Tired of the winter cold already? Need some time on the Beach? Do you love Puerto Vallarta but would rather be in a more relaxing location! You need a rental home in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.
La Cruz for some, known as Huanacaxtle to others, offers the best of all vacation features. It is the typical Mexican fishing village, where the pangas go out every day to bring in the freshest of seafood. The heritage is so ingrained, the local high school is a fishing industry vocational school where the students learn everything from the biologies of the sea creatures to the technology of boating.
But of late, La Cruz has gained the sophistication of a major marina. No longer is boating in the area dedicated to fishing alone. Marina Riviera Nayarit, brings yachting, racing, and cruising to the north coast of the Bay of Bandaras. With 340 slips ranging from 30 feet to 400 feet, it can accommodate some of the largest boating vessels around.
So which came first, the Marina Riviera Nayarit, or the luxury homes and condos you'll find in La Cruz? It's hard to say, because you'll find that the residential development is closing the gaps between La Cruz and neighboring towns. Although all are areas of the official Municipality of Bahia de Bandaras, Bucerias through to Punta de Mita is now almost a continuous connection of homes. The international crowd is the audience - not just the gringos from the USA, but Canadians, Germans, Brits,, even folks from Asia are flocking to buy homes in the Nayarit Riviera while it is still affordable.
What makes La Cruz so desirable? Proximity to Puerto Vallarta means a lot. You have the ability to relax in the slow culture of the village, or only moments away is the vibrant pace of "old town" Puerto Vallarta. PV as it is lovingly called has everything you could ever want. From retail stores to meet your every need to cruise ships, to vacation adventurs such as those provided by Vallarta Adventures, PV gives the vacation experience combined with the big city. It even combines that sense of history with celebrity if you visit Casa Kimberly or Las Caletas where you'll absorb the romance that was felt by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton while filming "night of the Iguana." And if tourist activities are your thing, there is even a "Senor Frogs" on almost every corner of downtown.
Fishing, Yachting, even surfing. Yes, the north coast of the Bay of Banderas is known for its great waves and surfing communities. At the point where the bay meets the Pacific Ocean is Sayulita, a typical surfing town. Pubs on the beach, surfing lessons and rentals, and all the hippie shops you could ever want draw the serious surfing crowd. Only 20 minutes north of La Cruz, Sayulita is a short drive away.
So where is the art, you ask? Well Art is very close... just steps away if you walk down the beach to Bucerias. Every Thursday night the Bucerias art galleries sponsor an "Art Walk". You'll find everything from local painters and crafters, to typical mexican pottery and metal arts, to broken glass designs. Artists from around the world spend their winters in Bahia de Bandaras making it a very interesting "Colony de Artistes".
Golf? In La Cruz you are centrally located between the "el Tigre" and Flamingo courses located in Nuevo Vallarta, and the Jack Nicholas designed "Bahia" course located in Punta de Mita. In June 2008, the Punta de Mita "Pacifico" Golf Course was named the number one golf course in the world by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler.
So you need a winter getaway? Well La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is my recommendation. If you need a place to stay while you are there, here is my vacation rental in La Cruz, lovingly named "Casa Sirena Azul" or House of the Blue Mermaid. And while you are there, have a margarita on me! 
To see a video about Casa Sirena Azul, click here.
Janet Coburn is a Realtor® with Coldwell Banker Colorado Rockies Real Estate in Dillon, Summit County, Colorado. She spends her time between Summit County and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, helping folks find their dream homes.