For travelers seeking that perfect beach destination the entire family can enjoy, Jaltemba Bay in the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, offers an affordable, safe and secure vacation spot with activities for the whole family. Located only 37 miles (60 kilometers) north of Puerto Vallarta Airport, the four towns of Jaltemba Bay offer a more authentic tropical vacation where everyone can enjoy the sun, sand, and sea together on calm, clean beaches along the deep blue Pacific Ocean.
Comprised of four small beach towns – Los Ayala, Rincon de Guayabitos, La Colonia, and La Penita de Jaltemba – and some of the friendliest, accommodating people, there are numerous fun activities, such as bargain shopping, biking, four wheeling, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and snorkeling, to name a few.
One of the most popular things to do and something not to be missed is attending the Tianguis (which means “open-air market”), a traditional outdoor Mexican market featured every Thursday morning in La Penita de Jaltemba’s town square (zócalo). Held every week throughout the year, Tianguis starts at 8:00 a.m. and runs until 2:00 p.m.
What can you find at Tianguis?
Both residents and tourists will tell you the Tianguis is the best place to find authentic handmade arts and crafts, indigenous embroidered clothing, woven rugs and blankets, turquoise and leather crafted jewelry, ceramic dishes and pottery (such as Talavera), hand-woven baskets in every color you can imagine, copper cookware, beadwork painstakingly created by the Cora or Huichol Indians, games, toys, and much more. Considering the high quality of these items, it’s even more amazing that they’re offered at such reasonable prices, one of the reasons why business is booming at Tianguis.
To get the most from your Tianguis experience, it’s recommended that you first walk through the entire market, which extends across a number of blocks from the plaza in the town center. As you’re walking, absorb the experience while scanning the items, and enjoy shopping at an authentic Mexican market. You’ll even find the freshest vegetables and fruits, all-natural herbal remedies, cheap CDs and ‘pirated’ movies, assorted men and women’s underwear, second-hand clothing, baby chicks painted in all colors of the rainbow, puppies, and even spare parts for cars and appliances.
Splurge a little at La Penita de Jaltemba’s Tianguis market, and bring home some authentic, traditional Mexican handicrafts or practical items from your Jaltemba Bay vacation. With so much variety, there’s sure to be something for the whole family.
If you’ll be vacationing in Puerto Vallarta or the Riviera Nayarit next year, the region has been officially designated by the Mexico Tourism Board as the venues to host the major Tourist Tianguis 2012.
