[masraum]

We spent a vaca (early Jan) in Cabo San Lucas once. It was very pretty, and enjoyable if you are into the beach thing. We'd also done Puerto Vallarta (technically, Nuevo Vallarta which is next door). Comparing the 2, Cabo seemed more like a Mexican extension of California. Many/most of the vehicles are the same thing that you would see in the US, most places take US$, even in town. We were able to hook up some interesting things to do through the resort that we stayed in.

Puerto Vallarta was also good, but seemed a bit more Mexican than Cabo.

A place that we visited while we were staying in Puerto Vallarta that I think would be a much better place to go was Sayulita. Granted, it's probably been 10 years since we were there, so it's probably changed. This is what Wikipedia has to say about it.

Known for its consistent river mouth surf break, Sayulita was "discovered" by roving surfers in the late 1960s with the construction of Mexican Highway 200. Today, Sayulita is a prosperous growing village of approximately 5,000 residents. Hailed as a popular off-the-beaten-path travel destination, Sayulita offers a variety of activities such as horseback riding, hiking, jungle canopy tours, snorkeling and fishing. Still a mecca for beginner surfers of all ages, the quaint town attracts upscale tourists with its numerous art galleries and restaurants as well.[1] Sayulita has a curious eclectic quality, frequented by native Cora and Huichol peoples, traveling craftsmen as well as international tourists.[2] Sayulita is the crown jewel in the newly designated "Riviera Nayarit", the coastal corridor from Litibu to San Blas. Its natural beauty and easy access to Puerto Vallarta have made Sayulita real estate some of the most sought after in all of Mexico. With a growing ecological awareness and stricter zoning enforcement, development is being regulated to help safeguard the environment and quality of life of the community. Sayulita now has a medical office with an English-speaking doctor and pharmacist, a number of internet cafes and a wide variety of open-air eateries—some right on the sand beach. Sayulita has recently become a wedding destination with a Roman Catholic church and a number of local wedding planners.

And that's what we saw. It was a much smaller, more out of the way kind of place, much more quaint and charming and secluded than the bigger resort towns. Our guide said that it had lots of ex-pats. It definitely seemed like a little bit of paradise when we visited.