Riviera Nayarit Tacos in Mexico

Aug 142013

Riviera Nayarit Tacos are “Cheap Tacos”

If you have ever been to the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico, then you know what I am mean when I write about Riviera Nayarit Tacos, or “Cheap Tacos”. The price ranges from 8 pesos to about 12 pesos. Some Riviera Nayarit taco restaurants charge more for shrimp and other meats. No matter what Riviera Nayarit pueblo your staying at, from Bucerias to Chacala with San Pancho and La Cruz in between, you are going to find some of the best Riviera Nayarit Tacos you have ever tasted!
The vendors are everywhere selling Mexican tacos, and just about anything that can be created in a tortilla! Vendors with carts roam the Riviera Nayarit Mexican Pueblos, or the Taco Carts find their corners and put a few tables around them so you can sit down to eat. There are also the Taco restaurants, which are much larger with many tables for sitting and eating, and serving all kinds of delicious Mexican drinks, like Orcheta, (a rice and milk drink) Jamica (a red flowered plant ) and Atole (a hot corn drink), all which have a lot of added sugar. I enjoy making my own Jamica with a lot less sugar right at home! The folks that live here seem to have their favorite Taco eateries…I know I do!

Fresh Tortillas
I love watching the women in the Riviera Nayarit restaurants and stands making their own tortillas. Tortilla after Tortilla. I like to go and t Masa Mix (Harina de Maíz) ip them personally. What a labor of love! Tortillas, made from corn are still a big part of the mainstay in the Mexico diet. Kernels are cooked with lime to remove the husk, and ground down. They then form the corn in to little round balls, and either pat out by hand, or put in a tortilla press, known as a tortilladora, and are used only for Corn. You can also hand roll them, but I have heard its not that easy! You can also purchase the Masa mix to make tortillas as well.
The options of what you can put in a tortilla is endless! Every town also has a shop that only makes tortillas called a tortilleria. There are also guys riding around on mopeds and bicycles selling freshly made tortillas. Find one of these guys and he will deliver directly to your house. Purchasing freshly made tortillas is wonderful!

A Wide Variety of Riviera Nayarit Tacos in Mexico

There is a lot of different tacos on the Riviera Nayarit. It took me awhile to figure out what the vendors were selling when I first moved to the Riviera Nayarit in Lo de Marcos. For me, I really enjoy the Adobada style. The Asada, or steak tacos have finely chopped beef. If you have ever ordered a regular beef steak here in Mexico, you know then why they cut their meet into very tiny pieces.

Tacos de Asador (“spit” or “grill” tacos) may be composed of any of the following: Carne Asada (beef) tacos; tacos de tripita, (Tripe tacos), grilled until crisp; and, Chorizo Asado (traditional Spanish style sausage). Each type is served on two overlapped small tortillas. and sometimes garnishes can include guacamole, variety of salsass, onions and cilantro.
Tacos de Cabeza or head tacos, in which there is a flat punctured metal plate from which steam emerges to cook the head of the cow. These include: Cabeza, a serving of the muscles of the head; Sesos, (“brains”); Legua, (“tongue”) which I have seen a lot; Cachete (“cheeks”); Trompa (“lips”); and, Ojo (“eye”).
Tacos de Cazo for which a metal bowl filled with lard is typically used as a deep-fryer. Meats for these types of tacos typically include: Tripa (“tripe”, usually from a pig instead of a cow); Suadero (tender beef cuts), Carnitas and Buche (Literally, “crop”, as in bird’s crop; or it is fried pig’s esophagus
Tacos sudados (“sweaty tacos“) are made by filling soft tortillas with a spicy meat mixture, then placing them in a basket covered with cloth. The covering keeps the tacos warm and traps steam (“sweat”) which softens them.

Tacos de suadero (grey) and chorizo (red)

Tacos Al Pastor de Adobada are made of thin pork steaks seasoned with adobo seasoning, then skewered and overlapped on one another on a vertical rotisserie cooked and flame-broiled as it spins.
Tacos dorados (fried tacos, literally, “golden tacos”) called flautas (“flute”, because of the shape), or taquitos, for which the tortillas are filled with pre-cooked shredded chicken, beef , rolled into an elongated cylinder and deep-fried until crisp.
Tacos de pescado (“fish tacos“) originated in Baja, where they consist of grilled or fried fish, lettuce or cabbage, pico de gallo, and a sour cream or a spicy mayonnaise sauce, all placed on top of a corn or flour tortilla.
Tacos de camarones (“shrimp tacos“) Grilled or fried shrimp are used, usually with the same accompaniments as fish tacos: lettuce or cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado and a sour cream or that spicy citrus/mayonnaise sauce, all placed on top of a corn or flour tortilla.

Most Riviera Nayarit taco places have a variety of toppings available with whole or sliced red radishes, limes, salt, pickled or grilled chili’s and jalapenos, cucumber slices, and sometimes they also serve delicious small whole grilled onions on your plate.

For me, I love going out for Riviera Nayarit Cheap Tacos every week. They are tasty, and the people are always friendly. Dining out for 50 pesos is right in my budget! Minus the Coronas with lime !!

Enjoy a Riviera Nayarit Mexico Taco in one of the authentic pueblos along the Pacific coast of Mexico,
also known as the Mexican Riviera!

Fun on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico

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May 042013

Sup’ing, Massaging, n’Partying on the Riviera Nayarit

Hey gang, just had a pretty cool week out and about down here on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico with my kool brother-in-law, and I can’t wait to tell you about it! With Eric just getting into town, our week of fun started on Thursday…and what a long and fun Riviera Nayarit community weekend it was!

Living life on the Riviera Nayarit is simply beautiful with many Riviera Nayarit attractions; as it is no surprise why more and more folks come here for a vacation or to relocate, like I did over two years ago.

We started out our days hanging out in the villa, chillin’ out, and enjoying the sunrise over the Banderas Bay, cupp-a-joe in our hands, and giving thanks and that we can be and live in such an amazing place called the Riviera Nayarit.

An Equinox Blessing at Los Arroyos Verdes Retreat
It all started on Thursday with a lovely blessing for the lunar equinox at Los Arroyos Verdes Eco Retreat in Bucerias.
At Los Arroyos Verdes Retreat, every item is ecologically relevant – every reused, recycled, reinvented, recreated marvelous piece of art that even an old fire hydrant can become. Everything is also for sale at this Eco green retreat. Fall in love and take it home with you!
Los Arroyos Verdes Eco Retreat is special on so many levels, not just the pragmatic idea of recycling, but the spiritual, the physical body, and the intellect – all your senses are engaged when you walk the grounds at Arroyos Verde, slumber in a chair in a quiet corner, or enjoy the pool and veranda area. There is a corner, a spiritual haven for nearly everyone at Los Arroyos Verdes Eco Retreat, my friends and I found ours just off the pool area, in a quiet spot not far from the peacock walk.

We were there to join together in a celebration of a lunar equinox – asking a blessing and thanking mother earth and all the powers and elements for their healing presence in our lives, and releasing all of the old ideas and energies that can prevent one from moving forward in life. Marielana Capdevila, who was born in Mexico City, led us in a spiritual walk, an acceptance with gratitude for all that we are given, and the weaknesses we all have – a walk that culminated in shedding our chrysalis of old, un-useful thoughts and habits – a spiritual and intellectual spring cleaning. Marielena also is an amazing artist, and specializes in portraits and personal mandalas.

We ate at the restaurant enjoying delicious limonada con agua mineral – a delight – while Julio, our waiter at Los Arroyos Verdes, prepared chicken nachos and shrimp salads. Oh, my goodness! Another bite never to be forgotten in this life time! Julio is amazing, Los Arroyos Verdes is amazing. Dine, live in peace, or a short drive from Puerto Vallarta, visit Arroyos Verdes in Bucerias this summer for a romantic weekend get-away in one of their comfortable Bucerias rentals, or for a relaxing day by the gorgeous pool. Plan your wedding or special occasion with them. There is something always going on at Los Arroyos Verdes Eco Retreat in Bucerias!

Sayulita SUPing
Friday, I took my visiting brother over to the SUP Club on the north end of the beach in Sayulita for his first SUPing adventure. Here is a note from my brother-in-law about his experience!
“A great bunch of guys led by Antonio, who is a SUP instructor extraordinaire! In just a few minutes of really excellent instruction, Antonio had explained the SUPing fundamentals, and we were wading out for my first ever, really, no kidding, I am NOT putting you on, SUP effort. How I’ve missed out on the SUP phenomena is beyond me – I’ve spent the last 35 years sailing on and living along the coasts of the world. But here I am living large on the Riviera Nayarit, and Antonio of the SUP Club Sayulita has – no kidding, in about 2 minutes of on water instruction – got me up and SUPing….and I MEAN SUPing! None of this paddling around on a mill pond crap, I am up really SUPing, I am bending my knees and digging in. Very cool sensation by the way, and a very neat way to get about on mother ocean. If you love her like I do, you will love SUPing ans SUPing in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, with the SUP Club Sayulita is absolutely the way to go. Very impressive! You want to SUP, to see Antonio at SUP Club Sayulita. Now, don’t put to the test, I was no means keeping up with the aces that zip around in the surf zone in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit sporting their thongs and fancy moves – but I paddled out to the anchored sailboat in a reasonable amount of time — and I only fell off about 20 times — but you know what I had a blast – and for a guy like me that icing on the cake!”
SUP camps are abundant in Sayulita. SUPing is really for everyone, and Sayulita is the perfect place to learn! . Especially now that the currents have shifted…and Sayulita is often known as “Lake Sayulita” in the summer months!

Sayulita Mercado
Friday was also the last day for the Sayulita Mercado, or the Sayulita Farmer’s Market. We went over to get in some last of the season purchases. It’s refreshing to see organic products, crafts, produce, local wares and organically prepared food, much of it hand made by locals, of all races and nationalities coming together in such a wonderful community event. Live music was fun while we shopped and ate. Adios until next season mi compadres! For everyone who is staying for the spring and summer, about ten or so of the vendors from the Sayulita Mercado are moving their gig to “Tacos on the Street” (owned by Sandrita) every Saturday morning – at least until they get a feel for affordability. They are located on Revolution on the right corner just before the bridge as you come into town.

Sayulita Massage on the Playa
I wanted to treat my brother-in-law for an experience with a massage with David Chavas, who does the Benzonite clay massage on the playa in Sayulita, located just north of Costenos Surf shop. I can say from my own experience that David and his clay work magic…especially on my face wrinkles…almost better than a facial!
David is a nice looking guy, but he wears his clay all over his face and body to protect him from the sun all day. Some folks are a bit put off by that at first. But, once you get on the table all of that fades away. Here is what my borther-in-law said about his massage experience.

“Well, at 56 you just can’t jump up and “git’er’dun” like you used to, at least I can’t! How does the old song go…”I’m as good as I once was, once…” so off I went to get a massage. SONRISA GRANDE!! I was very fortunate that my sister turned me on to David Chavez of Therapeutic Massage with Benzonite Clay (or “Con arcilla o barro” if you prefer). MARVELOUS!! Oh, the aches and pains that I no longer have are legion. He worked on me, smearing us both liberally with the arcilla o barro for 90 minutes – he found aches I didn’t even know I had, YET! Cripes…he has the strongest fingers I’ve encountered on 7 continents! An ex-boxer, David Chaves understands muscles, recovery, stimulus, nerve endings….and after years and years of study, both formal and informal he possesses encyclopedic knowledge of anatomy and various forms of massage – Thai, Swedish, Deep Tissue, the list is long, and exhaustive. Extraordinary strength, knowledge, talent and a passion for healing is a rare, beautiful thing – visit a David Chavez of Therapeutic Massage in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit – do something for yourself today! …and you have an masseuse of rare skill and ability…a rare mixture indeed.
A brisk swim in the beautifully warm water off Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit and a shower back at David’s washed off the clay, and I was a new man.

When your Hungry Try Km 5 Surf Bar!
Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant, located along the back way out of Sayulita, en-route to Punta de Mita Road. A late lunch, and a head start. A head start to get a meal and a good seat, because on Friday nights Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant has live music and there is no place else to get a groove on like the intimate dance floor at Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant. The band I was delighted to see perform played a pleasing mix of some original riffs, cooler than cool oldies, and some current themes – carrying them pretty ably – with some really cool vibes coming off the bass. Buon hecho compadres! Food is really center stage! The food is all freshly made on site by Chef Rodo using all fresh produce, fish and meat and organic lettuce and produce. I was honored to meet Chef Rodo during my visit to Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant – we chatted while he made, from scratch, his special pizza dough. Chef Rodo, and his trained staff, create every plate and pizza from scratch that comes out of the kitchen at Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant and he gets it! He proudly puts his name behind everything that comes out of the Km5 Surf Bar kitchen.
Try the Portobello and asparagus burger with cheese – I nearly died – what a delicious sandwich! The asparagus was simply perfect….grills marks, a tang – not a singe, if you know what I mean…the Portobello was another technical triumph, just on the dry side of wet, the juices were still there but not dominant…Ha!Listen to me, can you tell I enjoyed that sandwich.
Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant is a special place, totally original painting – the galley is made to be the inside of an old VW combi van – the ground floor is six inches deep in sand – the action is upstairs where the breeze blows, and the sun glows. It is the only authentic Surf Bar on the Riviera Nayarit that I know of with the “surf shack” building and the sand floors downstairs, and amazing views of the ocean and jungle. Surfboard rentals are available as well. Check them out, you’ll be glad you did.

The Perfect Ending for a Lovely Weekend!
We ended the our Sunday the way all days were meant to be spent – with family and friends. We made a little camp down on Destilidaras Beach, and had fun swimming and chillin’ before heading up to dinner at the house. It was a day filled with blessings of the amazing Riviera Nayarit!
Our bones loosened up in the warm sun as we walked and swam, then we ate and drank. The Riviera Nayarit beaches are why most folks are here.. ..where the jungle meets the Pacific ocean.

We left there and came home to our villa overlooking Banderas Bay - Having taken in the view with appropriate vigor, given a nod for another perfect sunset – all accompanied by an adequate, but so far, not overwhelming, amount of eating and drinking, we repaired to the living room/swimming pool area and began to eat and drink in earnest.
Eating and drinking is a very, very important pastime here on the Riviera Nayarit – and we spent an awful lot of time eating and drinking!
And so this wonderful weekend ended as it began, looking out over Banderas Bay, surrounded by my friends and family of drifters, misfits, and retired bums – all of us adrift on the never ending adventure that is life here on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico!