In the corridor of the Costalegre there are bays of turquoise waters, virgin islands and hidden enclaves among the vegetation of the jungle
Choosing just five beaches on the emerald coast of Jalisco is an almost impossible mission, and probably unfair. With a simple glance at the Internet, or apps like Instagram, one can get lost for hours in the spectacular photographs of its dozens of virgin and lonely beaches.
They are all heavenly, and make us dream of a vacation in the sun. However, perhaps due to the stress that we are going through in 2020, and that it seems that we will suffer again in 2021, the quiet beaches that stretch along the Costalegre corridor stand out. Unknown corners of crystal clear water and golden sand, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Places that seem incorruptible to the passage of time or to the human being.
This time, we will leave behind the most popular magic of Puerto Vallarta to enter five secret corners that the Jalisco coastline hides.
Isla Cocina Beach, in Punta Pérula
Isla Cocina is one of the most spectacular beaches in Mexico. It is located on one of the 11 virgin islands that make up the Bay of Chamela, so it is necessary to go by boat. The easiest way to get there is starting from the coast of Punta Pérula, located two and a half hours from Puerto Vallarta. There you will find water taxi companies and fishermen who transport tourists. The journey takes about 25 minutes.
Without a doubt, Isla Cocina is one of the bay’s greatest attractions, due to its white sand and crystal clear and calm waters, which make it a perfect place for those who love snorkeling and for the little ones. If you want to spend the day there, don’t forget to bring an umbrella, water, sunscreen and food, because there are no shops or restaurants on the island.
Another way to get there is by boat from Playa Chamela, considered another of Jalisco’s treasures.
Both Chamela and Isla Cocina are located in La Huerta, one of the four municipalities that make up the Corredor de Costalegre, along with Cabo Corrientes, Tomatlán and Cihuatlán.
Colomitos, Cabo Corrientes
With only 30 meters of sand, Colomitos is the smallest beach in the country, according to Jalisco is Mexico, the official tourism website of the entity. However, despite its size, visitors are always captivated by its beauty, since it is an intimate and cozy corner, hidden in the abundant vegetation of a tropical jungle.
To get to this wild beach, the simplest and most comfortable option is to travel by sea from Boca de Tomatlán. There, you can find water taxi services that leave you in Colomitos in just five minutes. You can also hire boat trips from Muelle Playa de los Muertos, and in the Marina Vallarta port, -both in Puerto Vallarta-.
However, browsing is not the only option available, and there is also an alternative for the more intrepid. From Boca de Tomatlán there is a steep slope route that crosses the jungle and ends at Colomitos. The journey on foot lasts an average of 35 minutes, and varies depending on the physical condition of the hiker.
The beach is about 23 kilometers or 40 minutes by car from Puerto Vallarta. And the good thing about visiting it is that you can take advantage of the day to discover other charming treasures in the area, such as Quimixto, Majahuitas or Yelapa.
Yelapa Beach, Cabo Corrientes
Just a few kilometers from Colomitos, you will find Yelapa beach, a refuge for writers and artists who visit it every year and stay in its fishing village to disconnect and be inspired.
To get to this corner, the best alternative is to take the water taxis docked in Playa los Muertos -the journey takes 45 minutes-, or from Boca de Tomatlán, -only a few minutes depending on the maritime conditions-. 1,500 inhabitants live in the town, and tourists can stay in palapa huts, or in tent huts, on the beach.
In the water of Yelapa there are many green and blue, clear and clean, perfect for snorkeling and learning about its marine fauna. From the sand, they recommend looking to the horizon to spot the giant humpback whales that swim in the bay every year, starting in December.
There are also activities for the more adventurous, who can enter the tropical jungle that surrounds the beach, and take a route to bathe in the waterfalls that break through the abundant vegetation, such as “La Catedral”, and “La Cascada”. The journey lasts about four hours, round trip, and on the way you can come across parrots, iguanas, badgers, and other species that inhabit the jungle.
Bahía de Tenacatita
Its name means “red rocks”, and it is one of the most attractive bays in Costalegre. Along its more than six kilometers in length it has three beaches: La Manzanilla, Tenacatita and Boca de Iguanas; all of them with a turquoise blue sea. In addition, one of the most popular activities is to take a boat tour through its mangroves, where crocodiles and birds live.
La Bahía is located more than three hours from Puerto Vallarta, but once there, you can choose from a variety of inexpensive hotels to stay in. In the transparent waters of its beaches, visitors practice snorkeling, sailing, diving or skiing. They watch whales -in season-, and live with the pelican colony that established their residence in that paradisiacal place.
It is located a little over three hours from Puerto Vallarta, but there you have hotels to stay.
Majahuitas Beach, Cabo Corrientes
Majahuitas is another of the paradises hidden among the jungles that flood Cabo Corrientes. Its waters are emerald green, and its sand has an intense golden color. It emanates an essence very similar to that of Colomitos, but instead of 30, it is 180 meters long.
In this enclave, located about 29 kilometers from Puerto Vallarta, you can see sea turtles between the months of July and October. Paddle boarding, kayaking, or snorkelling are also offered. As a destination, it is ideal to disconnect from the daily routine and stress and enjoy nature, since you can also take tours of the jungle that surrounds the beach.
The only way to get there is by water taxi, either from Puerto Vallarta, in Playa de los Muertos, or from Boca de Tomatlán. In this last town, the pangas (or boats) make stops in Colomitos, Las Ánimas, Quimixto, and Las Caletas, and then arrive at Majahuitas -between 20 and 30 minutes-.
Although there used to be a hotel, the “Majahuitas Resort”, today there is nowhere to stay.
Costalegre corridor
The beaches indicated in this note are only five wonders of the multiple enclaves of the Costalegre corridor, which has a total of six bays, and more than 30 beaches. It is a unique way to spend a memorable vacation, knowing some of the best places in the country, without leaving a fortune. Of course, in order to conserve the magic of these corners, and enjoy its marine fauna and crystal clear waters for many years, visitors are asked to be responsible and respect the ecosystem, always collecting their garbage and taking care of the environment.