RIVIERA NAYARIT’S RINCON DE GUAYABITOS –
MEXICO’S SECRET VACATION GETAWAY
MEXICO’S SECRET VACATION GETAWAY
A
Riviera Nayarit Media Release
Riviera Nayarit, MEXICO
– In the Jaltemba Bay, nestled between the exuberant vegetation of the
Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, hides the quiet
seaside town of Rincon de Guayabitos. Named for the groves of guava
trees that once lined the shore, the name translates to “corner of the
little guava trees” and nowhere will visiting vacationers find a better
value for a beach escape in authentic Mexico.
In the 1970’s the Mexican government decided that Guayabitos was to
become a resort and an area where foreigners could own property. Since
then, many North Americans have discovered the affordable pleasures of
Guayabitos and its handful of neighboring coastal towns and villages.
Visitors often rent or even buy vacation homes here, but others will
find the offering of B&B’s and small independent hotels and resorts in
this area some 40 miles north of Puerto Vallarta International Airport
equally appealing.
For centuries the home of fishermen, farmers, owners of family-run
restaurants and other businesses, Guayabitos, with a population of
scarcely 2,000 permanent residents, is, for the visitor, an opportunity
to immerse oneself in timeless Mexico before the rest of the world
changes it.
There is only one main street, Avenida del Sol Nuevo, parallel to the
beach stretching the entire length of Guayabitos. It divides the town
into two areas: the Hotel and Commercial Zone on the south and the
Residential Zone on the north.
The Hotel and Commercial Zone is home to several mercados (grocery
stores), pharmacies, boutiques offering Mexican handicrafts, clothing
stores, discos and restaurants featuring Mexican and American cuisine.
During the high season a popular Artisans Market is held every Monday in
the Town Plaza beside the church. Many of Guayabitos’ modestly priced
hotels, bungalows and condos are located in this area. During the low
season, August to November, hotels are only half full and nightly rates
range from $14 to $50 and can go up to $170 for stays at the main
bungalow at AAA 3 diamond awarded B&B Villa Corona del Mar. Weekly and
monthly rooms are available. There are several trailer parks with boat
launches. The atmosphere here is casual, relaxed and “beach-y.”
The
beach itself is the real protagonist of this destination. Stretching
about 1 ½ miles wide, the spectacular flat beach consists of golden sand
with calm blue waters. It is lined with palapa-covered restaurants and
bustling with beach vendors in colorful canopied carts selling
everything from coconut drinks to shrimp on a stick. In fact, the water
is so calm that Guayabitos’ beach is referred to as “The Largest
Swimming Pool in the World.” The beach is perfect for walking, swimming,
people watching or to simply sit and run one’s toes through the sand
under the warm sun. Farther down the beach there is an area that is good
for bodysurfing and boogie boarding. Afternoon winds make for good
sailing and windsurfing.
The majority of restaurants in Guayabitos are family-run. The local
cuisine is seafood and Mexican dishes. Around town one can find a few
fruit stands and stalls with fresh fruits such as mangos, pineapples,
papayas and melons. At
Salvador’s, established in
1980, visitors can dine on nightly dinner specials on the beachfront
patio. If you are looking for something a little more casual, head down
the main street to La Toscana, which offers tasty traditional Mexican
fare with a warm smile; Pollo Alexandra known for its grilled marinated
chicken; and George’s Tres Banderas Café to enjoy a sweet roll with a
cappuccino or mango smoothie. There are many other small restaurants and
stands where you can find fresh fruit and juices as well as tacos and
tortas.
Some of the more famous
restaurants amongst the tourists are
Latitude 21 for fine dining and entertainment,
Willy's and
Matejas Bar and Grill for fun times. And
Jaun's Place is fantastic
for a good hearty meal.
Vista Guayabitos is a must try when visiting
the area, as the restaurant sits atop one of the highest points in
Guayabitos and offers a spectacular view of the entire Jaltemba Bay.
At Tonita’s Restaurant, you’ll find Tonita and her family serving
incredible Mexican dishes. La pina Loca, a popular local favorite,
offers everything from tortilla soup and Enchiladas to Fajitas,
coconut
shrimp and locally caught seafood.
Matejas offer great fun
For the traveler who wants to do more than just enjoy good food and lie
on the beach, Guayabitos and the surrounding region offers a lot to see
and do.
Offshore, the deep sea fishing is renowned, with catches of marlin,
sailfish and tuna. In the winter months the famous humpback whale
migration provides ample opportunities for whale watching. During the
summer, three native species of endangered sea turtles – the Olive
Ridley, the Leatherback and the Hawksbill – become the focus of
hatchling releases. Bird watching – Mexico is home to more species of
birds than the U.S. and Canada combined – draws visitors from around the
world while others come for horseback riding, hiking, cycling or
trekking. The rugged Sierra Madre which protects the coastline provides
plenty of opportunities for mountain adventures. Horseback riding trips
are available through the tropical rainforest of Los Ayala, through the
mountains or through the beach. And, on Monday mornings, the town’s
“tianguis” or market brings out the entire population.
Boat trips to Isla Coral, a small island visible from the shore, go for
just $5 per person. Glass bottom boats line the shore waiting to take
people for a ride near this island where one can view marine life
through the boat bottom and see frigate birds and terns nesting on the
island. There is a good spot offshore Isla Cangrejo accessible only by
boat for people to snorkel or scuba dive.
Other nearby beaches include Playa los Ayala and Playa del Beso, on a
tiny secluded cove reachable by a path over the hills. The often
deserted beach at Punta Raza is another favorite, along with the lesser
known La Peñita de Jaltemba and Chacala.
The art and culture buffs can visit the Altavista archaeological site
with important petroglyphs. The site is close to the coastal village of
Chacala, south of Compostela. This area has been inhabited by a native
group from the Tecoxquin culture, and is now an important religious
center for the indigenous Huichol.
Sports enthusiasts will find jet skis, water skiing, tennis and its
mini-version, pickle ball, all available as well as nine-hole golf at
the Campo de Ensueño course (though several signature championship
courses are nearby in Punta Mita and Nuevo Vallarta, as well as other
resort areas), yoga and massages on the beach.
Rincon de Guayabitos is widely known as a safe, friendly and affordable
beach vacation area. It is accessible by flights to Puerto Vallarta and
Tepic, with public bus transportation and car rental available.
Nearby in el Monteon
is a local golf course that is fun and reasonably priced
View Rincon De Guayabitos Nayarit Mexico Restaurants in a larger map
About Riviera Nayarit
Riviera Nayarit is Mexico’s newest travel destination stretching along
192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by spectacular mountains to
the north of renowned Puerto Vallarta. Mostly undeveloped, the
destination extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of
Nayarit including the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta, the historic, colonial
town of San Blas, exclusive Punta Mita and the spectacular Banderas Bay.
The region features luxury resorts and eco-tourism boutique hotels,
world-renowned surfing, four professional golf courses, rare native
wildlife including sea turtles and tropical birds, mountain and island
adventures, shopping for local artwork and traditional Huichol
handicrafts, charming fishing towns and miles of serene beaches. For
more information, visit
www.RivieraNayarit.com or find us on
Facebook.
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