Reviews

Reviewed in Lonely Planet Pacific Mexico, 2009 and 2011 editions

"a striking Mediterranean sea side villa gets rave reviews from guests for their friendly atmosphere and well stocked beach toys for guests"

LP Puerto Vallarta and Pacific Mexico, 2009 p. 172

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By Andrew McCredie

Troncones
Rent a car, or hop in a cab, and head 30 kilometres on highway 200 north and you'll pass an impressive looking roadside Christian shrine (It's not hard to miss since it's the only structure for miles). A hundred metres past it look for a small sign reading "Troncones". Turn left down the red dirt road and follow it until you run into the Pacific Ocean.

With of population of 250, Troncones (pronounced "tron-CONE-ays") is a true fishing village. Dogs run loose down the dusty coastal road, and kids play in the shade of palm trees. Beat-up pickup trucks bounce along the rutted road, water spilling from the fresh seafood catch of the day.

The tourist business is starting to take hold here, with a handful of bed and breakfasts spread out along the coastline.

One in particular, Casa Delfin Sonriente ("the house of the smiling dolphin") is a pure slice of paradise found. Owner Glen Novey built the six-room beachside house as a family home, but has since turned it into a bed and breakfast. Open just a year now, Glen and partner Jaak Wasmuth offer a unique getaway with all the comforts of home. Activities provided by the place, along with Jaak's Jungle Tours company, include surfing, mountain biking, caving, hiking and just plain hanging out by the pool. As we left Glen after a two-hour mountain bike ride, he was thinking about what to serve his guests for dinner. "Lobster, I think," he said. We hesitated at the gate.

But it was back to Ixtapa, with a vow we'd be back to Troncones.


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By Surfer's Journal Magazine

The coast north of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo is a goofyfooter's paradise featuring a gaggle of quality left points, quaint rural villages, high-tech nightlife, and hard core surf action at a slew of breaks ranging from gentlemanly to full octane.

I visited there with a group headed up by a Capo Beach clan chieftain who maintains a house at his favorite breaks, yet tried this surf zone last year and has been back three times since. He and his cadre pride themselves in sussing out the best place to be, and then the best way to tap it from a value versus effort standpoint, and once they hit on the answer, they pound it.

Right now this crew has targeted a B&B in the village of Troncones as their area headquarters. The oceanfront Casa Delfin Sonriente ( House of the Smiling Dolphin) is located about 15 miles north of Ixtapa and features squeaky-clean rooms, refreshing pool, complimentary breakfast,and proprietor Glen Novey ( a contractor from Santa Cruz) will put you on the right break for the day, frequently joining in for the go-out.

Accommodations range from $65 a day and up Reservations are a must. Be sure to reserve an air-conditioned Suburban and, oh, yes, all the point breaks have fresh lobster and cold beer joints right at the paddle-out spots.

To contact the Casa, fax or call (831) 688-6578 in California, or in Mexico at 011-52-755-32803 (leave a fax if possible). Website: http://www.casadelfinsonriente.com or email enovey@sasq.net.



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Review by CNN.com

Troncones, Mexico

Minutes from the popular Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo resorts, Troncones has an attraction all its own. The small village has emerged as an eco-retreat with more than 10 boutique inns.

Choose from beachfront bungalows, waterfront rooms, private suites and villas. Most inns offer yoga sessions, spa treatments and snorkeling and surfing lessons.

For more information, visit troncones.com.mx.


View Article On CNN.com


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Review by the London Guardian

We stayed at a pleasant bed and breakfast called La Casa Delfin Sonriente - the Smiling Dolphin House. Not, I add, that we witnessed any of the aforementioned creatures said to frolic off the shore. It cost about US$70 a night for a family room with breakfast included, a pretty pool, and a cooler full of beer. All just steps from the beach through a garden filled with butterflies.

It was perfect for us...

The Delfin Sonriente's owner, a friendly Californian surfer and one of the original Troncones pioneers, points out that the added value to the place doesn't stop at the waves, the celebrity spotting and the odd posh restaurant. There are also jungle hikes, caving, mountain biking, diving and bird watching. Not forgetting the more recent proliferation of yoga retreats, and the prevalence of massage tables on the sand's edge complete with ethereal white drapes fluttering in the breeze.

View Article On guardian.co.uk

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