Expat’s Guide to Melaque, Mexico: A Beach Paradise Awaits

I live in paradise, a beautiful place called Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, which is known for its diversity, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural traditions. I wanted to see if it could be topped, and can you believe it, a road trip to Melaque did just that.

Melaque is also known as San Patricio and it is nothing short of magical. Mexican magic is alive in Melaque and isn’t that why we are all here, anyway? It’s the path less chosen and interestingly, one won’t find much information about this authentic Southern Mexican Beach town on the internet, but trust me it’s a top destination for a weekend excursion.

If you want a flashback of Puerto Vallarta twenty years ago, go to Melaque.  It has a beautiful undeveloped shoreline and stellar ocean views, plus the sea even has an outcrop of lava rock that shelters the bay. The lava rocks reminded me of the Los Arcos in Puerto Vallarta.  It’s truly scenic.

        7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Melaque

1. Step back in time to what Puerto Vallarta might have been 20 years ago for a new adventure and a splash of nostalgia.
2. Step into a quiet Southern Mexican Beach town that has proximity to Barre de Navidad et Chamela, Mexico.
3. Enjoy an excellent swimmable beach in Melaque, that’s not crowded or overloaded with vendors.
4. If you like Horseback Tours, they are easy to find.
5. Check in to Casa Leon Hotel and even dine at Casa Moon on the rooftop for an upper-crust experience.
6. If fishing guides and boat tours are your thing then you’ll be happy to know that fishing and boat tours here are affordable and fun.
7. The car journey is scenic and safe while super-loaded with possibilities for creative stops along the way.

 If you want a relaxed but full trip, I recommend pre-planning your weekend excursion for the best personal outcomes.

Expert’s Guide to a Spectacular Itinerary

Friday A.M.

• Get ready to leave Puerto Vallarta early with plenty of drinks and yummy snacks.
• You will want to stop in along the way to visit the charming Mexican town of Tuito. After all, Tuito is considered one of the Pueblos Magicos (Charming Towns) and it is indeed charming with its quaint local shops.
• Don’t forget to visit Playa Mayto on the way there (or on the way back) as it’s a do not miss the beach.
• I suggest you take a tour of the small town of You won’t regret it.
• Hit the brakes to pay a visit to Tenacatita. Tenacatita is known for its aquatic adventure tourism.
• Like me, I hope you reach Melaque deeply inspired. I opted to stay at a terrific new oceanfront hotel called Casa Leon. In my view, it’s encouraged to have dinner at Casa Moon, for example, I enjoyed the tastiest Pina Colada and the Mexican Moon pies will curl your toes!

Saturday

Disfruta Melaque!  It’s possible today is a Melaque mindset that will serve you well.  Venture out into the oceanside pool, stroll the elegantly designed Malecon, and swim naked in the ocean.  It’s time to relax and rejuvenate your soul -Mexican style!

Sunday

Gingerly wake up, eat breakfast at Casa Moon or any of the local and authentic restaurants close by, and then hit the road to embark on a full-day trip to Barra de Navidad.

  Barra De Navidad: Discover A Hidden Gem

About 5 Kilometers from Melaque one can visit a beautiful, small town called Barra De Navidad. Barra de Navidad is located on the western coastline of the Mexican state of Jalisco. It belongs to the municipality of Cihuatlán.

I opted to enjoy a lovely boat ride in the lagoon that was 45 minutes and 600 pesos or if you want to go on a boat ride out into the ocean it is 900 pesos.  It was well worth the pesos to enjoy the nature, unique views, and Real Estate in the Bay.

Afterward, I found the restaurants in Barra de Navidad were very affordable. I fed upon incredibly fresh, flavourful seafood like a hungry goddess.

How to save money on this Road trip?

How you save money is up to you (pinch a peso, save a peso) but I will say the restaurants were less expensive than the ones you find in Puerto Vallarta.

It’s a windy road at times, so another penny-pinching tip is to drive with consistency to save gas and use cruise control when you can.  It’s wise to leave with a full tank of gas.

The Best Places to Take Pictures for Social Media

There are endless picturesque spots to capture great photos and share your special moments. For example, the  Mirador in Melaque is a sweet spot for selfies.  It’s a bit of a hike to the top, but the Mirador offers epic “Wow” views.  Also, there’s a humble restaurant at the top, so you can relax and catch your breath.

Where to Stay in Melaque?

There was a great hotel I stayed at called Casa Leon. Casa Leon is a new, and the most significant structure in Melaque. It has six floors and forty rooms with private parking.  The restaurant called Casa Moon is upstairs, where one will find gourmet offerings and deliciously smooth Pina Coladas to sip while watching the sun and moon rise and fall.   The room rate was reasonable, and the staff was terrific. Sidenote, this ex-pat girl felt safe and cared for the entire stay.

The Malecon in Melaque

Melaque has an ideal Malecon.  One crosses a cute bridge over the river to access the Malecon which takes you directly beside the charged, crashing white-capped waves.  There’s an energy in the waves here that words can’t quite describe. The Malecon is quaint and charming with many benches along the way.  Of course, there are few vendors offering drinks and food. I enjoyed seeing Mexican families enjoying life together and young lovers kissing.

The end of the Malecon has a rounded seating area much like an amphitheater with a perfect view of the entire beach, Casa Leon, and the white-capped waves that charge at the shore.   Awe, seriously, I thought to myself at that moment,  this is what they mean when they say Paradise! A

I treasured my relaxing days in Melaque, and my wish is for you to have a soul-enriching trip to Melaque too. Remember, Mexico is an emotional and healing journey, or as Colombian Novelist, Gabriel García Márquez used to say

Traveling to Mexico is a journey of discovery, where every corner holds a new story and every person a new adventure.

About Barbara La Pointe

Barbara is a Sales Associate with the renowned Timothy Real Estate Group. She represents some of the finest properties and condominium developments in Bucerias, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, and La Cruz, Mexico. As a world traveler with a passion for supporting others, moving to Mexico as a relocation specialist and Realtor was a natural choice. Originally from Canada, Barbara is delighted with the warmth of her new hometown – both its climate and its people! 

If you are thinking of buying Real Estate in Banderas Bay, Mexico then reach out to Barbara on her Whats App at 322 101 8268 or listen to her on the radio every Saturday morning on Asphalt, Radiante 98.3 FM where she provides weekly tips on buying Real Estate in Mexico.