Whether you’re looking for a quiet retreat to slow down and settle in or a peaceful sanctuary to host you while you explore local Mexican culture, this is the place for you. Off the beaten path on a rugged stretch of Pacific beach, this designer-decorated 1,800 sq ft ground-floor condo has three bedrooms and two baths, with walkouts to private patios overlooking the resort’s pools (three infinity edges) and the ocean just beyond.
My wife and I love seeing gardens, pools, or the ocean out of every window, every day. The condo sits on the west side of the Playa Grande resort, so we have coffee, breakfast, and lunch on the patio in the morning light, and by mid-afternoon our building casts shade over the patio, which makes the midday heat much more enjoyable.
Sunrises and sunsets are unforgettable, whether from the beach, the pool deck, or your own patio. At sunset, we suggest taking your favorite drink up to the rooftop palapas, grilling up some fresh seafood, and watching the ocean stretch out for miles as the sky turns red and pink. During peak season in the winter, the swim-up bar is open and the condo community is lively. In the quiet months, the pool area becomes a quiet oasis for afternoon dips.
In-condo laundry and Wi-Fi make longer stays feel just like home. On site you’ll find the pools, a restaurant, and a small convenience store, plus a swim-up bar in peak season. The complex is quiet and relaxed and a favorite with snowbirds who return year after year.
Eat and Explore Like a Local
Two of Jalisco’s most authentic beach towns, Barra de Navidad and Melaque, are just 20 minutes away, so you can have as much or as little adventure as you like.
Things to Do:
Dine at nearby family-run establishments; La Sirena Gordita and Palmera Negra are favorites of ours. They are a two-minute drive, or a short walk down the beach.
Play a round at the 27-hole Isla Navidad golf course (10 minutes away).
Splurge on fine dining at the Grand Isla Navidad Resort after your round.
Ride the water taxi. From nearby Colimilla (10 minutes) it’s 50 pesos for a 5-minute ride into downtown Barra.
Stroll Barra’s malecón at sunset. Grab a churro and watch the sky dim over the bay on the seaside walkway.
Wander walkable village centers. Small family-run restaurants, local shops, and café patios fill the streets.
Catch live music. Barra especially is known for its music, with bands playing at patio bars and restaurants, especially in the winter season.
Take a surf lesson. Local surf shops will get you on a board, and the beach suits beginners and more experienced surfers.
Visit Melaque’s plaza and public market. Pick up fresh fruit and local snacks and handmade gifts, then sit by the bandstand and fountain next to the church.
Rent a paddleboard or snorkel gear, or take a short cab ride to calm, clear Cuastecomate for snorkelling and paddleboarding.
Go a Little Further
Visit Boca de Iguanas, a favorite surf spot about 15 minutes north.
Tour the city of Manzanillo, a bustling urban centre about an hour away.
Meet the crocodiles at the La Manzanilla sanctuary, about 30 minutes away.
Beachcomb Playa de Cocos, a 14-mile beach 20 minutes south.