ISA & La Cruz Orientation

WhatsApp Messaging: Colin Gowland +52 322-142-9833

WhatsApp Messaging: Vaughn Harrison +52 322 117 7641

E-mail: info@internationalsailingacademy.com

This page provides travel information and preparation notes for a successful training clinic. Let us know if you have any questions leading up to your trip. We look forward to seeing you at ISA.

It’s a good idea to set up an international data plan with your phone service if you don’t have one already so you can easily navigate and stay connected while in Mexico. Wi-Fi is available at the ISA center.

La Cruz is 15 miles northwest of Puerto Vallarta International Airport, about a 30-minute taxi ride.

Upon arrival, your first stop should be the ATMs in the airport itself. Many small restaurants, stores, and shops only accept cash.

Taxi fares are fixed by law, but it’s good to confirm the price before committing. It should be around $700–900 MEX. Insider tip: you’ll save a few pesos by crossing the pedestrian bridge over the highway to the left of the terminal entrance and picking up one of the unregulated cabs on the other side. Uber is also available there, as Uber drivers are not permitted inside the airport.

You won’t need a car in La Cruz unless you plan on venturing further afield. Most everything you need — restaurants, groceries, pharmacies, medical clinic, and more — is within walking distance. Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Punta Mita, and other Banderas Bay destinations are easily accessible by bus or taxi.

If you plan to rent a car, all popular brands are available and have pick-up offices adjacent to the airport. There are also several good Mexican rental companies; one we particularly like is Gecko Rent-a-Car, which can deliver your car to the airport for pick-up.

We suggest visiting Mega or La Comer for grocery shopping. These stores resemble large grocery stores you’re accustomed to back home. You can stop by either on your way into town or during your stay to stock up on essentials. Taxi drivers know the store locations, situated just outside Bucerías. La Cruz also has smaller markets and shops for basic supplies.

La Cruz has excellent restaurants and fantastic local taco stands, but we highly recommend preparing your own healthy meals at your accommodations. This gives you control over nutrient intake, meal timing, and sanitization practices. Sailors often dine out in the evenings as a social celebration of the day’s sailing and learning.

While in Mexico, it’s advisable to consume bottled or filtered water for safety reasons.

Generally, the WhatsApp group will self-organize post-sailing gatherings — refreshments, meals, parties, and similar plans. TripAdvisor has a helpful list of well-reviewed restaurants at a range of price points.

Prepared meal service and delivery to the ISA briefing room is available. You can place orders in advance so your food is ready right after your sailing day.

To request a menu and pricing, send a WhatsApp message to Petra Parra at +52 322-263-7927. Send the message in Spanish using Google Translate if needed for best results.

Some sailors prefer prepared meals after sailing, others prefer a smaller snack followed by a larger group dinner, and others prefer to prepare their own post-sailing meal.

There are many good options nearby through Airbnb, VRBO, destinos.com, hotels.com, and local rentals. If you’re looking for a multi-bedroom house in a nice area, search for housing inside Punta Pelicanos, which puts you within easy walking distance of the sailing center.

La Cruz is a very safe and quiet town. Many ILCA sailors have relocated or bought second homes in the area because of its charming small-town feel and incredible sailing conditions.

The crime rate is extremely low, and we have never experienced minor theft or other incidents on our site.

Use common sense as you would anywhere you travel, and you’ll have a great time in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Mexico.