Iguana Nights in Mismaloya

1-7-22

South of Puerto Vallarta is the beach town of Mismaloya, a small town with a small beach but very big on beauty. Hillsides covered in thick jungle foliage meet at a river that leads down to the ocean. When you are at the beach, you will immediately see the islands known as Los Arcos. A group of large granite islands with tunnels and arches carved into them from years of erosion from the ocean. The area has plenty to offer with tours of all kinds, including ATV tours of the jungle and boat tours out to the islands. You will also quickly notice that the 1964 movie starring Richard Burton, "Night of the Iguana," was filmed here. The references around town are abundant. Nearby is another beach town called Boca de Tomatlan, easy to get to by bus for only 20 pesos. And, as if two stunning beaches were not enough, you can hike along the shoreline and through the jungle to Los Colomitos. This hidden beach is accessible only by hiking a trail or water taxi. If you decide to trek through the jungle, it's not a difficult trail to traverse, but proper footwear would be advisable. I was not prepared and hiked in my flip-flops. And although I did not suffer any injuries worth noting, my feet would have thanked me for wearing sturdier footwear.

Getting there:

I arrived at the airport in Puerto Vallarta, and once I had collected my luggage, I went outside and hired an Uber. The driver's location showed that he was near me as he completed a trip at the airport. I walked over and introduced myself, but he told me he could not pick up passengers here. Some airports have pretty strict rules for Uber, and I am not sure if this had something to do with that. He directed me to a restaurant located on the other side of the pedestrian bridge from the airport. The trip, by car, takes approximately 50 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. From airport to hotel, the entire ride was about 12 USD. I stayed at the Hotel Casa Iguana, affordable and close to the beach. I can’t complain about that. Checking-in went smoothly, and they gave me an orange plastic bracelet to wear during my week-long stay. There is a small Koi pond in the courtyard with turtles, a pool, a jacuzzi that was out of order, and the bar/restaurant, which was undergoing a renovation while I was there. I had a modest two-bedroom suite that looked out onto the pool area and the idyllic hillsides in the distance. The hotel also offers a complimentary breakfast every morning with vegetarian options.

Know before you go

• Bring insect repellent. I'm generally not prone to attracting mosquitos, so I typically don't carry repellent with me. But there is some kind of tiny insect here that ate me up, leaving round bites on my legs and arms. 

• There aren't any grocery stores here. There are a handful of great restaurants in the area, an OXXO convenience store, and a couple of small stores with produce and essentials. 

• A restaurant that I absolutely loved and went to three times was La Choza My Tony. Hidden on a back street, it is two levels, and the view from the second level is fantastic. There was a lot of attention to detail here, and the staff was friendly and helpful. 

  Mismaloya 554, 12 de Octubre, 48294 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

  Phone: 322 228 0113

  
  

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