— GUIDE · SAFETY · COSTALEGRE, MEXICO
The Casa Papelillo Guides
Updated October 2026 · 5 min read · By Casa Papelillo
Yes. The Costalegre is a quiet, rural stretch of Jalisco’s Pacific coast, with small fishing villages and private estates that have hosted international visitors and homeowners for over 50 years. Crime affecting tourists is rare. As anywhere, take sensible precautions: drive Highway 200 in daylight, keep valuables in your safe, and swim with care.
50+ years
Hosting international visitors
24/7
Gated-community security
ID
Checked at the gate
Yes. The Costalegre feels very different from a resort city. There is no resort strip, no nightlife district and no commercial airport. Most of the coast is private estates, protected forest and small villages. Careyes, at its centre, has welcomed international homeowners and guests since 1968.
Like any rural coast, it rewards a little planning: travel by day, book drivers and boats through people the house works with, and respect the Pacific. The sections below cover each of these.
Puerto Vallarta is a busy resort city, with an international airport, a large hotel zone and lively nightlife. The Costalegre begins just south of it but feels a world away. It is a 330-kilometre coast of small bays and villages, linked by one highway, with far fewer people and far less traffic.
Many guests fly into Puerto Vallarta, then spend no more time there than the drive south from the airport. For most, the choice comes down to pace: Puerto Vallarta for restaurants and nightlife, the Costalegre for privacy and space.
Yes, in daylight. Highway 200 is the coastal road that links the whole Costalegre. Almost every visitor uses it, from Puerto Vallarta in the north or Manzanillo in the south. It is a two-lane road through hills and forest, with speed bumps (topes) at every village, so it is slower than the distance suggests. Plan to arrive before dark.
| Arriving from | Route | Drive to Casa Papelillo | Our advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manzanillo airport (ZLO) | Highway 200 north | About 1.5–2 hours | The closest airport. Land by mid-afternoon, or book a transfer through the butler |
| Puerto Vallarta airport (PVR) | Highway 200 south | About 2.5–3 hours | The most flights. Choose a morning or midday arrival, or book a transfer |
| Private aircraft | Chamela airstrip (CHM31) or Costalegre Airport at Chalacatepec (COJ) | Minutes from CHM31; about 40 minutes from COJ | Ask the butler to arrange a pickup |
| Guadalajara | As in our guide on how to get to Careyes | See the guide | Follow the route in the guide, and don’t improvise shortcuts |
We recommend a four-wheel-drive rental car or a transfer, a full tank before you leave the airport town, and some pesos in cash for fuel and roadside stops. Full routes are in our guide on how to get to Careyes.
The same ones you would take on any rural coast:
As before any trip abroad, check your government’s current travel advice for Mexico before you go.
Chamela Bay is sheltered by a chain of islands, so the water in front of Casa Papelillo is usually calm. A private cliff staircase leads straight down to it. The sea is warm all year, from about 25 °C (78 °F) in March to 30 °C (86 °F) in August.
The beaches near the villa, including the private ones, have no lifeguards. Swim within your depth and keep an eye on children. Ask the butler about conditions before trying a more open beach, as some on this coast face the full Pacific swell. Between late June and early October, the peak of the eastern Pacific hurricane season, a passing storm can bring a day or two of heavy rain and rough sea. See our guide to the best time to visit.
Casa Papelillo sits inside a private gated community with 24/7 security personnel and surveillance. Only pre-approved guests reach the community, and only after their ID is checked at the gate. For events, every attendee’s and vendor’s name is sent in advance and verified on entry.
Inside the house, the butler, chef and two housekeepers stay on site throughout your visit, so someone who knows the area is always on hand. Each suite has a safe, and Starlink Wi-Fi keeps you connected. See the villa and what a staffed villa includes.
Plan your stay at Casa Papelillo: 12 guests, fully staffed, in a gated community on Chamela Bay.
Careyes is a private coastal community founded in 1968, with a beach club, a polo club and international homeowners who have returned for decades. It is ten minutes south of Casa Papelillo, and guests often go there for dinner, polo and the beach. The usual sensible precautions apply.
We recommend driving in daylight. Highway 200 has two lanes, long unlit stretches, speed bumps and occasional livestock on the road. Plan your flights so you arrive before dark, or book a transfer through the butler.
Yes. The villa is in a gated community, the bay in front of the house is usually calm, and turtle hatchling releases and boat trips are favourites with children. Keep an eye on children near the pool, the cliff staircase and the sea, because there are no lifeguards.
If anyone feels unwell, tell the butler. He can call a doctor to the villa, and he knows the area and the local services.
Most eastern Pacific storms stay out at sea. Between late June and early October, a stay should allow for a day or two of heavy rain. From November to May there is effectively no hurricane risk. See our guide to the best time to visit.
How to get to Careyes
Airports, drive times and the best routes to Careyes and Chamela Bay.
Best time to visit the Costalegre
Month by month: weather, sea, whales, turtles and the busiest weeks.
