By Marissa Neely
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle definitely holds a special place in our hearts. After all, it was where my partner Chris and I spent a good chunk of our 2023 cruising season. Not only does the town offer lively music, incredible restaurants, and a laid back vibe but it’s also incredibly friendly which is how we came to meet Dakota. We had followed Dakota on instagram for a while (and vice versa) and met for dinner when we arrived in La Cruz, where he has lived for half a decade.
Over some delicious street tacos, he shared how he recently visited some hot springs near his friend’s property on the Rio Mascota (outside of Puerto Vallarta) and, alongside his friends, partook in a semi-traditional Temazcal ceremony. I was hooked on the story, and thankfully Dakota was able to facilitate another trip so we had the opportunity to experience the ceremony for ourselves.
On the morning of March 11th, we packed up our backpacks and dinghied to shore where we rendezvoused with our friends Jay and Kenna from SV Sitka and Dakota in the town square. From there we hopped on a bus to Puerto Vallarta then were picked up by our new friends Mitzon and his girlfriend Dayana who drove us the rest of the way to the Stone House; a beautiful riverside property with the remnants of a stone house and outdoor living space, with the Temazcal proudly displayed in the center.
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