Playa La Penita! It might not be the longest beach in the area but it sure ticks all the right boxes. It’s an amazing beach at La Penita de Jaltemba and absolutely beautiful! I have been lucky enough to walk this stretch of beach almost daily lately.
The beach stretches from the Arroyo Guinea or Guinea Creek to the rocky shoreline at Sunset Island Resort. At this point it is impassable and one must go up to the Highway to continue further up the coast by foot.
When the tide is high, there are actually three separate beaches as rocky outcrops make each section impassable. A simple jaunt up to the road and back down solves this problem. However, when the tide is low, one can walk the entire stretch on the beautiful soft sand.
The Malecon
There is a small concrete Malecon along part of the beach. Have a seat on the multiple benches and watch the world go by. At one end is a toes in the sand beach bar serving bevvies all day long and often with live music. The Malecon will fill up each evening as this is the best place to come and watch a spectacular Pacific sunset.
I have walked this beach early in the morning and mid to late afternoon and at all times I am usually one of only a handful of people on the sand! To be almost alone every time is just so surprising to me. For the next beach over at Rincon de Guayabitos, is packed with people by lunch time almost daily.
The Beach
The sand at playa La Penita is soft but not fluffy. Going barefoot is easy and safe. The colour of the sand is a warm dark brown sugar. There is a lot of sea glass 😊 and some small shells should you be a treasure hunter like myself.
The waves can be quite substantial, however there is a nice gentle decent into the water so the waves are actually cresting further out from the shore.
The View
Right out in front of this little bay is Coral Island. Should you like to snorkel, this is the place to go. You can rent a panga either from La Penita or Guayabitos to take you over for a few hours.
Fishing
Just at the end of the Malecon is where the local fishermen bring their pangas aground, full of fish each day. It is a spectacle and one that I never tire of watching. Men are busy unloading the beautiful fresh fish into crates to be taken ashore and delivered to the fish mongers or restaurants. Other men are holding the panga steady in the waves.
The sea birds and pelicans are swarming around, waiting for freebies, dogs are barking and usually one of the vehicles is blaring lively Mexican music. The scene could not be any more quintessentially lovely and coastal Mexican!
If you are a beach walker, a beach comber, a treasure hunter or just need a break from the crowds, this is the beach for you. Its not a really long stretch but it sure is enjoyable in every way.
