sayulita

return to
homepage

contact

Travel Information; Cielo, Sayulita

Before you go:
The U.S. Transportation Services Agency (www.TSATravelTips.us) is an excellent site where you will find everything you need to know about new airport security measures. They have the most current list of prohibited and permitted items, timesaving tips, information on assistance for special needs and other information that will help you travel quickly and safely.

The U.S. Customs:
This site provides an overview of Customs regulations and procedures that apply to travelers entering or exiting the United States. You can download a brochure called "Know Before You Go", as well as many other useful forms, reports, and articles. http://www.customs.gov/travel/travel.htm

Tourist Card:
You will get this card on the plane, which should be filled out before you land. It will be checked by a Mexican at you enter the room and you will then get in to a line where it will be stamped by an immigration agent. Do not lose this card, as you must have it to leave the country so keep it with your passport in a safe place . Should you lose the card, a new one can be issued at the airport but it’s a pain and you must allow extra time and possible expense.

Money:
Sayulita now has multiple ATM machines and many restaurants and stores take credit cards.

Arrivals and Departures:
Please don't arrive at the houses before 3 pm, as prior guests don't leave until 11am and the maids need to clean.

If you do arrive early, please leave your luggage at the house and go to the beach, take a swim, walk or have a beverage at one of the beach restaurants and relax.

Houses Basics:
The houses have the same voltage electricity as in the US and each house also has basic living supplies (i.e. towels, sheets, plates, seasoning, cooking utensils). A coffee grinder, coffee maker, and CD/cassette player are in the house. We suggest that you bring your own binoculars. There are flashlights, but they may need batteries, which are available in the village. A flashlight can be helpful for evening travel in and around the village if you are not lucky enough to get a full moon. We are in the process of putting in a purifier for all the water on the property but if you find a 5-gallon bottle of purified water in the house, it means the system in not yet operating. Those bottles will be replenished whenever necessary. Once the purifier is in place you are free to drink the tap water at the house.

The houses have water tanks that are filled from a large tank at the bottom of the hill. The hot water tanks are not large and short showers will guarantee warm showers for all. If there is no hot water at all, pls check to be sure the pilot is on under the tank. There are instructions at the hot water tank.

Security:
The village is normally very safe, but you must take ordinary precautions as you would in any foreign country. Please keep the house locked while you are away and leave the key in the locked box where you got it on arrival, rather than carrying it with you. The houses all have "hotel" safes and we highly recommend you leave your valuables there. We cannot be responsible for lost articles so please put everything in the safe when you are not present.

Staff:
(Cielo) Ramon Arce (rah-MOHN AHR-say) is the caretaker for this compound. He speaks very little English. Ramon's daughter, Judith, does speak English and is in charge of the maids for all the houses except casa Botellas (where Alma is the maid).
Ramon, Judith and the others come every day except Sundays and holidays, arriving in the morning about 9 am (unless you tell them to come at a later time). Alma arrives at Botellas at various times. The maids will wash the dishes (please rinse and stack them in the sink), make beds, sweep, mop and generally make the houses presentable. Judith can tell you much about the village and places to go. None of the others speak English. All of them know their jobs and are excellent with guests.

Tipping:
When you leave the house, it is customary to tip the help if you have been well served. The tip is flexible assuming how much you use and appreciate their services. We recommend that you tip about 200 Ps per week per couple (or two people).
In the village restaurants, the tipping is similar to the US and Canada, between 10-15%. 15% has become quite normal at the nicer establishments. It is, as always, totally discretionary and based on the quality of the service you are given.

Help with Cooking:
Arrangements can be made with the Judith if you would like someone to cook for you. Generally you will pay for the food separately plus a fee for the cooking, and it’s best to agree on the food and the price prior to the meal.

Clothing/temperatures:
January and February are the “cooler” months, which usually means 80 during the day and it could drop into the upper 60’s at night. So, beachwear, shorts, simple shoes that go anywhere, lots of tee shirts and long pants and a sweatshirt or a light acket for evenings. The “hot” months are late May through mid-November with the temperature feeling the hottest once the rain start in late June when the humidity usually goes to 95 and stays there through October. The temperatures often mimic the humidity in the summer months.

Insects:
There are a vast array of insects in this part of the world. Interestingly colored moths, Horned beetles, amazing butterflies as well as the common Cucaracha. While the number of insects vary with the seasons, there will always be some so, be prepared to see, study and protect yourself from them.

If you are prone to mosquito bites, bring insect repellant with you or buy it in the village. "Dr. Bells", an effective remedy to ease the itching of bug bites, is available in the drug store in the village as is cortisone cream. You might also consider taking Vitamin B1, as that helps some people keep biting insects away.

There are scorpions in this part of Mexico, but they tend to avoid houses that are occupied but it is always wise to check your shoes and clothes before putting them on. If you should see a scorpion in one of the houses, they are easy to kill as they move slowly. In general you need to remember that in the tropics you need to be careful where you put your hands and feet. Should you get stung and have a reaction, there is a clinic in the village (the “Salud” at the entrance to the village) and another in San Francisco, the next town north.

Email:
All the houses are wireless. If there is a problem, talk to Judith.

Phones:
Most cell phones work in Sayulita with the current exception of Verizon. There are phones booths all over town and you can buy a phone card at most grocery stores.
Post Office: There is no post office in Sayulita. The closest are in La Peñita and Bucerias.

Holidays:
The main holidays in Mexico are January 1, February 24, Holy Week (the week before Easter), November 20th (Revolution Day), December 12 (Celebration of the Miracle of Guadeloupe), December 25 and 31. The day of the Dead is at the beginning of November and Mexican’s decorate the graves of the dead in Sayulita with flowers and candles. If you are interested in this type of holiday, which is a mix of Christianity and Indigenous Indian tradition, consider a visit to Patzcuaro in the state of Michoacan.

Communicating With People:
Many service people speak English but most other locals in Sayulita do not. Any effort you give to speaking Spanish is appreciated. The traditional greeting is "Hola", pronounced "oh--la", and "mucho gusto" is their rendition of "Glad to meet you." "Gracias" and "Por favor" (please) can't be used too often. Don’t worry if you speak only English as you will rarely have problems in Mexico’s tourist towns.

Of Special Note:
It's important to remember that Mexico and the Mexican people do some things differently than we do. If things begin to get to you, sit down and have a beer (best with lime and salt) or a soft drink and chill. Most problems solve themselves in short order. Have a wonderful time and relax.

Need a few additional nights?

Hotel in Sayulita:
www.villassayulita.com

Puerto Vallarta:
"Casa Fantasia": A great little inn (only 5 rooms) in the old part of PV. The rooms are very nice, one block from the beach and close to good restaurants and shopping. Casa Fantasia is a walled villa, with its own swimming pool and beautiful courtyard garden. The rooms are around $130 per night during high season (November to May) if you call direct for your reservation. You also get a full breakfast every day and a happy hour included in that rate. The owners are Al Williams and Ernst Kloeble and their phone number is 011 52 322 32444; the address is 203 Pino Suarez.