Reach the beach

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This article was published 27/04/2024 (867 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s the best alarm clock in the world.

There’s no need to start your day with a screeching sound effect from your phone when you can wake up peacefully to the nearby waves crashing.

This is Maraica Hotel in San Pancho, Mexico — a place where you can unwind, rejuvenate, and get reacquainted with mother nature.

You can start your morning by opening the sliding door to the balcony to sway back and forth in the hammock while taking in the Mexican Pacific. There’s 15 rooms on the property and all come with an ocean view.

From there, head downstairs to the on-site restaurant, Muvieri, for a gordita — a corn tortilla pocket filled with steak that is topped with a fried egg on a plate of refried beans — and a green smoothie.

Maraica’s owner Fernanda Castro is a chef and it shows in her menu and flavours. All ingredients and meat are sourced from her family farm and local producers.

Muvieri also serves lunch, dinner, and, of course, incredible margaritas. Unlike your typical hotel fare, everything’s fresh, delicious, healthy, and affordable.

“We have free range chickens, they live happier than me. And they’re better fed, probably,” laughed Castro.

Maraica is within walking distance to the ocean but also has a circular pool in the middle of the property surrounded by trees, lounge chairs, and umbrellas.

A 15-minute drive to the south and you’ll be in Sayulita where the beach is overrun with tourists and eager surfers. You can chase waves in San Pancho, also known as San Francisco, in a much more enjoyable setting as you’ll feel like you have your own personal slice of the coastline.

The small community has just over 3,000 year-round residents and is quietly becoming one of the most underrated destinations in the Riviera Nayarit — which features over 200 miles of beaches and jungle.

Maraica, which is just 50 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport, is also tucked away in a residential area which makes you feel even more secluded from the hustle and bustle.

Every single decision has been made with keeping the environment in mind.

When they first opened eight years ago, the layout was designed around the existing trees. The few that did have to be removed were transplanted to the hotel’s garden area.

The energy is generated by solar panels and all water is reused for irrigation purposes.

Even the complimentary toiletries are eco-friendly as the hand wash, body wash, and lotion are made locally without chemicals and sit in the rooms in glass bottles.

Single-use plastics are nowhere to be found here.

The suites are spacious and stunning, featuring polished concrete floors, palapa-roof ceilings and high-quality parota furniture.

There’s no air-conditioning, which may sound like a dealbreaker to some, but the ceiling and standing fans will do the job and keep you comfortable at night.

Maraica might not be for everyone, but in all my travels, this was arguably the most relaxing stay I’ve experienced anywhere.

It’s a 10-15 minute walk to get to the main part of town where you will find cozy restaurants — Ikan Cocina Marina is a must for seafood lovers —, boutique shops, street murals, and live music. There’s an abundance of activities nearby: you can embark on a horseback riding tour (or visit The La Patrona Polo and Equestrian Club if you prefer admiring horses from a distance), hike Monkey Mountain, explore the jungle on an RZR or ATV with Mi Chaparrita Adventures, take a tour of the Marietas Islands, and much more.

For nightlife, Sayulita is where you want to be as the party town is the ideal place to be for bar hopping. If you’re looking to stay overnight, Sayulinda Hotel is a great option with it being located in the heart of the city’s main square plus its breakfast service, rooftop pool and bar, and modern rooms.

Another community to add to the list is Bucerias which is 30 minutes from San Pancho. It’s quieter than Sayulita, but still has loads of restaurants, shops and markets. You can keep busy with a kite surf lesson and a stop at El Cora Crocodile Sanctuary.

There’s nothing wrong with planning a resort getaway in Puerto Vallarta, but these nearby beach towns are safe, welcoming, and have so much to offer that they need to be considered for your next vacation.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @TaylorAllen31