Mexico | Yelapa | March 2020

Our last stop was to the beautiful town of Yelapa. We were only there for two days… it is such a special place.

This is way beyond magic....

I brought a photo with me of the last time I was in Yelapa... 39 years ago.

Our airbnb host met us (by chance) on the dock in Vallarta and instantly recognized the kids in the photo. The two girls live in the States but the boy still lived in Yelapa.

Tonight while enjoying my last passionfruit margarita beachside, the "boy" wandered in to order dinner. Turns out the restaurant we are at was the exact same as in the photo.... only different now. Beyond kismet!!!

Our view from Yelapa apartment

Casa Kokopelli on Airbnb

Loved this moment... floating with my girl

Waterfall in Yelapa

Amazing array of birds in Yelapa

Great beachside restaurants

Our last sunset in paradise

When I was four with friends in Yelapa

Nelson + I... 39 years later

Mexico | Vallarta | March 2020

After we left Lo De Marcos, we stopped over in Puerto Vallarta for a quick visit. This was the part of the trip that I had most been looking forward to, as it included a Food + Photo Tour through Vallarta’s Old Town. Our host Star - was an amazing wealth of information - so full of passion. This was a huge highlight of the trip, I would definitely do it again (as she has many different tour options available) and recommend it to anyone!

DAY ONE in Puerto Vallarta:

The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe

A gorgeous cathedral in the centre of Old Town

Beautiful flags outside of the church

Some cool info explaining the history of paper flags and significance of colours

Hotel Encino

Was cheap + cheerful with a beautiful rooftop pool + bar

Hotel Encino

Was cheap + cheerful with a beautiful rooftop pool + bar

View from the hotel bar

Hotel Encino, Puerto Vallarta

View of the interior | Hotel Encino

Gorgeous tile work and looks down to courtyard.

Calle Encino

Very central. Right next to Isla Cuale and the Malecon.

View along the Rio Cuale

Looking out towards the Malecon.

The Boy on the Seahorse

Statue on Los Muertos Beach

Puerto Vallarta Street Art

So many beautiful murals line the streets

Puerto Vallarta Street Art

So many beautiful murals line the streets

Dinner at El Arrayán

We only had one night to dine out. El Arrayán is a female-run restaurant specialising in authentic recipes using fresh, local ingredients.

Dinner at El Arrayán

Passionfruit margarita, chips and fresh salsa.

We came for the chapulines!

Roasted Crispy Cricket Tacos - imported from Oaxaca. Super tasty!

Dinner at El Arrayán

I believe this was a special on the menu that day

Pretty outdoor seating at El Arrayán

Definitely recommend this place

Walk along the Malecon at Sunset

https://www.puertovallarta.net/what_to_do/puerto-vallarta-malecon

Dance festival Puerto Vallarta

We stumbled across a showcase of regional dances - featuring beautiful costumes and dancers of all ages. I don’t have more info but check https://visitpuertovallarta.com/events if you’re planning to visit.

Dance festival Puerto Vallarta

We stumbled across a showcase of regional dances - featuring beautiful costumes and dancers of all ages. I don’t have more info but check https://visitpuertovallarta.com/events if you’re planning to visit.

DAY TWO in Puerto Vallarta:

The next day, I met up with a group of travellers to do a food tour in old town with Food and Photo Tours. We walked around sampling from amazing taco stands, local eateries and artisans.

Carnitas Taco Stand

Photo by Danika Sea

Photo by Danika Sea

Our lovely tour group

Photo by Danika Sea

Photo by Danika Sea

Photo by Danika Sea

My favourite taco of the day

With frijoles + caramelised onions. Photo by Danika Sea

Trying Tuba - a local drink - from a street vendor

Photo by Star of Vallarta Food and Photo Tours

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Photo by Star of Vallarta Food and Photo Tours

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Photo by Star of Vallarta Food and Photo Tours

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Photo by Star of Vallarta Food and Photo Tours

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Photo by Star of Vallarta Food and Photo Tours

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Photo by Star of Vallarta Food and Photo Tours

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Photo by Star of Vallarta Food and Photo Tours

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Photo by Star of Vallarta Food and Photo Tours

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

And finally, Star brought me and my family on a private tour of a tortilleria “Las Cuatas” in the nearby barrio of Centro Pitillal. I had become incredibly intrigued in the nixtamalization process, since meeting Chef Israel Alvarez in Victoria, BC and wanted to see it first hand. Read more about the process here.

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Amazing Food Tours with a Local Foodie and Photographer in Puerto Vallarta.

Mexico | Nayarit | March 2020

Hungry Pelicans in Guaybitos

Our home base for the first six days was the town of Lo De Marcos. A small town on the Pacific Coast with a beautiful beach and extremely friendly residents. We travelled in between beach towns from Guayabitos to Sayulita, mostly by bus (Compostela). One of our favourite towns was San Pancho (also called San Francisco).

Below I’ve organized my photos by theme:

FOOD | Lo De Marcos, Sayulita, San Pancho, Guayabitos

Fresh Churros

Our first snack as we arrive in Lo De Marcos

Fresh Churros

Our first snack as we arrive in Lo De Marcos

BBQ Chicken

Food grilled over a fire was a common sight.

Jackfruit

Exciting to see it growing all over Lo De Marcos.

El Paraiso Granja Organica

Organic Grocery Store + Farm in Lo De Marcos

Fresh Donuts on the beach

Playa Lo De Marcos

Noni Fruit

We didn’t try it….

Drying spices

Many beautiful little markets in Lo De Marcos

Mexican Chocolate Shop

With locations in San Pancho, Sayulita and the newest shop in Lo De Marcos.

Mexicolate | San Pancho

Some of the artisan chocolates available, including turmeric.

So many margaritas

I believe this was at a beachfront restaurant in San Pancho

El Cafe | Lo De Marcos

Fantastic coffee and fresh donuts

More margaritas

These ones were voted the best in Lo De Marcos. At Neptuno Restaurant.

Fell in love with Flan

Perfect for breakfast.

Grilled chicken + shrimp

On the beach in Guayabitos

Fresh shucked oysters

Rincón de Guayabitos

Flan on the beach

Yep. You can buy it anywhere!

Passionfruit Margaritas

These were my favourites of the trip. From La Jungla, Lo De Marcos.

Tostadas | La Jungla

Great food at this spot in Lo De Marcos.

Helado | La Fuente, Sayulita

We were always on the hunt for ice cream. This spot in Sayulita was super yummy.

Comida Azteca | Sayulita

Mercado del Pueblo on Fridays in Sayulita.

Tequila shop in Sayulita

Great selection at La Selecta.

ANIMALS | Lo De Marcos, Sayulita, San Pancho

So many cute dogs

We were especially fond of our neighbour dogs, Shakira + Rufus

Praying mantis

This guy sat and watched me work at 5am. Lo De Marcos.

Cute dog | San Pancho Market

My favourite pup

Playa Lo De Marcos

Stunning bird sanctuary | Lo De Marcos

Some of the birds we saw were: Snowy Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Sinaloa Crow, Frigate, Great Egret, Great Heron and Belted Kingfisher

Horseback Riding | Lo De Marcos

We didn’t do a tour this time but have heard great things. For more info, talk to Lenny.

Puffer fish | Lo De Marcos

We saw many washed up on the beach. Watch your toes on morning beach walks.

Animal Sanctuary | Lo De Marcos

So many adorable animals. For more information - to visit, adopt or donate, visit http://www.animalsanctuaryldm.com/

Animal Sanctuary | Lo De Marcos

So many adorable animals. For more information - to visit, adopt or donate, visit http://www.animalsanctuaryldm.com/

Animal Sanctuary | Lo De Marcos

So many adorable animals. For more information - to visit, adopt or donate, visit http://www.animalsanctuaryldm.com/

Animal Sanctuary | Lo De Marcos

So many adorable animals. For more information - to visit, adopt or donate, visit http://www.animalsanctuaryldm.com/

Saying goodbye

We were especially fond of our neighbour dogs, Shakira + Rufus

Saying goodbye

We were especially fond of our neighbour dogs, Shakira + Rufus

More cute dogs

Sleepy pup

Iguana

Lo De Marcos

Gecko | Lo De Marcos

Super fast. All along the walls on the way to our hotel.

CULTURE, BUILDINGS + BEACHES | Lo De Marcos, Sayulita, San Pancho

The Central Square | Lo De Marcos

Play Structure

In the centre of Lo De Marcos

Funky Resort

Tlaquepaque very popular spot for French Canadians.

Huichol art | San Pancho

Beautiful handicrafts native to Nayarit + Jalisco provinces.

Huichol Art | San Pancho

Beautiful handicrafts native to Nayarit + Jalisco provinces.

Huichol Art | San Pancho

Beautiful handicrafts native to Nayarit + Jalisco provinces.

Barro Negro | San Pancho

We were lucky to see a vendor with pottery and tapestries from Oaxaca. Read more about it here.

Bungalows Las Tortugas | Lo De Marcos

You can pay to have a day pass to use the pool.

Posing near our hotel

Loved the brightly coloured walls throughout the town.

Posing close to our hotel

Loved the brightly coloured walls throughout the town.

More Huichol Art | Sayulita

More Huichol Art | Sayulita

Colourful building | Sayulita

Loved the contrasting colours of the building against the sky.

Mosaic | Sayulita

Catholic church with Ojos de Dios banners

Cuasiparroquia De Nuestra Señora De Guadalupe

Bird Graffiti | Sayulita

See more Mexican Street Art here.

Graffiti | Sayulita

See more Mexican Street Art here.