Rincon de Guayabitos Travel Guide: Things to Do, Where to Stay & Itinerary (2026)

We had no idea what to expect when we first drove north from Puerto Vallarta airport, past the resorts and the tourist strip, and kept going.

About an hour later, we pulled into Rincon de Guayabitos. Within twenty minutes of being there, we understood WHY Mexican families from Guadalajara have been COMING BACK to this STRETCH OF COAST for decades.

This guide covers everything we wish we had known before our first visit: how to get there, where to stay, what to eat, and how to fill three to five days without once feeling like you have run out of things to do.

We had no idea what to expect when we first drove north from Puerto Vallarta airport, past the resorts and the tourist strip, and kept going.

About an hour later, we pulled into Rincon de Guayabitos and within twenty minutes of being there, we understood WHY Mexican families from Guadalajara have been COMING BACK to this STRETCH OF COAST for decades.

This guide covers everything we wish we had known before our first visit: how to get there, where to stay, what to eat, and how to fill three to five days without once feeling like you have run out of things to do.

Why is Rincón de Guayabitos Mexico’s best-kept secret?

The honest answer is that Rincon de Guayabitos has stayed under the radar because it has never been popular with influencers.

They all go to Playa Los Ayala, Playa Freideras, and Playa del Toro and skip this amazing beach. We can tell you that it’s asd beautiful as the others, and there are not as many people!

We even met a Mexican family from Guadalajara, a 2.5-hour drive away, that came all the way to enjoy their holiday week here.

This is what makes this destination so appealing to us: you are not visiting just another touristy beach everyone has on their bucket list.

You get a genuine Mexican beach town at roughly half the price of Puerto Vallarta. You really feel that when you arrive. It felt more like a hidden gem to us than a hotspot for tourists. This made the beach even more interesting for us.

Rincon de Guayabitos is also a cheaper place where a full seafood lunch for two costs around $15 to $20 USD (€14 to €18).

A boat trip to the islands offshore (which we recommend) costs $10 to $15 USD (€9 to €14) per person.

Jaltemba Bay is a protected area, meaning the beach is calm enough to swim in year-round, and the water temperatures are between 77°F / 25°C in winter and 86°F / 30°C in summer!

Where is Rincon de Guayabitos located?

Rincon de Guayabitos is located on Jaltemba Bay (Ensenada de Jaltemba), a protected bay on the Pacific coast, on the western side of the Mexican state of Nayarit, part of the Riviera Nayarit tourism zone.

It’s around 47 miles / 75 km north of Puerto Vallarta International Airport and 497 miles / 800 km from Mexico City.

The bay is actually the reason the water here is calm.

It is not an open ocean; the curve of the coastline creates a natural shelter from Pacific swells, which is what makes this beach so different from Sayulita or Puerto Escondido further south.

The bay is shared by three connected locations:

• Rincon de Guayabitos: the largest of the three, with the most restaurants, hotels, activity operators, and the main beach, Playa Guayabitos.
• Los Ayala: 1.9 miles / 3 km south, quieter, popular with Mexican families renting bungalows by the week.
• La Peñita de Jaltemba: 1.2 miles / 2 km northeast across a small river waterway, the commercial hub of the area with a famous Thursday street market.

Travel itinerary for Rincon de Guayabitos

Best one-day itinerary in Rincon de Guayabitos

Our Recommended 3-Day Rincón de Guayabitos Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive, check in, walk Sol Nuevo Avenue. Afternoon on Playa Guayabitos at the El Amigos Vargas end for fewer vendors. Dinner at Tonita I.

Day 2 Morning boat trip to Isla Coral and Isla del Cangrejo (book the night before). Lunch at Restaurante Pineda. Afternoon walk to Playa del Beso from Los Ayala. Evening drinks at La Bubis.

Day 3 Morning: cooking class at Casa Cooking Classes.

Our Recommended 5-Day Rincón de Guayabitos Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive, settle in, walk the town, dinner at Tonita I.

Day 2 Isla Coral and Isla del Cangrejo morning boat trip. Lunch at Restaurante Pineda. Afternoon rest.

Day 3 Cross the Bridge of Life to La Peñita Thursday market (morning). Evening: cooking class at Casa Cooking Classes.

Day 4 Full-day excursion to the 20 natural pools at Nuevo Ixtlan Hot Springs. Combine with El Cora waterfall if time allows.

Day 5 Morning: half-day sport fishing charter from the pier (book the night before). Afternoon: hike to Playa del Beso and Playa Freideras. Farewell dinner at Restaurante Pineda.

What are the best things to do in Guayabitos?

There is more to do in Rincon de Guayabitos than the beach suggests. Three to five days fill very easily once you add the islands, the market, the hot springs, and the watersports.

So, what’s worth considering? Let’s go through it!

Summary of things to do in Rincon de Guayabitos

Best Things to Do in Rincón de Guayabitos
🌴 Isla Coral Boat Trip	Take a short boat ride to Isla Coral for snorkeling, clear water, and one of the most popular day trips in Jaltemba Bay.
🐚 Playa Guayabitos	Relax on the town’s main beach with calm swimmable water, beachfront seafood restaurants, and easy umbrella rentals.
🛶 Isla del Cangrejo	Visit this tiny island just offshore for shallow turquoise water and one of the easiest kayak or boat excursions in the area.
🐋 Whale Watching Tour	Between December and March, humpback whale tours offer the chance to see whales breaching just off the Riviera Nayarit coast.
🐢 Turtle Release Experience	Join a seasonal conservation release where baby sea turtles are guided safely into the Pacific Ocean at sunset.
🛍️ La Peñita Market	Browse one of the largest local markets in Riviera Nayarit for street food, handmade crafts, produce, and souvenirs.
🌊 Los Ayala Beaches	Escape to quieter beaches south of Guayabitos with softer crowds, hidden coves, and a more local atmosphere.
♨️ Altavista Hot Springs	Take a day trip inland to natural hot springs surrounded by jungle-covered hills in rural Nayarit.
🪨 Altavista Petroglyphs	Explore ancient rock carvings left by Indigenous cultures along a jungle trail near La Peñita.
🍤 Beachfront Seafood Restaurants	Spend a slow afternoon eating fresh grilled fish, shrimp, and ceviche directly on the beach under palapa roofs.

Snorkeling and diving at Isla Coral (Coral Island)

If you only have time for ONE ACTIVITY in Rincón de Guayabitos, make it Isla Coral.

We visited several beaches and viewpoints around Jaltemba Bay, but this was the experience we kept talking about long after the trip ended.

The water was noticeably clearer than anywhere else we visited, and within minutes of getting into the water, we were surrounded by schools of tropical fish.

Located just 1.2 miles (2 km) offshore, Isla Coral is a protected natural reserve that can be reached in a quick 10 to 15-minute boat ride from Playa Guayabitos.

Because nobody lives on the island and boat traffic is regulated, the marine ecosystem remains surprisingly healthy compared to many other snorkeling spots along Mexico’s Pacific coast.

During our second snorkeling trip around the island, we spotted dozens of colorful fish, coral formations, and even a sea turtle gliding through the shallows.

The calm waters and excellent visibility make this one of the easiest snorkelling experiences in Riviera Nayarit, perfect for beginners.

Is Isla Coral Worth It?

Absolutely.

Many visitors spend their entire vacation relaxing on Playa Guayabitos and never see some of the clearest water in Jaltemba Bay. For us, Isla Coral felt like the highlight of the trip and is the one excursion we would book again without hesitation.

Who should book this tour?

This excursion is ideal for:

• First-time snorkelers looking for calm water
• Families with older children
• Travelers who want to see marine life without a long boat journey
• Anyone looking for an affordable half-day adventure

If you’re hoping for advanced scuba diving or dramatic reef systems like Cozumel, you may find it more relaxed than expected. But for most visitors, that’s part of the appeal.

How to Book an Isla Coral Tour

Most boat operators work directly from Playa Guayabitos, and it’s easy to arrange a trip on the beach each morning.

Typical Prices

• Return boat fare: 200–300 pesos per person ($10–15 USD)
• Full-day tour with snorkeling equipment and lunch: $35–50 USD
• Scuba diving excursions: Available through local operators
• Snorkel gear rentals: Available from most boat operators

Most tours to Isla Coral also include a stop at nearby Isla del Cangrejo, giving you the chance to see two islands in a single excursion.

👉 INSIDER TIP: Bring or rent water shoes. We quickly discovered that some areas around Isla Coral have rocky entry points, and water shoes make exploring the shoreline much more comfortable.

Exploring Isla del Cangrejo (Crab Island) and its birdlife

Isla del Cangrejo sits close to Isla Coral and is almost always included in the same boat trip.

It is smaller and rockier than its neighbour, with less snorkelling but better bird watching from the boat.

You can see many species from a boat around Isla del Cangrejo:

• frigatebirds,
• blue-footed boobies,
• brown pelicans,
• Mexican herons,
• orange-footed parakeets,
• San Blas jays,
• yellow-winged caciques.

The island is a nesting site during certain seasons, which means the bird activity is spectacular during the right months.

Humpback whale watching in Jaltemba Bay.

Humpback whales migrate through the Pacific waters off Jaltemba Bay from DECEMBER THROUGH MARCH.

Sightings during these months are common!

This is their breeding and calving season, and the proximity of the whales to shore is not that far off the beach; it can happen within a few miles of the beach.

The same operators running Isla Coral trips also run whale watching excursions.

👉 INSIDER TIP: Even on a standard Isla Coral boat trip during December to March, ask your captain to keep watch on the way out to the islands. Whale sightings often happen during the transit, not only on dedicated tours.

Hiking adventures to Playa Los Ayala and Playa del Toro

After spending some time at Rincon de Guayabitos, you can go hiking close to Playa Los Ayala.

But to us, it felt like a quiet hidden gem.

The beach sits 1.9 miles / 3 km south of the main beach, separated by a low hill that keeps it off the casual tourist radar.

It is wider and quieter with no rows of beach vendors, no boat operators doing laps.

Just Mexican families in rented bungalows, long-term winter visitors who come back every year, and the occasional traveller who bothered to look at a map.

Los Ayala is also the starting point for three beaches that cannot be reached any other way:

Playa del Beso (Kiss Beach)

Playa del Beso (Kiss Beach) from the far southwest end of Los Ayala, a trail climbs the headland and drops down to a small protected cove accessible only on foot or by boat.

The trail takes 15 minutes, gains some elevation, and has loose rock in sections. Most hikes around Playa del Besso also include other destinations with it, so you can stretch the hike to 2-3 hours. Find your hike on Alltrails. 

The payoff is a near-empty beach with calm, clear water that feels completely removed from the town you left twenty minutes ago.

Playa Freideras

Playa Freideras at low tide, scramble along the coastal rocks from Playa del Beso to reach an even smaller uninhabited inlet tucked further around the headland.

We did not see more than two other people there.

Find a hike to playa Freideras here.

Playa del Toro

Playa del Toro is the furthest of the three, reached via the Mirador del Toro trail which continues beyond Playa del Beso up to the hilltop viewpoint before descending to the beach on the other side.

Playa del Toro has small swimmable waves, the only beach in the immediate area with any surf, and is usually near-empty even when Los Ayala is busy.

The full trail from Los Ayala to Playa del Toro and back is 3.8 miles / 6.1 km with 862 feet / 263 metres of elevation gain. It should take a minimum of 2 hours.

What you need to know before you go:

• Start point: southwest end of Playa Los Ayala, walk to the very end of the beach until the sand runs out
• Trail time: 15 minutes to Playa del Beso, 2 hours return to Playa del Toro via the Mirador
• Difficulty: moderate, steep in sections, loose rock underfoot
• Bring: water, grip shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, downloaded AllTrails map; the trail is not always clearly marked

👉 INSIDER TIP: Start before 9 am regardless of which beach you are heading to. The trails are exposed with little shade and heat up fast. For Playa del Beso, you will be back in time for lunch. For Playa del Toro via the Mirador, an early start means the viewpoint to yourself and a swim at a near-empty beach before the water taxis from Guayabitos arrive later in the morning.

Water sports: Kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet skis

We rented a kayak directly from the beach and spent about an hour paddling around the bay. What stood out most was how calm the water was. Unlike places such as Sayulita, there were very few waves, which made kayaking easy even without much experience.

You can rent kayaks and paddleboards directly on the beach for around $10 – 15 USD (€9- 14) per hour.

Looking for more speed?

If kayaking feels a bit too slow, consider booking a guided jet ski tour instead. The route takes you around Jaltemba Bay and past Isla Coral and Isla del Cangrejo, making it a fun way to see more of the area in a short amount of time.

Tour details

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Price: $114 – 120 USD (€105 – 111) per private group (up to 2 people)
• Includes life jackets and instruction
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

👉 Book the jet ski tour here

👉 INSIDER TIP: The best time for water sports is the morning before the afternoon sea breeze picks up. By early afternoon, surface chop makes paddleboarding noticeably less comfortable. For the jet ski tour specifically, a morning slot also means calmer water and better visibility around the islands.

Visiting local markets in and around Guayabitos

If you’re in Guayabitos between November and March, try to visit at least one of the weekly markets. We visited both and found they offered very different experiences.

Guayabitos Monday Market

The Monday market takes place around the main plaza and is the easier option if you’re staying in Guayabitos. It focuses mainly on artisan goods, including silver jewelry, Huichol artwork, Talavera pottery, and handmade textiles.

Practical Information

• Monday, 8 am–1 pm
• November–March
• Main Plaza, Guayabitos

La Peñita Thursday Market

We preferred the Thursday market in nearby La Peñita. It’s larger, has a better mix of local food and crafts, and felt less tourist-focused. Alongside the artisan stalls, you’ll find fresh fruit, seafood, bread, honey, coffee, and other local products.

It’s about a 20-minute walk from Guayabitos, or a short taxi ride.

Practical Information

• Thursday, 8 am–1 pm
• Artisan section runs November–March
• Main Plaza, La Peñita de Jaltemba

👉 Our tip: Arrive before 9 am if you’re shopping for produce. The market starts winding down around lunchtime.

Fishermen’s Morning Market

For something completely different, head to the docks between 7 am and 9 am. Local fishermen sell their catch directly from the boats, and it’s where many restaurants source their seafood. We saw snapper, shrimp, and other fresh fish being unloaded while we were there.

If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, this is one of the cheapest places to buy fresh seafood in the area.

Sport Fishing: Scouting for Yellowfin Tuna and Sailfish

Jaltemba Bay is a good place for sport fishing, especially if you want fewer boats around than in Puerto Vallarta. Depending on the season, you can target marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and roosterfish.

We have not personally done this charter, but if you want everything arranged before you arrive, the 4-hour private fishing charter on GetYourGuide is the easiest option.

The trip targets marlin, tuna, and dorado, and usually passes Isla Coral and Isla del Cangrejo on the way out.

Tour Details

• Duration: 4 hours
• Price: around $505 USD (€465) for up to 6 people
• Includes rods, bait, life jackets, ice, and water
• Meeting point: OXXO on Sol Nuevo Avenue
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance

👉 Book the fishing charter on GetYourGuide

If you prefer to arrange it locally, go to the pier in the morning and speak directly with the captains. This is how many visitors book fishing trips, and prices may be negotiable.

How to get to Rincon de Guayabitos?

Arriving from Puerto Vallarta International Airport

Every trip to Rincon de Guayabitos starts at Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR). This airport has direct flights from most major US cities. These cities include Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, and New York.

From the airport, you have two realistic options: by renting a car or by bus.

👉 INSIDER TIP: Book flights into PVR rather than searching for direct connections to smaller regional airports. PVR has the most routes, the most competitive fares, and the most car rental options. The 47-mile / 75 km drive north is straightforward.

👉 INSIDER TIP: We always use Aviasales, the BEST organization for CHEAP FLIGHT prices and easy rebookings.

Rincon de Guayabitos by rental car (our recommendation)

If you’re planning to visit the hot springs, petroglyphs, waterfalls, or nearby towns, we recommend renting a car. The drive from Puerto Vallarta Airport takes around 60 to 90 minutes via Highway 200.

We always book our rental cars in advance. Airport walk-up rates are often much higher, while booking ahead gives you more choice and better prices.

For Mexico, we use DiscoverCars because it compares multiple rental companies and clearly shows the insurance options before booking.

👉 Check rental car prices on DiscoverCars

INSIDER TIP: Avoid driving Highway 200 after dark. We never had any issues ourselves, but both locals and long-term travelers say to stick to daytime driving whenever possible.

Bus travel to Rincon de Guayabitos

If you don’t want to rent a car, the bus is the cheapest way to reach Guayabitos from Puerto Vallarta.

We saw plenty of travelers using this route, especially during the winter season.

Buses run from Puerto Vallarta’s main bus terminal to nearby La Peñita de Jaltemba, from where it’s a short taxi or collectivo ride to Guayabitos.

What you need to know

• Operator: Pacifico / Compostela
• Journey time: 1h15–2h
• Cost: 150–200 pesos ($8–11 USD)
• Frequency: Every 20–30 minutes
• Final stop: La Peñita de Jaltemba

The bus terminal is not located at the airport. You’ll first need to take a short taxi or local bus to the station before continuing to Guayabitos.

👉 Our recommendation: If you’re planning day trips outside Guayabitos, renting a car is usually worth the extra cost. If you’re staying mainly around the beach and town, the bus works perfectly fine.

👉 Find your bus to Rincon de Guayabitos on Busbus.

Getting from Guayabitos back to Puerto Vallarta

This is where Guayabitos has a genuine advantage. The town has two first-class bus terminals of its own, so you can depart directly without connecting through La Peñita:

• Terminal Estrella Blanca on Av. Sol Nuevo is the more convenient of the two, centrally located on the main street. Small but modern and clean, serving first-class buses operated by Grupo Estrella Blanca companies. Routes include Puerto Vallarta, Tepic, Guadalajara, Bucerías, Punta de Mita, and Las Varas. Locally known as the Burger King terminal, with distinctive arches that make it easy to spot on the main street.
• Terminal Primera Plus is at the corner of Av. Jacarandas and Av. Guayabitos serves clean, modern coaches with service to Puerto Vallarta and Tepic. This terminal is about 0.6 miles / 1 km from the Estrella Blanca terminal and other local bus stops, so it is less practical if you need to connect onward to another bus line.

For most travellers, Terminal Estrella Blanca on Sol Nuevo is the easier choice. It is on the main street, walkable from most accommodation in Guayabitos, and serves the Puerto Vallarta route directly.

👉 INSIDER TIP: If you are travelling with more than one large bag, skip the bus entirely and take an Uber or taxi directly from PVR airport to Guayabitos. The fare runs 800- 1,000 pesos ($45–$55 USD / €42–€51) for the full journey. Walk 100 metres past the airport terminal exit to request an Uber at the standard non-airport rate, significantly cheaper than the official airport taxi kiosk price.

How to get around Rincón de Guayabitos?

Guayabitos is easy to get around without a car. Most hotels, restaurants, the beach, and Sol Nuevo Avenue are within a 20-minute walk of each other.

For nearby towns like Los Ayala and La Peñita, use a colectivo or taxi.

Colectivos

Colectivos are shared white minivans that run between Guayabitos, Los Ayala, and La Peñita. You flag them down from the roadside; there are no fixed stops.

• Cost: 10–20 pesos per person
• Guayabitos to La Peñita: about 5 minutes
• Guayabitos to Los Ayala: 5–8 minutes

Bring small peso notes, as drivers may not have change.

Taxis

Taxis are easy to find on Sol Nuevo Avenue or through your hotel. They are better if you have luggage, are travelling after dark, or want a direct ride.

Taxis do not use meters, so agree on the fare before getting in.

Rental Car

You do not need a car for Guayabitos itself. We would only rent one if you plan to visit places like Nuevo Ixtlan Hot Springs, Altavista Petroglyphs, El Cora Waterfall, or Sayulita.

For that, we recommend booking in advance through DiscoverCars.

What should you pack for Rincon de Guayabitos?

Guayabitos isn’t a destination where you need much gear. We spent most days in shorts and sandals. That said, a few items made our trip noticeably easier, especially around Isla Coral, Playa del Beso, and some of the hiking trails.

• 👟 We quickly learned that the rocks around Isla Coral are much sharper than they look. If you’re planning to snorkel or walk around the island, a pair of LIGHTWEIGHT TRAIL RUNNERS provides far better protection than flip-flops or water shoes.
• ☀️ We went through sunscreen faster than expected. Between the boat trips, beach days, and hiking trails, you’re exposed to the sun almost constantly. A REEF-SAFE SPF 50 SUNSCREEN is the best option if you’re planning to snorkel around Isla Coral.
• 🎒 One item we used almost every day was a small DRY BAG. We brought it on boat trips, to the beach, and even while kayaking. It kept our phone, wallet, and camera dry without having to think about it.
• 🤿 If snorkeling is high on your list, consider bringing your own SNORKEL MASK. Rental gear is available, but having a mask that actually fits properly makes a huge difference underwater.
• 🦟 We didn’t notice many mosquitoes on the beach, but the situation changed completely around the hot springs and jungle trails. A small bottle of INSECT REPELLENT is worth packing.
• 💧 We bought large water jugs from local shops and refilled throughout the day. A good REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE saves money and reduces plastic waste.
• 📱 Most of our photos from Isla Coral were taken through a WATERPROOF PHONE POUCH. It sounds like a small thing, but it lets you keep your phone accessible on the boat without constantly worrying about spray.
• 🔋 Between Google Maps, photos, and booking confirmations, we were surprised how quickly our phones drained. A compact POWER BANK came in handy more than once.

Essential beach amenities

The beach at Guayabitos honestly has everything you could possibly need for a full beach day.

Here is what you will find:

• Beach chairs and umbrellas: rented through the palapa restaurants. Order food or drinks and the chair is usually included. Without a food order, you can rent one for 50- 100 pesos ($2.50–$5 USD / €2.30–€4.60) per chair.
• Restrooms: available at the palapa restaurants along the beachfront
• Fresh water and snacks: sold by walking vendors throughout the day. Some snacks you will find are sliced mangos on sticks, usually cut in a flour shape (they are delicious; if there is one snack you want to try, it has to be this!), pineapple shells filled with fresh fruit, churritos, and coconut water are the main options.
• Tour booking: Boat trip operators walk the beach throughout the morning selling trips to Isla Coral, whale watching tours, and fishing charters. You can book directly on the sand, but walk-up beach prices are typically higher than booking the same tours through GetYourGuide or Viator in advance. Same operators, same boats, lower price, and your spot is guaranteed before you arrive.

👉 INSIDER TIP: The quieter end of the beach near El Amigos Vargas has fewer vendors than the main central stretch. If you want to read a book or swim without interruption, set up there rather than in the middle of the beach.

When is the best time to visit Rincon de Guayabitos?

November to April gives you the best weather, the calmest sea, and the most reliable conditions for boat trips and snorkelling. If you want fewer crowds and lower prices and don’t mind occasional afternoon rain, May to October works well too.

Rincón de Guayabitos is considered a year-round destination, so it largely depends on what you’re looking for in your vacation.

There are two seasons you need to take into account:

Dry season: November to April (our recommendation)

Temperatures during the dry season range from 70°F to 88°F (21°C to 31°C). Humidity is low, rain is rare, and the sea is clear and calm. This is when snorkelling visibility is best and boat trips to the islands are most reliable.

The best weeks to visit for good weather and manageable crowds are November, early December, and mid-January through February. December and March are also good, but you will see more Mexican domestic visitors on long weekends.

Wet season: May to October

Temperatures climb to 90°F-95°F (32°C–35°C) with significantly higher humidity. Afternoon rain showers are common from June through September, usually lasting one to two hours before clearing.

The beach is less comfortable during the hottest months because humidity makes sitting on open sand genuinely unpleasant between 11 am and 4 pm. The sea is warm but offers little relief from the heat. Most activity shifts to early morning and late afternoon during these months.

Visiting in the wet season has benefits. Accommodation prices drop by 20 to 40 percent. The beach has far fewer people. July through December is sea turtle nesting season. This is the best time to join a turtle release program.

Which Mexican holiday weeks should you avoid?

Semana Santa (Easter week, March/April) and Christmas week are when Guayabitos transforms. The permanent population of 3,500 swells to over 20,000. Every bungalow and hotel books out completely. Beachfront restaurants have queues. ATMs run out of cash.

If you want the festive atmosphere of a traditional Mexican beach holiday at full volume, these are your weeks. If you want peace, avoid them entirely and book the shoulder periods instead.

👉 INSIDER TIP: During Semana Santa and Christmas, Guayabitos ATMs consistently run dry. Multiple travellers told us they were unable to withdraw cash during these peak weeks. Withdraw enough pesos in Puerto Vallarta before you arrive to cover your first two to three days minimum.

Is it safe to go to Rincon de Guayabitos?

Yes, and we say that from personal experience!

The US State Department rates Nayarit state at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.

That is the same rating as France, Belgium, and Italy. Level 2 does not mean avoid; it means apply normal travel awareness, as you would in any unfamiliar country.

The specific concerns in Nayarit relate to crime on certain highway routes, not to tourist beach towns like Guayabitos.

The town itself is small, walkable, and family-dominated. Sol Nuevo Avenue, the main commercial street, and the beachfront palapa restaurants are active in the evenings with Mexican families. We have walked both at night without any issues.

Practical safety points:

• Do not drive MEX-200 after dark: this is the single most repeated piece of advice from experienced travellers to the area.
• The town centre is safe to walk at night: well-lit, busy with local families.
• Beach vendors are persistent but not aggressive: a firm “no gracias” ends every interaction.
• Traffic police have a reputation among tourist drivers for inventing minor violations to request cash. If stopped, do not hand over cash without a formal printed ticket. Genuine fines are paid at a police station, not on the roadside.

Keeping the coast clean and safe with the “Playa en Orden” initiative

Rincon de Guayabitos operates a “Playa en Orden” (Orderly Beach) initiative that organises vendor zones and maintains cleanliness standards along the main beach.

Vendors selling jewellery, snacks, tours, and fresh fruit operate within designated areas rather than across the full beach, which makes the experience a lot less chaotic than other Mexican beach towns.

The initiative also runs regular beach clean-up days involving local businesses and residents.

The result is a beach that stays in consistently good condition even during peak holiday weeks.

Where to Stay in Rincon de Guayabitos

For most travelers, we would choose a bungalow over a hotel.

Guayabitos is one of those places where you’ll probably spend more time exploring local restaurants, beaches, and boat trips than sitting at a resort. Having a small kitchen and extra space simply makes more sense here.

Best All-Inclusive: Decameron Isla Coral

If you want to arrive, put on a wristband, and not think about meals or drinks again, Decameron Isla Coral is the best all-inclusive option in Guayabitos.

It’s directly on the beach and includes restaurants, bars, a pool, and nightly entertainment.

Best for: Families, couples, and travelers who want everything included.

👉 Check rates at Decameron Isla Coral

Best Mid-Range Hotel: Torreblanca Beach Hotel

If we wanted a hotel without paying for all-inclusive, this is probably where we’d stay.

It’s right on the beach, includes breakfast, and consistently receives some of the best reviews in Guayabitos. The atmosphere feels relaxed and local rather than resort-focused.

Best for: Couples and travelers who want a beachfront hotel without resort prices.

👉 Check availability at Torreblanca Beach Hotel

Best Value: A Traditional Guayabitos Bungalow

This is our favorite option.

Most bungalows include a kitchen, living area, and pool access. During our research, we found that they often cost less than hotels while giving you more space.

They’re also ideal if you’re planning boat trips, market visits, or day trips around Jaltemba Bay.

👉 Browse Guayabitos bungalows on Booking.com

Our tip: Booking.com consistently had more bungalow options than Airbnb when we were planning our trip. If you’re visiting during Christmas, Easter, or Mexican school holidays, book as early as possible.

RV Parks in Guayabitos

Traveling by RV? Guayabitos has several established RV parks, so there is little reason to wild camp.

The most popular options are:

• Paraiso del Pescador – beachfront and right in town
• El Tiburon RV Park – oceanfront with full hookups
• El Dorado RV Park – smaller, quieter, and generally considered the most upscale option

Can You Wild Camp?

We wouldn’t recommend it.

Wild camping is not officially permitted, and the local RV parks are affordable, secure, and provide full hookups. For most travelers, they offer far better value than trying to find an unofficial camping spot.

Where to eat in Rincon de Guayabitos

One thing we quickly noticed in Guayabitos is that lunch is often better than dinner. The fishing boats return in the morning, and many restaurants serve the freshest seafood from midday onwards.

If it’s your first visit, order pescado zarandeado, fresh ceviche, or aguachile.

AN IMPORTANT RULE: bring cash. Most restaurants in Guayabitos are cash only. A few hotels accept credit cards, but assume cash for every restaurant and market interaction.

Our Favorite Restaurants in Rincón de Guayabitos
🍤 Restaurante Pineda	The local institution. If you’re only eating at one seafood restaurant in Guayabitos, make it this one. Order the pescado zarandeado.
🌴 Pikikos	Relaxed beachfront palapa with fresh seafood and cold drinks. A great lunch stop after visiting Isla Coral.
🌅 Tonita I	Our favorite beachfront setting. Go for the sunset views and seafood dishes like Camarón Vaquero.
🍔 Don Porfirio	The best option if you’ve had enough seafood. Known for large burgers, pizza, and a great upstairs terrace overlooking town.

👉 OUR RECOMMENDATION: If you’re only in Guayabitos for a few days, start with Restaurante Pineda for lunch and Tonita I for a sunset dinner. Those two restaurants give you a good feel for what dining in Guayabitos is all about.

What local dishes should you try?

The signature dish of the Jaltemba Bay area is pescado zarandeado, a whole fish, typically red snapper (huachinango), split and grilled over wood fire with a garlic-heavy marinade.

You will find versions of it at every beachfront restaurant, but quality varies significantly.

Other dishes worth ordering:

• Fresh ceviche: ask for the daily version, which reflects what came in that morning
• Aguachile: raw shrimp cured in lime juice with chilli, cucumber, and onion
• Camarones a la diabla: shrimp in a spiced tomato-chilli sauce

Day trips and nearby destinations from Rincon de Guayabitos

Rincon de Guayabitos works well as a base for exploring the broader Riviera Nayarit coastline. This is where a rental car comes in handy for several half-day and full-day excursions that most visitors to the area never make.

Destinations worth adding to your itinerary are:

El Cora waterfall and inland Nayarit

El Cora is the day trip that most visitors to Guayabitos never make, which is exactly why it is worth making!

The waterfall sits in the community of Tecuitata, inland from the coast in the tropical forest of the Sierra de Vallejo.

Drive to the village of El Cora until the cobblestone road ends past the fields at the edge of the village, park, and walk. The dirt road beyond that point is too rough for vehicles.

From where you park, it is a 20-minute walk down to the falls, longer on the way back up.

At the bottom, the waterfall drops into a natural pool deep enough to swim in. There is a rock from which you can jump about 5 metres into the pool below.

A small cave sits adjacent to the falls and is worth exploring. A local restaurant in the village sells cold drinks for the walk back; perfect time to buy something to support the community.

What to know before you go

• Distance from Guayabitos: 6 miles / 10 km inland, under 30 minutes by car
• Trail from parking: 1.4 miles / 2.3 km out and back, 436 feet / 133 metres elevation gain
• Time: 52 minutes average, allow 2 hours including swimming
• Difficulty: Moderate, the descent to the falls is steep in sections, equivalent to roughly six stories of stairs
• Best time to visit: November through March, the falls slow to a trickle in early summer and become dangerously powerful during August and September
• What to bring: swimsuit, water shoes, water, and small pesos for the village restaurant
• Hiking route: Find the route on Alltrails

👉 INSIDER TIP: Go on a weekday. Multiple AllTrails reviewers specifically note they had the falls entirely to themselves mid-week. Weekends, particularly during dry season, see more Mexican day-trippers from Tepic and Puerto Vallarta. We went during the week and experienced it empty!

Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs

Thirty minutes’ drive from Guayabitos towards Alta Vista, the Nuevo Ixtlan Hot Springs have around 20 natural pools fed by geothermal springs, built from natural stone and in forested terrain.

The pools vary in temperature; some are warm, some hot, and the tree cover provides shade throughout. You can also get massages and clay facials.

This is one of the most underrated experiences in the broader Jaltemba Bay area, and the entrance fee is only 60 pesos per person ($3 USD / €2.80), cash only.

There are BBQ grills and a small food stand that sells tacos, salsa, and drinks. You have to try the tacos, salsa, and guacamole at the pool and a barbecue of steak and ribs for lunch; the food is amazing there!

Altavista petroglyphs by ancient Cora Indians

The Altavista Pre-Hispanic ceremonial site sits 9 miles / 15 km north on MEX-200, then a turn-off towards Alta Vista along a rough road that requires a vehicle.

The site covers at least 80 hectares and contains 56 catalogued petroglyphs carved by the Tecoxquin culture, which flourished in this region between approximately 2000 BC and 2300 BC.

These were discovered on the lower side of the Sierra de Vallejo by Spanish explorers in 1524.

The engravings were made by the ancient Cora Indians. Modern-day Cora Indians still visit to leave offerings at shrines like gods’ eyes, beaded jewellery, corn husks, ribbons, and small objects placed at sacred sites along the trail.

The path follows the bed of the Piletas Creek for 0.6 miles / 1 km through a valley shaded by overhanging trees. The carvings appear on both sides of the trail and become more concentrated as you approach the back of the site, where the creek tumbles over rock formations into the Pila del Rey (King’s Basin), a natural pool and the most sacred point of the site.

Interpretive signs in both Spanish and English explain the history throughout.

The entrance fee is 50 pesos per person ($2.50 USD / €2.30), paid to the caretaker at a barbed wire gate on the trail. Close both gates behind you; the trail crosses private property.

Getting there: Take MEX-200 north and turn off towards Alta Vista. Leave your vehicle where the main track becomes rough, but your rental car will still manage the drive.

What to bring: water, sturdy footwear, and pesos in small denominations for the entrance fee.

👉 INSIDER TIP: The petroglyphs are part of a living cultural site; Cora Indians still visit to leave offerings. Treat it accordingly. Do not touch the carvings, do not disturb any offerings you find at shrines, and close the barbed wire gates on the trail behind you. The site receives almost no international visitors compared to its archaeological significance; you will very likely be among only a handful of people there on any given day.

Nearby towns to visit

Three towns south of Guayabitos along MEX-200 that are worth knowing about for day trips, each with a unique character:

San Pancho (San Francisco): 20–25 minutes south. A small, artsy town with a good surf beach and a more international crowd than Guayabitos. The Tuesday street market is worth timing your visit around. Half a day is the right amount of time. Read our full San Pancho guide.

Sayulita: 35 minutes south. More developed and more visited than San Pancho, with a well-established surf scene, boutique shops, good restaurants, and lively nightlife. Worth a half-day or a full day if you want to surf. Read our full Sayulita guide.

Puerto Vallarta: 47 miles / 75 km south, 60–90 minutes by car. Worth a day trip for the Malecon, the old town, and the restaurant scene. Most travellers who base themselves in Guayabitos find they prefer the slower pace and do not feel a strong pull to return, but PVR is there if you want it.

Punta Mita: 40 minutes south of Guayabitos, known for its beaches, world-class surf, and the departure point for the Marietas Islands. Worth a half-day in its own right. Read our full Punta Mita guide

Sustainable travel in Guayabitos

Interacting with wildlife

Rincon de Guayabitos and the waters around Isla Coral are home to a range of marine and coastal wildlife; we find it very important to respect the surroundings and treat them with care.

In the water around Isla Coral:

• Do not touch coral formations; even gentle contact can damage coral that took decades to grow.
• Do not chase or handle marine life, including sea turtles, if you encounter them.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen only; standard sunscreen chemicals are toxic to coral ecosystems. This is not optional around the islands.
• Maintain distance from nesting seabirds on Isla del Cangrejo.

On the beach:

• Do not disturb marked turtle nesting areas; these are identifiable by stakes or tape placed by conservation volunteers
• Collect all your waste from the beach, including cigarette butts
• Follow the Playa en Orden vendor zone guidelines rather than engaging vendors outside designated areas (this supports the system the local community has put in place)

Conclusion

Rincón de Guayabitos does not try to be Puerto Vallarta; it is a fishing town on a protected Pacific bay that happens to have two snorkelling islands offshore, 30 geothermal pools thirty minutes inland, and some of the freshest seafood you will eat anywhere in Mexico.

Three to five days is the right length of time. Long enough to find your rhythm: morning market, boat trip, afternoon beach, palapa dinner, and short enough that you leave wanting another week.

If you are flying into Puerto Vallarta and wondering whether to stay there or push north, push north. You can always go back to Puerto Vallarta. But trust us, Guayabitos is the kind of place that you find once and keep returning to!

Have a question about Rincon de Guayabitos? Drop it in the comments; we read and respond to every one.