La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is a tranquil town north of Puerto Vallarta that was settled in the 1930's. "La Cruz," as it is known to the locals, is a small fishing village with protected yacht and boat anchorage, homes, stores, and a cafe.
Local legend has it that the town gained its name "Cruz de Huanacaxtle" after the body of an indigenous woman was buried at the base of a giant Huanacaxtle tree. In tribute, a large cross was carved into the trunk of the tree. The name stuck when people began to say, "lets meet at the cross (Cruz) of Huanacaxtle."
The beautiful and peaceful La Manzanilla Beach is located here. With its carpet of golden-white coral sand, the cove is an excellent place for swimming in the shallow surf that reaches 100 feet into the sea.
Punta de Mita is an unrivaled Mexican experience. Crystal clear water, soft sand and incredibly fresh seafood are available at any of the many palapa restaurants that line this beautiful shore.
The beach itself is fairly rocky but offers beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre mountains that frame the Bay. Tours and amenities of all kinds are accessible.
The area is known as a great surfing beach and snorkeling is excellent along the islands just off the shore. A short walk along the beach brings visitors to isolated stretches of pristine coastline.
Hotels, villas, apartments and condominiums are available for rent and for sale. The Four Season's Resort offers a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a spa, and tennis courts.
Punta de Mita is located at the northern tip of Banderas Bay 26 miles from Puerto Vallarta on the Punta Mita Highway in the beautiful state of Nayarit.
Sayulita is for those who are in search of a retreat from the hustle bustle of everyday life, and may be what you have been in search of too. This drowsy little fishing village on a palm-laden arc of sand is the perfect place to enjoy the quiet pleasures and local color of Mexico.
Here, where the rich tropical forest of the coastal Sierra Madre mountains is combined with the crystal clear waters of the Pacific, you will find that the customs and attitudes of the outside world have made few encroachments to the Old Mexico lifestyle of fishing, farming, fiestas and siestas found here.
San Francisco, lovingly called "San Pancho" by the locals, is a favorite place of water sport lovers. Its idyllic beach is enclosed by palm-tipped green headlands and the golden white sand extends for half a mile on both sides of the town.
Big open-ocean waves pound the beach, making for world-class surfing and exciting ocean kayaking, while tranquil coves offer calm waters for swimming and snorkeling. Offshore excursions include sailing, trophy fishing and exploring uninhabited islands and magnificent coral reefs.
Bird watching, as well as horseback riding through the jungles and mountain bike rides are favorite pastimes for nature lovers who prefer to stay on dry land.
The tropical scenery is unsurpassed and has been used as a stage for magazines and commercials for such agencies as Subaru, Televises, Geomundo and Mexico Unknown, but most importantly, San Pancho continues to be the favorite place of nature and water sport lovers. | |
