Where are the best beaches in and around Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?

The closest beach to Chapala and Ajijic is Manzanillo, which is about 3 and a half hours south west of Ajijic. Manzanillo is the most significant cargo port in the Pacific Coast of Mexico. The beaches in Manzanillo are nicer than the beaches in Puerto Vallarta. Manzanillo is a sandy beach whereas Puerto Vallarta is rocky. 

 

There are nice beaches in Manzanillo and they also have resorts with swimming pools. You could go surfing in the open sea and also...

The closest beach to Chapala and Ajijic is Manzanillo, which is about 3 and a half hours south west of Ajijic. Manzanillo is the most significant cargo port in the Pacific Coast of Mexico. The beaches in Manzanillo are nicer than the beaches in Puerto Vallarta. Manzanillo is a sandy beach whereas Puerto Vallarta is rocky. 

 

There are nice beaches in Manzanillo and they also have resorts with swimming pools. You could go surfing in the open sea and also try many other water sports. There are beaches in Manzanillo where you could enjoy swimming and there are no waves. The hotel in which Bo Derek and Dudley Moore made the movie “10” is located in Manzanillo.

 

If you want to spend a weekend on the beach, going to Manzanillo is a good idea. The roads to Manzanillo are nice paved roads that have tolls and the driving is very nice. On the way, you could also stop by the city of Colima, which has an active volcano called the Colima Volcano. It has nice scenery that anyone would enjoy.  

 

(Beach at Manzanillo, Mexico, pictured.)

​Barra de Navidad is a very nice place and less than three hours away from the Ajijic / Chapala area. It’s not too luxurious. You can find 3 star hotels. It’s more informal. It’s not too elegant but the sightseeing is very, very nice. In Barra de Navidad they have very good marina, too. 

 

Puerto Vallarta is a very modern city with a very typical old downtown. In Puerto Vallarta, you have the both the rustic place and 5 or more star...

​Barra de Navidad is a very nice place and less than three hours away from the Ajijic / Chapala area. It’s not too luxurious. You can find 3 star hotels. It’s more informal. It’s not too elegant but the sightseeing is very, very nice. In Barra de Navidad they have very good marina, too. 

 

Puerto Vallarta is a very modern city with a very typical old downtown. In Puerto Vallarta, you have the both the rustic place and 5 or more star hotels with a marina. You get to see yachts.  Puerto Vallarta is about four hours away by car.

 

Both places are beautiful, with warm water.  

 

(Barra de Navidad, Colima, Mexico, pictured.)