Last week I said goodbye to Sayulita, wrapping up 7 months in Mexico. I’ve said all I have to say on the subject for right now and it’s on to new adventures, but not before we wrap up our enormous Mexican honeymoon:
Total Time: 209 Days or about 7 months.
Days that it Didn’t Rain: I estimate it probably rained a grand total of maybe 14 times during our entire stay. From the first week of January until the day we left it didn’t rain once. Amazing right?
Favorite Place: Sayulita, of course. We didn’t travel much once we got settled, and part of that was because of how comfortable we felt there.
Least Favorite Place: Might have been the heat, or the gritty-city feel, but Guadalajara didn’t do much for me. The Pinterest-famous Playa del Amor was also a disappointment.
Favorite Food: So many things! Tacos of course, in all their variety, but I also developed a penchant for chilaquiles (fried tortillas in tomato sauce) that I will have to learn to re-create. Pozole, sopes and tortas ahogadas are all a close second.
Most Memorable Moments: Releasing baby turtles on the beach at sunset, celebrating the Day of the Dead with the locals and eating my way through Puerto Vallarta’s food scene.
Biggest Annoyance: Mexico is SO LOUD. Sometimes I loved it, like when the crazy trucks would go by broadcasting their wares. Sometimes I hated it, mostly when I was trying to sleep and someone was blasting mariachi music late into the night.
Scariest Wildlife Encounter: In April our bathroom was invaded by an enormous wolf spider- I mean, huge. Mike and I were both too chicken to kill him so we named him Wolfie and tried to co-exist. Eventually (like two weeks later) he crawled out the window on his own.
Coolest Souvenir: Before we departed I loaded up on beaded bracelets, cute t-shirts and Mexican vanilla.
Biggest Regret: Not making it to Mexico City, Puebla or Oaxaca. It wasn’t really in the budget this time around but it’s a great reason to return!
Biggest Misconception: Obviously that Mexico is a dangerous war-zone. While some parts I definitely wouldn’t visit, we never felt safer than in our little town by the beach.
Best Advice: When it comes to food, be willing to push past your comfort zone. Sure you could come to Mexico and stick to restaurant-made quesadillas and enchiladas, but what is the fun in that? The street stands are where all the real Mexico action is.
Also, if you’re planning to rent an apartment in Sayulita like we did, get there well before the start of high season.
Would I Go Back? In a heartbeat! There is so much more of Mexico I need to see. Plus, I know we’ll be back in Sayulita someday in the future, although the place is changing so rapidly we may not recognize it anymore.
All Mexico Posts:
The Horror of Apartment Hunting in Sayulita
Inside Our New Sayulita Apartment
Sugar and Skulls: Mexico’s Day of the Dead
Celebrating the Mexican Revolution with some Serious Cuteness
The Surprising World of Mexican Food
Confessions of a City Girl in a Small Town
The Fruits and Vegetables of Mexico
Let’s Talk About Safety in Mexico
Playa del Amore Doesn’t Live Up to the Hype
Diving Deep into Mexican Food with Vallarta Eats
Things I Don’t Understand About This Insane Mexican Carnival
A Beginner Guide to Mexican Tacos
Visiting the Guachimontones Pyramids
The Crazy and Wonderful Trucks of Sayulita
Where to Eat in Sayulita Part One: Mexican Food
Awesome! I love posts like this that offer unique insights to a place. I’ve been to Mexico twice, each time only to more touristy destinations, but I would love to do something long term as you did!
<3 Daryl
where to now??
I have never been to Sayulita but you have definitely give me an idea on how it is out there. I would have freaked out if I see large spider on my room good thing you outlasted it.
We’ve going back and forth with where we want to head to next, and Mexico keeps coming up. I’ll have to come right back here if we ever make up our minds!
Stephanie, you did an amazing job. Fantastic post with stunning photographs. keep up your good work.
Seems like an amazing trip! Central and South America are fast becoming a must for me on upcoming trips…and though I’ve never really been like “I have to visit Mexico!” now it seems like it.
I love how honest this post is! Mexico is definitely a favorite of ours and such a huge country that you can keep going back for more. We’ll have to add Sayulita on the Mexican bucket list.
I’m really glad you talk about mexico being safe because I think I had sort of written off as a place to buy drugs or get murdered by a cartel…. but clearly I was wrong. I’m glad its back of my travel radar 🙂
I’m actually thinking of renting an apartment in Mexico for a few months. I just came across your blog so I’m super excited to read all about your time there. I’ve traveled in a few areas in Mexico before but I’d never heard of Sayulita until now. It sounds awesome. Thanks for all the info!
was always fun reading about Sayulita, it would take me back there! I might get to go back for my bf’s work in the fal- fingers crossed!