If you are looking for a safe, affordable family place to relax on the beach, Jaltem Bay in the Riviera Nayarit is a great option. Conveniently located just 60 km north of Puerto Vallarta Airport, this vacation is a tropical oasis, offering tourists plenty of sea, sun and sand, as well as some beaches in Chicago Mexico.
Gulf of Jaltem consists of four delightfully authentic Mexican beach towns, Los Ayala, Rincón de Guayabitos, La Penita de Jaltemba and La Colonia, which offer many possibilities. Here are some favorites:
Top six things to do
1. Experience Tiangus
Tianguis is the famous authentic weekly Mexican open-air market, which is held every Thursday in the main square of La Penita de Jaltemba. The market is open year round, opening for business at 8:00 am and lasts until about 2 hours. Tourists and residents come here every week to the shop of handicrafts, hand-embroidered clothes, blankets and carpets; silver, turquoise and leather decorations; multi-colored Mexican ceramic dishes; copper dishes; exceptional multicolored hand woven baskets; and beautiful handmade work done on the beadwork of your native wikilos - all at prices that will make your heart sing!
However, to truly experience Tiangus, you need to go through the entire length of the market, which extends several blocks past the main square. Here you will find the authentic Mexican market, which includes the purchase of medicinal herbs; fruits and vegetables, fresh from local truck farmers; Tupperware, CDs and pirated movies; colorful generous printed bras; socks and underwear; used clothing; tinted cubs; puppies and spare parts for absolutely anyone you might need.
Feeling cool? On the main square, opposite the church, you will find an extravaganza of delicious snacks, including: warm sugary churros, fresh bread, croissants, donuts, muffins, an assortment of Mexican bottles and cakes; delicious dried tropical fruits, including mango, papaya and pineapple; and a variety of roasted nuts — cashews, pecans, pistachios, and peanuts. If you're just indulging in one treat, check out all your favorite: sweet fried pecans. Just die!
Complete your shopping experience by visiting a local art exhibit at Xaltebba and Galeria and dropping Hamaca Maya to buy an authentic handmade Mayan hammock. Meeting in person Hala Hazzi in person is a definite necessity, even if you are not going to buy anything.
When you're tired of shopping, stop by enjoying a cappuccino or a hearty breakfast in the Soley restaurant and cafe, which is located on the main square, an ideal place to meet local people and see events and market events.
2. Explore!
Hike along local trails leading to Playa del Beso, Playa del Torres, Punta Raza, El Montone and Lo de Marcos. The start of the hiking trails is located in the southern part of Los Ayala Beach and takes you on a journey through the lush tropical forests where you can enjoy the incredible flora and fauna of the Riviera Nayarit and discover your own beach. A definite must do for bird watching enthusiasts!
Rent a car or hop on a bike and explore the vast open farm and ranch located at the foot of the Sierra Vallejo, and easy access via La Penita on the south side of Highway 200. In your journey, you will be very quite open fields, farms, ranches and rivers, and along the way there are many treasures that can be found, including the delights of swimming in rivers and freshwater basins.
Stroll through the back rides on the back of Los Ayala and around Villa del Tropico, where you will be rewarded with some of the most beautiful landscapes on the Nayarit Riviera. Tune your tennis game on the open-air courtyard in Guayabitos or try landing on the north side of Guayabitos beach. Rent a jet ski or go on a banana boat ride to enjoy the thrill. Rent a canoe and stroll along the coastline of Jaltemba Bay, stopping at one of the many hidden beaches on the way to a picnic and dive into the warm ocean waters.
Stroll along the breathtaking beaches in Los Ayala to La Penita. Take the local collectivist back and enjoy the trip to your hotel or bungalow, where you live and practice your Spanish, talking with warm, friendly places. Go to La Colonia and visit the turtles sanctuary on the beach, and take time to walk, at least from some of this beautiful, untouched, not yet developed beach.
3. Take a boat ride
Play Grand Fiesta Los Ayala or the Fiesta Guayabitos and enjoy a three-hour party filled with live music, dancing, singing, lots of laughter and the spectacular scenery of Jaltem Bay. A cruise cruise is one of the most economical and time-efficient for all the beaches in the Jaltem Bay area, including Playa del Beso, Playa Fridritas, Los Ayala, Rincón de Guayabitos, La Penita and La Colonia.
A boat trip will take you to the island of Islot and Kengreho (Crab Island), and during the months from November to March you will likely see humpback whales, dolphins and sea turtles, which are abundant in this area. They warned that the boat tour party sounds loud, but it's also a great way to see how Mexicans got their hands on the art of FUN!
4. Spend the whole day on the beach of Los Ayala
Arrive at around 8 am in the morning to see how the fishermen unload their boats, as well as the store, like the locals, for fresh fish or shrimp fish of various sizes. Bring your camera to take a few snapshots of gracious brown pelicans, frigate birds and gulls Gulls that fight for scraps. Enjoy breakfast on the beach! Treat yourself to a large pineapple stuffed with fresh fruit, succulent carved mango, served on a stick, or freshly baked corn muffin.
Walk to Playa del Beso and enjoy a swim in the crystal clear green waters on this magnificent secluded beach. Return to Los Ayala and park under the shade of palapa in one of the cozy palagan-style restaurants on the beach and enjoy the many local dishes that are popular in the area, including; ceviche, quesadillas, shrimp tacos, grilled fish and shrimp cooked to perfection.
Walk the kilometer long beach and enjoy a swim in the calm ocean waters of Chicago Mexico Beach. Return to the designated beach restaurant and park there for the rest of the day. Sit back and sip high, cool, refreshing margarita or pina colada or local beer, which still sells for only $ 1.20 a bottle, watching many Mexican vacationers enjoying their day at the beach. If you're still feeling cool, try the traditional beach fare, which includes cheeses, drenched chili sauce, giant coconut cookies, blackened fish on a stick and homemade flannel.
5. Breathe your taste buds.
Explore the many local culinary delights available in Jaltem Bay. Visit one of the many local taco booths that serve a variety of delicious tacos stuffed with beef, pork and fish, dressed with lots of exotic salsa. More popular food basket vendors offer delicious burrito shrimps and delicious hamburgers that are dressed with ham and pineapple, and even pork chops. Try the local ceviche, which consists of fish marinated in lime, and is considered a powerful aphrodisiac. Or Pescado Sarendado, one of the most popular dishes in the Jalteba Bay area - whole marinated fish, barbecue over authentic charcoal dressed with special sauces, often derived from old family recipes.
For gourmet cuisine and a small romance, the Xaltemba and Galeria restaurants in La Penita de Jaltemba and Vista Guayabitos in Los Ayala are recommended. Vista Guayabitos offers the most stunning views in all the bays of Jaltem.
6. Attending a community event
Visit one of the many fundraising events in the community in Jaltem Bay, which includes many traditional Mexican festivals, folklore dance shows, Yaltemba bays, the annual mission of Margarita - a funny Margarita mixing contest; Jaltemba Bay Fashion Show - a fundraiser to help local women; horseshoe tournament; and sometimes the best event in the Riviera Nayarit - Los Amigos de la Penita Fiesta, which is held at the award-winning estate of Thomas Bartlett in La Penita de Jalteba.
If you really want to experience what it is like to participate in the Jaltem Gulf 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 an event. Truly a great way to meet local people and get away with an unforgettable vacation!
