— GUIDE · GETTING TO CAREYES & CHAMELA BAY
The Casa Papelillo Guides
Updated October 2026 · 4 min read · By Casa Papelillo
Here is how to get to Careyes, on the Costalegre (Costa Alegre) coast of Jalisco, between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Casa Papelillo is ten minutes further north, on the cliffs of Chamela Bay. There is no airline service on this stretch of coast yet, so almost every trip combines a flight with a drive.
1.5 hours
From Manzanillo (ZLO), the closest airport, to Careyes
2.5–3 hours
From Puerto Vallarta (PVR), the airport with the most flights
Km 63
Casa Papelillo on Highway 200; Careyes is at km 53.5
Manzanillo International Airport (ZLO) is the closest commercial airport, about 1.5 hours’ drive south of Careyes. It has direct flights from several US and Canadian cities, as well as Mexico City. From Manzanillo, Casa Papelillo is a little under two hours away, ten minutes beyond Careyes.
Careyes is 2.5 to 3 hours’ drive south of Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) on Highway 200. Puerto Vallarta has far more flights than Manzanillo, with around 15 airlines and nonstop service to dozens of cities. Casa Papelillo is on the way, about ten minutes before Careyes, so the drive is slightly shorter.
Yes, two. The Chamela landing strip (CHM31) is about 15 minutes from Careyes and closer still to Casa Papelillo. The Costalegre Airport at Chalacatepec (COJ), in Tomatlán, was inaugurated in October 2024 with a 2,200-metre runway and is about 40 minutes from Careyes; ask us whether it is operating. Both suit private and charter flights.
| Type | Time to Careyes | Good to know | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manzanillo (ZLO) | Commercial airport | About 1.5 hours by road | The closest airport; direct flights from several US and Canadian cities and Mexico City |
| Puerto Vallarta (PVR) | Commercial airport | 2.5 to 3 hours by road | The most flights: around 15 airlines and nonstop service to dozens of cities |
| Chamela strip (CHM31) | Private landing strip | About 15 minutes | Private strip for small aircraft of up to eight passengers; ask us before you book |
| Costalegre Airport (COJ) | Private and charter airport | About 40 minutes | At Chalacatepec, Tomatlán; inaugurated October 2024, 2,200-metre runway; ask us whether it is operating before you plan around it |
| Guadalajara by road | Drive | About 5 hours | Via the Colima toll highway, then Highway 200 north |
Arrive to a fully staffed villa: Casa Papelillo sleeps 12 on Chamela Bay, and we arrange your transfers.
Both work. Taxis are scarce on this coast, so most guests either rent a car at the airport or book a private transfer. If you drive, we recommend a four-wheel-drive vehicle, given the roads, and arriving in daylight. If you would rather not drive, we arrange airport transfers and drivers for the whole stay.
The drive from Guadalajara to Careyes takes about five hours, via the Colima toll highway and then Highway 200 north along the coast. It suits guests who combine the beach with Guadalajara or Tequila country.
Highway 200 runs between the jungle and the sea. Careyes is at kilometre 53.5. Casa Papelillo is in a private gated community at kilometre 63 on Chamela Bay, just before Careyes if you are coming from Puerto Vallarta. Community security checks every name at the gate, so send us your guests’ names before you arrive.
For transfer prices and the map, see Getting here on About Casa Papelillo, or write to info@casapapelillo.com. Coming for the festival? Read where to stay for Ondalinda.
Manzanillo International Airport (ZLO), about 1.5 hours’ drive south of Careyes.
2.5 to 3 hours south on Highway 200. Casa Papelillo is about ten minutes before Careyes, so the drive there is slightly shorter.
Yes. The Chamela landing strip (CHM31) is about 15 minutes from Careyes, and the Costalegre Airport at Chalacatepec (COJ) is about 40 minutes away.
Taxis are scarce, so most guests rent a car or book a private transfer. Casa Papelillo arranges airport transfers and drivers for the whole stay.
About five hours by road, via the Colima toll highway and then Highway 200.
Yes. We recommend arriving in daylight and, given the roads, driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Where to stay for Ondalinda
Festival dates, venues, drivers and where groups stay in November.
Whale watching in Costalegre
Humpback season, boat trips and the rules, November to February.
