sayulita

The Riviera Nayarit is not just sand and surf.  No matter where you stay, you can be sure to soak up the sun and breathe in fresh tropical air. As a mountainous jungle region, its rolling hills are decorated with vibrant palms, lush bushes, colorful flowers, tropical fruits, and exotic wildlife.  In similar fashion, the Pacific Ocean is etched with sparkling gold beaches and brimming with tropical fish and rare sea life.

From Banderas Bay to Jaltemba Bay and all the way up to San Blas, Nayarit’s Pacific Coast offers hundreds of beach coves with fluctuating ocean conditions suited for various water sports activities, such as surfing, snorkeling, diving, sailing, kayaking, fishing, or just plain swimming and sunbathing. No matter what you enjoy, you’ll find something magical about the region whether your Sayulita lodging is simple or elegant.

Select Sayulita Lodging that fits your style in Sayulita, Mexico, on the Riviera Nayarit.

 Posted by Cat at 4:15 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

San Pancho Offers Authentic Mexico Traditions

 San Pancho  1 Response »
Jul 042011
 

San Pancho / San Francisco Mexico

Mexico is a nation overflowing with remarkable natural wonders, pristine jungles and mountain forests, and a virtually endless supply of beautiful relaxing beaches. The tides and culture of the Gulf and the Caribbean play against the eastern coast, while the Pacific San Pancho MuralOcean swells in from the west. The mainland area of Mexico narrows significantly as you travel south from the United States, and eventually the distance between the coasts – and their distinct cultural influences – becomes much smaller. In the tiny village of San Francisco – better known as San Pancho – in the state of Nayarit, Mexico, those influences have mixed in a special way, creating a local environment that is at once wholly traditional while being distinctly unique.

Not only do the denizens of San Francisco carry on their age-old traditions, but they carry on their respect and gratitude of their natural surroundings. Mexicans know the area San Francisco/San Pancho is nestled into as the Riviera Nayarit – a fifty or so mile long stretch of spectacular Pacific coastline tucked against the Sierra Madres and their rainforests and jungles. The area around San Francisco is entirely sub-tropical, spawning an immensely rich diversity of life in the waters, on land, and in the air.

The people of the area treasure this rich diversity, as it reflects the broad diversity of their population and its varied artistic, cultural, and ethnic influences. They are fiercely protective of the ecology and wildlife of the area, and despite the small size of the village, San Francisco boasts the support of a tremendous eco-community that is highly active. For nearly twenty years, the San Francisco-based Costa Verde Ecological Group has funded and led efforts to increase the critically low sea turtle population. Despite continuously diminishing numbers around the world, the non-profit group has been able to increase the sea turtle population off the coast of little San Pancho, Mexico by ten-fold since 1992. Recently, several locals halted the cutting down of hundreds of trees and the destruction of the town’s permeable stone streets by staging a spontaneous sit-in to protest.

Despite attempts to heavily develop San Francisco, aka San Pancho, into a resort spot, natives and ex-patriates from the United States have made a concerted effort to maintain natural state of the region. Over 500 species of birds live and migrate through the vast array of trees in the mountains and jungles. Scores of different mammals, reptiles and ocean life are actively protected and managed by the broad diversity of people who lovingly call San Pancho home.

 Posted by Cat at 12:21 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Find the Perfect Sayulita Rental

 Sayulita  No Responses »
Jun 302011
 

Beachfront Surf Shops & Restaurants in Sayulita

The spice of life is variety, and Sayulita is the ‘spice’ of Mexico life. A vacation in this hip beach town provides plenty of variety, whether you’re looking for a Sayulita rental, restaurant, bar, shop, or activity.  (The most popular activity is surfing.)  There are many charming small Mexican towns in the Riviera Nayarit, but Sayulita has a unique character all its own with plenty of options.

Selecting a Sayulita Rental

The most well-known rental is a hotel, and the town offers various options to suit traveler preferences.   Every tourist is unique and may travel to the same destination for different reasons.  Surfers may accept simple accommodations like a beach cabana, bungalow, or tent whereas a couple may prefer a finer room with modern amenities and excellent service.  This diverse town offers both.

Hotel La Casona in Sayulita

A lesser known Sayulita rental, but also a great option, is a house or condo that offers a choice of rooms – ideal for a group or family vacation. House and condo rentals provide one, two, three, four or more rooms; one, two, or more bathrooms; a kitchenette or full kitchen, including appliances, pots and pans, dishes, and silverware; one or more swimming pools and Jacuzzi; air conditioning; and housekeeping services.

Choosing a Rental Location

Once you decide on the type of Sayulita rental you prefer, you need to choose the rental location.  Although it is a beach town, not every hotel or house is on the beach, but being a small town, most vacation rentals are within easy walking distance of the beach. An ocean view room may be more your style than a beachfront unit or maybe a house surrounded by tropical gardens instead of the sound of Pacific Ocean waves lapping ashore.

Hillside Sayulita Rental

Since residents and travelers range in age from young to retired, different parts of town are better suited for differing lifestyles.  The younger crowd may prefer to stay in town or on the main beach where all the action is: restaurants, bars, and beach parties.  Couples, families, and retirees may rather stay in a more remote area on the hillside, outlying sections of the beach, or the outskirts of town, all of which are viable alternatives.

The choice is yours.

Consider a Sayulita Rental that’s right for you in Sayulita, Mexico, on the Riviera Nayarit.

 Posted by Cat at 4:36 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

The Secret’s Out: Sayulita Surfing is In

 Sayulita  3 Responses »
Jun 182011
 

Sayulita Surfing

Surf Boards Galore in Sayulita

Surfing is a skill that requires a certain set of conditions: wind and waves!  If you don’t have ‘em, you don’t surf – or at least, you can’t show off your talent or catch much of a ride.  It just so happens that some of the best conditions are in the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, on the Sayulita surf, giving the town its much-deserved reputation as one of the best surfing spots in the world.

Sayulita Weather

Even in the summer months when waves on the Nayarit coastline are smaller, surfers can still catch a 3-foot wave for a good 20-second ride.  The consistently warm weather and water make for decent surfing conditions year-round.  With good winds from the west and northwest, resulting in rising and falling tides, the ocean here can yield waves up to 9-feet high and between 500 – 1,650 feet long, making it ideal for longboard surfing.

Cool Sayulita Surf Board

Surf Skills

If you love to surf, it doesn’t matter if you’re a surf star or a newbie.  Sayulita culture is easygoing and casual: anything goes!  But one thing’s for certain.  The surfers here take their sport quite seriously, so if you’re a beginner, paddle softly around the local experts as they maneuver deliberately through the water to catch that perfect wave and ride it in.

Tip: Beginner surfers are encouraged to practice early in the morning before the experts jump in to avoid getting in their way.

Surf Lessons & Surfboard Rentals

There are several places along the main beach that provide surf lessons and plenty of surf shops that offer board rentals and purchases both along the beach and in town.  Since most Sayulita residents speak English, be sure to ask around for the best prices on quality lessons that teach not only skill but also safety and etiquette. Then you’ll be ready for the thrill of riding the waves in Sayulita. Cowabunga!

Catch the waves of Sayulita Surfing on the Riviera Nayarit in Sayulita, Mexico.

 Posted by Cat at 2:30 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

Sayulita Hotels 101

 Sayulita  No Responses »
Jun 162011
 

Sayulita Hotels

View from Beachfront Hotel

So you’ve selected Sayulita, Mexico, as your next vacation destination, but where do you stay?  So many choices! There’s a place that’s right for everyone, from upscale beachfront hotels to budget beach bungalows and everything in between.  But there are some important things to consider before deciding on which of the Sayulita hotels to choose from that have more to do with lifestyle norms in Mexico that may not be top of mind.

Mexico Living

Life in Mexico can be wonderful, but certain things do need to be anticipated, since it’s a developing country and a different culture than our own.  Here, you’ll get exactly what you pay for so make sure you take these important considerations into account.  If the following amenities are not mentioned for your Sayulita hotel, assume they won’t be available.  So without further ado, let’s make sure you get what you want.

Hotel Amenities

Maybe you don’t need all of these conveniences, but you may discover not having them is a little uncomfortable.  Depending on your vacation plans and personal preferences, consider if your Sayulita hotel has:

  • Plumbing: Having running water – both hot and cold. Not every building has a hot water heater, since many Mexicans don’t see hot water as a necessity.
  • Electricity: Most buildings are wired for electricity and use the same 110-120 voltage as the USA and Canada, but many outlets are not grounded (two prongs) and require three-prong adapter plugs.
  • Air Conditioner/Window Screens: Not every Mexico hotel has air conditioning or screens on their windows. The average hotels and beach bungalows don’t.  Even though the ocean breeze can be refreshing, humidity sometimes runs high and without screens, you may become a mosquito buffet.
  • Internet Access: Most areas in Mexico have Internet capability, including wireless, but it’s not necessarily free or accessible in hotel rooms.
  • Room Essentials: Items such as coffee pots, hair dryers, toiletries, telephones, televisions, and room safes are not necessarily standard issue, depending on the hotel classification.

Hotels in Sayulita, Mexico

One of the many refreshing aspects of this beach town is that it caters to the tastes of many different travelers, not just young surfer dudes and dudettes.  Sayulita hotels range from Sayulita beach houses, beachfront villas, upscale hotels and bed-and-breakfasts to budget hotels, youth hostels, and beach bungalows.  The fancier beach hotels offer extra amenities and services for vacationers who prefer a little more pampering.  If you don’t mind roughing it, the town provides comfortable low-budget lodging too.  Sayulita is your oyster.  You decide.

Explore the wide variety of Sayulita Hotels in the Riviera Nayarit in Sayulita, Mexico!

 Posted by Cat at 1:41 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,

Villas del Rey in Lo de Marcos adds Online Calendar

 Lo de Marcos  No Responses »
May 192011
 

We are staying with Lonnie and Stacie Ford at the end of the beach in Lo de Marcos for the summer. They have wonderful Mexico Beachfront Villas about 50 feet from the surf. The place includes a 5 bedroom, 7 bath Hacienda with huge gourmet kitchen, 2 upstairs suites, a downstairs suite and a one bedroom place, where we are staying.

I noticed a post in the Sayulita Forums about someone looking for a big place where a couple families could come together for the holidays, so I posted the link to the VRBO listing for the place. I noticed VRBO does not have a calendar for the Villas del Rey, and was told that VRBO didn’t really support multiple units, it is more for single places, and since the Villas can be rented to a big group (up to 22 people), or multiple smaller groups, there was no way to depict all that detail in their calendar.

Well, there is more than one way to skin a cat, so I ventured over to my favorite online techie hangout (aka Google), and created a set of calendars for the place so everyone can see when each piece and part of the place os available for booking.

This is still a bit in the test phase, but I am sure over time I will hone the process, as I am the Internet Guru Owen Walcher, and it is what I do!

Here it was.

 Posted by Cat at 1:21 pm  Tagged with: , ,

Murals Depict San Pancho Life

 San Pancho  No Responses »
May 142011
 

There is a wall at the end of main street in San Francisco Mexico (aka San Pancho) on the Riviera Nayarit just an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. I snapped some shots of it telling the story.

Can you guess what story it is telling?

Come visit the Riviera Nayarit on your next Mexico Vacation. you will be glad you did. San Pancho makes a great little town to visit for the day, or stay in for your entire Mexico Vacation.

 

 Posted by Cat at 1:00 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Sayulita Mexico Secret Surfing Spot

 Sayulita  No Responses »
May 042011
 

If you are a surfer, chances are you have heard of Sayulita Mexico.  Some people claim it is one of the top 10 spots in the Pacific to catch good waves. Clearly, there are plenty of folks who believe this, even if you judge the attitude simply by the number of surf shops and surfing school in Sayulita that cater specifically to newbies wanting to learn how to surf.

Sayulita, on the Riviera Nayarit, is only one hour from the busy beach resort town of Puerto Vallarta.

Known for its surfing, Sayulita is really a hippy town with a feeling of throwback into the sixties.  These days, the older hippies have retired over to San Pancho, so Sayulita is full of the next generation “kid hippies”, those teen and twenty somethings with no money looking for an adventure.

So if you want a surfing Mexico Vacation, Sayulita on the Riviera Nayarit may be the choice for you!

 

 Posted by Cat at 11:44 am  Tagged with: , , ,
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