Point South Mexico - Real Estate and Lifestyle Magazine

On Mexico's vibrant west coast, the Grand Bay Hotel at Isla Navidad Resort boasts a Hawaiian-like climate. Canopies of coconut palms and exotic fruit trees cover lush hillsides. Sculptured hedges, flowering topiary, bubbling waterfalls, and arbors brilliantly draped in climbing bougainvillea treat the senses.

My small village inn, Los Dos B and B in Jocotopec, was recently invited to join the prestigious hotel Association, Haciendas y Casas Rurales de Jalisco. This organization was originally the brainchild of a few owners of restored haciendas and grand old village homes, converted to hotels.

Two years ago the association signed on a new director, former Mexican sheep rancher and Wisconsin native, Maria Piotrowski. Thanks to her enthusiasm, energy and eclectic talents, the association has grown and evolved during the past two years to include many new members from all corners of the state.

I was fortunate last August to be invited to spend a few days at the quaint Posada Casa Milagro in Yelapa, a remote little village about 40 kms southwest of Puerto Vallarta. Getting there was an adventure in itself. After the 5-hour drive to PV we headed south along the coast for 20 minutes to Boca de Tomaltan and caught a boat taxi to Yelapa. It seems there are no good roads to the peaceful little village. It was early afternoon and there must have been a storm out in the Pacific, it was a pretty rough ride. I made the mistake of sitting on the front bench. I wanted a good view and couldn't understand why everyone was crowding into the back, until we got going. The trip reminded me of the mechanical bull rides that were popular back in the 70s; the bench didn't have the luxury of a leather saddle. I was relieved when we arrived at the little town dock in Yelapa. That evening I enjoyed the sunset on the patio sitting on a well-padded chair.