Perfect day at Mayto Beach

Great swim at Mayto Beach. Water was great and it was a perfect day. We like the early summer weather and water temperature. It is like having your own beach.

Environment, oil and the media

Many have been concerned about the quality of Mayto Beach resulting from some oil washing up on the beach for a couple of days during the first week of May. Simply, it has gone and the beach and quality of the water is normal. From all accounts, the media reports indicated otherwise. We are enjoying the beach!

Playing on Mayto Beach

A favorite Mayto activity with locals and visitors is skim boarding. The water, waves and Mayto's long beach make this an ideal place.

Mayto Beach sunset moment

It was time for another colorful sunset from Mayto Beach. At the end of the day sitting and watching the sun set along this amazing beach is one of our favorite things to do.

A smooth ride to Mayto soon!

The road from El Tuito to Mayto should be completely surfaced this time next year. The last two sections are now under construction. This was a surprise. Some will be happy and others sad to see the area more accessible. Either way, it is happening and the area is going to feel the impact. Only five years ago, the road project was just a rumor. We are happy to have a beautiful place on the ocean and have invested in our future in the area.

Cooking in Mayto... making simple salsa

A great simple salsa that goes with anything! Salsa is a staple of Mexican life, and is used with every meal. A good salsa always has a lot of flavor and of course a degree of heat to it. This salsa is about as simple as it gets, yet is very tasty. Just put about five Roma tomatoes, a handful small green chiles, and half a small white onion in a saute pan with a little oil. Cook over a medium-low heat until the flavors are released and put into a blender. Blend to your liking. Best not too much. Enjoy!

Take the bus to Mayto Beach?

How difficult is the drive from El Tuito to Mayto Beach? A question frequently asked by many. If this very large bus can make it to Mayto, so can most cars. We were surprised when it pulled up along side the Mayto Hotel and offloaded a film crew and all their gear.

Our man of the year!

A friend, neighbor, and one of the nicest people we have met. Don Juan has helped us with many of our projects at Chachalaka, not far from Mayto. Juan actually lives in the community of Villa de Mar, a few minutes drive south of Mayto Beach. Juan has an amazing knowledge of flora and fauna - he also knows how to build an awesome palapa. He and his wife have a handful of Ecological rustic cabanas for rent and we will be posting more information about them.

A stop in El Tuito on the way to Mayto

Our favorite place to stop in El Tuito is Mario's restaurant. You never know what Mario may surprise you with. This particular day Mario had fresh lobster salad with a first course of lobster bisque. Gourmet dining in El Tuito! Mario and his wife Annabelle have settled in Tuito after many years in Guadalahara. Lucky for Tuito and us.

Exploring south of Mayto Beach

Just a short drive south of Mayto Beach you will find the fishing village of Tehuamixtle, a great place to spend a day. Beyond Tehua, another beautiful beach follows the coast to the south. We like the Cabanas El Cielito that overlook the beach at Villa del Mar, a few minutes drive from Tehua. A handful of nicely furnished cabins, a nice pool and landscaping make this higher end place worth checking out.

Table for two!

A table for two at Mayto. Or as many as you want. Plenty of room on this beautiful beach. This is where we love to hang out and watch the sunset. These palapas at Hotel Mayto have a commanding view of the beach and ocean.

Natures paradise at Mayto beach

Mayto beach is a paradise shared by both man and nature. We have been traveling and it is always good to kick off the shoes when we return and walk on this beautiful beach. Our friend joined us on this morning.

Road to Mayto Beach

We just put together some of our favorite images of Mayto and the surrounding area. It is truly a special place soon to be discovered. When the new road is finished, this paradise will only be an hour and a half drive from Puerto Vallarta.

Past, present and future at Mayto

It has been awhile since we talked about the people of the area. We like the "Generations" of Mayto captured in this photo. The Mayto area history is relatively short, dating back to the sixties when most settled here as farmers. It was a tough life and was rewarded only through hard work, vigilance, and family. Large families were common and that is evident today. It seems everyone is somehow related. Many things are changing little by little since we first discovered Mayto and Mayto beach a few years ago. Soon the younger generation will become a stronger presence in the area, along with new people moving into the area. It is good to be here now.

Exploring beyond Mayto Beach

We recently made a day trip to Corrales from Mayto. Corrales is only a 45 minute drive north along the coast. On the way we stopped at Playitas which has a beautiful beach with amazing rock formations. Corrales does not get many tourist and is a rough and tumble place. Best for day trips only. It was a great afternoon of eating, drinking, swimming and snorkeling.

Tehua Bay is just ten minutes from Mayto Beach

The bay at Tehuamixtle is just ten minutes from Mayto Beach. It is a must see for all visiting the area. While Mayto beach is expansive and endless, the beach at Tehua is ideal for swimming and lounging with three seafood restaurants at the beach. No need to change, come as your are!

A post card from Mayto

An amazing sunset, a fun afternoon, and a hat in an odd place. Mayto beach, and the surrounding area always will surprise and delight you. We are fortunate to be here.

Cool off at Mayto Beach!

A great day at the beach and a refreshing "Chelada" to cool you off. We always like this drink made simply with a large glass full of ice, lime juice, salt, and your favorite cerveza. We like Pacifico. After a couple of these you can settle in for the sunset or a romantic walk on the beach.

The road to Mayto keeps getting better.

Drive or ride, the road to Mayto is now fifty percent surfaced. A vast improvement from only three years ago. A section of about seven kilometers is now being surfaced from El Tuito. This is part of the planned projects for the area. The big news is the start of the reservoir project early in 2011 - the largest project ever in Cabo Corrientes. When complete, the reservoir will supply water to the developing beach areas of Cabo Corrientes, including Mayto, Tehuamixtle, Villa del Mar and Ipala. This is a game changer for the whole area.

Turtle camp at Mayto beach

Mayto beach is home to a well established camp dedicated to preserving and protecting nesting sea turtles. Student groups come from all over to witness turtles laying eggs and then gather them and place them in a protected pen for hatching. When the turtles hatch, they are released at dusk and make their way safely into the ocean. Everyone has a good time and learns a lot. These students are catching one of Mayto's beautiful sunsets.

Mayto beach and a fish dinner!

A trip to Mayto beach is not complete without a dinner of fresh fish. The fishing village of Tehuamixtle is just ten minutes away... and the place to get fresh fish, and oysters, as well as lobster and prawns. You can chose from three restaurants on the beach.

A special beach for lovers

A secluded little beach next to Mayto Beach is known as Lovers Beach. For good reason. It is a place where you can get lost among the rocks and very few people seem to be there. A perfect spot to be when you want to be alone.

Post card from Mayto Beach

Life at Mayto beach is about relaxing, taking in the sunset at the end of the day, and realizing how good life can be. Another beautiful day in paradise.

El Tuito to Tehuamixtle, the people

The people we meet in the communities along the way. This video shows some of the people from El Tuito, Corrales, Mayto, Tehuamixtle, Villa del Mar, and Ipala. Some are friends and neighbors, all a part of the fabric of Cabo Corrientes.

Awesome salsa...chile mi casa, Mayto style

We have developed a taste for salsa. Actually we have been spoiled by Maricela's homemade salsas. A standard by which we now judge all. When we asked her for a recipe - one we particularly like, she said just make it with love. Well, we needed a few guidelines. Here is what she gave us.
Chile mi casa
De Arbol style
Hot oil chile - Use a large handful of Chile de Arbol chiles, break apart and roast seeds and skin in saute pan until seeds turn brown in color, add corn oil - 1 1/2 cups, and crank up the heat to very hot, fry in the oil until chiles turn dark brown - 3 to 5 minutes. This is where your eyes, start burning. Remove from heat and let cool. Put everything in a blender, add salt to taste...and this is where you add the love. Blend till just course on chop cycle about 2 minutes, be sure seeds remain whole - this is important.

Riding a kite buggy on Mayto beach

It is a wild ride when the afternoon wind comes up. Mayto beach is great for kite buggys, and kite surfing. With it's vast expanse of beach, there is plenty of room to play.

A Mexican Gothic

The Campesinos are the soul of the Mayto area. These farmers came to the areas around Mayto in the 1960's and worked the land. In the early days it was productive and many prospered, it was also dangerous. There were disputes between Ejidos and carrying a gun was not only wise, it was necessary. The disputes and a shortage of water forced many to leave. Only the strong remained behind.

Pool table on the beach

Joe's Bar at Rinconcito has a pool table on the sand. When Joe is around ask for one of his signature drinks. We like the Pina Colada with Raicilla. Easter holidays are coming up and expect a lot of people at the beach. Everyone always has a good time. Joe will be busy.

The community of Mayto

The community of Mayto is not on the beach. Mayto beach is actually a short drive from the community. The community has recently cobbled it's main street and you will see some new buildings. As this area grows, Mayto no doubt will expand to better serve those heading to the beach. We like this wall of skulls at the entrance to Mayto. It is a great welcome sign!

Sunset swim at Mayto beach

It was a great day for a late swim at Mayto. Friends we met the previous year had just returned. Later we all went to Tehuamixtle for seafood.

Mayto kids with cameras

Mayto kids are learning to see through the lens of a camera. New England, U.S.A., photographer, Nancy Grace Horton, is a frequent visitor to the Mayto area. Last year she brought point and shoot cameras and instructed some fortunate and willing kids on the basics. She then turned them lose to shoot whatever they saw. The surprising results prove that a good photograph is simply about how you see things. A book has been published with the photographs.

Camping on the beach

Camping on Mayto beach is a great way to experience the area. For those who want to camp, toilets and showers are available for a very reasonable rate. As more people are camping we encourage campers to use the facilities...and put trash in the container provided. We all want to enjoy this beautiful beach after you leave. Check the high tide line and size of the waves before you pitch your tent.

Morning on the beach

We just had a great stay at the Mayto Hotel in our favorite room. Mornings are a favorite time to walk the beach after the waves during the night have washed away any evidence of humans. The first sun light on the sand and the waves create a work of art. It is also a good time to find shells. We are seeing some familiar faces as people become frequent visitors to the area. Mayto beach and Tehua Mexico are being discovered!

A holiday story

A wonderful story from Ipala, Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. Awhile ago we started taking photos of the people in the area around Mayto, Tehuamixtle, Villa del Mar, and Ipala. In an earlier post we put up a little video with some of the photos. The lady in the photo above has a little store in Ipala, she is also the person you get chickens from, and she is the distributor for Coca Cola in the area. We just recently presented her with a very nice photo print that we had promised and she told us that her son in the U.S., that she has not seen for several years, saw her photo on our blog. He had not seen a recent photo and it was a surprise and a treat to see his mother. We are pleased that we can reach so many people and wanted to share this story...and put up her photo again. A nice holiday story.

Fine dining in Mayto

Chef de cuisine Mario Muratore, of the legendary Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, Monaco, prepared a dinner at Hotelito Rinconcito on Mayto beach. This was a surprise! and a special treat for the lucky ones who where there. And... this followed what may have been the best American style Thanksgiving dinner we have had. Mary at Rinconcito spent the day in the kitchen preparing turkey with all the trimmings. The stuffing, fresh made cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes were highlights. All in all, it was a couple of days eating very well.

The bread of Mexico

Every culture has it's bread. The tortilla is the bread of Mexico. We could not imagine not having a tortilla with a meal. There is nothing like fresh home made.

A wild sky over Mayto

It was a wild sky as storm clouds approached at the end of the day. Everyone was hoping for a good rain.

In the Mayto kitchen

After that last post we needed to relax a bit. We have decided it is time to explore a little of the cuisine of Mayto and surroundings. So, from time to time you will see some food things. This is marinated goat - the whole goat goes in the pot. Lots of yummy stuff with it and let it slow cook. It is tasty.

Mexico is getting a bum rap

We hate to get into this, but we are sick and tired of Mexico getting a bum rap from the media. Opinion - media today is questionable and one might follow the money to understand why. We love it here and the good news is - we are far from all the media noise. This video made us laugh and that is a good thing to do. We are safe and healthy at Mayto beach.

Surf fishing on Mayto beach

We had heard the stories about the rooster fish off Mayto beach. It is all true. What a morning and what a fish. We are told that this is actually a small fish. We were happy anyway. August and September are the best months because the waters are warm and calm.

Wind and surf

There is nothing like being on the ocean when the wind and surf are in your face. Walking the beach and hearing the waves pounding reminds one of how amazing nature is and how good it is to experience it. It is good to be back, after a couple months of traveling.

Pork carnitas cooked to perfection

We just had the best pork carnitas - ever. It was a little going away party. They called it hurry back soon. Fernando at Hotelito Rinconcito did the cooking and Fernando who owns the hardware and building supply store in Villa del Mar furnished the pig. Fernando has a secret to his cooking sauce that he will not disclose. Maybe it's the copper pot, the open fire, the company, the fresh pork, whatever it was, it was delicious and special. Something we will not soon forget. We are traveling for a couple of months and already miss Mayto. It is an amazing place, and the people are special.

Late afternoon at Mayto beach

The light is nice and you can imagine the view from the top of the hill. We never tire of the days in this area.

Jimi Hendrix is alive in Corrales Mexico

We met this guy in Corrales, a very small fishing village about forty five minutes north of Mayto. We think Jimi Hendrix is alive.

Mayto or Maito

Mayto, Cabo Corrientes Mexico, is sometimes spelled Maito. We just learned why and it is a good story. Santiago was one of founding fathers of Maito. He moved his family to the area around 1970 to create a new home and start farming the land. He and a hand full of others created the community of Maito with land grants from the government. Some of the land included the beaches, which they were afraid of. They were farmers and the sea with the turtles were something they did not understand. Corn was a principle crop and when they decided on a name - they named the community after corn - Maiz. Every morning, the harvested corn was ground into meal and tortillas were made - the staple of Mexican life. So, they named the community Maito - from Maiz and Tortillas. In recent times the spelling has changed to Mayto. However, you will still see the old spelling on many maps.

Mayto kids learning English

Some very fortunate kids in Mayto are leaning English. Thanks to Fernando and Mary who are taking time each week to teach a class to any who want to learn.

A film crew and models

It was bound to happen. We spotted a film crew and models recently on Mayto beach. They were working on a marketing promotion for a development project that may break ground soon. We hope for the best and are glad we are experiencing this special place as it is now.

Kite surfing at Mayto beach

Great kite surfing off Mayto beach this time of year. The winds usually start around noon and continue until the late afternoon. This is sure to become a destination for the sport, given the strength and consistency of the wind. It reminded us of the Columbia Gorge on the border between Washington and Oregon states in the U.S.

Catch of the day

Most of the fish in the area is caught off the rocks at the south end of Mayto beach. The Red Snapper is always a favorite. We enjoyed another fish feed of grilled Red Snapper and shrimp.

People of Cabo Corrientes Mexico

On our last visit we started taking photographs of people in the Mayto area. We will continue to add photos from time to time. It is good to know the chicken lady, the road builder, the welder and who to get building materials from. It is also good to know where to get a cold beer. Maybe when we get enough photos we will have a little community gathering and hang the photos someplace. This would be a first.

One of the best places for surf fishing

Fernando and his family run the Hotel El Rinconcito on Mayto beach. It is rustic and very clean. Ask Fernando to show you the album of photos with the fish that have been caught on Mayto beach surf casting. A group comes here every year and claims that this is the best that they have found any place in the world. Judging from the photos and the size of the fish, they may be right. Fernando has anything you need, and he also rents motos.

Mayto, Tehuamixtle, Villa del Mar, and more

We love this video. It gives you a great overview of the Cabo Corrientes area that we love so much. The first part shows many areas that are well known and often visited. Further south on the drive through El Tuito you reach the Mayto area and Tehuamixtle.

Great swimming at Mayto Beach

We are just back from a few days in the Mayto area. We met up with some of our friends from Puerto Vallarta. Grilled fresh fish on the beach, that we purchased in Tehuamixtle. The ocean was very calm on Mayto Beach and made for pleasant swimming. The Mayto Hotel was full with everyone on holiday. We continue to meet new friends from Guadalajara. The drive is getting shorter with each trip as the road paving progresses and we are surprised at how many people now know about this place - in just the last two years!

Photographs of Tehuamixtle, Mayto and El Tuito

The drive to Mayto Beach is about one hour and forty five minutes from Puerto Vallarta. You turn off the main highway at El Tuito and continue on a dirt and gravel road that is now being paved. The fishing village of Tehuamixtle is another ten minutes south of Mayto.

Another sunset at Mayto Beach

Late afternoon and sunset are favorite times to take it all in or go for a last swim. Yes, that is a yacht in the top photo. They are coming.