— GUIDE · HUMPBACK WHALES · NOVEMBER–FEBRUARY
The Casa Papelillo Guides
Updated October 2026 · 4 min read · By Casa Papelillo
Whale watching in Costalegre is one of the great winter sights of Mexico’s Pacific coast. Every year, humpback whales travel south to breed and give birth in warm water, and Chamela Bay and Careyes lie on their route. At Casa Papelillo, 20 metres from the Pacific, guests often see them from the terrace.
Nov–Feb
Humpback season off Careyes and Chamela Bay, including mothers and calves
60 m
Closest a small boat may approach a whale under Mexico’s NOM-131-SEMARNAT-2010
20 m
From Casa Papelillo to the Pacific: watch from the villa or by private boat
Humpback whales pass the Costalegre coast from November to February, the season Careyes gives for whale watching. Mexico also sets an official season for licensed whale-watching boats each year, published by the environment ministry, SEMARNAT. Dates vary slightly by year and by bay, so ask us when you book.
You can watch from the shore or a terrace, but a boat brings you closest within the rules. Licensed boats leave from Chamela Bay and nearby beaches, and the bay’s islands give the whales sheltered water. Casa Papelillo arranges private whale-watching trips with local captains, leaving from the water below the house.
Whale watching in Mexico is regulated by the standard NOM-131-SEMARNAT-2010. Small boats must stay at least 60 metres from a whale, and medium boats 80 metres. Each boat may stay with a whale for 30 minutes at most, and no more than four boats may watch the same whale or group. Swimming or diving with whales is not allowed.
Yes, for travellers who want fewer boats. Puerto Vallarta’s Bay of Banderas is Mexico’s best-known humpback destination, and it gets busy in season. On the quieter Costalegre coast, you can watch from a private villa terrace or take a private boat from Chamela Bay, then spend the rest of the day on the islands.
| From the villa terrace | Private boat from Chamela Bay | Group tour from Puerto Vallarta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How close | From the shore, 20 metres from the Pacific | As close as 60 metres (small boats, NOM-131) | 60 or 80 metres, depending on boat size |
| Crowds | Just your group | Your group; no more than four boats per whale | Busy in season |
| Time with the whales | Any hour, all season | Up to 30 minutes per whale | Up to 30 minutes per whale |
| Getting there | You are already there | Leaves from the water below the house | 2.5 to 3 hours’ drive north on Highway 200 |
| Arranged by | Nothing to arrange | Casa Papelillo, with a licensed local captain | A Puerto Vallarta tour operator |
Watch the season from the terrace: Casa Papelillo sleeps 12, fully staffed, on Chamela Bay.
Many guests combine a whale trip with the islands of Chamela Bay. Isla Cocinas has a pale curve of sand in a sheltered cove, and the snorkeling is best in the lee of its rocks. Further south, Tehualmixtle is a working fishing cove with palapa kitchens above the water.
Tell us your dates when you book your stay. We arrange a licensed captain and boat, the timing, and food and drink on board. We can also combine whale watching with the islands or a sunset sail. See all our boat charters on Chamela Bay, or see the villa.
Yes. The villa stands 20 metres from the Pacific on Chamela Bay, and from November to February guests often see humpback whales from the terrace.
Under Mexico’s standard NOM-131-SEMARNAT-2010, small boats must stay at least 60 metres from a whale and medium boats at least 80 metres.
No. Mexican rules do not allow swimming or diving with whales.
Humpback whales, including mothers and calves. They travel south each winter to breed and give birth in warm water.
About 2.5 to 3 hours’ drive south of Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) on Highway 200, ten minutes before Careyes.
Tell us your dates when you book your stay, and we arrange a licensed captain and boat, the timing, and food and drink on board.
Where to stay for Ondalinda
Festival dates, venues, drivers and where groups stay in November.
