Sayulita Legends: Andres Gallegos AKA “Chito”

Full Name: Andres Gallegos AKA “Chito”

What does your nickname mean? 

For as long as I can remember this is the name I was called, I am not sure why but my family has always called me Chito.

Age: 68

Where are you originally from?

Born and raised in Sayulita, Nayarit.

How long have you lived in Sayulita? 

68 years, all my life.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in Sayulita over the years?

So many changes! The town’s growth, the construction of new houses, and the number of people coming through. Sayulita is not the quiet fishing village it once was.

Where is your favorite spot in all of Sayulita?

Costeños, They are old friends of mine so I often go and have some freshly caught fish and shrimp. I also enjoy going to see the baseball games on Sundays, I have played with the Jaibos for many years, and I make sure to never miss a game. 

What have you worked in over the years in Sayulita? 

I have done so many different things! When I was growing up, there was a lot of agricultural work, I worked planting corn, and harvesting the oil coconuts and lime trees! 

I have also worked as a fisherman.

I was the deputy of Sayulita for approximately three years in 1995, this job allowed me to receive my US travel visa.

What is your favorite memory of Sayulita?

I remember back when there were no cars in Sayulita, there was no electricity either! We would illuminate with something called a “cachimba” an old gas lamp. The first car to arrive in Sayulita was in the 1960s, I was about eight years old, I can recall a bright orange and white car that came from Compostela, we named it “Orange”.

If you could change one thing in Sayulita, what would it be?

I’d like to see a calmer and less noisy Sayulita, but that’s just my personal opinion! Im very passionate about baseball and love going to watch the games so I would love to see some improvements and development on the baseball stadium.

What is one local insight tip you would like to share with our 40K+ readers?

We have so many visitors nowadays, so I’d like the people who come to visit to be conscious of the trash and take care of our little pueblo.