Experience the charm of Playa Escondida, a boutique surf hotel in Sayulita, Mexico, where vibrant colors, retro design, and unexpected crustacean encounters create a truly unique vacation.
Ruben, the bartender at Playa Escondida in Sayulita, a boutique surf hotel in one of Mexico’s designated (“Magic Towns”) on the Pacific coast, asks this as he hacks away at a pineapple for a Pina Colada order.Hours earlier, I was near panic-stricken after spotting something moving about my suitcase – a flash of spindly legs attached to a bulbous greyish-brown body.
I’d summoned enough courage to drag the suitcase onto our balcony terrace, where my sister and I commenced several rounds of nervous prodding, flinching, kicking items of clothing around and squealing, in that order, until finally a culprit emerged: not a spider but a timid little crab. It was, to be fair, actually adorable. Caught out, it performed an awkward two-step, looking embarrassed in that way crabs always seem to, before we gave the suitcase a final nudge and sent it on its way. That same morning, I spotted a stubby little gecko with eyes like saucers sunning itself on our terrace love seat; upon noticing me, it dived into a heap of cushions and disappeared. Soon after, a larger crab strutted right up to where I was sitting, throwing up its pincers in exasperation or as if to mime, “What are I list off the various houseguests to Ruben. “So a quiet morning then?” he deadpans.In the early rainy season, from about June to October, Playa Escondida’s adorably anxious crustacean population becomes as much a feature of the resort as its gloriously retro beach villas. Thousands of these shy land crabs march en masse towards the ocean, creating a spectacle for guests. Moving through the property requires high-level alertness – crabs in all colours and sizes, some barely bigger than an ant, traverse its private beach, open-air yoga studio, and jungle-flanked passageways as we dart out of the way, trying to anticipate their next move. Getty Images/iStockphoto A handful of villa regulars eventually get names – Sebastian, a pale-orange and purple crab, has set up house in our beautiful sun-dappled shower. Each morning, he stares us down from the furthest reaches of the shower ledge while we slink towards the tap, so as not to spook him. He remains there, barely moving a foot, for the duration of our stay. The resort is also frequented by coatis, curious racoon-like creatures who live in the surrounding jungle and are capable of using their agile front paws to open cupboards and fridges when hapless guests forget to lock up, though we don’t spot any during our stay.The villa’s rudimentary design – a thatched-roof compound akin to traditional Aztec or Mayan adobe huts (though with a lot more colour and pizzazz) – means it isn’t exactly hermetically sealed off from critters, though the kitsch aesthetic is very appealing, and a deeply welcome alternative to the bland luxury mega-resorts that seem to dominate the Nayarit coast.Outside on our terrace, an inbuilt jacuzzi bubbles next to two ruby-hued day beds; the exterior walls radiate in vibrant shades of sky blue and peach, adorned with white handpainted pre-Columbian-style motifs. Joyous levels of colour pervade the resort, from handpainted murals and lush jungle greenery to beautiful multicoloured soft furnishings, ceramics and trinkets. The 32-room property, which shot to onscreen fame in recent times (at least in North America) as the location of the American TV series, remains a beacon of retro charm in Sayulita. Its once-inaccessible beach, flanked by two giant rock outcroppings, was discovered by an American surfer and architect in the 1980s, as the story goes. In the following decade, the architect’s friend purchased the land, and together they designed and built the first homes on Playa Escondida, in what would eventually become the resort.The hotel evolved organically, without a master plan – a fact that’s charmingly evident in the design. Some of its villas immerse you in fairytales, others in ancient Mayan spirits. Rooms on the upper part of the property, made of teak wood and bamboo, transport you to Thailand. Some feature jacuzzis, some don’t even have air-conditioning. There’s a warmth and unpretentiousness to them.It’s easy to see why this spot was chosen, too. Each happy hour, after wandering down to Ruben’s tiny beach bar to imbibe uncivilised amounts of Miami vice cocktails (the MVP of tiki libations – a decadent blend of Pina Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri), we’re treated to a sunset for the ages. It begins with searing intensity. We flit between our bar stools and the beach for cooling foot dips in the ocean, before heading back to the villa to catch the multicolour finale from our jacuzzi. The evening concludes at the restaurant overlooking the infinity pool, with dishes of zingy ceviche, wood-fired pizza and buttery lobster linguini. The hotel offers a level of serenity that’s increasingly rare in the burgeoning tourism town – not really seen since Sayulita’s sleepy fishing village days in the 1990s
TRAVEL MEXICO SAYULITA PLAYA ESCONDIDA SURF HOTEL CRABS RETRO DESIGN SUNSETS BEACH VILLAS
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Four countries, five Christmas markets, one magical week in EuropeEight days, five festive markets – and home well before December 25 to place gifts under the tree? Yes, it can be done.
Read more »
Four countries, five Christmas markets, one magical week in EuropeEight days, five festive markets – and home well before December 25 to place gifts under the tree? Yes, it can be done.
Read more »
Four countries, five Christmas markets, one magical week in EuropeEight days, five festive markets – and home well before December 25 to place gifts under the tree? Yes, it can be done.
Read more »
Alison Lester's Magic Beach Makes Waves on ScreenAlison Lester's beloved children's book, Magic Beach, comes to life in a new film adaptation directed by Robert Connolly. The film follows the adventures of four children on a magical beach holiday, capturing the joy of childhood imagination and the special bond between families.
Read more »
Melbourne Place Hotel's Rooftop Oasis, Mid Air, Blends Retro Charm with Modern LuxeThe newly opened Melbourne Place hotel boasts a stylish rooftop space called Mid Air, which seamlessly combines retro design elements with contemporary luxury. The space features warm color palettes, oversized windows offering city skyline views, and nods to nostalgic treats and aesthetics.
Read more »
Penn & Teller Charm Sydney With A Show That Emphasizes Audience ParticipationPenn & Teller, the legendary magicians, returned to the Sydney Opera House with a new show that emphasized audience interaction and clever illusions. The duo's performance, celebrating 50 years of partnership, showcased their signature blend of comedy and magic, leaving audiences entertained and bewildered.
Read more »