Rincon de Guayabitos Rissask Report (Riviera Nayarit)

[TAPPY]

Great report and pic's Maggie

I wanna go (waaaaaaaaaaa)

I could really use a beach and some warm sun today.

[Rissask]

Thanks Tammy. Me too, it's cold here today, and dark. I hate January! Let's go!!

Originally Posted by caramba

Oh yeah, San Pancho looks great!

Out of those three I would def pick Negril, Ochi 2nd choice. Would NOT bother with Mo Bay.
The 7 mile beach is nice in Negril but we prefer to stay in the west end (cliffs). Let me know where you are thinking of staying. We've only rented villas but have been there a bunch of times.
Loved Portland Parish the last couple of trips, especially Port Antonio. That's where we got married. Right under the almond tree here, actually.
Best to fly into Kingston if you're going to the east side of the island, though. Long drive from Mo Bay- we've done that before.... One day we will get back there- I keep saying that every year but somehow can't keep away from Mexico these days.

Thanks so much for the tips, Anne. Have heard similar about Mo Bay.

I remember looking at that Crystal Cove Villas when you posted it once before-maybe in a trip report? It looks amazing. So relaxing! (Edit- but WAY out of our price range!! lol)

Sadly, airfare alone from here is pretty much the same as a hotel-air package- which is why we were thinking of the Coco la Palm. We found a GREAT deal for March 6-12.
But, on the weekend we figured out why those middle two weeks in March were priced $500 less per couple- it's spring break! And apparently the hotel right next door is a popular spring break hotel - the For Real? Damn. So it's back to square one!

Originally Posted by barbj050

mag i met a guy when i was in pv who owned a deli in san pancho... love the beach pics

Very cool place...I think you would like it, Barb.

Originally Posted by cb1

This is a great report. I think it would be fun to cross paths with you guys and Caramba ,too.It sounds like you all enjoy the same type of vacation as we do.I have been to PV,a long time ago,but really love that Carabbean water .Charlotte

It would be fun, I would love to meet you and leeds. I agree with you on that Caribbean water, it's hard to beat, for sure. Huatulco comes the closest- and PV is the 'murkiest'! That huge Banderas Bay just does not get refreshed enough. (San Pancho and Rincon de G are north of the bay, so the water was more clear than Puerto Vallarta's.)

[beer_dude]

Sigh! Loving the photo's Maggie. Was that some kind of funky beach art with the flag on it? Lot's of that in in Hawaii. Glad you were able to find a beach that wasn't crowded. Thanks for a peek at your vacay!

[CJ99]

Oh WOW!! San Pancho looks gorgeous

Too bad about the taxi, but misunderstanding do happen.

[michele1004]

Great trip report!!! I've been waiting for this one. When we stayed in Sayulita a few years ago we went up to San Pancho for the day and thought thought same thing you did. It would be a GREAT place to stay for a week or two. Love those little out of the way towns that a lot of people never venture off the beaten path to check out. We just love the west side of Mexico with the jungle, mountains and sunsets. Not to mention less wind as well.

Originally Posted by Rissask

Thanks Tammy. Me too, it's cold here today, and dark. I hate January! Let's go!!




Thanks so much for the tips, Anne. Have heard similar about Mo Bay.

I remember looking at that Crystal Cove Villas when you posted it once before-maybe in a trip report? It looks amazing. So relaxing! (Edit- but WAY out of our price range!! lol)

Sadly, airfare alone from here is pretty much the same as a hotel-air package- which is why we were thinking of the Coco la Palm. We found a GREAT deal for March 6-12.
But, on the weekend we figured out why those middle two weeks in March were priced $500 less per couple- it's spring break! And apparently the hotel right next door is a popular spring break hotel - the For Real? Damn. So it's back to square one!



Very cool place...I think you would like it, Barb.



It would be fun, I would love to meet you and leeds. I agree with you on that Caribbean water, it's hard to beat, for sure. Huatulco comes the closest- and PV is the 'murkiest'! That huge Banderas Bay just does not get refreshed enough. (San Pancho and Rincon de G are north of the bay, so the water was more clear than Puerto Vallarta's.)

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by beer_dude

Sigh! Loving the photo's Maggie. Was that some kind of funky beach art with the flag on it? Lot's of that in in Hawaii. Glad you were able to find a beach that wasn't crowded. Thanks for a peek at your vacay!

Yes, it was a big chunk of driftwood someone had propped up and then put a flag up- it was cool.

Originally Posted by CJ99

Oh WOW!! San Pancho looks gorgeous

Too bad about the taxi, but misunderstanding do happen.

We felt really bad particularly since he stuck around for the whole day and then left...oh well. We saw him parked near the hotel the next day and Jose went and chatted with him- he DID think we said 'in four hours' not 'four o'clock'....so much for Spanish speakers understanding Portuguese! We blamed Lisa.

Originally Posted by michele1004

Great trip report!!! I've been waiting for this one. When we stayed in Sayulita a few years ago we went up to San Pancho for the day and thought thought same thing you did. It would be a GREAT place to stay for a week or two. Love those little out of the way towns that a lot of people never venture off the beaten path to check out. We just love the west side of Mexico with the jungle, mountains and sunsets. Not to mention less wind as well.

Thanks! Yes, I like all the beach towns along that coast too.

More heat and less wind- yes, those are big benefits for sure. If you could just have the Caribbean water on that side, with the mountains and sunsets and better weather, it truly would be 'Paradise'!

[beer_dude]

Maggie,

Did you guy's scuba while you were down there? Not sure of the viz in that area? May not be good enough for scuba.

[Rissask]

There are dive sites in the area but it's sure not wonderful diving. And since the viz was pretty poor on our dives we did in Zihua, we figured we would not bother....it's more of a surfing/boogie boarding/kayaking area than snorkeling or diving.

Here is an outline of the area dive sites, though....the Los Arcos night dive we wanted to do but since we were so far north from PV we did not bother after all (no shops in Guayabitos that we could find.)

Dive Sites in Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

I am sure we will dive on one of our trips there down the road....but our next trip in late Feb or March will be more of a dive trip, so we will be getting our fill then.

[beer_dude]

Originally Posted by Rissask

There are dive sites in the area but it's sure not wonderful diving. And since the viz was pretty poor on our dives we did in Zihua, we figured we would not bother....it's more of a surfing/boogie boarding/kayaking area than snorkeling or diving.

Here is an outline of the area dive sites, though....the Los Arcos night dive we wanted to do but since we were so far north from PV we did not bother after all (no shops in Guayabitos that we could find.)

Dive Sites in Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

I am sure we will dive on one of our trips there down the road....but our next trip in late Feb or March will be more of a dive trip, so we will be getting our fill then.

Yeah, not much diving in that area. Even Los Arcos is marginal at best. At least your gonna get some diving in soon.

[caramba]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Thanks so much for the tips, Anne. Have heard similar about Mo Bay.

I remember looking at that Crystal Cove Villas when you posted it once before-maybe in a trip report? It looks amazing. So relaxing! (Edit- but WAY out of our price range!! lol)

Sadly, airfare alone from here is pretty much the same as a hotel-air package- which is why we were thinking of the Coco la Palm. We found a GREAT deal for March 6-12.
But, on the weekend we figured out why those middle two weeks in March were priced $500 less per couple- it's spring break! And apparently the hotel right next door is a popular spring break hotel - the For Real? Damn. So it's back to square one!



Very cool place...I think you would like it, Barb.



It would be fun, I would love to meet you and leeds. I agree with you on that Caribbean water, it's hard to beat, for sure. Huatulco comes the closest- and PV is the 'murkiest'! That huge Banderas Bay just does not get refreshed enough. (San Pancho and Rincon de G are north of the bay, so the water was more clear than Puerto Vallarta's.)

Maggie, yeah I must have posted a link to Crystal Cove on some other thread once. Of course when we went it was low season, and only $1800, I think- split with 3 couples (hey, we can do that with cb1! )...

We've stayed several places in Negril, but one of my favorites is this little place, Banana Shout. It still looks very reasonable, too. I guess it's all been revamped since we were there last (after Hurricane Ivan). It used to be a cliffside row of maybe 5 little tiny cottages with a bigger 2 story cottage in back and a little garden bungalow across the road (we've taken the whole compound over before and we've been there by ourselves).
You can easily get to the beach any time you want, but you can swim right from the cliffs and it's nice and quiet there. Well, except for at sunset when buses show up next door to Rick's Cafe and dive off the cliffs.... but it's mostly very peaceful.

Sea Grape is nice, too.

I wouldn't want to be on the beach with the spring breakers, either.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by beer_dude

Yeah, not much diving in that area. Even Los Arcos is marginal at best. At least your gonna get some diving in soon.

oh, you dove there? Yes, that is what we figured...although a bad diving is better than a good day at the office, still!

Originally Posted by caramba

Maggie, yeah I must have posted a link to Crystal Cove on some other thread once. Of course when we went it was low season, and only $1800, I think- split with 3 couples (hey, we can do that with cb1! )...

We've stayed several places in Negril, but one of my favorites is this little place, Banana Shout. It still looks very reasonable, too. I guess it's all been revamped since we were there last (after Hurricane Ivan). It used to be a cliffside row of maybe 5 little tiny cottages with a bigger 2 story cottage in back and a little garden bungalow across the road (we've taken the whole compound over before and we've been there by ourselves).
You can easily get to the beach any time you want, but you can swim right from the cliffs and it's nice and quiet there. Well, except for at sunset when buses show up next door to Rick's Cafe and dive off the cliffs.... but it's mostly very peaceful.

Sea Grape is nice, too.

I wouldn't want to be on the beach with the spring breakers, either.

We have been looking into it more and apparently that hotel is not a spring break hotel at all, and reviews from March are fine...I think it is such a good price (only around $1000 each, unheard of from here for Negril!) that we are going to bite the bullet and book it very soon.

Thanks for all your help....I might have more questions yet! (I know we have to cab to the cliffs one day to Ricks already!)

[caramba]

Originally Posted by Rissask

oh, you dove there? Yes, that is what we figured...although a bad diving is better than a good day at the office, still!



We have been looking into it more and apparently that hotel is not a spring break hotel at all, and reviews from March are fine...I think it is such a good price (only around $1000 each, unheard of from here for Negril!) that we are going to bite the bullet and book it very soon.

Thanks for all your help....I might have more questions yet! (I know we have to cab to the cliffs one day to Ricks already!)

There are other places, too.... and I'll definitely answer any other questions you might have. Go for it!

[gingele]

Originally Posted by caramba

Oh yeah, San Pancho looks great!

Out of those three I would def pick Negril, Ochi 2nd choice. Would NOT bother with Mo Bay.
The 7 mile beach is nice in Negril but we prefer to stay in the west end (cliffs). Let me know where you are thinking of staying. We've only rented villas but have been there a bunch of times.
Loved Portland Parish the last couple of trips, especially Port Antonio. That's where we got married. Right under the almond tree here, actually.
Best to fly into Kingston if you're going to the east side of the island, though. Long drive from Mo Bay- we've done that before.... One day we will get back there- I keep saying that every year but somehow can't keep away from Mexico these days.

Maggie - another great report! And I'm afraid after this that little town of San Pancho might see a surge in tourist bookings! The place looks lovely!

And here's another HUGE thumbs up for Negril, also a cliff-dweller (the beach is for day-trips, maybe!). The cliffs/west end offers one of the most unique and beautiful caribbean settings as far as places to stay. I love love LOVE it there. Have stayed at The Caves and Tensing Pen. Loved them both, but Tensing Pen was something so unique and spectacular....sigh. We'd love to go back, Catcha A Falling Star looks great, too.

That being said, I would not go to Jamaica as a diving trip.

[caramba]

Originally Posted by gingele

Maggie - another great report! And I'm afraid after this that little town of San Pancho might see a surge in tourist bookings! The place looks lovely!

And here's another HUGE thumbs up for Negril, also a cliff-dweller (the beach is for day-trips, maybe!). The cliffs/west end offers one of the most unique and beautiful caribbean settings as far as places to stay. I love love LOVE it there. Have stayed at The Caves and Tensing Pen. Loved them both, but Tensing Pen was something so unique and spectacular....sigh. We'd love to go back, Catcha A Falling Star looks great, too.

That being said, I would not go to Jamaica as a diving trip.

Yes, I thought Catcha Falling Star looked nice- it's right next to Sea Grape.

Not a diver, but we've done a little snorkeling in JA. Fun, sure, but NOTHING like the Riviera Maya....

[Jacko]

Loving the report Maggie...interesting reading a Mexico report while in Playa...we have been to PV a couple of times years ago...loved it!

BTW..we also prefer Negril over Mo Bay and Ocho Rios....