I can’t get enough of beaches. Period. Well I should qualify that, lol. I can’t get enough of sandy beaches in warm climates. 😊 The vibrant beach scene at Rincon de Guayabitos ticked just about all of my boxes.
My very favourite way to start any day is to take part or all of my long morning walk on the beach. I really enjoy hunting for treasures, whether they are sea shells, beach glass, or anything else that is colourful and shiny. Magpie much?
Rincon de Guayabitos
In this little bay, there are three villages. Rincon de Guayabitos is in the middle and I would say it is bigger than a village now, definitely and town. Snuggling up on either side is Los Ayala to the south and La Penita to the North.
Guayabitos was not what I expected at all. It is a bustling, thriving vibrant beach resort town. There are so many more tourists than I had imagined, and most of them are nationals from all around the state of Nayarit and beyond. All of this activity in town, pulses directly onto the beach.
Playa de Rincon de Guayabitos
Guayabitos beach is absolutely beautiful. The sand is not only soft but so incredibly fluffy. Think of the texture of the white Caribbean sand but this is a rich dark brown sugar colour.
Not only is the beach fairly wide, but when the tide is out you can walk for just about 3 kilometres in one direction. The slope into the water is so gentle with waves cresting far off shore. The water is warm, not what my brain expects when I step into the Pacific ocean! As you wade in the tepid water you can see multitudes of little fish swimming around your feet.
The View
Looking out from Guayabitos beach you will see Coral Island. A perfect place to go for a snorkel if you wish to see more beautiful fish. Just have a little chat with a panga driver on shore and he will hook you up with an excursion over to the island.
Walking
I’ve always been an early riser. Usually this means, that when I have the luxury of walking on the beach at sunrise, I have the shoreline to myself or very few others. Well not with this beach! I don’t know how the Mexican people do it, I really don’t. They looooove to party hard late into the evenings, but are somehow up and on the beach by 7:30am!! I have been down to the shoreline several times now, thinking I just struck it busy on one day, but no, it is busy that early, every day! The weekends are definitely the most crowded.
By mid morning the beach is getting full with foot traffic, vendors and those setting up their spots for the day. So if you want to walk that 3 kilometre stretch without dodging people, animals and items, I would head down as early as possible.
Treasure Hunting
Along this beautiful stretch of beach you can find small shells, usually about the size of a dime. There are lots of fish scales and bones in one small area, as this is after all a fishing village. Some beach glass can be found but not as much as on the neighbouring beaches. You will find the beach really clean too, a safe place to walk barefoot.
Beach Festivities
This is a busy beach. With the sun currently rising at 6:30am, an hour later and there are many morning walkers out enjoying the crisp cool breeze. By 8:00am I usually see national tourists starting to go into the ocean for a swim. And by 9:00am the vendors are setting up a multitude of food carts and tents selling everything from waffles to tacos. There are always Mexican snacks being sold on the beaches, you will never go hungry! From fish and shrimp on a stick to bags of pineapple and mango sprinkled with spicy sauce. The food selection is fun and tasty.
There are always vendors selling inflatable toys, hats, sunglasses, blankets, jewellery and just about anything beach related you can think of.
By lunch time this beach is packed. Umbrellas from one end to the other. The water is full of swimmers. Music is blaring from various eating establishments in addition to personal boom boxes. All I can say is if you are looking for some lively entertainment, spectacular people watching and delicious Mexican food brought right to your side, this is the place for you!
Fishing
My favourite experience at this beach?
Rincon de Guayabitos started as a fishing village and still remains one today. There is a section of the beach where the panga’s come ashore with the daily haul. The fish is cleaned right then and there and the friendly and cheeky pelicans can be seen sneaking up to the boats for a hand out.
Once the fish is cleaned, it is arranged on each panga and sold by weight to any passerby. This is a sight I love to witness and experience. There is so much activity in a relatively small space and it is absolutely beautiful to see the Mexican people’s livelihood played out right in front of you.
Should you find yourself in this neck of the woods one day and need some beach time, have a visit here. You will definitely be entertained!
