Guayabitos FAQ: Your 20 Essential Questions Answered (2025)

Question 1

How do I get to Guayabitos from Puerto Vallarta airport?

You have four main options:

• Private Transfer (recommended): $25-40 USD per person, door-to-door service, 50-60 minutes
• Bus: ~$5-8 USD per person, requires 1-2 transfers, 2-2.5 hours total
• Rental Car: $30-60/day, drive yourself on Highway 200 North, ~50 minutes
• Airport Taxi: $100-140 USD total, available 24/7 but expensive

Our family offers airport pickup: $100 flat rate for up to 6 people, includes English-speaking driver and optional grocery stop. Read our complete transportation guide →

Question 2

How far is Guayabitos from Puerto Vallarta?

• Distance: 39 miles (63 km) north
• Drive time: 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes (depending on traffic)
• Route: Highway 200 North along the coast

Question 3

Should I rent a car in Guayabitos?

Rent a car if:

• ✅ You're planning day trips to Sayulita, San Pancho, San Blas, or Tepic
• ✅ You're staying 1+ weeks and want flexibility
• ✅ You're traveling as a group (cost splits nicely)

Skip the car if:

• ✅ You just want to relax on the beach in Guayabitos
• ✅ You're on a tight budget (taxis are cheap locally)
• ✅ You don't plan to leave Guayabitos much

Question 4

Is Guayabitos safe for tourists?

Yes, Guayabitos is very safe. It's a quiet, family-oriented Mexican beach town with extremely low crime rates.

U.S. State Department rates Nayarit as Level 2 ("Exercise Increased Caution")—the same as France, Italy, and the UK. There are no travel restrictions for tourists visiting Guayabitos.

As a local family: We live here, raise our kids here, and run our business here. We wouldn't do that if it wasn't safe. Read our complete safety guide →

Question 5

Is it safe to walk around at night?

During the evening (until ~10 PM): Yes, it's safe to walk around town, along the malecón, and to/from restaurants.

Late at night (after 11 PM): Like any beach town, we recommend taking a taxi instead of walking alone. Taxis are cheap (50-100 pesos) and restaurants will call one for you.

Question 6

Is the water safe to drink?

No, don't drink tap water. This applies to all of Mexico, not just Guayabitos.

What to do:

• Drink bottled water (available everywhere, 15-30 pesos per bottle)
• Brush your teeth with bottled water
• Ice in restaurants is usually safe (made from purified water)

Question 7

Where should I stay in Guayabitos?

Best areas:

• Beachfront (central Guayabitos): Walking distance to everything, beach access, most hotels/rentals
• North end: Quieter, less crowded beach, still close to town (5-10 min walk)
• Los Ayala (5 min south): Even quieter, smaller beach, fewer dining options

Our recommendation: Stay in central Guayabitos for your first visit. Check out our property Casa Nayarit →

Question 8

Are there all-inclusive resorts in Guayabitos?

Yes, there are 3 Decameron properties:

• Decameron Los Cocos
• Decameron La Marina
• Decameron Isla Coral

They're budget all-inclusive (not luxury) and cater primarily to Mexican families and Canadian snowbirds. Good value if you want meals/drinks included.

Question 9

How much do hotels cost?

Question 10

What are the best restaurants in Guayabitos?

Local favorites:

• Restaurant Pineda - Famous for fresh ceviche and pescado zarandeado
• Tonita - Beachfront classic, great for families
• Vista Guayabitos - Breakfast with ocean views
• Salvador's - All-you-can-eat shrimp Tuesdays (live music!)

Browse all restaurants →

Question 11

How much does a meal cost?

• Street tacos: 15-25 pesos each ($0.75-1.25 USD)
• Casual breakfast: 80-120 pesos ($4-6 USD)
• Beachfront lunch: 100-200 pesos per person ($5-10 USD)
• Seafood dinner: 150-300 pesos per person ($7-15 USD)
• Beer: 25-40 pesos ($1.25-2 USD)

Question 12

Is the food safe to eat?

Yes! Mexican food in Guayabitos is safe to eat. Here's how to eat smart:

Safe bets:

• ✅ Busy restaurants with high turnover (food is fresh)
• ✅ Cooked-to-order meals
• ✅ Hot, freshly-cooked food
• ✅ Bottled drinks

Question 13

What is there to do in Guayabitos besides the beach?

Water activities:

• Boat tour to Isla Coral (snorkeling, birdwatching, swimming)
• Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding
• Fishing charters
• Dolphin and whale watching (season: Dec-March)

Land activities:

• Thursday market in La Peñita (food, crafts, local goods)
• Horseback riding on the beach
• ATV tours
• Visit Aguas Termales hot springs (30 min drive)
• Explore nearby towns: Los Ayala, Lo de Marcos, Sayulita, San Pancho

Question 14

Is Isla Coral worth visiting?

Yes! Isla Coral is one of the highlights of visiting Guayabitos.

What's there:

• Protected natural reserve
• Snorkeling (clear water, tropical fish)
• Birdwatching (pelicans, Blue-Footed Boobies)
• Swimming and cliff jumping

Cost: 200-300 pesos per person ($10-15 USD) for boat tour

Question 15

Is there nightlife in Guayabitos?

No, not really. Guayabitos is NOT a nightlife destination.

What there is:

• A few casual bars with beer and occasional live music
• Beachfront restaurants that stay open until 9-10 PM
• Quiet evening strolls on the beach

If you want nightlife: Visit Sayulita (20 min away) or Puerto Vallarta (50 min)

Question 16

When is the best time to visit Guayabitos?

Best overall: November - April (Dry Season)

• November - February: Perfect weather (70-85°F), no rain, peak season
• March - April: Still dry and warm, Semana Santa gets VERY busy
• May - October: Hot and humid, afternoon rain showers, less crowded, lower prices

Question 17

Do I need to speak Spanish?

Helpful, but not essential.

Most locals speak Spanish primarily. Some English spoken in hotels and restaurants (growing with expat community). Learning basic phrases helps a lot!

Question 18

Do I need pesos or can I use USD?

Pesos are strongly preferred.

• Some tourist businesses accept USD (at poor exchange rates)
• Most restaurants, taxis, and shops prefer pesos
• Get pesos from ATMs (best exchange rate)

Question 19

Guayabitos vs Sayulita: which is better?

Choose Guayabitos if you want:

• Calm water (great for swimming, kids)
• Affordable prices (30-40% cheaper)
• Authentic Mexican vibe
• Quiet, relaxation-focused vacation

Choose Sayulita if you want:

• Surfing (waves!)
• International food scene and nightlife
• Boutique shopping and art galleries
• Social, energetic atmosphere

Can't decide? They're only 20 minutes apart—visit both! Read our full comparison guide →

Question 20

Is Guayabitos good for families with kids?

Absolutely YES. Guayabitos is one of the most family-friendly beach towns in Mexico.

Why families love it:

• ✅ Calm, safe water (protected bay, shallow water)
• ✅ Safe town (low crime, family-oriented, walkable)
• ✅ Affordable (family vacation on a budget)
• ✅ Authentic culture (kids experience real Mexico)
• ✅ Wide beach with plenty of space
• ✅ Activities for kids (boat tours, beach play, Isla Coral)