Costalegre to Become an Exciting Vacation Destination

Translated from Milenio Article

The construction of a tourism development that will include three hotels, a golf course and a marina in Costalegre, in the municipality of Tomatlan, Jalisco, already started and in two years will be providing service to the public, said the Minister of Tourism of the state government, Enrique Ramos Flores, in an interview with MILLENNIUM JALISCO.

The first development to start construction was that of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), the luxurious Cheval Blanc, who will be joined by a Four Seasons and One & Only, the official, "she said construction has already begun. It is Louis Vuitton, and began operations last January to be ready in two years. In the first half started the Four Seasons Tamarindo and in the second half the One & Only, the group Rasaland hotel near Chamela well. Are the three hotels that are guaranteed. "

Partial article from Banderas News

According to Alfonso Espinoza Estrada, delegate for the Secretary of Tourism for the State of Jalisco, "The fist step for the new airport will be to receive the permission from the Civil Aviation department to operate the airport. In the beginning we are looking for private airplanes to land for vacation travel because we already have various exclusive hotels in the area. Included in the Costalegre zone are Polo Tournaments in November and March. In order to participate in events like this you need to be able to bring in world class horses, have training spaces for them, and areas for the horses to rest so they can compete. This type of activity requires a large investment and for this we are working towards having the new airport open before this administration leaves office."

The governor has earmarked $21,000,000 USD to start the project of the new airport, highway expansion, utility services and infrastructure.

Milenio Article - in Spanish

Banderas News - Costalegre to Become an Exciting Vacation Destination

UNAM´s Biological Station "Open Doors"

The UNAM Biological Station´s annual "Open Doors" event is taking place tomorrow at the station from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For those not familiar with the location of the station, you´ll see a sign for it on your right just before you get to Chamela when travelling north on Highway 200 from La Manzanilla. 

Puertas abiertas annual evento para la Estacion de Biologica, Chamela, UNAM

Islands in the bay of Chamela

Chamela's nine islands were declared protected as a nature sanctuary in 2001 and are uninhabited except for the birds and turtles. A great place to snorkle, take pictures or even picnic. Fishermen from the local co-op will take you out for about 500 pesos

Chamela’s larger island is known as Isla Colorado by some, but the Chamela Biological Station calls it Isla Cocinas (Kitchens). The second largest island is either Isla Pajarera or Pasavera. Since pajarera means an aviary or bird cage, thats most likely correct.

The five smaller islands at the southeast end of the bay off the town of Chamela are called Isla Cocina, San Agustin, San Pedro, San Andres and La Negrita.



Majahuas, Perula, Chamela, Tecuan

Majahuas - Full of natural beauty, this collection of beaches and lagoons is located 15 kilometers from Tomatlan. One of the most important tortuguero fields of the state of Jalisco operated by the Center of Coastal Ecology of the University of Guadalajara for the protection and conservation of the marine turtle.

Bahia de Chamela - Located 157 kilometers south of Puerto Vallarta, this bay boasts the greatest number of islets in Mexico. Here you can rent boats for either fishing or touring around one of the 11 nearby islands inhabited by hundreds of bird species. On the south end of the bay is the small community of Chamela. On the north end of the bay is Playa Perula which is a good sized town with many motels, RV parks and restaurants lining the long beach.

Chamela-Cuixmala Protected Area
Also in this region is one of the most important protected areas in Mexico. With its many distinct climate zones, it is home to a high concentration of animal, reptile and bird species found only in Mexico. A biological station there includes a museum at km 59 on the highway from Barra de Navidad; and with luck you may see armadillos, crocodiles, iguanas, deer, foxes and raccoons.

El Tecuan
The turnoff to El Tecuan is several miles north of the Tenacatita turnoff from Highway 200. The road takes you through the hills toward the coast, passing through mango orchards over cattle guards and often through herds of cows.


There is a deserted resort (Hotel El Tecuan) perched on a hilltop overlooking the flats and the open-ocean beach at El Tecuan. The strand is solitary and surfing can sometimes be good here. There are no restaurant or other facilities along this stretch of sand so bring what you need.

The skeletal remains of a hotel developed by General Garcia Barragan, Mexico's Secretary of Defense in the 50's, sit on a parcel of land overlooking the ocean. The property was given to him by Mexican ex-President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz for his service to the country. The general built the hotel, swimming pool, tennis court and even a private landing strip but died before he could complete the plans. The hotel was leased out by family for several years but fell into disrepair and has since been looted, raided and stripped of anything of value.