Villa Amor: An eclectic getaway along the Riviera Nayarit

Juxtaposed with Sayulita’s lively streets and cacophonous crowds is Villa Amor, a relaxed retreat with a whimsical beauty. The property consists of 26 oceanfront villas and studios, each uniquely designed and individually decorated. The thatched roofs and lush greenery create a hidden paradise along the Riviera Nayarit. Whether you stay 1 night or a week, you will have stunning views of Sayulita Bay, coastline, Sierra Madre jungle, and the adjacent fishing village.

First Impressions:

We traveled from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita via public bus ($2USD) as opposed to private transportation ($60USD). After being dropped off at the bus station, we headed toward the coast knowing that Villa Amor would be easily recognizable from the beach. As we suspected, the property immediately stands out. The place sprawls like a tiny city in itself, buried within a lush jungle. Multiple villas cascade along the sloping hillside toward the waterfront.

Walking through the archway, we were promptly welcomed by Ricardo, the face of Villa Amor. He personally escorted us to our room and made sure that we had everything we would need for an enjoyable stay.

Rooms:

Each rental is distinct and purposefully designed to fit a range of preferences. Rentals vary in size from intimate studio apartments to one-bedroom villas all the way to the large 5-bedroom Paraiso complex. Although the size and layout of each villa are distinctly unique, there is artistic attention to detail which is common throughout the property. Patches of the ground are adorned with beautiful river stone mosaics and staircases are lined with hand-carved wooden railings. Elaborate wooden doors and archways mark the entrance to each private villa. Shower hooks are created from conch shells and driftwood, bringing a bit of the beachside inside this jungle retreat. Painted ceramics representative of traditional Mexican folk art accent the various rooms and public spaces.

Many of these pieces are in fact originals made to showcase the people and beauty of the Nayarit regions. Staff are more than happy to introduce guests to the local artists who are interested in learning more.

We stayed in the one-bedroom villa, Cascadas. We opened the giant wooden door to an open-air living room, an outdoor kitchenette, and our own personal dipping pool. Both the bedroom and bathroom are located indoors beneath a thatched palapa roof. Cascadas is the perfect fusion of indoor-outdoor living.

On-site Amenities:

Although Villa Amor does not provide in-room catering services, most accommodations include a full kitchenette allowing you to bring in your own food to enjoy. Additionally, guests have the option of having a bottle of champagne delivered to the room and/or arranging for a private chef to prepare authentic Mexican cuisine in the comfort of your own villa. The bathrooms are equipped with plush towels, cotton bathrobes, a hairdryer, as well as toiletries. Bedrooms also include a mounted mosquito net and safe for your personal belongings.

Tucked away in the middle of the property beneath suspended glowing lanterns is a beautiful heated infinity-edged saltwater pool.  Adjacent to the pool is an open-air yoga studio and meeting space where complimentary yoga classes are held daily. Just past this, you will find an impressive carved wooden door marking the entrance to Villa Amor’s massage services.

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Leisure:

Villa Amor is conveniently located on the northern end of Sayulita’s bay. It is only a few steps away from the beach, about a 10-minute walk to the village’s main square and a short drive to Nayarit’s jungle. There are several tour agencies within Sayulita which provide a number of activities including:

• Water: Boat trips, Snorkeling, diving, fishing, kayaking, surfing, stand up paddleboarding, whale watching
• Land: Horseback riding, zipline, hiking, ATV
• Local: golf cart rental, food tours

We recommend Rancho Mi Chaparrita, a locally owned tour agency located in Sayulita. We booked an ATV tour through this company and had an absolute blast.

If you prefer to stay within the comfort of Villa Amor, the receptionist does offer beach towels and paddleboard rentals.

Dining:

Sí Señor is a separately owned restaurant located at the base of the property along the ocean’s edge. Consistent with the theme of Villa Amor, Sí Señor is surrounded by an ambiance of luxury, comfort, and nature. An oceanfront terrace is nestled beneath woven lanterns strung from seaside manzanilla trees. An open-air palapa provides a full-service bar with an expansive selection of locally made tequila and mescal.

At Sí Señor, the chef places an elegant spin on traditional dishes including Barbacoa Beef, Mole Poblano, and Chile Relleno. Diners enjoy ocean-to-table seafood caught daily by the local Sayulita fishermen. Seafood pozole, ceviche, and fresh lobster are among the signature dishes. We highly recommend the Octopus Pipil, sautéed with onion, garlic, olive oil, and piquin pepper.

The food presentation is superb making Sí Señor a complete dining experience. Both Guacamole and margaritas are made table-side to the diner’s preference. The fresh catch is also presented in an impressive display for diners to view before ordering.

Final Verdict

One of our favorite things about Villa Amor is its natural beauty. The villas are built into the jungle to compliment the already existing flora and wildlife. Some places we have been to feel like potted plants and gardens are artificially arranged around buildings to give an impression of a well-manicured jungle. Villa Amor feels like stepping into a mansion that has been carved out of the paradise. The walls are built around naturally growing fan palms, torch ginger, bird of paradise and colorful Bugambilla flowers. Some walls even have trees growing through them.

It is an immersive experience waking up to the sounds of birds rustling in the thatched roof. You may find freshly fallen leaves rustling across your veranda, or evidence of coatimundi that paid a visit in the middle of the night to steal packets of sugar off your terrace. Spending the night at Villa Amor gives an immersive experience that allows you to escape, and get lost in a setting that is both romantic and exotic.

Rating (1 to 5 scale):

• Amenities: 4
• Cleanliness: 5
• Comfort: 5
• Quietness: 4
• Safety: 5
• Service: 5
• Internet Access: Complimentary Wifi

Pros:

• Walking distance to the main hub of Sayulita
• Environmentally friendly.
• Extremely hospitable and knowledgeable staff
• Due to Villa Amor’s location at the north end of the bay, it is far enough from downtown Sayulita that there is little noise at night. However, due to the open-air concept and thatched roofs, noise from other villas does travel quite a bit during the day.

Cons:

• No room or pool service for ordering food and beverages.

Planning a trip to Sayulita? Check out our Traveler’s Guide to Sayulita, Mexico.

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