A couple of west coast towns....Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita

While spending time in Bucerias ( blog post coming) we had the opportunity to visit two nearby towns, one being Puerto Vallarta and the other Sayulita.

We took the local bus south to Puerto Vallarta which is the biggest town or city on this stretch of the Pacific Coast. I always enjoy the bumpy ride of the local buses and and the onboard entertainment usually a singer or musician looking to make a few pesos. I didn't get a picture of the guy on the bus that day but he was blind and playing the harmonica.

But here is a picture of the front of the bus with the wooden change box and always a religious object...

 

Puerto Vallarta has around 200,000 plus population and has been a tourist destination for many years. It is a cruise ship port and the first time I ever heard of it was when I used to watch The Love Boat on tv!

We spent the day downtown in Centro visiting some of beautiful churches that are often the nicest buildings in town and a respite from the heat...

This church was on the town square...

The bandstand which is usually full of people was being used for a political demonstration, however the benches in the shade were full. I think every town should have a town square but unfortunately in our climate we wouldn't be sitting out much!

Much of downtown is a pedestrian only street which makes for pleasant strolling,it was clean as well.

The malecon which is an Oceanside walk was quite long with fabulous sculptures along the way...

 

Also lots of artists, this guy seems to like Frida...

 

A view back along the bay...

Don had a drink with the sand men.

It was nice to see some Mexican families enjoying a stroll as well. I often think when I am visiting another country what the locals must think of us as in many places like here foreigners are in the majority.

There were lots of vendors trying to make a living while this man was enjoying his solitude under the umbrella.

The streets are cobblestone and they are straight up to the hills.

Most of the hills seem to be filled with new condos.

There were lots of people finding their beach chair for the day.

And it wouldn't be a beach town without brightly coloured things to sell...

We did a lot of walking, claimed a chair on the beach for a drink and then took the bus back to Walmart, bought a few groceries and then got the Bucerias bus back home.

Our impressions of PV...nice area to visit for a short holiday but not to stay for long.

Another day we took the local bus north to Sayulita about 25 kms over the mountains and down into the valley on very windy and dusty roads...

This was the first town we have visited in Mexico that was filled with young travellers, there were a few older folks but this is a surf and party town in the middle of no where. Over the last 10-15 years this sleepy town of 5000 has been transformed into a hot place to visit.

The beach is not as nice as Bucerias but it has gentle surf that draws beginner surfers to its waters.

 

Waiting for the waves...

Lots of surfboards...

 

Luxury villas in the hills

 

The quieter end of the beach surrounded by trees and mountains.

The town is a mix of old and new but definitely still a Mexican town.

 

 

There was the town square...

 

The little church...

And a liquor store with Don's name on it...

We even found someone to cut our hair, she has one chair and one wall socket but she did a good job!

There seemed to be all that one would need here including a book store. We also saw a lavanderia, a fruit stand, a small mercado and plenty of places to eat.

We were only there for a day but loved the colors and sights in the town...

 

 

A place we would spend some more time and think that it would be very relaxing here, definitely a travel recommendation.

What is there not to like about Mexico?

 

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