Natural beaches, lush jungles and a taste of rural Mexico draw people to the picturesque fishing village of Sayulita. Located on the Pacific coast of Nayarit, Mexico, this pueblo was originally a hacienda for harvesting small coconuts for oil.

These brown golf-ball sized nuts are still found on the jungle paths, along with mangos, large coconuts, papaya and citrus fruit. Dogs, chickens and kids run and play in the dirt roads. Visitors and locals enjoy baseball games, festivals with live music, surfing, bicycling and kayaking. Make sure to visit the Official Sayulita Website for up-to-date information regarding the village and local area.

Sayulita is a world away from nearby Puerto Vallarta and its huge resorts, discos and parasailing.

In fact, many say Sayulita is what Puerto Vallarta was 40 years ago. Sayulita's slow pace makes it hard to leave -- evidenced by the number of northerners building winter homes. The local government recently passed an ordinance prohibiting the cutting of all trees to help prevent Sayulita from becoming another Vallarta. READ MORE