Casa Cielo, a home away from home.
Written by owner Karen Draper.
My first visit to Sayulita was in February of 1994. My husband, George, and I had gotten engaged in Puerto Vallarta in 1980 and had spent many years exploring the beaches both north and south of there. On that first Sayulita trip, we were joined by our baby, Sam, and some friends from New Zealand who had surfed there back in 1968.
We strolled along the beach, swam, played in the sand, and discovered hermit crabs. As evening fell, we headed to the newly opened Don Pedro’s. Sitting upstairs, we watched surfers ride the waves while enjoying delicious salads and pizza. I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness and said to George, “Wouldn’t it be amazing to live here one day?”
Now, Sam is 31, and he holds countless fond memories of Sayulita. He has made many local friends and considers it his second home. These days, we try to divide our time equally between Mexico and Colorado, and Sayulita has truly become our home as well.
After years of vacationing, staying at places like Villa Amor and Casa Los Arcos, we decided it was time to either build or buy our own place. In 2005, we purchased a hacienda-style house. Once it was painted and furnished, we started renting it out when we couldn’t be there. Life, work, and school limited our vacations, but it was always a comfort knowing that others were enjoying the house in our absence.
Most renters are kind and generous in their reviews, but as homeowners, it’s wise to be prepared for the inevitable: things break, and sometimes vacations don’t go as planned. While a negative review can highlight needed updates or repairs, there are always a few people who are difficult to please despite all your efforts. Thankfully, we’ve been fortunate to have had the same caretakers since the day we bought the house. Their local knowledge and resourcefulness are invaluable, especially when you’re miles away, and the water runs out or the toilets back up. They’ve become an essential part of our Sayulita family, and we can’t walk through town without hearing a friendly “Hola!” or stopping for a chat with someone in their extended group of family and friends.
Our house is simple, mostly open-air except for the bedrooms, and nestled high among the palm trees we planted years ago. It feels like living in a treehouse, with birds flying by and the ocean breeze swishing through the fronds. In 2010, we remodeled the kitchen and powder room, and this year, we updated three bathrooms and added mini-split air conditioners to each bedroom. In 2023, we replaced our small, failing pool with a larger, elevated one, complete with a lap lane. The new patio beside the pool offers a spectacular view of the town and bay. The saltwater pool is heated during the winter, and we’ve also installed solar panels to take advantage of Sayulita’s wonderful climate.
We have many repeat guests who appreciate the new mattresses, quality linens, and fresh pillows. Our home is extremely comfortable and fully furnished, unlike many rentals, because we live there too. I believe anyone who rents out their home should sleep in the guest beds, use the showers, and flush the toilets to ensure renters have the same experience. When we’re there, we cook in the same fully stocked kitchen, eat off the same dishes, and use the same napkins and placemats our guests do. It truly feels like home.
The house sleeps 10 and has four bathrooms, a powder room, and an outdoor shower, making it easy for large families or groups of friends to enjoy.
One of our passions is Mexican folk art, and we’ve collected many pieces from all over Nayarit, Jalisco, and other Mexican states. They are scattered throughout the house, adding to its character. We also love ceramics and tile, and we indulged in both when we remodeled the bathrooms and built the pool. A trip to Guanajuato gave us the perfect opportunity to visit the Gorky Gonzalez studio and the nearby town of Santa Maria.
Sayulita has changed a lot over the last 30 years. Despite becoming bigger, busier, and noisier, it remains a charming place. Yes, the traffic can be crazy, the massive new developments are unsightly and put pressure on the already fragile infrastructure, and the water scarcity is particularly troubling—not just for expats, but for the locals who sometimes go days without water.
Even with all that, Sayulita is a very special place. The residents, the excellent restaurants and shops, and the warmth of the community make us love it—now and always.
You can book Casa Cielo by clicking here.
