Bienvenidos a Rancho Sol y Mar!

(pronounced sol “eee” mar and means “rancho sun & sea”)

Holly and I have put together the following website in order to provide an overview of Mayto Beach, Rancho Sol y Mar, some specifics of our plans for living and promoting true sustainability going forward, and ideas for how other like-minded people might become involved. Included in the following are our thoughts on the areas of expertise we will need help with and a general timeline for implementation of the basic phases. We provide this because it is our fundamental intention to share this experience with others and we will be looking for help and involvement at every level.  For reference the photo above was taken from the top of the first hill where we plan to build an open “sunset palapa” to be used for yoga, open air classes, enjoying the view, etc.

Headlands of nearby Tehua Mixtle, 10 min. from Rancho Sol y Mar & Mayto Beach

Overview: Mayto, at this point in time, is paradise (www.MaytoMex.com). Located 2 hours south of Puerto Vallarta and an hour of rough road off of coastal Route 200, it has seen almost no commercial development. This is changing however, as the road down from El Tuito is becoming paved, much of the land is rapidly becoming privatized. Looking at a map, Mayto is located in the middle of a 75km stretch of virgin beaches running from Corales at the north end (the southern tip of the Bay of Banderas in which Puerto Vallarta is situated) to Cruz de Loreto near Tomatlan to the South. Having traveled extensively throughout Mexico, Holly and I consider these to be some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Next to Mayto (population approximately 100) is the largest town in the area, Tehuamixtle, a beautiful fishing village of about 200 people, tucked into a rocky headland. Currently the beach at Mayto has only one 10 room hotel plus a couple of guest houses. TehuaMixtle has two restaurants and several rooms to let out. There is also a cooperative of guest cabañas about ten minutes away. Tourists from Vallarta are rapidly discovering the area.

Our 40 hectare ranch (100 acres) is set in the hills just back off the beach from the Hotel Mayto. The property line begins about 300 meters from the beach and has about 50 meters of frontage on the main road to the beach, as well as another 200 meters at the back side fronting the principal road that connects the towns along the coast. The beach in front of Hotel Mayto is swimmable and the Bay at Tehuamixtle 5 min. away is always calm.The ranch itself is comprised of a nice mix of pasture and hills (lomas). There are three main lomas that have beautiful views out over the beach, with a couple more secondary ones with limited ocean views. There is also a lovely seasonal aroyo running the length of the property from the back road out through to the beach.

As for us, Holly and I both have a track record of running successful businesses, and of contributing our time and resources to the community. Since day one, our neighbors in Mayto have welcomed us in with open arms and we are committed to being the best possible members of our new community. We also hope to be a positive influence in regard to environmental consciousness.

Above all, Holly and I are striving to have the projects at our property be 100% sustainable and of having a net positive ecological impact. Toward that end we have developed the following mission statement for our corporation “Costalegre Propiedades”:

Rancho Sol y Mar

Mission Statement:

“To provide a source of income and good jobs for the community. To promote sustainable construction and living practices. To foster education. To connect visitors with local residents”

Making adobe block for the new campground bath house and solar shed.

Sunset at Lover’s Beach, a short walk from the ranch.

The Rancho Sol y Mar Vision:

Holly and I feel that we are at the beginning of an incredible journey with this property. We are hopeful that the above mission statement will serve us well as the guiding beacon we can navigate by. While we have spent time at the property off and on for the past six years and have a good sense of where some of structures and infrastructure might work well, we are also very open to letting our decisions be influenced by others who end up becoming a part of this project. Here at Rancho Sol y Mar, we will have an ongoing interest in trading care-taking responsibilities or project help for housing, shared business opportunities, or other compensation. With the help of others, we hope to find ways to form a flexible, working community based on common goals and open spirit. We are also considering the creation of a formal, co-operative, sustainable community, and we welcome input toward that end.

1. 1)Possible For Profit Activities:
   

1. a. Backpacker Bunkhouse.
   

2. b. Commercial Vivero specializing in low-impact “xeriscape” plantings such as cactus and succulents.
   

3. c. Solar PV & Thermal design, installation, and consulting service (Sun Dog Solar Services).
   

4. d.Low-impact, off grid camping facilities (Camping Sol y Mar).
   

5. e. Horse rentals and possible other rental concessions.
   

6. f. Exploration of Agave for its biodiesel & fuel alcohol potential.
   

7. g. Organic Gardening, Farming, Beekeeping, etc.
   

8. h. Artisan Goat Cheese & Other Farmstead Products.
   

2. 2)Possible Non Profit Activities:
   

1. a. Sustainability resource center for the Costa Alegre / Cabo Corrientes region.
   

2. b. Green space with horse, mountain bike, and walking trails.
   

3. c. Working solar, biofuels, permaculture, and water conservation demonstration projects.
   

4. d. Xeriscape dry planting demonstration gardens
   

5. e. Community classes & educational workshops.
   

The structures associated with these plans will be:

1. 1) Off Grid Bath House Now 100% Complete! (bath house)
   

2. 2) A small multi-use building on the beach road frontage that can serve as classroom, gallery, coffee shop, and office for the other business on the property.
   

3. 3) Backpacker Bunkhouse which can also be used to host friends, “woofers”, or other volunteers.
   

4. 4) “Sunset Palapa” for yoga, classes, etc.
   

5. 5) Personal Residence(s) + the existing ranch house.
   

note* all rental and residential structures will be designed for “off the grid” using adobe or Compressed Earth Block construction and other local materials, solar electric & water heating, and possible wind powered electric service.

For More Specifics on Rancho Sol y Mar Sustainability Please Visit: Sustainability@RanchoSolyMar

Currently we are planning to initiate the above projects as a phased-in plan over the course of three to five years as follows:

Year 1 (2010)

1. 1) Create Master Plan for the property and start approvals for any necessary subdivision. The Master Plan will include travel ways, individual lots (laid out so that they could be used as intentional community housing areas and/or private house lots), agricultural & forestry parcels, commercial zone, community wild space with walking/riding trails, and one or two other parcels for possible sale or lease at the back end of the property. A full topographical study, the first step in creating the Master Plan, has been completed.
   

2. 2) Identify water resources and enlarge catchment basins and storage. Begin work on water distribution infrastructure. First solar water pumping station has been service for two years now and working perfectly!
   

3. 3) Begin master architectural design for residences, rental casitas, community center, and any other secondary structures.
   

4. 4) Begin infrastructure for solar, off grid campground. Bath House made with adobe block produced on property and 5 shaded RV hook-up sites + naturally shaded tent camping. (Camping Sol y Mar)
   

5. 5) Year-long wind study to evaluate the potential for wind co-generation. A data logging anemometer was tower mounted in January 2010 and the study data collection is now complete and is being analyzed.

Year 2 (2011)

1. 1) Continue work on infrastructure.
   

2. 2) Begin fuel alcohol & compressed earth block projects.
   

3. 3) Mexico’s first solar powered, off-grid RV Campground now open for business!!!
   

4. 4) Begin tree plantings, gardens, composting, & possible xeriscape vivero.
   

Year 3 (2012)

1. 1) Begin construction of bunk house and campground dipping pool.
   

2. 2) Begin workshop series (our first workshop focusing on compressed earth block construction in conjunction with iCATIS Mexico to be announced summer 2012.
   

3. 3) Launch non-profit business ventures.
   

4. 4) Increase solar consulting & install business.
   

Year 4  and beyond (2013 +)

1. 1) Completion of office center and other business activities.

From Top Left: Riley doing solar install. Solar Off-Grid Bathhouse nearing completion. Dan’s first (successful) cement job. Boys fishing in nearby Via Del Mar, Porch of the existing ranch house. Hotel Mayto, bath house construction, Liz & Holly w/ the new babies, Holly trying on her new bouquet, and Holly with baby chiva, Liz & Riley making beer.

Movies: “Bienvenidos” + “Scary Chivita”

Contact: ranchosolymar@gmail.com

Our awesome new caretakers Tyron & Vanessa (front left) with friends from and visitors to the Mayo community. From left: Vane, Ty, Efren, Estella, ‘Nando, Carla, Delisa, (3 visitors), Maricela, Micky, Freddy & Fernando

Holly w/ Baby Chiva

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