Is Mayto, Jalisco, Worth Visiting? A Weekend Travel Guide

I spent a weekend in Mayto, Jalisco, with my girlfriend, Laura, staying right on the beach and doing exactly what the place seems to demand: nothing.

This sleepy stretch of coastline doesn’t reward productivity. It’s about stillness. Mayto is a remote beach town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, within the Cabo Corrientes municipality and just two-ish hours south of Puerto Vallarta.

Mayto Beach is long, wild, and refreshingly undeveloped with honey-colored sand and steady Pacific waves. Almost no one else is around. No vendors. No reason to check the time.

If you’re looking for a quiet getaway, one without beach clubs or curated experiences, keep reading.

Who Mayto, Jalisco Is (and Isn’t) For

Mayto is for you if:

·       You want a quiet beach with no agenda

·       You’re happy doing the same thing all day and calling it a win

·       Limited food options don’t stress you out

·       You don’t need strong Wi-Fi, nightlife, or “experiences” to enjoy yourself

Mayto is not for you if:

·       You expect resort-style comfort or polished service

·       You get bored easily

·       You’re traveling with kids (or adults) who need to be entertained

Why Mayto, Mexico?

Of all the places to go along the southern Pacific coast of Jalisco, you might ask yourself, “Why Mayto?” And I can’t blame you.

There isn’t much there. And that’s how it should be. The town sits within the Cabo Corrientes region of Jalisco, an area known for its rugged coastline, sparse development, and long stretches of beach that still feel largely untouched.

This tiny stretch of jungle-backed coastline on Mexico’s Pacific feels like a reset button.

The whole point of Mayto is absence. Absence of people, of vendors, of tours, of choices. No guilt because you didn’t do something. Because there really isn’t a list of things to do.

But all of that might change. On the far end of the beach, a large high-end development called Mayto Astrological Park is planned, complete with its own airstrip.

Whether that changes the area slowly or all at once remains to be seen, but if you’re curious about it in its current, stripped-back form, now is a good time to go.

Getting There

We drove from Vallarta in about 2.5 hours. The first half of the drive is on the main road south out of town toward Tuito. You’ll drive near the coast and pass the Botanical Gardens and Mismaloya. Eventually, you’ll turn inland, and that’s when the real fun begins.

You’ll dodge — or at least attempt to dodge — topes (speed bumps). Sometimes there are warning signs. Sometimes they’re painted yellow. Sometimes there’s nothing at all, and you hit one at full speed, launching your car like you’re in The Dukes of Hazzard.

What makes the topes extra special is what lives between them: potholes so deep a small child could rent one out as an apartment. These sinkholes blend right into the gravel and dirt, turning the drive into a constant cycle of braking and slaloming. I apologized to my car and Laura, and quietly hoped she wouldn’t get carsick.

So come prepared with car sickness tablets, bracelets, ear stickers, whatever settles your stomach. Also, eating before you set out helps stave off the nausea.

If, after Mayto, you want to explore more of the coast, keep heading south. In three hours, you’ll be in Melaque and Barra de Navidad.

When to go to Mayto Beach

While the seasons mirror Puerto Vallarta, timing matters more in Mayto, where there’s less infrastructure, fewer indoor escapes, and nowhere to hide from the weather.

For more detailed info, I have a blog about the best time to go to PV. But here is a quick general breakdown of the months:

• Dec-March is whale season, and the weather is glorious. Warm sunny days, slightly cooler nights. These months are the super high season.
• March-May gets increasingly hotter. The crowds start to wind down.
• June-September is hot, hot, hot; the rains start, and with them comes the humidity. Don’t go to Mayto then unless you are ok with sweltering beach days and nightly rainstorms.
• Oct-November is when the shoulder season starts to pick up. The rains have stopped, and it starts to cool down.

Where to Stay in Playa Mayto

I usually get analysis paralysis when choosing a hotel. Luckily for me, Laura had already been to Mayto Beach, and there are fewer than a handful of hotels and Airbnbs there.

We stayed at Hotel Mayto, which was basic, clean, and intentionally low-key. But it provided us with the amenities we needed: beach palapas for my pasty self, large rooms, a restaurant on-site, and a pool, though we never went in it. The ocean was too enticing. Oh, and did I mention it was mere steps from the sand? Yeah. It was perfect.

There are a few vacation rentals in Mayto near our hotel if that is more your speed. There is also a place called Hotel Rinconcito just next door, but it doesn’t have a pool.

What to Expect Comfort-Wise in Mayto

So here is the deal: one person’s basic is another’s nightmare. This is not roughing it, but it is not polished.

• Our hotel was simple and functional, not stylish.
• We had strong AC and plenty of hot water in the shower.
• We had a large TV in the room, but we never turned it on.
• It was quiet during our stay, though a full hotel or large weekend group would change that.
• Bugs exist, especially at sunset and in the evenings.
• Wi-Fi was a solid 5/10. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn’t.

If you’re okay with basic comforts and a little unpredictability, you’ll be perfectly fine here. If you need consistency, polish, or seamless connectivity, keep driving.

Swimming in Mayto: Know Before You Jump In

This is not the Caribbean. The Pacific here is active, with waves that change by the hour. That being said, we went into the water every day.

There’s a quick drop-off where we entered, and the sand shifts constantly under your feet — one moment floating, the next ankle-deep. You need to be comfortable letting the waves do their thing.

There are no lifeguards. It’s on you to respect the water.

If others are swimming, stick close. Common sense goes a long way here.

What to Do in Mayto (TL;DR: Absolutely Nada)

If you show up expecting activities, Mayto will gently disappoint you.

This is what your day will look like:

1. Wake up.
2. Walk to your beach chair.
3. Get a cup of coffee.
4. Sit down in said beach chair.
5. Stare at the ocean.
6. Eat.
7. Stare at the ocean looking for whales (from December-March).
8. Talk about taking a walk. Decide to do that tomorrow.
9. Go for a refreshing dip in the ocean.
10. Watch the fisherman.
11. Marvel at the sunset.
12. Get ready for dinner (and by that I mean shower… if you feel like it).
13. Eat at one of two places on the beach or a food truck down the road.
14. Go to sleep.
15. Repeat.

Wow, 15 steps feels like a lot. No wonder we were exhausted when we got home.

If you just can’t sit still, here are a few other things to do in Playa Mayto:

• If you are there when the turtles are hatching, you can help release the little babies. Different species hatch at different times, so if you want to experience it, contact Campamento Tortuguero Mayto.
• Nap without guilt
• Read a book you’ve been meaning to finish.
• Spend the day in Tehuamixtle, also called Tehua. It’s a busier beach known for its large oysters.
• Play cards or a board game.
• Go with a friend and never stop talking.

Eating in Mayto

Eating in Mayto is simple, and that’s kind of the point. There are a handful of small, local spots serving up fresh local fish and seafood, as well as things like burgers and chicken to appeal to everyone.

You’re not here for culinary range. You’re here to eat, look at the ocean, and move on with your day.

Our hotel’s food was fine. Not memorable, not bad, and honestly, beside the point. The ocean view was the star of the meal anyway.

We ate two meals per day: brunch and dinner, and we brought our own snacks for the in-between munchies. Seafood was the obvious choice, and we ordered shrimp in just about every possible variation.

On our last night, we went to Hotel Rinconcito for dinner. It was a step above, but at the same price, so make sure you eat there a few times during your stay.

There’s also Tokipa, a weekend-only food truck open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. We didn’t make it there, so if you do, report back.

If you want oysters, take the 10-minute drive to Tehua. It’s a small coastal town on a crescent-shaped bay that is known for its fresh and meaty oysters. Mark and I went there and ate at Cande’s. It was a treat. Def the best oysters we’ve had since we’ve been in Puerto Vallarta.

Practical Tips Before You Go

• Bring cash (ATMs are not a thing)
• Spotty cell service and limited Wi-Fi
• Pack snacks, sunscreen, and patience
• Best time of year + sea conditions

Packing list:

These are the few things I was very glad we packed (or wished we had).

·  Bug spray with picaridin instead of deet.

·  Reef-safe mineral sunscreen for face and body. I like the 50 SPF, but they also have 30 SPF.

·  Non-drowsy motion sickness meds. We use this anytime we go out on a boat and it’s the best. It’s truly non-drowsy, so you won’t miss a beat.

·  Quick-dry beach towel. This one doubles as a sarong.

·  Blackout eye mask for sleeping. This one is for side sleepers and comes in two sizes for girlies with long lashes.

·  Basic first-aid kit.

·  Fix A Flat in case you bust a tire in a hidden sinkhole.

Mayto, Jalisco for the Weekend: No Plans, No Crowds, No Problem

If you crave schedules or checklists, Mayto may test your patience. But if a weekend of nothing sounds perfect (and oddly rewarding), you’ll love it.

Mayto didn’t change anything. But it did make the return feel louder. I didn’t come back with revelations, just a sharper awareness of how little room we usually leave for doing absolutely nothing.