With the completion of the road between Puerto Vallarta and Barra de Navidad, auto visitors can "resort hop." The 140 mile stretch of diverse coast is scenic enough to merit a side trip from Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo, the area's two major destinations. You'll pass through mountain pine and oak forests, rugged high desert, thorn forests, and savannas. Jungles teem with colorful birdlife. Inviting detours can easily prolong your trip.
The highway crosses four major rivers flowing from the Sierra Madre Occidental to the Pacific that are life lines for farming villages and cattle ranches. Bays south of Rio San Nicolas are slated for development. The coast north toward Puerto Vallarta important breeding grounds for sea turtles will be kept in its natural state.
Except for the Club Mediterranee at Playa Blanca, resorts are so new that your travel agent may not know about them. But you should have little problem getting a room on arrival at the handsome new Tenacatita and Plaza Careyes, or at more modestly maintained hotels at El Tecuan, and Cuastecomate. Their prices range from $20 to $100 a night, double occupancy. In addition, several villages offer primitive bungalows or palapas (palm covered shelters) for a few dollars a night. Camping is permitted along most beaches; the only developed campgrounds are about 8 miles south of Rio San Nicolas.
With the completion of the road between Puerto Vallarta and Barra de Navidad, auto visitors can "resort hop." The 140 mile stretch of diverse coast is scenic enough to merit a side trip from Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo, the area's two major destinations. You'll pass through mountain pine and oak forests, rugged high desert, thorn forests, and savannas. Jungles teem with colorful birdlife. Inviting detours can easily prolong your trip.
Except for the Club Mediterranee at Playa Blanca, resorts are so new that your travel agent may not know about them. But you should have little problem getting a room on arrival at the handsome new Tenacatita and Plaza Careyes, or at more modestly maintained hotels at El Tecuan, and Cuastecomate. Their prices range from $20 to $100 a night, double occupancy. In addition, several villages offer primitive bungalows or palapas (palm covered shelters) for a few dollars a night. Camping is permitted along most beaches; the only developed campgrounds are about 8 miles south of Rio San Nicolas.
