news&views Winter 2017 | Page 38

TRAVEL

TRAVEL

Bucerias is the perfect prelude to a moonlit walk along the five-mile long beach .
On Thursday evenings the town hosts an art walk along the main thoroughfare , Calle Lázaro Cárdenas . Featuring local galleries , restaurants and artists , the event attracts visitors from all reaches of the Riviera Nayarit . Acrylics and oils on canvas , jewellery , tile and glass , pottery , and much more , including an opportunity to commune with the artisans and enjoy a glass or two of wine .
If you enjoy perusing local products , the Sunday market at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is a must see . A short bus ride north of Bucerias , La Cruz is a sleepy fishing village that comes alive on Sunday attracting tourists to its fabulous waterfront market . With over 170 vendors , local artisans , food and drink , music and entertainment , the market can keep you busy for hours .
If you want to see a quintessential Mexican village , wander the short distance into the centre of town and sit under the shade of enormous trees in the plaza publica where chickens wander freely in search of fodder and the church bells of the nearby Iglesia de la Santa Cruz de Huanacaxtle call locals to mass .
Head north from La Cruz and you ’ ll catch sight of the boarders that frequent the coast looking for the perfect wave . Still within an hour ’ s drive from Puerto Vallarta , Punta de Mita and Sayulita are charming towns with access to a multitude of different surf sites within a few kilometres .
The Bahia de Banderas has something for everyone , from bustling Puerto Vallarta to laid-back La Cruz . With shopping , dining , whale watching and watersports , this region of Mexico has been a favourite of Canadian tourists for over forty years . It has changed and will continue to evolve , but it will always be one of my prime winter destinations .
Goods at the market La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Typical beach meal
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