La Saladita 2026

Chasing Lefts in La Saladita, Mexico

March 18, 2026

Some trips are planned around sightseeing. Others are planned around food or history. This one had one goal from the very beginning: surf as much as possible.

My best friend put this trip together, and from the moment we booked our flights, I knew it was going to be something special. We flew from Los Angeles into the nearest airport before making the short 30-minute drive to La Saladita, Mexico. As soon as we arrived, I realized this wasn't just another beach town—it felt like paradise.

Our Airbnb sat right on the water. Every morning, we'd wake up, step outside, and our feet were already in the sand. The Pacific was warm—around 82 degrees—and every day brought blue skies, sunshine, and perfect surf. It was everything we'd hoped for.

Living the Surf Life

La Saladita is famous for one thing: its incredibly long left-hand point break. It's a dream wave for longboarders, with rides that seem to last forever. Instead of quick takeoffs and fast exits, every wave lets you settle in, relax, and enjoy the ride.

That became our routine.

Wake up. Surf.

Grab breakfast.

Surf again.

Take a break, explore town.

Surf one more time before sunset.

It didn't take long before time stopped feeling important. Every day blended into the next in the best possible way.

My First 30 Minutes...

Ironically, after spending the entire flight thinking about getting in the water, my first session lasted only a few minutes before I sliced my hand open on a sharp shell.

Not exactly the welcome I had imagined.

After wrapping it up with a bandage, I wasn't about to let a cut ruin the trip. I changed the bandage every day and kept surfing anyway. Looking back now, it's just another funny story from an unforgettable vacation.

More Than Just Great Waves

What made La Saladita special wasn't only the surf—it was the people.

The locals were some of the kindest people I've met while traveling. Everyone was welcoming, helpful, and genuinely happy to see visitors enjoying their little corner of Mexico. The town has an incredibly laid-back atmosphere that makes it almost impossible to feel stressed.

There are surfboard rentals everywhere, making it easy to find the perfect board for the day's conditions without spending a fortune.

When we weren't surfing, we'd walk the beach, explore local restaurants, talk with people around town, and simply enjoy slowing life down for a while.

Food Worth Traveling For

The food alone is worth the trip.

Fresh seafood, incredible tacos, cold beers, margaritas, and piña coladas quickly became part of our daily routine. Every meal somehow managed to be better than the last.

One morning, a local friend took us by boat to another surf break called El Rancho.

The waves there were completely different—bigger, faster, and lined up perfectly thanks to clean offshore winds. There weren't many people in the water, which made the session even more memorable. After surfing until our arms were completely exhausted, we pulled into a small beachside restaurant that looked more like a hut than a restaurant.

It ended up serving the best empanadas I've ever eaten.

Sometimes the places with no expectations become the ones you remember forever.

Fishing, Friends, and Fresh Tacos

The adventure wasn't over after surfing.

On the boat ride back, we stopped to fish. We managed to catch a few, and later that evening, some locals helped fillet them before we cooked everything into fresh fish tacos.

What started as a surfing trip turned into a family-style dinner shared with new friends we'd met throughout the week.

Moments like that can't be planned.

They're the reason you travel.

Seeing La Saladita Through My Camera

As a photographer, there was no chance I was leaving my camera behind.

Between surf sessions, I spent hours photographing everything around me—the waves, local surfers, wildlife, palm trees, sunsets, and the quiet moments that make places like La Saladita feel so special.

Some destinations are beautiful.

Others practically beg to be photographed.

La Saladita definitely falls into the second category.

Leaving Paradise

By the end of the trip, none of us wanted to leave.

It had become more than a surf vacation. It was a chance to disconnect from work, forget about everyday stress, and spend quality time with some of my best friends doing what we love most.

On the flight home, we were already talking about making it an annual tradition—and maybe someday even buying a place down there.

La Saladita feels like one of Mexico's hidden treasures. I honestly hope it keeps its small-town charm. It's the kind of place that doesn't need giant resorts or luxury developments. Its beauty comes from how simple and authentic it is.

If you're a surfer, I can't recommend it enough.

And even if you're not, you'll still find warm water, incredible food, unforgettable sunsets, welcoming people, and a pace of life that reminds you to slow down every once in a while.

Some places leave you with photos.

Others leave you with memories.

La Saladita gave me both.