surfing jalisco mexico map

About Jalisco Mexico

Surfing Jalisco Mexico  is quite a phenomenon experience. The Jalisco region of Mexico contain a long series of beach breaks, river mouths, and the occasional reef, stretching from Puerto Vallarta in the north to the border of Michoacan in the south.[box type=”alert” size=”large” style=”rounded”]If you decide to venture into Michoacan please be careful because these days it has been reported that the Narco activity on this area may be hazardous to your health.[/box]

Let’s get back to Jalisco, the birth place of Tequila . . .

While it’s home to several high-quality waves like Tecuan, Campos Manzanillo, El Pariso, and Boca de Apisa, the jewel of this area is the infamous Pascuales. A thumping beach break that can hold 25+ foot waves. Pascuales is to Jalisco and Colima what Puerto Esondido is to Oaxaca—you’ve seen this wave in the mags—dangerous, hollow, and for experts (or you) only if there’s any hint of Southern Hemi in the water.

Crowds
Like in most of Mainland Mexico, crowds in Jalisco can vary wildly from spot to spot. The bulk of big-name spots in the area will have a crowd, and expect some pretty serious localism in the water at Pascuales, a wave so fierce, getting beat up on the beach will be the least of your concerns if you paddle out on big day.

Hazards
The usual in Mainland Mex: dangerous roads, corrupt cops, shallow reefs, Montezuma’s Revenge (a stomach bug in the water supply that can strand you in the bathroom for days on end), highway bandits, board liquefying beach breaks, and mosquitoes o’ plenty.

Yet, this trip is well worth all the challenges and risks—word on the street is that these days it’s a little sketchy up towards La Tica area but if you dare to travel into that region you will be rewarded with empty waves.

Surfing Jalisco Mexico

surfing pascuales
Pascuales, Mexico.

Summer
The rainy season, and hot as hell. This is the most consistent time for surf, with the South Pacific churning out regular south and southwest swells that end up peeling into the region’s point breaks, reefs and beach breaks. Most crowded with surfers, too. Watch out for hurricanes, as they can (and do) make landfall here on occasion.

Fall
September – November are the rainiest months in the rainy season, and as such, can be difficult to travel in. The upside is that there can be less wind so the surf can stay glassy all day; the downside is well, all the rain and mud and bugs it brings. South swells aren’t as dependable as spring and summer, but it’s still a reasonably consistent time to visit.

Winter
Perfect weather and minimal swell.

Spring
Can be the best time, as it’s not too hot, the rains haven’t started in earnest and south swells start hitting strong in May. Plus, it’s Spring Break, which can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your age and marital status.

Surfing Spots Jalisco Mexico

surf spots jalsico

Surfing, Eating & Sleeping In Pascuales, Mexico

Other than surf, there isn’t much to do or see in this small coastal town in Jalisco. You may want to stay down the road and drive in and surf Pascuales, but if you decide that you would rather get up with the chickens and surf before anyone drives in than we do have a few options for you.

Places to Sleep in Los Pascuales Mexico

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Well, it’s not the Sheraton but it’s as close as you will get out here in the wild west of Mexico. Check out Paco’s Hotel for 50 bones a night.

  • Reviews include: “ Great place to just crash” “Not great for families” “Safest place in town”
  • Amenities include: Seafood restaurant, AC and private bathrooms (you will definitely need the AC).
  • #1 of 2 on www.tripadvisor.com  and www.lonelyplanet.com states that it “very popular with experienced surfers” and your lost European backpacker.

Places to eat in Los Pascuales Mexico

Las Hamacus Dl Mayor

  • Reviews include: “Traditional and simple with bean tacos”
  • “Prawns are specialty”
  • “Best Ayamos ever eaten”
  • “Spectacular beach but dangerous to swim”

Manscos Homero (Located in Tecoman a short drive away)

Reviews include:

  • “I think these guys have the best mariscos in the great state of Colima”
  • “I am becoming kind of an aficionado when it comes to octopus.
  • “I never thought I would like it so much. I like the diabla sauce, but even more I just like it on the grill. You know it is really good by how tender it comes. Homero’s does it so much better than anywhere else I have tried it.”

Surfing, Eating & Sleeping In Barra de Navidad, Mexico

Barrede-Navidad

Barre de Navidad in Jalisco is an exposed beach, reef, rivermouth break that has reasonably consistent surf. Summer offers the best conditions for surfing. Offshore winds blow from the north northeast.

Clean groundswells prevail and the best swell direction is from the southwest. The beach break provides left and right handers and in addition, both left and right reef breaks add variety.

Relatively few surfers here, even on good days. Beware of rocks and sharks.

Forgot your surfboard or need some gear? Check out Barra Surf Shop & Bar.

Getting to Barra de Navidad

  • The closest passenger airport to Barre de Navidad is Playa De Oro International (Manzanillo) Airport (ZLO) in Mexico, which is 24 km (15 miles) away (directly).
  • The second nearest airport to Barre de Navidad is Colima Airport (CLQ), also in Mexico, 125 km (78 miles) away.
  • The third closest airport is Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (Puerto Vallarta) Airport (PVR), also in Mexico, 169 km (105 miles) away.

http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Barrede-Navidad

Places to eat in BarraPlaces to Sleep in Barra

Casa Chips

Well kept boutique hotel right on the beach in Barra de Navidad. The hotel is centrally located in the town, within easy walking distance of restaurants and markets.

Reviews for Casa Chips look good . . .

“Our room had a terrace and ocean view. It was large, comfortable and CLEAN and even had a kitchenette! The staff was friendly and attentive. It was so easy to feel right at home in a totally new place in a different country. We will definitely go back again.”

Link to hotel on trip advisor.

Casa Colina– $$$$ Ultra High end but worth it

Link to hotel on Yelp.

Hotel Laguna del Tule– $$ Moderate price range

Link to hotel on Yelp.

Places to Eat in Barra

Restaurant Paty (link on Yelp)

Amber di Mare

If you’re looking for something different other then Mexican food this place looks great. They’re mostly Italian with some seafood variants. We ran across someone that loves this place and said, “We ate here twice in one week! We have been going to Ambar’s since 2000 and it is always fabulous. My husband LOVES the French onion soup, the crepes are delicious, the pizza is fabulous, and the Cesar salad was wonderful. Ambar’s is a rare gem in an unsuspecting place.”

Link to Amber on trip advisor.

For night-life options and a deeper dive into local restaurants in Barra check out this link.

Quimixto Mexico

DIEGO-MIGNOT1

Quimixto in Jalisco is a quite exposed beach break that has consistent surf. Summer offers the optimum conditions for surfing. Offshore winds are from the south.

Groundswells more frequent than wind-swells and the optimum swell angle is from the west southwest. The beach breaks offer lefts and rights. A fairly popular wave that can sometimes get crowded.

[box type=”info” size=”large” style=”rounded”]Be wary of rips – they make surfing dangerous.[/box]

Quimixto.surf.consistency.summer

Getting to Quimixto Mexico

  • The closest passenger airport to Quimixto is Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (Puerto Vallarta) Airport (PVR) in Mexico, which is 24 km (15 miles) away (directly).
  • The second nearest airport to Quimixto is Tepic Airport (TPQ), also in Mexico, 117 km (73 miles) away.
  • The third closest airport is Playa De Oro International (Manzanillo) Airport (ZLO), also in Mexico, 176 km (109 miles) away.

http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Quimixto

Surfing Arroyo Seco

Arroyo Seco is small town 50 km north of Barra de Navidad. Empty Beach well know by the locals for it’s big waves. It’s hard for beginners, when the swell is small the waves break really fast and hard.

Type of Wave Beach break
Direction of Wave Right
Bottom Sand
Difficulty Intermediate surfer
Crowd Level Empty
Hazards none

 

Surf Camps In Jalisco

Surf-mexico.com was originally founded by three friends who love to surf. They help you find best places to stay, best places to surf and share surfing tips in Mexico.

http://www.surf-mexico.com/

Buen Viaje

Enjoy your trip, stay safe and let us know how your trip goes. Check out these other articles for some more details about the area:

 

Derek Dodds

Derek Dodds is founder of the world's first ecological surf company Wave Tribe, surfboard shaper, world traveler, author and Mini Simmons enthusiast.

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Meet Surfer Derek Dodds

Derek Dodds | Surfer, Shaper, Traveler
I'm Derek Dodds, the guy behind Srfer.com.com. I love surfing, shaping, adventure travel, IPAs, useful gear, and all things related to the sea.