Los Ayala is one of three tiny beach towns set on Jaltemba Bay. The area is a beach lover’s paradise and gets 320 days of sunshine a year. Relax on the sandy beach, swim in the Pacific Ocean and enjoy a bounty of fresh seafood.
Things to do in Los Ayala
Los Ayala beach stretches for one kilometre and features a strip of caramel-coloured sand. Bask in the sunshine or claim one of the thatched “palapa” huts that dot the beach. They’re a great way to escape the sun. At low tide, you can walk around the bluffs to Playa Freideritas, another beautiful stretch of sand.
Thatched-roof restaurants overlook the beach and serve ocean-fresh seafood. Try local specialties like “ceviche” raw fish marinated in lime juice, “pescado zarandeado” snapper grilled over mangrove wood and “aguachile” shrimp tossed with spicy red peppers and sliced cucumber. Wash it all down with an ice-cold Corona. Fruit salad dusted with zesty “tajin” spice is a refreshing snack sold at street food stalls.
Charter a boat and sail to the offshore islands that dot Jaltemba Bay. Coral Island is one of the prettiest and is a great place to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. The turquoise waters surrounding the island are a natural aquarium and teeming with colourful fish. Cruises on the famous Los Ayala party boat are a great way to meet fellow travellers.
Los Ayala is a gateway to the Riviera Nayarit, a 320-kilometre-long stretch of the Pacific Coast famous for sun, sand and laid-back resorts. Day trip to the neighbouring beach towns of Guayabitos or La Peñita for a change of scene.
Getting around Los Ayala
Los Ayala is compact and easy to get around on foot. The town is on the Riviera Nayarit, a one-hour drive from Puerto Vallarta and three hours from Guadalajara. Puerto Vallarta International Airport is a three-hour drive away.