Fun Events at Riviera Nayarit!

Hola,

We did it again! The fourth Rhythm 'n Ribs brought in over $100,000
pesos and there is still money coming in. And, yes, we ran out of
food again. But the entertainment was great. The volunteers, and
there were many of them, worked very hard. As always, they are the
key to the success of this event. Construction of the orphanage is
progressing well. So many people have expressed an interest in
helping that I am sure the building will be finished quickly. A big
thank you to all who participated in Rhythm 'n Ribs. See you again
next year.

The U.S. Consular Agency Vallarta, in conjunction with Community
Service projects in Nayarit, is sponsoring a monthly NAYARIT BREAKFAST
NETWORK. Open to English speaking men and women, the objective is to
highlight various community service projects throughout Nayarit and
promote networking between residents, frequent visitors, and local
businesses. It will provide the opportunity to enrich our lives by
making new friends, learning about the various projects in our
communities, and meeting people from different walks of life. Each
month the Nayarit Breakfast Network will be held at a different venue
in Nayarit. Current plans are for Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, La Cruz,
Punta de Mita and Sayulita. A service project will be highlighted and
a "Bring-A-Thing" project each month will be the opportunity for
participants to bring needed supplies for that month's highlighted
organization. Please join us as we kick off this effort, and help make
it a success. We look forward to meeting you!

Here is the information. Pass the word to your friends. Friday, Feb.
22, at Vallarta Yacht Club, Nuevo Vallarta (next to Paradise Village
Resort), at 9:30 a.m.(Jalisco). The cost is $80.00 pesos (Breakfast
& tip included)

Hosted by Vallarta Yacht Club (VYC), Nuevo Vallarta. Highlighting:
VYC Jr. Sailing Scholarship Program, "Bring-A-Thing" Program
Benefiting: Manos de Amor Children's Shelter. Needs include: rice,
beans, pastas, oil, canned vegetables, cookies, crackers, peanut
butter, jam, toilet paper, soap, children's shampoo and toothpaste.
Reservations required; deadline Feb. 20. Respond to Laurie Ailworth
at lailworth@yahoo.com or 322-297-6564 or sign up at the VYC bulletin
board.

The Mango Trio will be playing every Saturday at La Cascada, in La Cruz de
Huanacaxtle, 7-10 Jalisco time, Calle Coral #61. For reservations,
call 329-295-5948.

Bucerias Gardens has a chef and a new menu. On Wednesdays, they will
host an open mic/jam session starting at 7:00 pm. Anita Wann
continues to display her art every Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday, February 20, the Wise Women of Vallarta program will host
Joy Carol, International Author and Speaker will present "The Power of
Our Stories". We each have our own tales to tell, and they are
important!

10 a.m. at the IFC Clubhouse. RSVP Please! 322-222-9638 or
pamela@healthcareresourcespv.com Note: They ask that you bring a
donation of some type for those less fortunate than ourselves
including baby blankets, gently used (clean) children's clothing,
children's cough syrup, mens deodorant, canned and-or dry foods,
school supplies.

For live music, try these:
Monday - Pelos Largos at Bucerias Gardens, 9-12 p.m. #40 Ave. Mexico,
Tuesday - Open Mic at Britannia, 6:30-10:30 p.m. #65 Coral, La Cruz
de Huanacaxtle
Wednesday - Pelos Largos, Britannia, 8-11pm
Friday - The Chosen Few, Ana Banana's, 4:30-7:30 p.m., #48 Tiburon,
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
Friday - The Goodies, Bucerias Gardens 9-12 p.m.
Sunday - Open Mic, Ana Banana's, 4-9 p.m.

That's all for awhile. I am leaving on Tuesday to spend a couple of
weeks with my children in Florida. I will not be doing any mass
emails during that time.

Valiene
casavaliene@gmail.com

DiscoverNayarit.com

Riviera Nayarit--Tons to do and see--and never get wet!

When most people think of Riviera Nayarit, they think of beaches, surfing, whale watching, snorkeling and other water activities. It's much more. As www.RivieraNayarit.com explains below, there is a ton of thinks to do in Nayarit--and you won't even get wet!

Canopy ToursIt takes the challenge of the speed in the air enjoying one of the areas Canopy Tours. The adventure starts with a short walk up to your first zip line where the action begins! You’ll fly across the treetops of the tropical forest as you make your way through a course of lines that offer adrenalin filled rushes and unforgettable scenery. There is really nothing quite like it.

Horseback RidingA horseback tour allows you to experience the true beauty and life of the jungle. Begin with a comfortable pace enjoying the beautiful beaches of Sayulita. Then enjoy the spectacular panoramic views from the highest mountain of all the bay, the Hill of the Monkey. Luck riders deer, jaguars, tigrillos and other mammalian habitants of this often breathtaking, beautiful region. It is, without a doubt, an experience that you will always remember.

San Blas A trip to San Blas features fantastic panoramic views enroute as you pass farming and fishing villages with their lush, colourful vegetation. A boat trip to browse the river “La Tovara” through majestic natural caves where you will see amazing birds and visit the “Crocodile Reserve” in “El Manantial” of “La Camalota” should not be missed. Ashore you can enjoy the rustic “pueblo” of San Blas, photograph the “Fuerte de San Basilio” ruins and even swim in the ocean and relax on the beach.

ATV ExcursionHave you felt the wind in your Face while you ride an ATV? Skirt the edges of the Bay, along rivers and into the foothills of the mountains. You will be one of the lucky few to have the unique experience of exploring the back roads of on your own ATV. You do the driving You go through rivers, back roads, dirt paths and also make stops to enjoy the scenery, catch your breath and discover the countryside

To join in the fun, go to www.discovernayarit.com and book your stay today!

Swimmers in Punta Mita

Swimmer’s Restaurant Grand Opening in Punta Mita
December 2007

Sterling and I attended the grand opening of Swimmers Restaurant, which was much anticipated, in December. The buzz around the village had all of the locals speculating on just how good the food would be and if it was going to live up to it’s 5 star décor. Located on the north end of Punta Mita’s restaurant row, it provides another flavor to what is available on the beach. We found it a very enjoyable, delectable evening. Starting with their Miso Salad right up to the last drop of our after dinner liquor, it just couldn’t have been any better. I must admit we were a little skeptical in regards to how the service would be, but that was a very pleasant surprise especially because it was opening night and there were so many diners. I didn’t hear one complaint from anyone. You can enjoy the daytime view for lunch, while watching passing yachts, surfers and maybe even an occasional spouting whale, bathing suits o.k. or dine at night casually. We found it to be a very romantic atmosphere, with its white linen tablecloths and candle light. The Pacific Cuisine created by ultra talented Chef de Cuisine, Oscar Roque, brings a new level of international flavors to our magnificent oceanfront location. It is high on our list and we’ll frequent Swimmer’s when we visit again. For reservations and information reservations@swimmersofpuntademita.com or call 329 29 15418 (local Punta Mita number.)
http://www.swimmersofpuntademita.com/

Mexico's Next Destination: Riviera Nayarit
http://www.fodors.com/

November 11, 2007

If you thought you had to travel all the way to South America to find a beachside getaway where locals outnumber tourists, think again: The beach towns of Riviera Nayarit, north of Puerto Vallarta, may just be your ideal escape. This is where travelers come looking for the Mexico they remember from the 1960s, before mega-resorts crowded the landscape of most coastlines. (But book your trip soon, as more than 30 major hotel projects are now in the works.)


The Nayarit state begins just a few miles north of Puerto Vallarta. It is one of Mexico's least populated states with fewer than 1 million permanent residents (compared to the 6.7 million residents of Jalisco, where Puerto Vallarta is located). Just 10 miles into Nayarit, in the town of Bucerias, the landscape begins to change: all-inclusive resorts thin out, and small boutique hotels start cropping up. Cruise ships are replaced by fishing boats, and chain restaurants give way to beachfront taco shacks.

Sleepy beach towns dot the landscape, and each town has its own charm. Bucerias offers a relaxed, village experience with easy access to the nightlife and shopping of Puerto Vallarta. Further north (an approximate 35-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta) is Sayulita---a bohemian surf town that feels light-years away from Puerto Vallarta. Continue another few miles to reach San Francisco (also called San Pancho), where locals outnumber foreigners, and you feel a real sense of village life. Finally, for a taste of Mexico that's even less influenced by tourism, continue up the coast for another two hours and you'll reach the fishing village of San Blas, which is a world-renowned habitat for migratory birds.

Here, Fodor's shares some of our favorite spots in Nayarit for a secluded beach getaway. For more selections, pick up Fodor's Puerto Vallarta 2008, which covers the region in greater depth.


Bucerias

Food is the focus in this tiny beachfront town. In the town plaza, you can dine off the street, or step inside one of the beachside seafood, tapas (Tapas del Mundo), and Mexican restaurants (Dugarel Plays). For excellent cheap eats, head to the square in the middle of town and check out the local vendors selling birria (spicy goat stew) tacos from a hand-driven cart, or shaved ice with homemade guava syrup from the back of a truck. If you're in a celebratory mood, one of the area's finest restaurants, the Mediterranean-accented Mark's Bar & Grill, is a short drive away.

South of the square, you'll find rows of street vendors hawking t-shirts and handicrafts. Other than that, there's not much shopping. Come here if you want a local village vibe, and for proximity to the shopping and nightlife of Puerto Vallarta. Lodging options are limited, but Hotel Palmeras is a great, low-key bet, just a block from the beach, with rooms under $100 a night. For something more upscale, head north of town to Villa Bella (photo, top), a gorgeous hillside property overlooking the town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

Sayulita

If you want to watch surfers working the waves as you recline on a rented chaise lounge, Sayulita is the place to do it. Along with surfers, you'll find toned twentysomethings and young families ruling the scene, eating at casual restaurants (Choco Banana and Si Hay Olitas) and hanging out at outdoor bars and ceviche joints that line the beachfront.

This town is slightly larger than neighboring villages, with more dining and lodging options, most of them budget oriented. Our favorite place to stay is the rustic-chic Villa Amor, a gorgeous property that climbs up a hillside with spectacular views and indoor-outdoor living spaces.



San Francisco

If you're looking for something a bit more remote than Sayulita, head a few miles further up the coastline to San Francisco (also called San Pancho), where the presence of Americans and international travelers feels more minimal.

There may be fewer restaurants (the best are La Ola Rica and Mar Plata) and bars (try La Casita de Gallo), but travelers gain a sense of solitude walking along desolate beaches. When you're this far north of Puerto Vallarta, locals outnumber foreigners by at least two-to-one. It's a great place to practice your Spanish, and to decompress from your busy life.

For a romantic getaway, try the intimate Casa Obelisco (photo, right), a B&B north of the village in a luxurious estate. For simpler lodgings in the village, check out Hotel Cielo Rojo, a recently renovated boutique hotel with spare but tasteful décor.

San Blas

Furthest away from the hustle and bustle of Puerto Vallarta, San Blas is a fishing town and agricultural center that's home to approximately 12,000 people. Birding enthusiasts from around the world come here to spot some of the 300 migratory birds that spend their winters here. The area also offers ecotourism adventures like mangrove swamp boat rides, whale watching, surfing, and hiking in the jungle and along the beaches.

The most upscale hotel is Garza Canela, a compound near the beach that houses several two- and three-story buildings flanked by beautifully manicured gardens, a pool, and a small chapel. The property is operated by a family of dedicated bird-watchers, and also offers the best dining experience in town, at El Delphin.

If you want to stay in the center of the village, we recommend Hacienda Flamingos, a mansion-turned-hotel that looks like it was plucked from the set of a Frida Kahlo biopic. Just down the street, try local seafood at La Isla, including grilled shrimp, octopus, oysters, clams and red snapper. Afterwards, walk over to the main plaza, where vendors sell ice cream cones and villagers gather in the evenings to talk about the day's events.

---Erica Duecy

Copyright ©2008 Fodor's Travel, a division of Random House, Inc.

Rocio's on the Beach

My husband and I decided to take our 2 grandchildren to a small surfing & fishing village in Mexico. I found a perfect spot through the website www.discovernayarit.com.

What a great time we had! I happened upon this website and was glad I did. When I took a look at the video I was sold on the area of Nayarit. We found a great condo to stay in from their selection and I was able to book our flight, rent our car and book some of our adventures all within www.discovernayarit.com. Talk about user freindly!

We all had a great trip. The grandkids tried it all; surfing, kayaking, jungle zip line, whale watching and snorkeling. The only activity they didn't do was scuba dive! I told my husband I wanted to come back as a grandkid...one of our grandkids!

Rocio's Restaurant on Anclote Beach, in Punta De Mita was great. It was a perfect meeting place for all of us, after surf lessons etc. We could sit there all day, if we wanted, all we had to do was stay fed & hydrated in order to use their lounge chairs right on the beach, where it was "all happening." Their main man is Gabriel and he is great...they'll cook most anything for you and Rocio's really has the total Mexican charm.

We will definitely book our next trip through www.discovernayarit.com again. Everyone we dealt with regarding the rental, etc. was very friendly. Punta de Mita was a wonderful spot and glad we found it. The other grandkids are wondering when it will be their turn to go.

Surf's Up,

~ Gidget

Nayarit Rentals

Looking for a vacation rental, visit www.discovernayarit.com