March 30 to April 13

I was worried that I would get tired of Playa because I go there fairly often so I wanted to try something new. I researched Puerto Vallarta on Trip Advisor and You Tube and it looked like a place where I could enjoy myself. I was going to be there for three and a half weeks so I decided that I would start in Sayulita for four days to break things up. Also, my wife was going to join me at the end in Puerto Vallarta. I may have enjoyed Puerto Vallarta if I hadn’t gone to Sayulita first.

Sayulita

I’ll make this quick. Sayulita, on paper looks like the perfect place for me but I went during the wrong time of year. It was very busy, I honestly had a hard time finding a restaurant with an open seat at an outside table for dinner. I tried to get into Rustica the entire time I was there and was unsuccessful.

I was a little freaked out by the fact people had gotten sick when swimming at the main beach in Sayulita so I walked the beach but never swam there. I did find Muertos beach. It was an interesting walk to get there. There were signs posted along the way to guide you and once I saw the graveyard, I knew I was close.

Puerto Sayulita

My hotel was the bright spot of the trip. It was a newer hotel. The roof pool was very nice. My room was large but fairly basic. The people working there were very nice.

Restaurants, Etc

Here are some of the restaurants I ate at and while in Sayulita. I did try to eat at Rustica but had no luck.

Getting There and Back

I had transportation issues to and from Sayulita. I took a taxi from the airport. I had printed out the hotel information which I gave to the taxi driver. We got into town and it seemed he couldn’t find the hotel so he pointed at a building and said that was my hotel. I knew it wasn’t but I also knew I had to be close so I exited the taxi and dragged my luggage four blocks to the hotel.

On the return I was going to  take a taxi so I had the hotel call one for me. I waited in the lobby for over half an hour. The concierge finally said there are not a lot of taxis in Sayulita on Sunday and I might be better off taking a bus. Luckily the bus station was next door so I walked to the station and after a short wait I boarded a bus for Puerto Vallarta.

I had to use the restroom while at the bus station. It was a pay toilet and the entrance was a turn style with a pay box. I didn’t know but it but it was on a timer and you had a short amount of time to enter the restroom. Because I had to drag my suitcase and backpack with me through the turn style my time expired and I was struck in the turn style. I am glad that no one took out their phone and started videoing. I didn’t have any more coins to put in the box (of course) so I had to ask someone to send the woman at the ticket counter over.

When your travel you have to take the good with the bad.

Once in Puerto Vallarta the bus stopped a mile short of my hotel. I had to depart and then flag down a taxi. The taxi driver had no idea where I was going and didn’t like that was using my GPS to instruct him. I eventually got to my hotel.

Puerto Vallarta

My hotel was awful. The outside of the hotel looked nice and the rooms on the first three floors were good. Unfortunately, I was on the fourth floor. The water pumps for the hotel were on the roof above my room and they ran continuously. It was very noisy. The room and the hallway on the on the fourth floor needed renovation badly. I am also really sure they stole some pesos from my room.

Restaurants and Bars

I was disappointed with the food. The best pizza and probably the best meal I had was at the bistro called Travirsos. I liked Las Muertos tap room.

Art and Signs

There is always great murals and other artwork in Mexico and Sayulita and Puerto Morelos were no exception.

Would I go back?

I cut my vacation short. I wasn’t enjoying Puerto Vallarta and I don’t think my wife would have liked it. I doubt I will return to Sayulita. I would consider going back to Puerto Vallarta but I would probably not stay longer than one week.