Travel Guide COSTALEGRE Contents

DISCOVER COSTALEGRE 01

COSTALEGRE PROFILE 02

COSTALEGRE ATTRACTIONS 03

COSTALEGRE DINING 11

COSTALEGRE SHOPPING 13

COSTALEGRE NICHTLIFE 14

THINGS TO DO IN COSTALEGRE 15 DISCOVER COSTALEGRE

Costalegre consists of five coastal areas that stretch for 100 miles along Mexico’s Pacific coast: Bahia de Navidad (Christmas Bay), Bahia Tenacatita, Costa Careyes, Bahia de Chamela, and Costa Majahuas. Each one has its own natural charm that makes it unique, crafted by the powers of nature that have created cliffs, crags, virgin beaches, and bays, as well as state-protected nature reserves that are home to endemic plants and wildlife.

In the ‘90s it was designated an “Ecological Tourism Corridor” because of its natural beauty and picturesque towns with their welcoming inhabitants. It is the perfect place to discover the splendor of a Mexico rich in culture, traditions, and stunning landscapes.

Given that Costalegre has an almost endless amount of lagoons, mangroves, islands, and beaches, there’s a lot to do when it comes to watersports, including surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, boat tours, fishing, and swimming, to name but a few. Likewise, the region’s mountains and geographical features make it ideal for ecotourism, along with golf, cycling, zip lines, and other fun outdoor activities.

1 COSTALEGRE PROFILE

A 100 mile stretch of coastline, as well as rivers, islands, lagoons, and mountains.

Designated an Ecological Tourism Corridor.

Home to the 30,000 acre Manantlan Biosphere Reserve and the tropical deciduous forest of the Chamela Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve

Home to the Canon de Pena Dam, the largest in the state of Jalisco.

The Jaguar Refuge is located in the immense jungle of the town of Tuito; this project is dedicated to the conservation of this endangered mammal.

A hotel infrastructure that ranges from luxury hotels to picturesque thatched-roof shacks.

2 COSTALEGRE ATTRACTIONS

When you explore the famous destination of Costalegre you can admire the high cliffs of the bays of Mexico’s Pacific coast, the tropical plant life, and the amazing views of the coastal jungle. In Costalegre there is an almost endless array of attractions, among which you’ll find beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets, a wonderful climate, cultural activities, and lots of ecological areas. As a first-rate tourist destination, it also has a number of professional golf courses.

BEACHES

The peaceful, golden beaches of Costalegre are surrounded by cliffs, rocks, and the soothing waves of the Pacific Ocean, creating a stunning setting that gets even more beautiful and colorful at sunrise and sunset. Don’t pass up the chance to visit Barra de Navidad, Costa Careyes, or Costa Majahuas. Each one features marvelous white beaches and tranquil waters that contrast perfectly with the mountains and lush greenery typical of the area.

3 SNORKELING AND SCUBA DIVING

Bahia de Tenacatita is a paradise for snorkeling fans. It is home to a wide variety of coral, colorful fish, whales, turtles, and dolphins. SURFING

If you’re thinking about going surfing, then think of Barra de Navidad and Majahuas. Here you’ll find big, powerful waves, the optimal conditions for surfing. Another great place to visit is El Tecuan, which is about three miles from Tenacatita and is perfect for surfing, due to the strong winds that come from the west. These sites are known to be the best for experienced surfers.

4 FISHING

The Barra de Navidad region is a popular area to go sport fishing, as it is home to a diverse selection of fish, including marlin, sailfish, and tuna. TheInternational Sailfish Fishing Tournament is held here every winter, during the last three days of the last week in January.

SIERRA DE MANANTLAN BIOSPHERE RESERVE

This nature reserve is home to more than 2,900 species of plants, over half of which are endemic to Mexico. The reserve is spread over 370,000 acres that houses numerous endangered species. It is an ambitious project that aims to conserve the biodiversity of the region and create regulations that promote sustainable tourism. The number one priority here is to protect and preserve the habitat, and to teach a culture of respect for all plant and wildlife.

5 BAHIA DE CHAMELA

This is the bay with the most islands in the country. It has more than nine islands, as well as a number of islets, home to dolphins and birds. The bay is easily accessible from Puerto Vallarta or Barra de Navidad, and offers excellent tourist services.

COSTA CAREYES

This area is famous for its beaches full of turtles, the different colors of the sand, and the diversity of the wildlife. Here you can see the exceptional beauty of virgin beaches complemented by luxurious residential and tourist complexes.

6 BAHIA DE TENACATITA

Tenacatita is a chain of beaches located less than an hour from Manzanillo, full of virgin beaches that are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. It’s perfect if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, as it only has a few tourist developments, but a lot of immaculate areas of natural beauty. Some of the villages in the region with stunning beaches include Boca de Iguanas, Punta Serena, and La Manzanilla, so don’t pass up the chance to visit them! This area also features rivers, lagoons, and ocean, along with diverse plant and wildlife, earning it the protection of the state and the title of “Chamela Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve”. BARRA DE NAVIDAD

This small fishing town is located in the south of Costalegre and has developed into a tourist destination over recent years. Many visitors wonder where the town’s peculiar name (Christmas Bar) came from. Barra de Navidad is a natural sandbar that runs perpendicular to Punto El Viejo and was discovered during Christmas decades ago. The restaurants here are ideal for people looking to eat fresh seafood and typical regional cuisine.

7 CUASTECOMATES

Cuastecomates is a beautiful town with a peaceful atmosphere. It is located in a picturesque cove with calm waves, making the beach perfect for swimming and snorkeling. You’ll also find cozy thatched-roof restaurants serving delicious fresh seafood.

COSTA MAJAHUAS

Enjoy the sun and sea on the beautiful light grey beaches of this bay. It is a perfect spot for fans of fishing, as you’ll find an abundance of lobsters, octopuses, and crabs. This area is also where you’ll find the largest turtle grounds in the state.

8 MELAQUE

Melaque is a coastal town located by Barra de Navidad with a wide variety of restaurants dotted along the beach that serve typical regional cuisine. It is surrounded by large rocks and golden beaches.

LA MANZANILLA

This small fishing town mixes the magic of the ocean waves with the biodiversity of the lagoon mangroves. Here you can admire stunning beaches as you marvel at the variety of wildlife in its natural habitat. Species that call the area home include numerous fish and reptiles, such as caimans and alligators.

9 TOMATLAN

This municipality combines the characteristics of the coast with those of the green mountains. It has about 30 miles of coastline that stands out for the variety of plant life. This is where you’ll find the salt mines in the state of Jalisco.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Visit Isla de los Pajaros (Bird Island), the Playa Teopa turtle farm, and the Volcan de Fuego volcano. You can have fun at the Bullfighting Festivals in Melaque, with their great atmosphere and fireworks. At Barra de Navidad you can join in the Costalegre Carnaval, which is celebrated five days before Ash Wednesday. Get close to nature and enjoy the many tours that will take you to discover the incredible geographical beauty of this part of Mexico’s Pacific coast.

10 COSTALEGRE DINING

Costalegre is a wonderful region rich in natural resources, leading to a cuisine that is varied and flavorsome. Likewise, the waters here are full of marine species that are prepared in the restaurants by expert Mexican chefs. The area is also known for its impressive coastline, its coconut plantations, sugarcane fields, and fruit orchards.

A number of refreshing drinks are made from the region’s tropical fruits, including pulque (an alcoholic drink made from maguey), tepache (a fermented beverage made from pineapples), punch, and tejuino (corn beer). Other treats include candies made from guava or quince, and the famous “cocadas” (traditional coconut candies).

You’ll find excellent restaurants in Barra de Navidad, whether you are looking to enjoy a romantic dinner, or just a meal with friends. Despite the fact that Melaque only has a few restaurants, it does have a large amount of thatched-roof “palapas” on the beach that serve seafood and regional cuisine. You can enjoy delicious food at great prices in all the friendly towns that make up Costalegre.

11 THE FAVORITES

Originally from the state of Nayarit, “pescado zarandeado” is a special dish in which red snapper is grilled on mangrove firewood, marinated with a soy and lime sauce, and garnished with slices of red pepper, onion, and oranges. In a similar fashion, grilled fish is very popular due to the fact that it is so easy to prepare. The most commonly used fish are grouper, dorado, and red snapper. Normally they are topped with a marinade to give them a spicy taste. Other highlights on the seafood restaurant menus include shrimp cocktails and ceviche.

SEAFOOD

With such an impressive array of fish and seafood, it is not surprising that there is a lot of seafood restaurants along this 100-mile stretch of coastline. Here you’ll find something for all tastes, including ceviche, octopus in its ink, spicy shrimp, and seafood soup, as well as popular dishes like shrimp with coconut.

12 COSTALEGRE SHOPPING In Costalegre there aren’t any large plazas or shopping malls, however, you’ll find lots of small stores and street vendors that will sell you decorative items and Mexican handicrafts. Barra de Navidad and Melaque are definitely where you’ll find the most places to shop.

BARRA DE NAVIDAD Barra de Navidad features a wide range of stores, stalls, bazars, and commercial establishments, mainly located on Avenida Lopez Legazpi, which crosses the town from end to end, and on Avenida Veracruz, which welcomes you to the town. In the heart of this town you’ll find the municipal plaza, which is surrounded by bazars and stalls where you’ll be sure to find the perfect souvenir. Finally, don’t pass up the chance to explore the handicraft market, which brings together a wide variety of precious metalwork and hand-made goods.

MELAQUE Melaque is a picturesque town that is known for its large quantity of retirees, both from Mexico and abroad. It is home to lots of pedestrian streets where vendors offer products like jewelry, muslin or leather clothing, beautiful paintings, ceramics, and precious metal work, to name but a few.

13 COSTALEGRE NIGHTLIFE

The restaurants and bars in the elegant hotels of Costalegre usually offer live music accompanied by evening shows performed by talented dancers. The locals in the small towns tend to be cheerful people who like to have a good time, but in a different way to the large tourist destinations or cities, as the magic of these places is due to the warm, relaxed, coastal atmosphere they offer.

The towns of Barra de Navidad and Melaque are probably where you’ll find the biggest concentration of clubs, restaurants, and bars where you can enjoy your favorite drink or pamper your taste buds with a delicious traditional dish.

14 THINGS TO DO IN COSTALEGRE

Explore the diverse array of beaches, which range from very popular to almost untouched.

Try kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and numerous other watersports.

Explore the region and try outdoor activities like hiking, zip-lines, bicycle tours, and rappelling.

Visit two of the most popular towns, Barra de Navidad and Melaque, and enjoy their typical restaurants and nightlife.

Savor a variety of specialty dishes made from fresh fish and seafood.

See the turtles lay their eggs at Playa Careyes and Costa Majahuas.

Try your hand at the Sport Fishing Tournaments in Barra de Navidad.

Play a round of golf at Playa Tamarindo or on Isla Navidad.

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