If you are looking for a safe, affordable and family beach vacation destination, Jaltemba Bay in the Riviera Nayarit is an excellent option. It is located in a good place single 60 kilometers north of the Puerto Vallarta airport, this vacation retreat is a tropical oasis that offers tourists plenty of sea, sun and sand, and some of the best swimming beaches in the Mexican Pacific.
Jaltemba Bay is made up of four delightfully authentic Mexican beach towns, Los Ayala, Rincón de Guayabitos, La Peñita de Jaltemba, and La Colonia, offering plenty of things to do. Here are some favorites:
The six best things to do
1. Tiangus Experience
Tianguis, is the famous weekly authentic Mexican outdoor market that takes place in the (main square) of La Peñita de Jaltemba every Thursday. The market runs year-round, opening at 8:00 am and lasting until 2:00 pm Tourists and residents flock here every week to buy handicrafts, hand-embroidered clothing, blankets, and rugs; silver, turquoise and leather jewelry, colorful Mexican ceramic tableware; copper cookware, extraordinary multicolored hand-woven baskets; and the fine beaded handwork of the Huichol natives, all at prices that will make your heart sing!
However, to truly experience Tiangus, you must walk the length of the market, which stretches for several blocks beyond the main square. Here you will find the authentic Mexican market experience that includes the purchase of medicinal herbs; fruits and vegetables fresh off the truck from local farmers; Tupperware, pirated CDs and movies; generously padded colorful arms; socks and underwear; second-hand clothes; dyed chicks; puppies, and spare parts for absolutely everything you need.
Do you feel hungry? In the main square, in front of the church, you will find an extravaganza of tasty snacks including: hot churros with sugar, freshly baked bread, croissants, donuts, muffins, a variety of flans and Mexican pastries; delicious dried tropical fruits including mangoes, papaya and pineapple; and a plethora of roasted nuts: cashews, pecans, almonds, pistachios, and peanuts. If you only indulge in one treat, check out everyone’s favorite: Sweet Roasted Pecans. Simply to die for!
End your shopping experience by visiting the local art exhibit at Xaltemba Restaurant and Galeria and stopping by Hamaca Maya to purchase an authentic, hand-woven Mayan hammock. Meeting the friendly Hala Hazzi in person is a must, even if you have no intention of buying anything.
When you’re tired of shopping, stop for a cappuccino or a hearty breakfast at Soley’s Restaurant and Café, located on the main square, the perfect place to meet the locals and watch the comings and goings of the market.
2. Explore!
Walk the local trails that lead to Playa del Beso, Playa del Torres, Punta Raza, El Monteón and Lo de Marcos. The start of the hiking trails is at the southern end of Los Ayala beach and they will take you on a journey through a lush tropical rain forest where you will experience some of the incredible flora and fauna of the Riviera Nayarit and discover a beach to call your own. A must see for bird watchers!
Rent a car or hop on a bike and explore the vast open land of farms and ranches that sits at the base of the Sierra Vallejo mountains and is easily accessible via La Peñita on the south side of Highway 200. Your trip It will take you through some very beautiful open fields, farms, ranches and rivers and along the way there are many treasures to be found including, the delights of swimming in rivers and fresh water pools.
Take a horseback riding tour through the interior of Los Ayala and around Villas del Trópico, where you will be rewarded with some of the most beautiful scenery in the Riviera Nayarit. Sharpen your tennis game on the public outdoor court in Guayabitos or try your hand at body boarding at the north end of Guayabitos Beach. Rent a jet ski or take a banana boat ride just for the thrill of it. Rent a kayak and paddle along the entire coastline of Jaltemba Bay, stopping at one of the many hidden beaches along the way for a picnic and a dip in the warm ocean waters.
Walk along the spectacular beaches from Los Ayala to La Peñita. Take the local Colectivo back and enjoy the ride back to your hotel or bungalow and practice your Spanish by chatting with the warm and friendly locals. Head to La Colonia and visit the turtle sanctuary on the beach, and take the time to wander at least part of this beautiful, undeveloped, unspoiled beach.
3. Take the party boat tour
Hop on the Gran Fiesta de Los Ayala or the Fiesta de Guayabitos and enjoy a three-hour party filled with lively music, dancing, singing, lots of laughter, and the stunning scenery of Jaltemba Bay. The party cruise is one of the most cost-effective and time-efficient ways to tour all the beaches in the Jaltemba Bay area, including Playa del Beso, Playa Frideritas, Los Ayala, Rincón de Guayabitos, La Peñita, and La Colonia.
The party boat tour takes you around Isla Islote and Isla Cangrejo (Crab Island) and during the months of November to March you are likely to see humpback whales, dolphins and sea turtles which are abundant in this area. I warned you that the Party Boat tour is noisy, but it’s also a great way to see how Mexicans have mastered the art of HAVING FUN!
4. Spend a whole day at Los Ayala beach
Arrive around 8am in the morning to watch the fishermen unload their boats and shop like the locals for fresh fish or shrimp in a variety of sizes. Bring your camera to snap some photos of the friendly brown pelicans, frigatebirds, and Heermaan’s gulls vying for scraps. Enjoy breakfast on the beach! Enjoy a large pineapple stuffed with fresh fruit, a succulent carved mango served on a stick, or a freshly baked corn muffin.
Take a short walk to Playa del Beso and enjoy a swim in the crystal clear green waters of this beautiful secluded beach. Return to Los Ayala and park under the shade of a palapa at one of the cozy beachfront palapa-style restaurants and feast on the many local dishes popular in this area, including; ceviche, quesadillas, shrimp tacos, grilled fish and shrimp cooked to perfection.
Walk along the kilometer-long beach and enjoy swimming in the calm ocean waters of the best swimming beach in the Mexican Pacific. Return to your designated beach restaurant and park there for the rest of the day. Sit back and enjoy a refreshing margarita or piña colada, or a local beer that still sells for just $1.20 USD per bottle as you watch the many vacationing Mexican families enjoy a day at the beach. If you’re still hungry, try traditional beach fare including cheese dipped in chili sauce, giant coconut cookies, blackened fish on a stick, and homemade flan.
5. Inspire your taste buds
Explore the many local culinary delights available in Jaltemba Bay. Check out one of the many local taco stands that serve up a variety of tasty tacos filled with beef, pork, and fish, dressed with a variety of exotic sauces. The most popular food cart vendors serve up delicious shrimp burritos and tasty burgers that come topped with ham and pineapple, and even pork chops. Try the local ceviche which consists of fish marinated in lemon and is reputed to be a powerful aphrodisiac. Golden fish Sarendado, one of the most popular dishes in the Jaltemba Bay area – Grilled marinated whole fish over real wood embers seasoned with special sauces often derived from old family copies.
For fine dining and a bit of romance, Xaltemba Restaurant and Galeria in La Peñita de Jaltemba and Vista Guayabitos in Los Ayala come highly recommended. Vista Guayabitos offers the most impressive view of all of Jaltemba Bay.
6. Attend a community event
Attend one of the many community fundraising events in Jaltemba Bay, including many traditional Mexican fiestas, folk dance performances, the annual Jaltemba Bays Margarita Challenge, a fun margarita mixing contest; the Jaltemba Bay Fashion Show, a fundraiser to help local women; a horseshoe tournament; and perhaps the best event in the Riviera Nayarit: the Fiesta de Los Amigos de La Peñita which takes place at Thomas Bartlett’s award-winning estate in La Peñita de Jaltemba.
If you really want to experience what it’s like to be involved in the Jaltemba Bay community, set aside a couple of hours of your vacation to help with one of the many fundraising events or volunteer with one of the local committees to help organize a event. Truly a great way to meet the local people and experience an unforgettable vacation!