Sabbatical Part I: My Scuba Diving Journey Around Mexico

Facing burnout and confusion…

In 2023, I hit a wall. I was burnt out in my consulting career, and no longer passionate about what I was doing. My working nomad lifestyle was no longer fulfilling if I didn’t enjoy my career. I had studied a masters to work in this field and put so much effort into obtaining my dream job, that no longer felt like dream, but constant stress and a lack of motivation. I was confused about my career. I decided it was time for a sabbatical.

After years of pouring myself into my consulting career—constantly pushing, producing, and performing—I was burned out. Not just tired, but deeply drained. I knew I needed to step away, not just for a weekend or a week, but for long enough to reset. So I decided to take a two-month sabbatical and give myself the gift of time, space, and exploration.

I spent one month in Mexico and one month in South Africa. Each destination brought something different to the table, and each helped me reconnect with parts of myself that had gotten buried under stress and routine. I’m splitting this story into two parts—starting with Mexico, which surprised me in the best possible ways. My next post will be about the second half of my sabbatical which took place in South Africa.

First Stop On My Sabbatical: Puerto Vallarta

I began my sabbatical in Puerto Vallarta, a coastal town on Mexico’s Pacific side known for its beaches, nightlife, and art scene. It was lovely—colorful, vibrant, and full of charm. While I didn’t see much during my dives there, one experience stands out: our dive boat was suddenly surrounded by a massive school of dolphins. It felt like they came out of nowhere, leaping and playing in the waves around us. I’ve never seen anything like it. That moment alone made the diving worth it.

Sayulita & a Hidden Gem

Next, I headed to Sayulita, a small surf town with a hippie vibe. It was gorgeous, with bright murals, lively cafes, and a laid-back feel—but also incredibly crowded and noisy, not what I was searching for on my sabbatical where I aimed to reset and renew. in fact – the noise from clubs was so loud at night, I couldn’t sleep! So I found myself needing something quieter, and I ventured out to a nearby town called San Pancho, and I instantly fell in love. It was peaceful, artsy, and just what I needed after the noise of Sayulita. Sometimes the best places are the ones you stumble upon—and that’s one of the gifts of taking a sabbatical with time to explore freely.

Last Stop in Sabbatical Part I: The Magic of La Paz

The highlight of my sabbatical in Mexico—by far—was La Paz, in Baja California Sur.

This part of the trip completely blew me away. I did my diving here with an incredible 5-Star PADI Dive Shop called The Cortez Club. One of the most unforgettable experiences was diving at Los Islotes, a rocky islet just off the coast, home to a colony of California sea lions. The younger sea lions—especially the pups—were unbelievably playful. Other divers there who had dove with seals and sea lions in other parts of the world said they had never experienced anything like this! They swam right up to us, nibbled at our fins, and rolled through the water like underwater acrobats. They reminded me of puppies—curious, interactive, and full of joy—similar to all baby mammals I suppose. I could’ve stayed in the water with them for hours.

I also got to snorkel alongside a whale shark (scuba diving with these majestic creatures is not permitted). Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean—slow-moving, gentle, and awe-inspiring. Swimming next to such a massive creature in the wild was humbling and surreal. For those of you who do not know aout whale sharks, the name sharks might sound scary, but indeed these fish do not have teeth, they have bristles just like whales…hence the name whale shark!

I also visited Playa Balandra. I’ve seen a lot of beaches in my life, but this one is truly in a league of its own. Shallow, crystal-clear turquoise water framed by dramatic desert cliffs and cactus-covered hills—it felt like Arizona meets the Caribbean. I kayaked through the mangroves, surrounded by incredible biodiversity. The contrast of desert and sea was unlike anything I’ve experienced before.

La Paz itself is a peaceful town, with a chill vibe and a great mix of local culture and a small but inspiring digital nomad scene. I met amazing people (both digital nomads and locals). I also ate delicious seafood and tacos!! It exceeded every expectation I had for this sabbatical and then some!! I can’t recommend La Paz enough!

I did purposely avoid Los Cabos during my sabbatical because I wanted a less touristic experience, and to be honest, the beaches and biodiversity downright blow the Cabos out of the water, WITHOUT the tourists. That said, I did spend 1 day in Cabo San Lucas to go on a whale watching tour, which was truly spectacular.

That’s the Mexico chapter of my sabbatical—a mix of adventure, beauty, and spontaneous discovery that helped me not just to recharge, but to bring back passion and vitality into my life through a new sense of adventure! Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll share what South Africa had in store for me 😊 ✈️