Playa Las Tortugas

 Attractions  No Responses »
Aug 112011
 

Play at Playa Las Tortugas

Protecting endangered sea turtles is an important part of Mexico’s various nature conservation programs.  In the township of Otates, southwest of San Blas and northwest of Chacala, lies a glistening gold beach in the Riviera Nayarit called Playa Las Tortugas (Beach of Turtles). Named for the sea turtles that nest here, this secluded beach extends across miles of pristine Pacific coastline bordered by hundreds of immense coconut palms on a working coconut plantation.

Although it’s not easy to find, it’s well worth the trip.  Heading northwest beyond the charming beach town of Chacala, Playa Las Tortugas is about a one-and-a-half hour drive from Bahia Jaltemba Bay which includes a 30-minute drive along a rocky dirt road that winds through the lush tropical countryside. There are only a few road signs spread wide apart, so just when uncertainty kicks in, “Ah ha!” Another sign points in the right direction.

Trusting the road and bouncing through rural Nayarit unveils this secluded beach, tucked away in a remote location – one of the reasons why it’s worth the visit.  There are virtually no people; the beach is empty and peaceful; and there are no vendor stands or shops.  If you plan to stay a while, bring plenty of drinks and snacks.  One thing you will find is a small community of brightly colored villas for vacation rentals or retirement homes surrounded by lush tropical gardens at the end of the road.

On the villa grounds at Playa Las Tortugas is a turtle rescue sanctuary for protecting the offspring of endangered sea turtles that nest on the golden sand.  Supported by donations and volunteers who scout the beaches looking for the turtles’ shallow nests, they save the eggs; bring them to the sanctuary for incubation; and then release ready young hatchlings into the ocean.  Visitors are welcome to observe and learn about sea turtles, and participate in turtle releases – a wonderful experience!

What else can you do at Playa Las Tortugas?  Plenty. Besides swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing, this beach happens to be a secret spot for surfing and boogie boarding for its long, intense waves.  Other popular vacation activities include kayaking along the beach and canoeing through the coconut palm-lined estuary.  Surrounding tropical rainforests, marshes, and mangroves are natural habitats for hundreds of native and migratory birds making this an ideal spot for birding and bird watching.

Enjoy a true escape to Playa Las Tortugas northwest of Chacala and southwest of San Blas in the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.

 

 Posted by Cat at 8:43 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why the Riviera Nayarit?

 Attractions  No Responses »
Jul 292011
 

Reasons to Visit the Riviera Nayarit

Lo de Marcos Beach

The Riviera Nayarit is the place of fairytales – a natural wonderland on the Pacific Coast of Mexico spanning 200 miles (322 kilometers) of rolling jungle hills scattered with small beach towns lining the deep blue sea.  Although the region is not yet well-known, you may have heard of some of the more popular towns, such as Nuevo Vallarta, Sayulita, Punta de Mita, and San Blas.

The region is just gaining recognition worldwide as a preferred tourist destination with many natural wonders, cultural attractions, land and water activities.  Recent statistics indicate there are over 12,840 hotel rooms in the region, 60% of which are 4-star rated and higher.  More vacation rentals are being developed, but most are smaller, traditional villa or cabana styles to complement the traditional architecture of the region instead of building high-rise mega resorts.

Attractions & Activities

One of the main attractions of the Riviera Nayarit is this part of the Pacific Ocean.  Forty-two miles (68 kilometers), from the state of Jalisco into Nayarit, is Bahia Banderas Bay, Mexico’s largest natural bay flourishing with fish and marine life, and is the primary breeding site for Humpback whales.  Water activities include whale watching (mid-December through mid-March), swimming with dolphins, and sport fishing year round, plus sailing, boating, kiteboarding, surfing, snorkeling, and diving.

There are also plenty of land activities offering nature tours and sightseeing opportunities,  such as hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, four wheeling, and zip lining through the jungle.  The tropical rainforests, lush jungles and valleys of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the thriving wetlands and mangroves have established Nayarit as an important ecological reserve.

Ecotourism & Wildlife

La Tovara Wetlands

Nature conservation makes this a wonderful place for sustainable tourism (ecotourism or environmentally friendly tourism) which provides options to help preserve the world’s precious ecosystems and maintain the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.  Nayarit is home to the historic Aztec Indians, such as the Cora and Huichol tribes, featuring a variety of cultural attractions such as archaeological sites like the Altavista Petroglyphs and Los Toriles (Ixtlán del Rio) Ruins, or tours like the Huichol Indian Encounter.

Another of Riviera Nayarit’s ecological contributions is its endangered sea turtle conservation programs.  The region is home to the Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Leatherback, and Green sea turtles which nest on its golden sand beaches certain times of the year. Their fragile eggs and hatchlings require protection from predators, which have resulted in turtle sanctuaries, farms, and rescue programs that provide opportunities for travelers to observe them in their natural habitat and participate in baby turtle release programs into the ocean.

Not only are the oceans flourishing with fish and marine life, but Nayarit’s rainforests, wetlands, and mangroves are also a refuge for wildlife, including 500 animal species and 200 plant species. The marshes and beaches of Bahia Banderas Bay and Bahia Jaltemba Bay, just north, are a natural habitat for migratory birds, making birding and bird watching another popular activity.  In fact, 80% of the migratory birds along the Pacific Coast make their homes in the towns of La Tovara, Singaita, Isla Isabel, and San Blas, the latter which is home to 300 bird species.

Beach at Punta de Mita

So the next time you begin vacation planning, consider visiting one of the lovely beach towns in the Riviera Nayarit:  Nuevo Vallarta, Flamingos, Bucerias, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Destiladeras, Punta de Mita, Litibu, Sayulita, San Pancho (San Francisco), Lo de Marcos, Punta Raza, Los Ayala, Rincon de Guayabitos, La Penita de Jaltemba, El Capomo, Chacala, Boca de Chila, Punta Custodia, Matanchen, and San Blas, although there are still more.

 

Vacation in Sayulita, Punta de Mita, or one of the many charming beach towns in this tropical paradise known as the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.

 Posted by Cat at 1:57 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: , , , , , , , , ,

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: , , , , , , , , , ,
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