Welcome back to our series titled “On Location” which explores surfing hotspots around the world through the lens of a photographer that is renowned for shooting that area.
Each photographer will share some of their favourite surfing and lifestyle shots from that spot. They will also be giving the back story behind their relationship with the place and share travel tips and advice to help anyone whose thinking of heading there.
In the fifth feature of the series, we caught up with Emy Dossett who spent six living in Sayulita on the west coast of Mexico. When you think about surfing in Mexico, the XL beach break barrels of Puerto Escondido or the long right hand points around Barra de la Cruz often spring to mind. However, Sayulita is a laid back and cruisy longboarders paradise with amazing food and vibrant locals.
Emy is a contributor to our Tracks print store and you can purchase some of the images featured in this piece, as well as others, here.
What originally brought you to this location? Tell us a bit about your history and relationship with the area.
ED: I spent six years living in Sayulita, Mexico which is on the West Coast of Mexico about 18 hours up the coast from Puerto Escondido. I worked as a surf and lifestyle photographer mainly focusing on the women’s surf industry. A surf trip my cousin had done the year before brought me to this location. I’d heard about it over the years but it wasn’t until I’d made my mind up to go to Mexico to either work and travel or live, that I decided to head here first. After my first week in Sayulita, I fell in love with the place and the community and stayed for six years. That was in 2018.
How long have you been shooting here? What makes shooting here so special for you?
ED: I’ve been shooting in this area for six years and what makes it incredibly special for me is the people I’ve met in the line up from the locals to people who come to live in Sayulita from all over the world and the sunrises and sunsets especially during summer. Because of the humidity during the summer, the sunsets were often like someone had lit the sky on fire with vibrant blends of pastels.
What are your favourite waves to shoot here and why?
ED: I love shooting mostly at the main break in Sayulita. It’s not the best wave in the area and it’s pretty crowded but the way the light hits the water is magic. It’s the local hangout spot out in the water whether you were surfing or shooting. Seeing so many amazing surfers glide by with colours so vivid filling the sky, it’s nothing short of amazing.
Other than the surf, what are your favourite things about the area and why?
ED: The local community. They’re so welcoming and warm, you instantly feel at home. And the food, Mexican seafood is some of the best food I’ve ever tasted and you can get plenty of it in Sayulita. The mountains and the jungle are also really special and how they frame this stretch of coastline, the natural beauty is just insanely beautiful in this area.
Recommendations for travel? Best way to get there, favourite places to stay or eat?
ED: Fly into Puerto Vallarta and then make your way north 45 minutes via uber, local bus or taxi from the airport. If you’re catching the bus, walk over the road overpass from the airport and catch the green and white compostela buses that say Sayulita. Favourite places to stay – Casa Cinética which is a hotel in the jungle just out of Sayulita. Don Bonito Hotel is a cute boutique hotel on the Northside of town which tends to be lovely and quiet. I love hiking through the jungle to Malapaso at the North end of Sayulita beach and also swimming at the North end of Sayulita to get away from the crowds.
Some food recommendations:
- Matiz – best fresh seafood tostadas
- La Rustica – delicious pizza and pasta
- Cafe Coyote – cutest little cafe about a five minute walk out of the centre of town
- La Barrita – some of the best coffee in town, tucked away inside the courtyard of the beautiful Palu Gallery
- Tacos Tono – delicious street tacos at night run by a local husband and wife
What can people expect if they come on a surf trip here?
ED: Expect crowds in high season but a whole lot of good vibes. In the low season expect less crowds but hurricanes. There’s something for everyone, gentle waves for beginners, waves only accessible by boat, long peeling waves like Malibu. It’s more suited to longboarders but decent swells do roll through so shortboarders can enjoy the area too. Expect hot, sunny surf sessions with the jungle in the background where you can enjoy endless tacos and tequilas. Expect smiles everywhere you walk in the street, hikes and yoga and plenty of things to do like cafe hopping, massages, hikes and lots of surfing. Or if you love to party, there is plenty of reggaeton blasting around town and salsa nights at various bars and restaurants. There is always something to do in Sayulita, it caters for everyone from young families, solo travelers, surfers, older travelers, the LGBTQIA+ community and that’s why I love it so much.
