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I arrived at the border of the Bay of Banderas: Lo de Marcos |
By Silvia Álvarez – December 2006
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 55 kilometers north of Puerto Vallarta on the main highway towards the state of Nayarit lies the border line of the Bay of Banderas. It is exactly there where Lo de Marcos is located, a village of fishermen full of small houses with tiled roofs, cobble stone streets, a small central square and fishing boats on the beach.
With almost two thousand 500 inhabitants, this small bay is a true delight for visitors and inhabitants of this place adjacent to the village of San Francisco. Yellow sand and palm trees frame one of the areas preferred by foreign visitors who seek to escape the more raucous places.
Small private homes, bungalows complexes and small summer houses for rent are the constructions that can be found in front of the ocean. Some of the best photos of the place can be taken while seated at any small corner of the beach. Wherever you turn to you will definitely find a landscape that will merge with the mountains or the sea, and even a small marsh inhabited by various species of wild birds. If you enjoy walking, do not resist the temptation to explore the rock formations with their interesting variety of life forms that can be observed between the rocks.
For those who wish to spend a few days in Lo de Marcos there exists a great variety of bungalows with all services, and a wide range in rental prices. Nationals and foreigners enjoy the typical provincial atmosphere which favors relationships and friendships between locals and those who have become a part of the floating  population.
At dawn do not miss the opportunity to walk to the beach and to talk to the native fishermen who approach the sand with their fishing boats in order to disembark the catch of the day. The best fish and seafood specimen can be acquired directly from their hands, thus carrying out a transaction which has been a ritual since many years ago when those villages basically lived on the sale of sea products.
Breakfast is available at several of the local houses which have been equipped as restaurants with homemade cooking, where you can enjoy anything from classic scrambled eggs to the most traditional Mexican snacks, accompanied by freshly made tortillas and juice made from fresh fruit.
 Twelve o’clock noon is the ideal hour to lie down on the sand and to begin your true beach vacations, enjoying the particularity of having a private bay with one of the best surf appreciated by families. Banana boat rides, souvenir sales and braided hairdos are also available. If you get thirsty do not doubt in buying one of the exquisite pineapples with its crushed pulp prepared right there and served with chopped fruit, a spurt of grenadine, salt and lemon. Some day you will remember this and wish to return to Lo de Marcos even if it is just in order to try this fresh delicacy again.
The typical restaurants covered with palapas (palm leave roofs) have a recommendable menu with seafood and fish prepared freshly right on the spot. There are not many options nevertheless the flavor of everything is delicious.
Take a walk on the beach in the late afternoon while enjoying the sunset and get ready to visit the main square in the evening. The atmosphere of the village of Lo de Marcos is, without any doubts, an experience to be discovered every day. Do not be afraid to reach the limits of the borderline of the Bay of Banderas; you will love this place.
In order to get to Lo de Marcos from Puerto Vallarta you can take public transport offered by the ATM company (Autotransportes Medina) which leaves every day of the week from the bus stop in front of Walmart’s.
Silvia Álvarez
E-mail: silvialvarezb@yahoo.com.mx
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