Bahia de Banderas - Banderas bay

Happy holidays family & friends!
We spent Christmas in La Cruz. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is 15 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. While here we will sail to different anchorages located within Bahia de Banderas. It is a bit more expensive here. At stores and restaurants, one must ask for the price before you pay or order. What you see posted is not actually the price you'll pay. On the way to Banderas bay our stops were Isla de Isabela, Matanchen Bay/San Blas, Chacala, Punta de Mita.We also spent a few days in Yelapa. Yelapa is one of our favorite anchorages.

Isla de Isabela

 A fisherman repairing his net on Isla Isabela. Great place to snorkel and fish. We caught a nice size red snapper and a Gafftopsail pompano which we devoured for dinner. We stayed here 3 days.

Map of Isla Isabela below.

Town square in San Blas. Don't come here without bug repellent. The no-see-ums and mosquitoes will eat you up alive. Avon skin so soft came in handy. I bathe in it before we would go into town.

Chacala, a small village and popular vacation destination of local tourist. We met a local gringo at a coffee shop/restaurant who is from the bay area. He's been leaving here for 6 years. 

Not too far from here is Las cuevas. We got tired of loud music playing until late at night and local vendors that come around trying to sell you trinkets of jewelry, pottery, hammocks (we could have bought one for 75 pesos-that's cheap).

Do we look like we're camping. Hot dogs, canned beans, grilled radishes, green onions. The next day we had grilled fish, butternut squash, avocados and quesadillas for appetizer. This was the most relaxing place we've been. The property is for sale.

Midnight sun at anchor in Las cuevas.

Punta de Mita - another tourist town. Good surfing and just a few miles north of here is a town called Sayulita - another surfers haven.

Caught on the way from Punta de Mita to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. We had mahi mahi ceviche, broiled and grilled - YUMMY!

Our friends, Sayra and Manuel on sailing vessel Desperado. Manuel prepared and showed us the proper way of cooking Paella. Muy delicioso! For a fee, he can prepare Paella at your next event or party - well worth it. By the way, we first met them when we were near Ensenada at Isla Todos Santos.

Having 2 for 1 mojitos and cervezas at La Bodequita del Medio located in Puerto Vallarta along the malecon - Camille, Bob, Jim, me, Lenard & Juanita. Their idea of a 2 for 1 is doubling the price of the drink. Beer is usually $2-3 and mixed drinks are $4-6. The mojitos were 64 pesos and beers 50 pesos. It's not that expensive but it's not the 2 for 1 we're use to prices. I believe the coke was 30 pesos.

Our neighbors in Emeryville, Bob & Camille were in PV for the holidays with their family. Short but sweet reunion.

Even though there was plenty of sun in Banderas bay, it was still not hot enough for us. We are headed south in search of more warmth. Sending you all lots of warmth, love, happiness and prosperity for the new year.