The natural wealth available to the municipality is represented by 146.770 hectares of forest and 75 km. coast, where most species of cedar, yellow guy, Amapá, cacao, walnut, oak, gum and coconut palm, mainly.
The area is one of the last with expanses of open undeveloped beach on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Much of the surrounding land has been agricultural and the crops include corn, papayas, chiles, agave and beans. Tourism is new to the area, and several infrastructure projects are underway.
Cabo Corrientes offers visitors a variety of environments and places,
including forests, rivers, beaches and estuaries.
On the coast the climate is considered semi-dry, with winter and spring dry and warm without defined winter season.
This is not like your typical boat trip to the beaches of Quimixto or yelapa. Getting here takes you through the lush tropical mountains arriving eventually back on the shores of the Pacific at the southernmost point of Banderas Bay with untouched pristine white sand beaches and clear turquoise water.
The 44-kilometer drive on Highway 200 to El Tuito takes almost an hour. The highway has plenty of curves, so drive with the utmost caution. El Tuito means “a place of beauty” and comes from the word “Teotl.” It is the home to almost 4,000 people and is the headquarters for the municipal government of Cabo Corrientes.
El Tuito
Time seems to stand still in the atmosphere of the small village, and there are few such places left.
El Tuito has an attractive town square; with pillars housing birds, palm trees and a marvelous tree the locals call “María.” Homes here are covered with local clay and feature classic tile roofs, making the town very colorful and uniform. Perhaps this is why it is included in the Federal listing of “Typical Villages of Mexico” in 2006.
El Tuito offers an array of local and regional products you must sample: organic coffee, sugar cane candy, brown sugar, raicilla and their famous panela cheeses.
- El Patio de Don Alfonso
Across the street from the main plaza, this plantation was founded in 1525 by Spaniard Guadalupe Michel, who sheltered Porfirio Díaz in his war against Don Benito Juárez in 1872. Your tour guide Luis, an Architect, has renovated the plantation, maintaining its original features, and has hung pre-Columbian art he has gathered from throughout Mexico. Portal Morelos #3, open from Mon-Sun, 10:00am-6:00pm. Voluntary dontations.
- Clay Crafts
Don Fernando Castillón, also known as “the artisan of El Tuito,” specializing in clay figurines. All his work has a pre-Hispanic motif, such as the calimote dog. His large selection of pottery includes traditional clay jugs used to keep water cold, in addition to a pair of feet used to display jewelry for that part of the body.
Don Fernando demonstrates the clay process, explaining that it can take up to 16 hours to complete a single piece. With lots of pride and a love of craftsmanship, he shows off his kiln and the place he stores his unfired clay, a bit like Play Dough. You will see tiny clay houses here that represent the actual inhabitants of El Tuito and are guarded by “Xoloitzcuintle”dogs pronounced,Sho-low-eets-queen-tlee, a mostly hairless breed originating with the Aztecs.
Las Guásimas
After visiting El Tuito, Las Guásimas is worth a visit. A village of only 50 people, about 20 minutes from El Tuito on the un-paved road leading to Chacala.
Here, the Hacienda El Divisadero, owned by Don Tino Carvajal, produces raicilla, a traditional drink similar to tequila but made from a different variety of agave plant a called, “lechuguilla,” native to this region
This hacienda is also a rustic hotel and restaurant. After visiting the distillery and becoming familiar with the raicilla process, try the tasty barbequed food, including lamb marinated shepherd style, beef, accompanied by guacamole, beans, freshly made tortillas and tostadas with cottage cheese. You can accompany your meal with a delicious fruit margarita made with raicilla. The ambiance is all natural, with a panoramic view of agaves as far as the eye can see. The petroglyphs, among Las Guásimas’ most important attractions. Turn from the un-paved road onto a 300-meter path. These enormous rocks feature carvings that represent Mexican ancestry and symbols that pre-date the alphabet.
On the Road to Paradise…
Tehuamixtle
The 40-kilometer trip from El Tuito to Tehuamixtle, better known as Tehua, takes approximately one hour and a half. The dirt road receives constant maintenance and is in good condition.
The sand here is soft and white, and the surf is gentle, perfect for kayaking, snorkeling, taking a boat trip, visiting “La Bufa” a natural geyser near the seashore, and see a colorful mermaid figure carved into a rock formation.
Tehua’s Other Enchantments
Tehua is known for its oysters and features a commercial oyster farm, which was founded in 2005 to protect natural resources. The 2 to 3mm oyster “seeds” are brought in from Sonora, Ensenada and La Paz. Here, they are transferred onto a mosquito net bed, which is then covered and lowered into the ocean. Submerged concrete blocks, called “muertos,” and their associated lines, called “madre,” hold the mosquito netting. There the seeds begin to absorb the carbons necessary to start forming shells. They must be cleaned every three days.
Within two months, after reaching a size of two to three centimeters, they are transferred into trays, which must be cleaned every 15 days. The average is four trays stacked on top of each other and tethered to the “madre” line. The entire process takes seven to 8 months, until the oysters mature to 5cm.
In addition to fresh oysters, Tehua is a sea turtle sanctuary.
Here in what essentially the small fishing village of Tehua, you must try the seafood. There are three restaurants along the pier—Liz Adriana, Cade and La Galleta—all serving excellent seafood, including shrimp ceviche.
Villa del Mar
The roads that lead to Mayto, Tehua and Villa del Mar all seem to converge inTehua. If you find yourself lost or with car trouble, don’t be surprised to find a good natured local happy to offer assistance or a ride to a nearby village. It is all part of the warm friendly atmosphere of this area.
At Villa del Mar, the first thing you will notice the white sand and the powerful surf. Area residents do not recommend swimming here unless you are an expert.
This is a great place to enjoy a few days away from civilization, maybe taking a trip on horseback or mountain bike, visiting the dairies and trying some of the cheeses produced here. And you needn’t worry about the food, since the restaurant offers seafood caught fresh from the very beaches you are enjoying. Lie in the sun and enjoy the beach or swimming pool, and the panoramic view worthy of a postcard.
Mayto
Located 82 kilometers from Puerto Vallarta, the approximate travel time is two and a half hours. I arrived at night and the first thing you see along its beaches is a series of lights and the canvas tents that make up the turtle camp.
Mayto Treasures
Belonging to the University of Guadalajara, the turtle camp was created in July 2005. It is tended by biologist Israel Llamas. The beach is 17 kilometers long, providing ample place for the sea turtle nesting. They are equipped with the latest technological systems, such as solar panels that produce electricity with generators powered by windmills, as well as sensors for their incubation systems and satellite internet. Since its inception, 210,000 offspring have been released, yet their survival rate remains only 2%.
This campground receives more than 11,000 visitors a year from about 20 countries, with 300 to 400 high school students from Puerto Vallarta participating in the patrolling and release of marine turtles, as well as helping paint walls, reconstruct paths or any other task the community may require.
If you wish to visit the campgrounds, there is no need for a reservation. Admission and activities within the campground are open to the public and completely free, although they welcome any monetary donations.
The Little Mayto Beach is a great paradise. Just imagine, 17 kilometers of pristine white sand beaches!
Among the activities available are kayaking, visiting the turtle camp, walking on the beach until reaching the bluff or simply enjoying a swim in the ocean. The tide is very intense however so use extreme caution.
These beaches are hidden and free of stores and large resorts. I hope you enjoyed our trip through Cabo Corrientes, full of hidden jewels waiting to be discovered.Escape to a place where the turquoise water is hypnotic and the soft sand caresses away stress. And don't forget to try regional products such as coffee, raicilla, panela and other types of cheese, a hot corn and coconut drink, and cookies baked by Doña Marta in El Tuito
*Travel Tips:
Don’t forget to pack your sun block, insect repellant and a basic first aid kit.
Medical Emergencies : Mayto offers a health center, which is a single medical office, and there is another health center in the nearby town of La Cruz de Loreto, but the nearest hospital is in Puerto Vallarta.
For additional information, plese contact us at: info@natureencounter.com.mx
