We had such a good time in Sayulita last Thanksgiving we decided to ramp it up and go for 12 days over Christmas this year. So the first day of winter break found us at SFO, ready to fly south.
While we enjoyed our Puerto Vallarta visits in years past, we don't find we need much in the way of nightlife or fine dining these days. Sayulita is smaller, slower, with better swimming, and home of businesses like Sayulita VIP Transportation Service and Massage. I can't speak for the massage therapy, but we had a great driver, Julio, who recommended some good spots, & hooked us up with a great chef.
We decided to give renting a whole place a shot this time, booking months ahead and figured we'd manage to get some partners in crime to fill it up. Casa Coati is on the north side, where it's quiet without having to climb any monster hills - hello, we're on vacation, we climb hills all the time at home!
So welcome to Ewok Village!
The kids really liked the rooftop palapa deck and crow's nest -
- also the pool:
But the main attraction, of course, is the beach. The water is warm, the beach is sandy and shallow, the surf is big enough to be fun but not big enough to give Mommy a heart attack when the kids go swimming (mostly).
For 150-200 pesos (around $12 depending on what exchange rate you believe, as that's kind of fluid here as well), you can get 2 lounge chairs, a table, an umbrella for shade, and your choice to order from a waiter from the beach restaurants or just walk 5 minutes to get street tacos and a six pack to go. Not to mention the periodic arrival of vendors with donuts, fruit, skewers of seafood, and other goodies. I quickly became addicted to the macaroons, which weren't at all what I typically consider a macaroon, but was instead a sticky squishy lump of fresh shaved coconut and sweet cinnamon and coffee. I got talked into cotton candy once -
But told her she had to wait for her brother to come back from boogie boarding and share it.
A few days in, it was party time - Lucie's 5th birthday! As you might suspect, she had a few requirements for her big day. First up, presents with breakfast - I was scolded for taking too long to get fresh croissants from the French bakery in town.
Next up, a juice box. Seriously, she put it on her list.
Then a horseback ride, of course. Considering she's been talking about since she heard we were going back to Sayulita, I wasn't getting out of that one. She was particularly happy to discover she was enough of a big girl to ride by herself this time (not to worry, her horse was on a lead line). We capped off the big day with the arrival of Gangi and Grandpa Marshall, bashed a piñata, wore piñata parts as party hats, and walked to town for a cheese pizza dinner. (Also on her list)
Grandpa unfortunately didn't feel great and had to leave earlier than planned, but the kids had fun playing pool catch and video games with him-
They managed to persuade Gangi to stay and keep the beach party going.
"Beach party" meaning, boogie boarding until Daddy begs for a break.
It gets pretty tiring.
Burning questions remained, though. Does Santa know we're in Mexico? Does he like Oreos? Will Forza con sabor de naranja, the orange soy drink we mistakenly purchased thinking it was orange juice, be an acceptable milk substitute? Do we need to wash the reindeers' apples in iodine solution?
Stay tuned...
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