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Back to La Peñita de Jaltemba

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Voykit pocket guide · Mexico

La Peñita de Jaltemba

Use La Peñita as a budget base for Jaltemba Bay: 2–3 nights to explore the beach, Thursday market and nearby towns like Sayulita and Lo de Marcos.

La Peñita de Jaltemba is the quiet, local twin of Rincón de Guayabitos, with banks, markets and a weekly tianguis. It is a practical base for a low-key beach stay on Nayarit's coast, 64 km north of Puerto Vallarta.

Mexico CityAcapulcoAcaxochitlánActopanAculcoAgua PrietaAguascalientesAhuacatlánAhualulcoAjijicAkumalÁlamosAmatitánAmatlán de CañasLa Peñita de Jaltemba500 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Mexico
Best months
Nov–Apr
Avoid
Jun–Oct (rainy season, possible storms)
Stay
2–3 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
MXN
Money
Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $). Cards work in hotels, chains and many restaurants; markets, street food, small shops and colectivos are cash.
Daily spend
Budget MXN 600–1,000 excl. bed · Mid MXN 1,000–1,800 excl. bed · High MXN 1,800+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Telcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities. SIMs sell at OXXO shops and phone stores; registration with an ID may be requested — check.
Emergency
Police 911 · Fire and ambulance 911 · Tourist assistance (078) 078
Plugs
Types A, B · 127 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; many older sockets have no earth pin.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.; Bars: MXN 10–20 per drink or 10%.; Petrol station attendants: MXN 10–20; more for windscreen and tyres.; Guides and drivers: 10% or MXN 200–400 a day.; Supermarket baggers (often older volunteers): MXN 5–10.
Water
Not drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.
Toilets
Put paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.

Get in

By air

PVR · Puerto Vallarta International Airport
About 1 h by bus or taxi north on Highway 200

Typical fares

Taxi La Peñita – Guayabitos
about MXN 40 (check)
Bus La Peñita – Puerto Vallarta
about MXN 50–70, 1 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Walking covers the centre. The Rincón–La Peñita–Los Ayala shuttle runs along the coast. Taxis between La Peñita and Guayabitos cost about MXN 40 (check).

See and do

Known for

  • Thursday street market (tianguis)
  • Jaltemba Bay beaches
  • Pineapple and mango farms
  • Proximity to Rincón de Guayabitos

Day trips

WhereHowTime
SayulitaBus or taxi south on Highway 200, about 30 minAbout 40 min
Lo de MarcosBus or taxi south, about 20 minAbout 30 min
San BlasBus north on Highway 200, about 1 h 15 minAbout 1.5 h
MexcaltitánBus to Santiago Ixcuintla, then a boat, about 2 h totalAbout 2.5 h

Sleep

La Peñita centre
Near the main avenue and beach; budget hotels and guesthouses.
Rincón de Guayabitos
Immediately south, more hotels and bungalows; a short taxi or shuttle ride.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Hello / Good morningBuenos díasBWEH-nohs DEE-ahs
Thank youGraciasGRAH-see-ahs
How much does it cost?¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah
Where is the market?¿Dónde está el mercado?DOHN-deh ehs-TAH ehl mehr-KAH-doh

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake; a kiss on the right cheek among friends; avoid: Skipping 'buenos días' when entering a shop
  • Punctuality: Be on time for tours and buses; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
  • Talking: Warm small talk, family, food, football; avoid: Jokes about cartels, the wall or migration
  • Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet; avoid: Photos during mass
  • Dining: Say 'provecho' to other diners when leaving; avoid: Rushing the waiter

Scams and watch-outs

  • Thursday tianguis closes by early afternoon; go in the morning for the best selection.
  • The beach at La Peñita is quieter than Guayabitos; for swimming, walk to Guayabitos or Los Ayala.
  • Highway 200 has no pedestrian crossings in places; take care walking along it.

La Peñita is generally safe for tourists. Usual precautions: avoid walking alone on the beach at night, keep valuables out of sight, and use official taxis.

One and two days

No timed day plan for La Peñita de Jaltemba yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Thursday street market (tianguis)
  • Jaltemba Bay beaches
  • Pineapple and mango farms
  • Proximity to Rincón de Guayabitos

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

La Peñita de Jaltemba

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

  • Police911
  • Fire and ambulance911
  • Tourist assistance (078)078

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/la-penita-de-jaltemba). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.