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parking

 

Electricity/ Amps: 15

Melaque

Melaque (pronounced May-la-kay)

Elevation – Sea Level

Climate – Tropical similar to Hawaii (same latitude)

Monthly variation: Hot and humid in the summer, cooler and dryer in the Winter

Rainy season: June to November

High Tourist Season – Mid December to Mid March

Population – 12,000 year round residents

Industry – Tourism and agriculture

 

Month	High Temp	Low Temp
January	72°F  22°C	54°F  12°C
February	75°F  24°C	54°F  12°C
March	77°F  25°C	55°F  13°C
April	84°F  29°C	58°F  14°C
May	87°F  31°C	64°F  18°F
June	92°F  33°C	65°F  18°C
July	95°F  35°C	73°F  23°C
August	95°F  35°C	74°F  23°C
September	93°F   34°C	73°F  23°C
October	89°F  32°C	68°F  19°C
November	80°F  27°C	61°F  16°C
December	75°F  24°C	56°F  13°C

 

 

 

Melaque faces south on Bahía de Navidad on the Jalisco coastline; a 4 hour drive south from Puerto Vallarta down Highway 200 and where it meets the crossroads of Highway 80.

 

The community of 12,000 year-round inhabitants is actually 3 small communities that have melted into one; San Patricio/Melaque/Villa Obregon. This is an inviting area with loads of budget and moderate accommodation that seems to attract a goodly number of tourists that don't want the glitz of a Cancun or Cabo, but rather want the sleepy street life and small town ambence. Only two miles Northwest of the more upscale Barra de Navidad, Melaque is popular with long term travelers that want beach and piece of authentic Mexican town life.

 

 

The area was first founded by the Spanish on Christmas Day in 1540, hence the name "Barra de Navidad." Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza built ships here for an expedition to the Philippines. The area has always been lush with tropical plantations of coconuts, papayas and bananas. The town has now grown but has maintained a small community atmosphere.

 

The town is slow and the shops are too. There are no big Gigantes, Lays or Sorriana's. The shops appear family-run and operated with no big chain influence. There is a weekly market that appears - selling trinkets, clothes, and fruits and veggies, which seems to suffice the population's buying needs. Services too are small scale but adequate to meet community needs; an ATM, a few Laundromats, hardware stores, internet cafes; enough places to get you by.

 

The town square sits some three blocks from the beach. A church occupies one side of the square and municipal building another- traditional Mexican style - and on the other two sides are stores and small restaurants which continue and expand into a hub of stalls and stand-up eateries down a few blocks to the beach. There are a number of places to eat, hang out and generally pass the warm sunny days.

 

The beach is glorious; pelicans, fishermen, palapa restaurants and ocean side views - the occasional whale if you watch very closely. The golden sandy beach stretches for miles along the bay, but a steep drop to the water makes walking at the waters-edge impossible. And watch out for those waves. Crashing hard against the sandbanks, they can be dangerous for swimmers.

 

(We had to rescue a Canadian who went out for a dip but was plummeted by a big wave that knocked the senses out of him. He was only 5 feet from shore.)

 

Facing south, you can sip your coffee in the morning to an awe-inspiring sunrise and that same day sip your margarita while watching the daylight slip away in the sunset. Enjoy.

 

 

Hotels

Tom Zap has a good albeit outdated website listing accommodation Click here

 

Camping

There is one good RV Park in Melaque - La Playa RV Park. It has a great location, right on the beach and near the town centre. However it is small and reservations are a must during the snowbird season. The other camping area is on Ejido land and garbage pick-up is provided for a nominal fee. It is not the most sanitary. The other camping location, Laguna Del Tule RV Park, that recently opened has been now closed. We have heard it may open again in January after the elections. Go Figure.

 

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Ms Maneras is a regular columnist and will appear in the Jaltemba Express Monday, Wednesday & Fridays.

 

Dear Ms Maneras,

I love the place but hate the vendors. Every time I lie down on the beach I get a salesman coming by trying to sell me something. I just want to tan in peace. HELP.

Beige & Bothered

 

Dear Beige and Bothered,

Ms Maneras loves this area too and the more she gets to know the people and customs the more she loves it. Mexico has vendors everywhere and it is by and large an acceptable part of their culture. While it wouldn't be your beach experience at home to expect to buy rosaries, tablecloths, T-shirts and the like, it is very normal in Mexico. When in Rincon do as the Rinconians do......Watch what the locals do with salespersons on the beach. They are generally not rude or bothered by the experience.

You are a guest in this country. Be a polite and pleasant guest. Don't expect a country and culture to change for you.

If you don't like vendors Ms Maneras kindly suggests that you inquire where there is a remote beach where you can tan alone. There are many locally.

Ms Maneras

MsM

Dear Ms Maneras,

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