Enjoy A Relaxing Beach Vacation At This Low-Key Mexico Destination

Cancun, Cozumel, and Puerto Vallarta might be the first places that come to mind when planning a beach vacation in Mexico. However, there's another option you might not even know existed until now. On the Pacific Coast of Jalisco, a state in West-Central Mexico, is the beach city of San Patricio. It's also commonly referred to as Melaque. Melaque has serene beaches where tourists can swim and sunbathe. They include the eponymous Playa De Melaque and Playa San Patricio. Likewise, the city is home to Malecón de Melaque, a pier-like structure that allows visitors to take in Maleque's sweeping vistas.

Melaque is located less than five hours from Guadalajara, Jalisco's capital, and about an hour from Manzanillo, a city in the nearby state of Colima. Thus, the best course of action to travel to Melaque would be to fly into Manzanillo's Aeropuerto Internacional de Manzanillo-Costalegre (ZLO). For reference, a nonstop flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to ZLO is under four hours.

In Manzanillo, visitors can book a taxi or rent a car. Perhaps the most affordable and convenient option is taking a bus to Melaque via Conecta GFA. The ride takes under two hours, and one-way tickets are available for under $10 at the time of this writing. Once they have arrived in Melaque, the fun can begin.

Melaque might not have the same notoriety as other well-known coastal Mexican destinations, but that does not make it any less exciting. At Pacific Adventures, based in Melaque, tourists can rent whatever they need for a perfect beach day, including surfboards, body boards, snorkeling gear, and paddle boards. While in Melaque, take advantage of your proximity to Manzanillo and book a tour to visit the neighboring coastal city with Mex-Eco Tours. Prices start at around $52 per person.

As for where to stay, Melaque has amazing Airbnb rentals. Note that on Airbnb, you'll want to search using "San Patricio" rather than Melaque. That said, there are several listings for under $60 a night. One guest favorite is a colorful one-bedroom apartment surrounded by greenery and flowers. Prices start at $47 a night. Of course, tourists can also opt for a beach resort. One option is the El Palmar Beach and Tennis Resort. It's top-rated on Tripadvisor and features a pool, beach access, and more. Prices start at $99.You can book El Palmar Beach and Tennis Resort online.