Careyes, land of turtles, is a sui-generis stretch of coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Mexico that started off as the vision of Gian Franco Brignone, a crazy Italian financier, in 1968. Today, a few hundred palapas stand tall along the cliffs’ edge overlooking the deep, blue waters, keeping the secrets of all fascinating characters that have swum before them. Here’s a Costa Careyes travel guide, a lesser-visited beach town in Mexico.
Every detail about this place has a reason for being and every element of its formation is surreal: rooms have smooth, rounded corners; every window and terrace has been designed to frame the ocean; the colors of the houses play tricks on your subconscious and inspire pleasure; odes to man and women, like Copa del Sol, can be found in remote corners, and nature preservation is religion. Houses have hidden architectural gems like a hand-woven nest that is perfect for reading; a hot pink, circular patio built just to appreciate a colossal boulder, and mischievous trails that have no purpose other than to make you walk through a beautiful ambush of lavish bougainvilleas.
How to get to Costa Careyes
Take a flight to Manzanillo, rent a car and drive an hour up the coast to Careyes. You can’t get lost, it’s almost a straight line there. International flights arrive in Puerto Vallarta but the drive to Careyes is 3 hours long so the layover in Mexico City is worth it!
There are no addresses in Careyes, only house names. You will never lose your way though – the staff of the houses know every single name there is to be known and they have their numbers in case you have friends are staying elsewhere!
Where to Stay in Careyes
Careyes is truly surreal. And all the Best Villas and vacation rental houses you can rent are available with us Retreats Luxury Oceanfront Rentals offers the best villas and home rentals in Costa Careyes Jalisco. Prices range depending on the season and the size of the the house but it starts off at $850 USD a night for a beautiful villa with the whole five start treatment: an ocean view, daily cleaning, making your bed and serving you breakfast.
The private houses and ocean castles that have 360° infinity pools and a full staff so that you don’t have to lift a finger, fit anywhere from 6 to 14 people and they start at $3,000 USD per night.
You can’t go wrong no matter which house, beach bungalow or villa you rent as they all have incredible views of the ocean. On a good day, during whale migration season (mid December till end of March) you can even see the whales swimming from your bed.
Careyes is so small (8 kilometers) that location is not a problem, you’ll always be central.
Taste (Food in Careyes)
Home-cooked meals are the most delicious choice as all the houses come with a fantastic cook. However, to spice things up you have a few alternatives!
Have lunch one day at Playa Rosa – it is spectacular. A bottle of rosé and freshly made pasta with shrimp alá Tres Chiles is a must.
For healthy salads and paninis or a hearty breakfast, La Coscolina, in Plaza de los Caballeros, is the place for you.
If you’re in the mood for meat or pizza, Punto.Como is where you want to head. It’s across the square from La Coscolina.
If you’re in the mood for a fresh Asian food menu with a Mexican twist on the beach, head over to Cocodrilo Azul. You’ll eat on the beach and dance around the bonfire after dinner! Make sure you ask the concierge first as they’re not open all year round!
Dress up a little to go out – the hippier chic the better!
What to Do in Careyes
Head down to Playa Rosa before breakfast for a swim. There’s no better way start to the day! There’s also a pink bar you can’t miss right there on the beach where they make fresh fruit juices every morning.
You can also start the day with a yoga class in Casa Corazón surrounded by the jungle. This costs around 300 MXN or $15 USD.
Rent a boat for a few hours, which of course the concierge will sort out, for around $ 100 USD an hour. Witness Careyes from the sea! Get picked up in Playa Rosa after breakfast, go to Paraiso (beach), and come back for lunch.
About 20 minutes away from Careyes there’s are a few beaches called Careyitos, Piratas and Arroyo Seco where you can go surfing. Remember, it’s the Pacific – the waves are perfect for just that!
Drive over to Copa del Sol to watch the sunset and get ready to be awed. Don’t forget to the most important element: a cooler with drinks! I also love to get take out at night from one of the restaurants and drive to La Copa to see the stars.
Teopa is a 6 km-long virgin beach with nothing and no one. Afternoon walks there are surreal, you’ll be the only one there. Make your way to the turtle sanctuary located on the left hand corner of the beach. When the eggs have hatched the newborns are released on the beach to make their way to the sea at around sunset. You’ll see hundred of baby turtles!
You can’t leave Careyes without seeing Mi Ojo, Tigre del Mar and Oriente – three of Careyes’ most iconic houses! The concierge organizes all of this for you, for free.
Spend the day lounging on the palm tree mats with a book in Playa Rosa.
You will also love to just spend the day by the pool sipping margaritas de Jamaica listening to music and chilling with friends!
Careyes Villas & Oceanfront Vacation Rentals
Costa Careyes house rentals are extremely private and peaceful, often sitting right on Costa Alegre’s white sand beaches. Villa rentals in Costa Careyes usually come with a full staff that includes a chef, a maid and private villa concierge. The majority of our Villas in Costa Careyes will have pre-stocked groceries ready for you upon arrival. All you need to do is send us a list with your groceries items and they will be ready for you at the Costa Careyes villa of your selection.
our top priority is making sure that you’ll be delighted with your Costa Careyes vacation home and villa rentals. Our Costa Careyes house rental Specialists will work with you to find the vacation in Costa Careyes that most suites your interest and needs.
