Hello-

I am considering a trip to Sayulita, Mexico for December and January. I'm looking for a great place to learn to surf, learn Spanish and relax. I've read that Sayulita is a great place to learn to surf, but I have a few concerns.

I'm looking for a place where Spanish is the predominate language, vs everyone speaking English. I've heard from friends that Sayulita is so americanized that I wont have a very Mexican experience. Is this true? I wont have a car, and wondering if Sayulita is very bike friendly? I have a little folding bike used to get groceries and run errands. Wondering about paved roads vs cobblestone or dirt roads, for example.

What about gang violence? Is there a big risk to tourists near Puerto Vallarta? I'm not too worried about swine flu since I'll probably catch it if I stay in the states anyway.

Thank you!
-Peter

Look into Puerto Escondido, in Oaxaca state. I know there are a few Spanish schools there, and it has some of the best surf in Mexico.

You can definitely do better than Sayulita which, yes, has a very high percentage of Americans (and Canadians) during the middle of winter. Along with Felix the Hat's suggestion, you might look into some of the spots on the Coast of Michoacan. Google "surf Mexico" there's an entire website devoted to it.

Sayulita is annoying.

I've also heard great things about Maruata, in Michoacan. Don't know about the surfing there though.