Costalegre - Central Pacific Coast of Mexico

Arroyo Seco Pro 2012 - Surf

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:57:00 +0000

Arroyo Seco is located about halfway between Tenacatita and Emiliano Zapata on the Costalegre (Costa Alegre) coast north of Melaque and Barra de Navidad. This event is partially sponsored by the new Las Brisas restaurant located on Las Brisas beach.

Trials and elimination start tomorrow the 13th of January and competition will be the 14th and 15th. Hours are supposed to be 9am to 6pm but they usually wait for the better tides. Follow the sign from the highway thru town past the plaza angling to the right until you can cross the "arroyo seco". Follow that road to the beach.

Summer drive down Highway 200

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:41:00 +0000

Just a few pleasant pictures of the drive down Highway 200 along the Costalegre. It's really beautiful when it's green like this and should stay this way until November and maybe even December. It just depends on the rains.

Be advised that the rain bring green to the countryside but also pot-holes and occasional rock slides in the roadway. It's a sane 3.5 hours from Puerto Vallarta to Melaque if you don't spend too much time looking at all that's available.

Highway 200 on the Costalegre, Jalisco Mexico

Islands in the bay of Chamela

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Mon, 23 May 2011 13:54:00 +0000

Chamela's nine islands were declared protected as a nature sanctuary in 2001 and are uninhabited except for the birds and turtles. A great place to snorkle, take pictures or even picnic. Fishermen from the local co-op will take you out for about 500 pesos

Chamela’s larger island is known as Isla Colorado by some, but the Chamela Biological Station calls it Isla Cocinas (Kitchens). The second largest island is either Isla Pajarera or Pasavera. Since pajarera means an aviary or bird cage, thats most likely correct.

The five smaller islands at the southeast end of the bay off the town of Chamela are called Isla Cocina, San Agustin, San Pedro, San Andres and La Negrita.

Costalegre Video 2011

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 01:14:00 +0000

Nice little video of a trip from Vallarta down to Tuito, out to Mayto beach, over to Cajon de Peña and Tomatlan and back to Vallarta. Don't let the French bother you.

Melaque Skim 2010

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:18:00 +0000

2010 skimboard contest in Melaque, Jalisco, Mexico Video

Old fotos of Cihuatlan

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 19:09:00 +0000

Similar fotos are sometimes shown at the Cihuatlan cultural center at the main intersection but the last time I saw them they were covered with "Saran Wrap" which gave them an uneven glare making fotos impossible. Not sure where the majority are stored but there are a few more in the municiple building. Below is a web site with a few more.

Cihuatlan Web Site with Old Fotos

Cihuatlan - on the southern border of the Costalegre

Privatization of Jalisco beaches

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:17:00 +0000

Despite federal regulations against privatization of beaches in Mexico more and more are being closed for private resort developments. This is not only happening in Jalisco but all up and down the west coast.

Here is one persons response to a private property sign posted in El Tecuan

Cajon de Peña

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:16:00 +0000

Cajon de Peña is a large fresh water lake near Tomatlan and is great for bass fishing, mountain biking and bird watching. The reservoir was constructed 1976 and is located 18 kilometers off Highway 200 at the "El Tule" exit just north of Tomatlan.

There are two small stores and three restaurants around the lake and a few places to stay as well as a few hotels about half hour away in Tomatlan.

Stocked with Florida wide mouth bass (lobina) that run from 1 to 6 kilos the lake is great for bass fishing. Members of the local fishermen’s Cooperative offer bass fishing trips by the hour that include boat, guide and gear. Bass fishing tournaments are held at the lake each year but the dates vary depending on the water level.

Cajon de Peña

Cajon de Peña

Cajon de Peña

Cajon de Peña Dam
Near Tomatlan on the Costalegre

Hotel Rincón de la Ceiba

Arroyo Seco first Surf Contest

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:15:00 +0000

CROWN Surf Cup Tournament 2010

ARROYO SECO

THE CITY COUNCIL OF LA HUERTA IN COORDINATION WITH, THE SECRETARIAT OF TOURISM OF THE STATE OF JALISCO, THE FIDEICOMISO COSTALEGRE, THE ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF JALISCO SURF and private initiatives.

For the surfers of all ages and nationalities, board and body board (skim), to participate in the SURF CUP TOURNAMENT FIRST CORONA 2010 to be held on the beach ARROYO SECO, Township LA HUERTA, days 10 and April 11 2010.

A few Blog posts from a local that was there

Sea turtle comes ashore

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 20:53:00 +0000

Sea turtle comes ashore to lay eggs in Arroyo Seco, Jalisco Mexico - Costalegre

A sea turtle crawled up the beach into the middle of a large group of Easter Week vacationers in Arroyo Seco

Carnaval Costalegre - 2010

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:25:00 +0000

Carnaval Costalegre Schedule
Febuary 12th - Febuary 16th
Barra de Navidad, Melaque, Villa Obregon

Click for larger copy

Casa Sol de Oriente

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:18:00 +0000

We met the reservations coordinator for Careyes at a party and he invited us up to take a look around. He was not there when we arrived so we took a walking tour of the resort by ourselves. Above my budget but a gorgeous place and setting. There's a link to fotos at the bottom of the page.

On out way out we checked the office and he was there. That's when we got the offer to check out one of the "castles". I had seen the castles from Careyitos beach but didn't imagine I'd ever get up there. There are two of these places on opposing cliffs at the entrance to the bay. Without going into a Sunset Magazine description ... it is amazing to see what people can build with no financial limits.

In 1968 a young Italian named Gian Franco Brignione saw these bays and lagoons from a small plane. Though there were few towns in the vicinity and no electricity, paved roads, or even an airport at Manzanillo (where most of the hotel’s guests now arrive), Brignione knew that it was love at first sight.

Careyes Resort Page

Careyes Resort on the Costalegre

El Careyes Resort

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:11:00 +0000

Below is the 'blurb' from their website since I really don't have too much to say about luxury resorts. It would be beyond my pocket book and an interruption from normal life. We did get an invitation from the reservations coordinator so thought we would take a look. Saw Playa Rosa next door and got a tour of one of the "castles" above Careyitos bay. One of many attractions alonge the Costalegre

Surrounded by a lavish sub-tropical rainforest nestled in a secluded cove on the Pacific Ocean, El Careyes Beach Resort exudes a spirit of tranquility and easy elegance.

Reminiscent of a quiet Mediterranean village, the resort remains true to the architecture of the Costa Careyes, boasting a bold palette of terracotta tones that blends harmoniously with the surrounding nature's azures and greens. Passing through the stone archway entrance and on to the signature free form pool with commanding breathtaking views of the Pacific, one can truly experience the feeling of having arrived in a place like no other.

Careyes Entrance

Careyes Pools and Rooms

Playa Rosa nextdoor

El Careyes Web Page

My Web Page on Careyes and more story

The old Hotel Tecuan

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:48:00 +0000

Another Mexican dream resort that never made it. It lasted about 10 years and when the owner died (General Garcia Barragan), his family lost interest until it was finally abandoned in the late 1990's. The Costalegre is lined with dream projects, some of which are very large scale. Some damaged by earthquakes, some ran out of money and many no one remembers. You wonder where all that throw away money comes from but I assume it's part of the imbalance between rich and poor in Mexico.

Anyway ... interesting to visit although it looks nothing like the fotos. The beach is beautiful and very isolated. Good for fishing and beach combing

I always watch movies made in Mexico just to get glimpses of what was there years ago, but the other night I watched this god-awful 1997 horror flick “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer” that was filmed at Tecuan. My advise is don't bother

Ariel view

On the main patio

Ariel view of hotel, lagoon, landing strip and future housing development

The pool area

Walking Tour of El Tuito

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:46:00 +0000

El Tuito, Costalegre, Jalisco Mexico

El Tuito

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:50:00 +0000

Located south of Puerto Vallarta lies the municipality of Cabo Corrientes, marking the southernmost point of Banderas Bay. El Tuito, its capital, is a small town (population less than 4,000) located approximately 1,085 meters above sea level. Its name derives from the ancient Náhuatla language spoken by the Aztecs and means “little beautiful valley.” As you drive into town, you will be immediately taken by the uniformity of its buildings, painted with a mixture of local clays that gives their walls a unique orange tinge. Cottage industries abound, from organic coffee and artisan cheese to raicilla, the local moonshine, not available legally until very recently.

Just barely considered part of the Costalegre, this inland town near Tomatlan lies along Highway 200. It's easy to miss and one that I have missed until our trip to Tehuamixtle out on the coast. I will definately make time for a few hours in El Tuito on my next Vallarta trip.

Buildings around the plaza

Buildings around the plaza

Activities on the Plaza

A building on the plaza

El Tuito, Jalisco, Costalegre, Mexico

Majahuas to Tehuamixtle

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:45:00 +0000

A very long day trip from Melaque - Costalegre, Jalisco, Mexico

We had never been out to the coast in this area - mainly because the beaches are a long way from the highway. Had no idea of road conditions of distances between towns. We started with Majahuas and worked our way north.

The Majahuas turn off is the first road just north of the bridge north of Tomatlan. The fisherman's Coop "Roca Negra" is there that manages the Majahuas Biological Station and turtle sanctuary. A little inland is a new Aquaculture facility raising shrimp, pargo and puffer fish. This facility is government funded in conjunction with the Spanish government. Scientists from both countries are working there.

To continue north from Majahuas we had to return to the highway and take the La Gloria exit about 5 miles further north. La Gloria also has a Sea Turtle Research Station but we continued north to La Cruz de Loreto and up the coast from there. Very easy to feel lost on the criss-cross roads just north of La Gloria as they follow irrigation ditches and farm fields.

Las Penitas is the next landmark north but is only a small lighthouse and a few seldom used palapas. It's a pretty beach. The next thing north of note is Villa del Mar with a few vacation accomodations and two stores before we reached Tehuamixtle.

Tehuamixtle is very cute at the bottom of a valley on a beautiful little bay. We ate at one of the two not inexpensive beach restaurants. The land to expand the town is minimal due to the steep terrain but the realtors have it all sectioned off and forsale. A one time experience that I won't do again but I'm sure it will fit into other gringos dreams. The road out to El Tuito and the highway is very rough and takes over an hour

Majahuas

Las Penitas

Villas del Mar

Tehuamixtle

Majahuas to Tehuamixtle web page

Agua Caliente

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:32:00 +0000

We went up the coast yesterday looking for the SPA I've heard advertised and we did and didn't find it. Agua Caliente is located just beyond the Tenacatita turnoff along Highway 200. Infact if you use the back road out of the town you towards the coast you will come out on the Tenacatita road. We went East under the bridge to the public area, found the hot springs and noticed a tent and a few people up the river. I thought they were camping so didn't bother with a foto - but it turns out that was the SPA. It was confirmed when I found another travel-log website with pictures.

The public area would work just as well (and save you $60) but you need a shovel to dig out a hole you can sit or lie in. Some spots are hot enough to burn and there is a strong sulphur smell.

Link to the SPA website (notice no fotos but some Info)
Puresa Spa

The river with hot springs along the bank

Looking up the river towards the Spa

Some of the discoloration from the sulfur waters

Agua Caliente, Costalegre, Jalisco

Update on Calechosa Bay

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:28:00 +0000

I was just over there today to see if the surf was up and it was. It had been over a year since my last visit and I hadn't seen Roy's house or the new development called Calechosa Bay. This beach is also known as Ranchito and is located behind the small community of the same name.

It looks like the road is slightly improved but will need 4-5 bridges to access the area in the summer during the rains unless you have a large 4WD vehicle. So far 3 structures are started, two houses and the "model home / sales office". All have a very long way to go. The picture also shows what the hillside looks like from Febuary thru June with no rain for many months. A dry jungle is pretty much the ecology we live in here.

I did include a picture of the beach which is beautiful but not for swimming, really only surfers use it and it's difficult for them to enter and exit the water. Many jump off the rocks on the far right to avoid the shoreline.

Costalegre Jalisco Mexico

Ecotourism for Villa Purificacion

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:12:00 +0000

Villa PURIFICACION, Jalisco
There arrives an excellent option for ecotourism

Drafting of the South
buzon-AT-periodicoelsur.com
Monday February 4, 2008

Villar PURIFICACION, Jalisco (BI) .- With an investment of one million 737 thousand pesos, funded by the National Commission for Development of Indigenous Peoples for the infrastructure of 10 huts, two canteens, a suspension bridge, walkways and signs indicating where services will be offered accommodation, meals, boat ride, guided tours and horseback riding. The State Governor, Emilio Gonzalez Marquez, opened this area near the dam Jocotlán, municipal delegation Purification Villa, a new ecotourism project, which will certainly attract thousands to this point and will generate significant income and make a large regional impact.

"We come here to verify what was done, we believe it is possible to improve the area, without assaulting culture, without assaulting the environment, without assaulting the customs of the people, but to help their own people to be the beneficiary of what can be done here, "said state Representative, in the presence of at least 20 people in indigenous communities of Villa Purification and personalities of the three levels of government and the three branches of government.

In addition, they announced that the most important thing now is involving the Government in conjunction with them in promoting the visit of people who want to have different experiences, unmatched, to live with the culture of the natives, as well as of landscapes and diverse activities to develop the place.

He took advantage to tell that the State Government is working on projects for such areas and communities, ranging from training for aquaculture, construction of a wharf at the dam, in addition to roads, education and more infrastructure: "In all this we will be working in the coming times, always with a view to better conditions for you and for their families," he concluded.

For its part, also presiding over the inauguration, the Director General of the National Commission for Development of Indigenous Peoples, Mr Luis Hector Alvarez, welcomed the implementation of this project ecotourism, given that native peoples have historically had the brunt historic growth of our country.

Villa Purification is located in the southwest of Jalisco, near the coast, the indigenous community occupies 36 thousand hectares recognized and 20 thousand hectares more are in the process of restitution. Jocotlán lies within the area surrounded by jungle forest streams.

Sur de Jalisco Article

Paseo del 15 de Agosto 2007, La Huerta Jalisco

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:37:00 +0000

Costalegre, Jalisco, Mexico

Investors Receive Alert About Mexican Firms

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Cassandra Kyle - The StarPhoenix

A Mexican-based company under investigation by the Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission (SFSC) has contacted its Canadian investors with an admission it did not register to do business in Canada, according to the commission.

Correspondence from Sierra Madre MX, S.A. de C.V., to its 1,400 investors - the majority of whom are Canadian - says the company did not intend to conduct business in Canada and may have inadvertently, and with no malicious intent, made some mistakes, according to SFSC data. The document goes on to offer further investment opportunities with its "new company" Sierra Madre Holdings MX, the commission said in a news release.

"This is the same company operated by the same people, and is one of many name changes that this company and this group has done over the past number of years," stated Ed Rodonets, head of the SFSC enforcement branch.

Once estimated to number about 150, the SFSC now believes several hundred Saskatchewan residents have invested in the company, which is suspected of selling illegal shares.

A cease trade order was extended this week against Sierra Madre MX, S.A. de C.V., its representatives and its partner companies. Named in the order are Brian J. Wolf Zacarias, senior officer and major owner of Sierra Madre, Roger Ayuso, president of Landbankers International, Alan Hemingway, CEO of Sierra Madre and sales representatives Jason Rogers, Dave Urrutia and Ed and Kim Moore, all of whom are based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

In an earlier interview, Rodonets said the operators of Landbankers International, Sierra Madre and L&B Landbanking Trust are one and the same.

In December 2007, a cease trade order was extended against Landbankers International MX, S.A. de C.V. and its representative Kelly Friesen of Warman. In January, a cease trade order was placed against Sonja McAdam of Christopher Lake, a representative of Landbankers International. In March, cease trade orders were placed against Sierra Madre and its representatives.

The orders direct the companies and their officers to cease trading in securities and exchange contracts and removes the right to use exemptions in Saskatchewan securities laws.

Saskatchewan residents who may have been contacted by Sierra Madre, its representatives or any related companies are asked to call Rodonets at 306-787-5936 to assist with the SFSC investigation.

ckyle(at)sp.canwest.com

Banderas News article

LandBankers International Website

Mexico’s real estate market is booming! With over one million Americans already living in Mexico and seventy nine million Baby Boomers that have reached a stage in their lives where they have the time, financial means and desire for a second home, Mexico’s real estate market is poised for exponential growth.

Costalegre property

Tierralegre - Costalegre Mexico

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:17:00 +0000

I originally thought this was only a non-profit to protect the mangroves and wildlife on the Costalegre ... but it looks to be a business as well. They have to have some operating capital and anything they can do to slow the rape of this beautiful coastline is OK by me.

About Tierralegre
This expedition seamlessly combines conservation, culture and adventure along one of the planet´s most diverse, beautiful and wild coastlines Mexico´s Costalegre. It represents a unique opportunity to contribute to conservation for generations to come while reaping the adventure of a lifetime.

Tierralegre Website

Futbol Americano Patriots Cihuatlan

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:03:00 +0000

Cuzalapa Organic Coffee Cooperative

noreply@blogger.com (sparks_mex) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:45:00 +0000

Cuzalapa is the site of a very old shade grown coffee plantation that grows organic Arabica beans. Cuzalapa is a little over an hour from Melaque off highway 80 to the south-east of La Huerta on the northern edge of the Manantlan Biosphere Reserve.

The coffee is grown under the shade of a large variety of other trees and the women of the Cooperative offer an hour long walking tour. They will tell you about the many plants, trees, herbs and even some of the human stories related to the area and their ancestors that lived there. Take some repellant for the tour.

The coffee crop is late this year due to colder temperatures but they did have a few kilos for us. It's a good idea to call first if your are going for coffee and not just to visit the area. Later in the year there will be plenty after the gringos leave and there is less of a market. The season can run from December through May/June. The women also sell clothing, honey, Jamica and preserves.

Coffee on the tree

Walking thru the shade

Drying coffee on the roof

Coming into Cuzapala

Web page with more fotos of Cuzapala

Costalegre, Jalisco Mexico