Enjoying life after early retirement, while living in Mexico, traveling by RV in Mexico, getting involved in our Mexican community, and learning new, fun ways to get our daily exercise. Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico!
Panoramic View of Banderas
Bay and Puerto Vallarta
From Mirador Cerro de la Cruz
While there are
several routes to the best viewpoint in Puerto Vallarta, I chose to start
walking from my home in the Romantic Zone. I’m training to walk the
119-kilometer Camino de Santiago Inglรฉs in Spain, so the route through Isla Cualeoffered the perfect warm-up with a few gentle hills.
Here are a few
of the views along my route to the hilltop cross. Below, I’ve included a
walking map.
The First
Mural after the Pedestrian Bridge to Isla Cuale
Starting from Tintoque, Aquiles Serdรกn 445
Up the Stairs and Over La Iguana Bridge to Gringo Gulch
Video: Crossing the Rรญo Cuale on the Iguana Bridge
The River View and Steps Toward Gringo Gulch
Gringo Gulch is Beginning
to Look Like Old Spain
At Cuauhtรฉmoc
21, Puerto Vallarta Centro
Puente del Amor (Bridge of Love) on C. Zaragoza
Connecting the
two buildings of Famous Casa Kimberly
Following Google Maps
on my watch, it indicated that I should turn right at C. Zaragoza 399. There I
found another long set of rustic steps climbing steeply uphill, though there
were no signs indicating the way to the viewpoint. To be sure I was headed in the
right direction, I asked a local man while pointing up the stairway, “La
Cruz?”—meaning, “Is this the way to the cross?” He nodded with a smile and
gestured upward. “Sรญ, el mirador,” he said.
Another
long stairway at C. Zaragoza 399.
No sign, but these steps lead up toward
the viewpoint.
I Stopped to Rest
and Appreciate the Views
I Love this Old Wooden Door on C. Emilio Carranza
Pink
Trumpet Tree blooming on Emilio Carranza
I dug my water
bottle out of my backpack while admiring the views along Emilio Carranza and
took a long drink. The temperature was already over 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and
I’m no spring chicken. I didn’t want to become a casualty of dehydration or
heat stroke, and realized I should have added a packet of electrolytes to my
water before leaving home.
Then I realized
I was hungry and hadn’t packed any food. That was the second rule I had broken
for hiking. In training for the Camino de Santiago, I’ve learned that finding
food for sale along the way can sometimes be a challenge. Fortunately, I
spotted a tienda, a small store, up ahead and decided to stop in and look for a somewhat
healthy snack.
I was grateful for this tienda on Emilio Carranza
and Alicia
Platanitos, a Salty Crisp Plantain Snack
Finally, a sign that I was on the right path to the Hill of the Cross.
A roadside shrine to the Virgin of the Hill along Calle Aldama
while climbing toward the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint.
The Last Steep Climb to the Viewpoint—Or So I Thought
This stairway climbs beside abandoned funicular
tracks.
My
First Glimpse of Banderas Bay and the Long Climb Below
A Bench
By the Viewpoint Mural, One Flight of Stairs Below the Cross
I set my
backpack down and leaned my walking poles against the bench—a small sign that I
had reached my destination. From there, I still had two pinnacles to choose
from to finish the climb: the cross or the mirador platform. I chose the cross,
and the final steps were worth it.
It was my first
time making the climb to the cross at Mirador Cerro de la Cruz, even
though I’ve lived in Puerto Vallarta for almost five years. Reaching the
top felt like a small personal victory—and I was proud of myself.
The Cross at the Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint
Overlooking Banderas Bay and Puerto Vallarta
How Do
You Walk to the Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint?
My Google
Maps walking map below shows a distance of about 1 kilometer and an
estimated 19-minute walk from Tintoque Restaurant, across Isla Rรญo Cuale,
and up through the hillside neighborhoods to the Mirador Cerro de la Cruz.
Of course, that estimate doesn’t account for the steep climb—or stopping along
the way to rest and enjoy the views. It took me almost an hour to reach the
summit and about 30 minutes to walk back down. If you decide to take this
route, I recommend allowing about two hours so you can enjoy the walk at a
relaxed pace.
A Story Inspired by Life in Mexico
Living
in Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita has inspired many of my stories about
life in Mexico, including my novels. If you enjoy
stories about life in Mexico, you might like my novel, Mexico For Better or
For Worse. The story follows Jake and Lindsay, an expat couple living in
Sayulita, as they navigate serious health challenges and the uncertainty of the
COVID-19 pandemic while trying to hold on to the life they built together in
Mexico.
With clearance along the wall for easy access to RV hookups.
We’ve been so grateful for the continued interest in our gated lot
in Lo de Marcos. With questions coming in, we thought it would be helpful to answer a few more of the most common ones we’ve been hearing lately. If
you’ve been following along, you know this property has a lot going for it—and
clearly, others think so too.
❓ Question1
How many square meters is your lot?
Our improved lot with all services in Lo de Marcos, Nayarit, is 200
square meters.
The dimensions are 20 meters by 10 meters, making it an easy, practical size for designing a comfortable home with outdoor space without
feeling overwhelming to maintain.
Because
of its rectangular shape and level layout, the lot lends itself well to a
variety of home designs, whether someone is envisioning a single-level home, a
two-story build, or RV living.
The gated entrance is approximately 3 to 3½ meters wide (around 11
feet), allowing comfortable access for vehicles, construction equipment,
and RVs. The gate swings in and out for flexibility.
The gate swings in and out for flexibility (RV not included).
·Set
on a concrete slab and surrounded by an 8-inch-wide, 6-foot-tall
circular concrete block wall
·Capped
with a 4-inch concrete slab with an access opening
Water Storage Cistern Access Opening
Sewer:
·A
biodigester septic system sized for up to five people
Biodigester Septic System Sized for Up To 5 People
Having these services already installed saves significant time, cost, and uncertainty—whether someone plans to build a home or use the lot for RV living. The infrastructure was thoughtfully completed by a U.S. custom home builder, ensuring it was done carefully and to a high standard.
❓ Question
3
Does it have RV hookups already installed?
RV hookups installed on the lot, including 30-amp electrical service, sewer connection, and water access—ready for RV living in Lo de Marcos, Mexico.
Yes. This Lo de Marcos lot is already equipped with RV-ready
hookups, making it ideal for immediate RV use or future home construction.
Installed services include a 30-amp
electrical outlet, a 4-inch sewer
connection, and a dedicated water
connection, all professionally set up and clearly accessible on the
property.
These existing RV hookups allow an owner to park
and live comfortably in an RV while planning or building a home, or to use the
lot seasonally without the delays and costs of installing utilities from
scratch. RV-ready infrastructure like this is increasingly rare in the Lo de
Marcos area and adds both convenience and long-term value to the property.
❓ Question
4
Is this lot suitable for building a
home in the future?
Yes. One of the strengths of this gated lot in Lo de Marcos, Mexico is its flexibility. While it is
already usable for RV living, the lot was also prepared with future home
construction in mind.
The lot’s 200-square-meter (20 x 10 meter) size, level layout,
installed services, and gated access make it well-suited for designing and
building a comfortable home when the time is right. Existing
infrastructure—including electricity, water, sewer, and drainage—can
significantly simplify the building process and reduce upfront costs and
delays.
Using the lot for RV living now does not limit
future options. A buyer can enjoy the property immediately while planning,
designing, or budgeting for a home build later, making this a practical choice
for both short-term use and long-term investment.
Why We’re Ready to Pass This On
We’re offering this lot because our long-term plans have
shifted—not because of any issue with the property or the area. Jon took the
time to do things right here, from the infrastructure to the layout, knowing
how important reliability and peace of mind are when building or living in
Mexico. We hope this lot becomes the foundation for someone else’s next
chapter.
Jon and Terry during an earlier time
in Puerto Vallarta.
Still Curious?
We’re happy to answer questions and share what we’ve learned from our own
experience. If this lot has caught your attention, you’re not alone—there’s
been thoughtful interest, and for good reason. This gated lot is located in Lo de Marcos, Nayarit, along
Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit.
Feel free to reach out if you’d like more details or if there’s a
question we haven’t covered yet. You can leave a comment at the bottom or message me on my Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico FacebookPage via Messenger. More updates coming soon.
To ask other questions or schedule an in-person showing, please contact our realtor, Rod Rosile, through his website, Sayulita Investment Property, and our lot listing LOTE TURRELLSIR110625. Pricing
and availability details are provided on the official listing.
Sunset
walks are part of everyday life in Lo de Marcos.
Lo de Marcos is the kind of beach town people dream about—quiet, friendly, and still wonderfully authentic. Since listing our lot, we’ve been asked many thoughtful questions by people imagining their own future here. Below, I’m answering the three questions we hear most often, to help you decide whether this little corner of Riviera Nayarit might be right for you.
❓ Question 1
How close is the lot to the beach and town?
This is always the first question—and for good reason. One of the joys of
Lo de Marcos is being able to walk into town or down to the beach, enjoying
daily life without needing a car.
Lo
de Marcos is a compact beach town, which means the ocean is always close. From
our improved property, it’s a pleasant 17-minute walk to the Tomatina
beachfront restaurant, or an easy 5-minute golf cart ride, the
preferred way locals get around.
An easy walk or quick golf cart ride from Calle Pino to
the beach at Tomatina.
❓ Question 2
Is the lot easy to access, and how close is the highway?
Buyers want convenience without constant noise. This lot offers straightforward access from the highway while still feeling tucked away and peaceful once you’re there.
Set back from the highway, the property feels quiet and
private once inside the walls.
❓ Question 3
Does the property have a clear title (escritura)?
Purchasing property in Mexico comes with important legal considerations. We
have an attorney working to provide an escritura, giving buyers confidence and
peace of mind from the start.
We expect the price to increase upon receipt of the title, likely later in 2026. The lot can be built on, used for an RV, or otherwise improved in
the meantime.
Limited Time Offer: Lo de Marcos Gated Lot!
Price reduced to 1,850,000 MXN (was 2,000,000) when paying
in pesos!
• Secure & walled
• Ready for your dream home or RV
Want to walk or drive by to take a look?
Here's a walking map using Casa Chiva as the starting point
for reference. Maps are confusing because Calle Pino is in several places, including these two parallel streets.
Our Gated Lot is On the Desireable Town Side of the Highway
Feel free to reach out if you’d like more details or if
there’s a question we haven’t covered yet. You can leave a comment at the
bottom or message me on my Healthy
Living and Traveling in Mexico Facebook Page via
Messenger. More updates coming soon.
