Costalegre Mexico: Discover the “Happy Coast” of Jalisco
Costalegre Mexico, is a tropical paradise comprising a strip of beautiful beaches that stretches 170 km from Barra de Navidad to Yelapa.
Due to its location, its climate is very similar to that of Hawaii.
It is characterized by romantic sunsets, warm waters, and quiet, secluded beaches. It is ideal for those who enjoy living with nature.
Costalegre is made up of several towns and beaches, for example:
*Barra de Navidad is a small fishing community with good tourist services and beaches for water sports.
*Melaque comprises three towns—Melaque, San Patricio, and Colonia Villa Obregón —all with beaches suitable for swimming.
*Tenacatita is a small town with several beaches, including Playa Mora, which is excellent for snorkeling, diving, fishing, and camping. You can also rent a panga to explore the nearby mangrove swamp.
*Costa Careyes includes several beaches such as Blanca, Rosa, Careyetos, Careyes, and Teopa with luxury resorts and condominiums; sea turtles lay their eggs on these beaches.
*Chamela Bay has a unique landscape with nine islands, ideal for snorkeling and diving; here you can rent a panga and visit Isla Pajarera, a bird sanctuary.
You may want to read: Punta Perula, Jalisco: Your Ultimate Beach Guide to Paradise
The unique combination of landscapes makes Cosalegre a varied destination that offers options for all tastes.
What is in Costalegre, Mexico?
Again, this tourist corridor comprises more than 170 kilometers of beautiful beaches, cliffs, jungles, river mouths, estuaries, and mangroves, as well as several hotels (almost all boutique and some extremely luxurious).
The term “Costalegre” (derived from the Spanish words costa alegre) translates to “happy coast” in English.
Crossing from end to end of this tourist corridor takes about 4 hours by road. It is estimated that it has more than 40 beaches, many of them almost virgin, and is divided into six zones:
- Cabo Corrientes
- Majahuas Coast
- Chamela Bay
- Careyes
- Tenacatita Bay
- Navidad Bay
Getting to Costalegre
Costalegre is easily reachable by land, south of Puerto Vallarta or north of Manzanillo on Federal Highway 200 (coastal highway).
You can also fly into the Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo airports. Some luxury hotels also have private airstrips.
Hotels in Costalegre
Costalegre is home to some of the most exclusive hotels in the country. However, not all accommodations are costly, as there are now options available to suit all budgets.
The sites with accommodations are:
- Yelapa
- El Tuito
- Mayto
- Tehuamixtle
- Las Alamandas
- Cuixmala
- Pérula
- Melaque
- Tenacatita
- Tomatlan
- Boca de Iguanas
- Barra de Navidad
- Cihuatlán
- Cuastecomate
- La Manzanilla
There are also hotels located near the Cajón de Peña Dam, which is not on the coast. Some of these destinations offer camping and RV facilities.
The highest number of hotels can be found in Barra de Navidad and Melaque, Jalisco, just before crossing into Colima.
Las Alamandas
My favorite hotel in Costalegre is, by far, Las Alamandas, located between El Tuito and Pérula, just halfway between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.
It is a super exclusive 16-room hotel, with Mexican details, that was (and still is) the secret refuge of some international celebrities and is part of Mexico’s collection of Boutique Hotels.
You may want to read: 10 Top Jalisco Beaches That Should Be on Your Bucket List
Spanning over 690 hectares of nearly untouched jungle, the area features several private beaches, a lagoon teeming with countless species of birds and insects, and an orchard where all the citrus fruits and most of the vegetables served in the restaurant are cultivated.
Additionally, the dairy products are homemade.
The service is exceptional. The property features several viewpoints to admire the Pacific Ocean and can be accessed by mountain bike or Polaris. It’s the closest experience to owning your own luxury beach house—without the hassle of year-round maintenance!
What public beaches can I visit in Costalegre?
While many beaches in this tourist corridor are privately owned by hotels and ranches, there are also numerous public-access beaches where visitors can surf, relax for the day, or enjoy a meal.
Some of these beaches offer basic amenities, including restrooms, showers, palapas, beach equipment rentals, and food stands.
Others feature restaurants, hotels, and guided tours. Additionally, some beaches are only accessible by boat, as they cannot be reached by land.
Some of the beaches that have public access are the following:
Tomatlan
- Yelapa
- Chalacatepec (no services)
- Mayto
- Las Animas
- Pérula
- La Negrita
- La Manzanilla
- Boca de Iguanas
- Barra de Navidad
- San Patricio-Melaque
- Tehuamixtle
- Barra de Navidad
Activities by zone
There is plenty to do, whether you prefer relaxing on the beach, immersing yourself in nature (such as birdwatching for species like blue-footed boobies, roseate spoonbills, and ospreys, releasing baby turtles, or exploring the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve), or engaging in thrilling water sports like surfing and windsurfing in the Pacific Ocean.
Additionally, the area’s low light pollution makes it an ideal destination for stargazing.
Cabo Corrientes
- Boca de Tomatlán: swimming, fishing, lunch, and bathing
- Villa del Mar: small fishing community, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking
- Tehuamixtle: kayaking, snorkeling, boat tours, diving, ecotourism, and scuba diving
- Mayto: turtle camping in season, 4×4 rental, horseback riding, kayaking, camping
- Quimixto: hiking, horseback riding, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, waterfall
- Las Ánimas: diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, water skiing, parachute jumping, and Las Ánimas Beach Adventure Park (zip line, climbing walls, bridges, etc.)
- Yelapa: swimming, tours of the town and sale of handicrafts, boat rides, fishing, parasailing, expeditions to nearby waterfalls
- El Tuito: ruins of the Ex-Hacienda San José and nearby petroglyphs, park, and botanical garden
Majahuas Coast
- Chalacatepec: surfing (no services)
- Cajón de Peña Dam: bass fishing, skiing, windsurfing
- Majahuas: camping area, turtle protection in season, sport fishing
Chamela Bay
- Punta Pérula: Swimming, boat tours, snorkeling, mangrove, bird watching (blue-footed booby bird)
- Chamela: Water sports, sport fishing, island exploration, diving, and swimming
Costa Careyes
- Playa Teopa: turtle release
- Careyes: turtle release, swimming, sport fishing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, horseback riding
- Playa Rosa: boat ride (caves and islet), beach club with restaurant
- Careyitos Beach: lookout point, restaurant, beach to rest
Tenacatita Bay
- Tenacatita: boat tours, snorkeling, scuba diving, sport fishing, skiing, rowing, swimming, sailing, camping area, restaurants
- Playa La Mora: camping area (RV), fishing, snorkeling, swimming
- Boca de Iguanas: fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, boating, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, tennis, golf, bird watching and rock climbing
- La Manzanilla: horseback riding, scuba diving, mountain biking and yoga
Bahía de Navidad
- Barra de Navidad: sport fishing (national and international tournaments), skiing, surfing and diving
- San Patricio-Melaque: skimboarding, boogie boarding, surfing, banana rides, fishing, jet skis, kayaks, snorkeling, palapa rentals, swimming
- Cuastecomate: snorkeling, sailing, swimming, diving and windsurfing
Costalegre Mexico: Final Thoughts
As you have seen today, Costalegre Mexico is more than just a destination; it’s a state of mind.
From the rugged beauty of its cliffs to the serene allure of its hidden coves, this “Happy Coast” of Jalisco invites you to escape the ordinary and immerse yourself in nature’s splendor.
Whether you’re seeking luxurious relaxation, adventurous exploration, or simply a quiet moment to savor a spectacular sunset, Costalegre offers an experience as diverse as its landscapes.
As you stroll its golden beaches, taste the fresh local seafood, or connect with its welcoming communities, you’ll understand why this stretch of coastline is one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets.
You may want to read: Guachimontones: Explore Jalisco’s Unique Circular Pyramids
Don’t wait any longer! Pack your sense of wonder, and let Costalegre remind you how simple and joyful life can be when you follow the rhythm of the waves.
Until next time, ¡Feliz viaje!
