The Village of Mismaloya

By Robert Reitmeyer

Nestled at the base of the Sierra Madres eight miles south of Puerto Vallarta lies the village of Mismaloya. The entire area was originally named ” Las Penas” after the massive rocks which guard the entrance of the bay.  Those rocks are now called “Los Arcos” which is an underwater nature preserve, and a huge tourist attraction.

Mismaloya was made famous in 1964 when the movie “Night of the Iguana was filed here.Some of the ruins of the movie set still remain west of the beach here. Later the “Predator” was filmed at a jungle location which is now “El Eden”.It fronts on the Mismaloya river.

Mountain, and bay views from Mismaloya rival anything in Mexico. The tropical atmosphere gives a jungle feel,offering beautiful foliage, brilliant flowers,and spectacular birds and butterflies.

Playa Mismaloya lies in a lovely deep water cove which is most often protected from both winds, and rough water. The beach is where almost half of Mismaloyas 490 residents come to work. Over thirty pangas operate from here for fishing charters,snorkeling trips,sightseeing adventures, or as water taxis to more remote locations. Some of the areas best fisherman have boats here.

In addition there are six palapa covered beachfront restaurants which serve locally caught seafood, and Mexican fare. Lobsters, Octopus and finfish that are caught here daily.

The Barcelo hotel occupies the eastern portion of the beach and has the capacity to house 1000 guests. Many locals hold positions here as servers, maids, and maintenance workers. During major holidays like Christmas and Easter the hotel is at full occupancy.The area is a big vacation spot for Mexican tourists from all over the country during the summer months when school is not in session.

The largest zoo in Mexico is located here. It is unlike all others that you have ever seen. It’s up close and personal here. There is an area where youngsters can play with baby lions, tigers, panthers and jaguars. Real photo opportunistic exist here.

The local residents are a real plus. When my wife Carol, and I purchased here in 2001 few spoke English. Now, almost everyone does.

Everyone is friendly and in general the Mismaloya residents are happy people.

The expat community around the Mismaloya area is alive and well here. La Jolla condominiums which is located just above the beach consists of 96 units which are mostly owned by Americans and Canadians.

The private subdivision of Lomas De Mismaloya is located on the mountain above the beach and consists of 23 homes and 12 occupied condominiums. Ownership here is eighty percent American.

Not many of the foreign owners live here through the year, but stays of up to six months by Canadians and Americans alike are commonplace, mostly during the winter months.

Because the area around Mismaloya is classed as semi tropical it normally receives more rainfall than Puerto Vallarta. The rainy season here runs from June through October. The local rains keep Mismaloya green most of the year.

Current highway construction on #200 which began in Puerto Vallarta this past November will end in Mismaloya by 2014 making the driving time to town a ten minute trip.