EXPLORING THE SOUTH
Discovering the fishing village of Tehuamixtle by boat
 For boaters who travel along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, the bay at Tehuamixtle is the only protected anchorage between Banderas Bay and Chamela Bay on the southern Costa Alegre. Many boaters in the past have anchored in Tehua Bay, thinking that they were at Ipala. This confusion is due to the fact that most guide books and charts only labeled the headland at the entrance to the bay as Punta Ipala. Why? a good question. Logically Tehuamixtle should be the name. The result being, many in the boating community did not know they were anchored at Tehuamixtle in Tehua Bay. Another reason this hidden gem is just now being discovered.
A new cruising guide is just now being published that  correctly identifies Tehuamixtle and the bay; however, it still references Punta Ipala as the landmark, since it is named on so many charts. The book, “Pacific Mexico: A Cruiser’s Guidebook” by Shawn Breeding and Heather Bansmer, should be a useful addition to any boaters library. No doubt, more and more boaters will be discovering what Tehuamixtle has to offer – in addition to anchorage. Tehua bay and the surrounding waters are rich with fish, oysters, lobster, and scallops. Tehua is a place where the locals still earn a living fishing and harvesting oysters. Many restaurants in and around Puerto Vallarta only serve the fresh fish and oysters from Tehua Bay.
 Hanging out for a day or two in Tehua is the good life. The beach is one of the best in the area for swimming. Fishing is good, as well as snorkeling and diving. You can easily arrange for a panga and a guide. The people are warm and welcoming. There are a couple of small stores that have a good selection of staples and food items. And, gas is also available. You can also take a twenty-minute hike to Mayto beach, ask a local to point you to the trail. Of course, you can just hang out at one of the three palapa restaurants, have a cerveza or two, eat some of the best fresh seafood, and chat with fellow boaters and the locals. Time moves slowly in Tehua, as it should. You might even spend an extra day to two. Anyway you come, boat or drive, this place is a delight to discover. The kind of place that you almost want to keep secret. Far enough away from the usual tourist trappings, yet close enough to the modern amenities of Puerto Vallarta. You can find out more about Tehuamixtle at: http://tehuamexico.com
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Enjoy the month!
John Van Dyke
E-mail: mailbox@tehuamexico.com
Please visit: http://tehuabay.blogspot.com/ & http://maytobeach.blogspot.com/
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