Guide to Bucerias

'A tropical beach hideaway at the heart of a traditional Mexican town.'

If you're seeking a laid-back beach break but want to escape the more obvious tourist trails, Bucerias could be the escape you've been looking for. Cupping the coastline just north of Puerto Vallarta, this charming town is much like its livelier neighbour used to be. Pretty, picturesque and with bags of traditional charm, it certainly hits the spot for a relaxing retreat. But that's not to say you won't find much to do here. As peaceful as it is, there's plenty on offer. For starters, there's the 14 kilometres of uninterrupted shores. Pearly-white and soft-as-silk, it's said to be on of the most beautiful stretches on the Pacific coast. This is perhaps how Bucerias got its name, which means 'place of the divers'. Gently sloping down in to translucent seas, it's great for boogie boarding, sailing and fishing. And Punta de Mita and El Anclote beaches here are among the best places in the world to learn to surf. Make your way through the palm trees that line the sands and you're in town. A patchwork of whitewashed buildings and sleepy squares hidden in the tropical greenery, it's easy to get about on foot here. Stroll along the cobbled streets, popping your head in to the friendly little shops as you go. Pull up a chair in one of the coffee shops and treat yourself to a cake or two. Or pull up in the slow lane with the locals and watch the world go by in the main plaza. If you want to go a little further afield, hop on a bus or catch a cab to bustling Puerto Vallarta. Play a round of golf on one of the local top-notch courses. Or if you're here from December to March, join one of the whale watching trips. After dark, evenings in Bucerias are all about tranquil dining. You'll find a handful of bars open later into the night, but the town tends to turn in before midnight. Start your night with a sunset stroll along the sands. Depending on the time of year, the sky lights up in pinks and purples or reds and gold. Then peruse the menus of the local restaurants. From the eclectic and funky to the tiny and traditional, there's something to suit all taste buds. And of course, the freshest just-landed seafood is always available. However you spend your time in Bucerias, this carefree corner of Mexico can't fail to win you over.

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