Melaque
– (San Patricio – Villa Obregon - Melaque)
“Melado”or Honey"
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Three small beachside
communities commonly referred to as Melaque are located on Bahia
de Navidad just 4 kilometers northwest of Barra de Navidad on
the crossroads of Highway 200 and Highway 80. This area is the
largest resort area between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.
Fast Facts
Population -
12,000 year round. Significant increase in the winter with
Canadian and American Snowbirds.
Elevation – Sea
level
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Money - Bank
and ATM
Medical - IMSS
medical clinic and Emergency Clinic. Numerous Doctors and
Dentists
Airport –
Manzanillo International Airport 25 to 30 minutes drive south.
Festivals
March 10 + - Fiesta del Torros
Folk dances carnival, parades, blessing of
the fishing boats and of course bullfights. AND nightly
fireworks
March 17 - Día de San Patricio
Semana Santa – Week preceding Easter
August 15 to 24 - Feast of the Assumption
of the Virgin Mary
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Daily Parades, religious celebration
History
The oldest recorded
settlements were the Otomes between 250 to 759 BC. The area was
received waves of new immigrant tribes; the Toltecs (900 to
1154), Aztecs and then the Chichimecas (1154 to 1428) They
fished, harvested salt and farmed. Historical evidence is found
primarily through the numerous pottery finds in the area. The
dominant language was Nahuatl with local variations.
In 1535 Juan Fernandez
de Hijar, a Spanish Captain discovered the area and developed a
boatbuilding/repair port in Puetro de Navidad. It was renamed
Barra de Navidad 5 years later.
San Patricio
was named after Saint Patrick's Battalion – 175 to 200 - mainly
Irish catholic deserters from the US Army that fought with the
Mexican Army in the Mexican American War of 1846 – 48. They
fought with the Mexicans primarily because they were allowed to
have mass and because they were promised more money and land
grants.
Melaque has
historically been a vacation area for Mexicans and now mostly
Canadian Snowbirds.
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Today
The area forms a
simple seaside town that caters to snowbirds in the winter.
Maintaining its traditional Mexican flavor, Melaque is an easy
going pueblo to watch the world go by. Sunrises and sunsets on
the bay provide much of the daily action.
The main beach, Playa
Principal is difficult to walk because of the very steep
embankment. The waters are very rough and waves break heard on
the beach. Snorkeling is ok on the beach west of the “almost
free” Trailer Park after a small walk along the trail.
Birding, fishing,
boating and other seaside activities are available.
There is a Bank (Banamex)
and ATM, bus station, pharmacy and an abundance of accommodation
from both high to low.
The traveling market
day (tianguis) is Wednesday. While there are some crafts and
Mexican trinkets, the market is overwhelmed by 10 peso plastics
and house wares.
Where to stay
RV Parks
Villa Xochipilla
Ejido
Emiliano Zapta
Las Palmas
Laguna del Tule
Hotels:
There are numerous
hotels throughout Melaque with a wide range of prices.
Laguna del Tule
Posada Agueda
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