Canadian World Traveller Spring 2023 Issue

74
The Other Side of Nayarit, Mexico
Article and photography by Steve Gillick
Ruth Pinedo de Anda, the co-owner
of El Itacate ('To Go'), brimmed
with enthusiasm as we entered
her restaurant in Jomulco and marveled at
the traditional décor. Historically, Jomulco
was the home of the field hands, who
worked down the road in Jala, where the
landowners lived. And no matter which
direction you look, the Sierra Madre
Mountains frame the horizon.
This is a side of Nayarit that visitors don't
often see. For years, many travelers thought
of Puerto Vallarta in the state of Jalisco and
Nuevo Vallarta in the state of Nayarit as one
large beach and resort zone. In July 2022,
Nuevo Vallarta officially became known as
Nuevo Nayarit to formally confirm its separate
identity.
However, the towns and resorts along the
Bay of Bandaras had already established
themselves as landmarks of Nayarit:
Bucerias, Punta de Mita, Isla Marietas,
Sayulita, San Francisco (a.k.a. San Pancho),
and San Blas, And each destination
embraced a following of those seeking their
own perfect holiday of beaches, luxury, chilling
out, nature, whale watching, birding,
partying, gastronomy and culture.
But turning inland at San Blas and taking the
new Autopista Tepic-San Blas leads to new
Nayarit encounters.
At El Itacate in Jomulco, we enjoyed a
refreshing glass of Tamarind water and then
a sumptuous bowl of Sopa Tarasca, made
with pinto beans, local cheese, tortilla, garlic,
guajillo chile, cream, and lettuce. This
was followed by a platter of tostadas with
spicy beef and vegetables, rice, peas, carrots,
and re-fried beans. It was a tasty, traditional
country meal, complemented by smiling
service in a rustic 'home' environment.
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