Having visited the lovely Sayulita, Mexico myself a few years back, seeing amazing wedding photos like these from photographer Jillian Mitchell immediately take me back to the magic of this sleepy Pacific surfing town! Couple Gloria and Kevin did their Mexico destination wedding right, and after this blog post, they’ve got me dying for some quality time on the beach!

The Couple: Gloria and Kevin

The Wedding: Villa Amor, Sayulita, Mexico

Please click on the link to read more:

http://junebugweddings.com/blogs/what_junebug_loves/archive/2012/06/11/sayulita-mexico-villa-amor-destination-wedding-gloria-and-kevin.aspx

Scared of narco-terrorists? So are we.

But that doesn’t mean we’ve written off all of Mexico, where the ramped-up war against and between violent drug cartels has spooked many would-be visitors.

Border areas notwithstanding, “most of the country has a pretty low crime rate,” and tourists usually aren’t targets, notes international security expert Bruce McIndoe of iJET Travel Intelligence. “Yes, there’s room for collateral damage, but you can get struck by lightning, too.”

• Even the U.S. State Department, whose recently expanded warning cautions against non-essential travelto parts or all of 14 (out of 31) Mexican states, exempts most of the country’s marquee tourist spots — including this:

Riviera Nayarit

Stretching 100 miles along Mexico’s Pacific coast from Nuevo Vallarta north to San Blas, this region packs a lot of stylistic variety. Prefer all-inclusive chain hotels? Try Nuevo Vallarta. If money’s no object, slip inside the gated enclaves of Punta Mita. If you like water sports by day and watering holes by night, the town of Sayulita is your spot. If you’re seeking peace and quiet in an artsy village, check into one of San Francisco’s (aka San Pancho’s) small hotels. Beach options range from secluded, rocky coves to palm-fringed expanses flanked by the Sierra Madres.

MERIDA, Mex. – Despite relentless coverage of the Mexican drug war by U.S. news media over the last several years, tourism to Mexico is rebounding strongly.

Following three years of sharp decline that began in April 2009, when fears over H1N1 – the virus commonly known as “swine flu” — effectively shut down most of the nation to foreign travel, visitors arriving in Mexico by air jumped to 22 million in 2011. That number is expected to increase again this year, as worldwide interest in the “end of time” 2012 phenomenon — the ancient calendar of the Maya ends in December 2012 — shifts into high gear. The end of the calendar cycle has generated worldwide interest, resulting in a variety of end-time theories, documentaries and even a big-budget Hollywood film.

During the peak of the H1N1 crisis in 2009, Mexico came to a halt as schools, museums, shopping centers and movie theaters were ordered shut, causing hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors to cancel their vacations and trips. While averting a public health crisis, the forceful action taken by Mexican authorities had unintentionally sent the tourism industry into a tailspin.

Since then, the combination of global economic recession and drug-related violence had only exacerbated the decline in tourism.

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Recognized as the world’s premier surf safari for women, Las Olas creates a unique experience born from the understanding that women attain confidence, health, friendship and fun by enjoying sports together. Since 1997, all-female safaris have offered women the chance to learn surfing in a no pressure, nonjudgemental, warm water environment.

Las Olas is the creation of Bev Sanders, co-founder of Avalanche Snowboards, one of the original snowboard pioneers. Businesswoman, activist, and active surfer, Bev has enjoyed over 25 years in the action sports world and spent a lifetime encouraging women to participate in the sports she loves. She’s carefully designed her all-female adventure with a clear goal.

For further information please visit:  www.surflasolas.com

Recognized as one of the world’s nine “amazing yoga retreat destinations” in Yoga Journal magazine, Via Yoga offers 6-night luxury vacations in Sayulita, Mexico, Todo Santos, Mexico and Nosara, Costa Rica.

Escape the hectic pace of everyday life. Relax. Hear yourself think. Challenge your body with yoga, Pilates — even surfing. Be pampered. Smile. And soak up some well-deserved tropical sunshine. Come for a vacation that will refresh you, body and soul.

For further information please visit: www.viayoga.com

3rd Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & SUP Classic Dates Announced – March 9 -11, 2012

Punta Sayulitais pleased to announce the dates for the 3rd Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & SUP Classic – March 9 – 11, 2012.

The Punta Sayulia Surf Classic has become one of the elite surfing and paddling events on the calendar, attracting a world-class field of competitors and international media coverage from Mexico, the United States and South America.

For further information please visit: www.puntasayulitasurfclassic.com

Blog: http://pampv.wordpress.com/

Meghan and Nick wanted a picture-perfect wedding, and that is exactly what they got at Villa Amor. If you’d like a glimpse into their special day, check out the descriptions and pictures on the Destination Inspirations site about the intimate, romantic event our wedding planner, Karen, created for Meghan and Nick at La Gran Villa. In their words, “This is just simply one of those melt your heart destination weddings that you won’t be able to take your eyes off of.” Frankly, we couldn’t agree more — and we loved being part of it.

We send our heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Meghan and Nick — as well as to the 10 other couples who have said their vows here at Villa Amor so far in 2011. May you all live the lives you love.