As you can see, it took the kiddos .05 seconds to settle into their new Mexican routine…

Enjoying plates of juicy, ripe mango and farm-fresh eggs while watching a late sunrise in the hammock…

Swimming, shell-collecting, mid-morning naps and then a decent amount of whining about living in New York City and not Sayulita, Mexico…

Anticipating a knock at the door and our daily delivery of fresh guacamole, tortilla chips and a pitcher of aqua fresca (“fresh waters” are a combination of tropical fruits and flowers blended together with water and sugar)…

And then I’d watch those chubby, barely 12 month-old legs crawl onto a stand-up paddle board and, well, try to stand! Jamie went into “instructor mode,” Baby cried, Parker’s eyes glazed over… and I ordered my 2pm jalapeño margarita…

So where exactly is this Mexican idyll?

Punta Sayulita is a hidden sanctuary tucked away in the tropical jungles of the Riviera Nayarit. You thought the French and Italians had the lockdown on ‘Rivieras?’ Think again. Fly into Puerto Vallarta, hail a taxi north and watch as the mega hotels shrink, disappear, goinggoinggooooone into your rear view mirror. The beaches and pueblos spanning those 190 miles along Mexico’s Pacific Coast whisper surfer chic, luxe, calm.

But it’s the development of Punta Sayulita, specifically, that stole our vacation heart. The 33-acre ocean-front peninsula hugs the vast blue Pacific on one side and the twinkling lights of Sayulita Bay on the other. Deep blue, soft tan. Lapping waves, verdant jungle. The homes- and only 6 have been built thus far- are the product of indigenous materials and local artisans. These roofs will never know shingles (it’s all about dried palm leaf palapa roofs) and metal beams have been eschewed for local blonde wood that can only be harvested once a year at full moon (I couldn’t make these things up, y’all). The treehouses and casas are perched in the jungle canopy as if they had always belonged. And, really, that’s how Rigoberto and Maria and Punta Sayulita made us feel- like we belonged. We will be back.

Get In Your Belly: If you’re lucky enough to visit- Andale! Andale! Andale!– make sure to check out the surf town of Sayulita (just a 5-minute golf cart ride away) and savor a meal at one of the many riquisimo restaurants. Prices are low and quality is high. And if it’s too difficult to tear yourself away from the terrace of your stunning villa, do like we did and order dinner to go! Savor it back home with the sunset and a bottle of excellent Mexican rose’.

Mary’s– A restaurant with heart…and six insanely talented Mexican grandmothers working the line. I wouldn’t believe if I didn’t see it. But when Parker and I did a loop around the restaurant on our way to the ladies,’ we passed through the open-air kitchen and took in the scene. Maybe right then, when we caught our abuelas cocineras chatting and laughing and showing serious skills at the gas burners, they were making my order of Camerones Mary’s Way (soft tacos filled with grilled shrimp, roasted poblano peppers and fresh avocado). Or they were frying Parker’s shrimp baja-style. Or they were stuffing and frying our jalapeños and beef taquitos. Really, we ate so much I can not remember. Go hungry and humble and I guarantee you will be impressed by Mary her abuelas.

Sayulita Cafe, La Casa del Chile Relleno– I have never ordered a “Combo Platter” anywhere. It’s kind of against my gastro DNA. But when in Mexico…

For approximately $12, we feasted on the namesake stuffed peppers (I dream of that mild, melty oaxacan cheese encased in a perfectly tender, fried pepper that has been covered in a fresh tomato puree), grilled flank steak, shrimp soft tacos, guacamole & chips and more fresh salsas than I can remember. This was our para llevar (take out) meal that we enjoyed back at the casa. Best ever.

Don Pedro’s– This place has all of my favorite things (and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone here, muchachas): Toes-in-the-sand table, Gypsy Kings cover band, strong margaritas and fresh-off-the-boat fish and scallops for their signature sushi. Take a friend/lady/lover here when you want to impress them. These are the swankiest digs in the hippy surf town.

Chocobanana– Under construction but oh everyone loves it and talks about it. (I believe there’s a countdown until their grand re-opening.) Think strong, really good coffee for that morning walk around town, homemade cakes & pastries and, you guessed it, frozen chocolate-covered bananas. Not good for the bikini wearing but good for the soul.

!Hasta la próxima, Mexico!