Fun and Friendships Abound in La Penita RV Park
Tara A. Spears
I ask people I meet around this small Mexican beach town how they discovered Jaltemba Bay. The majority of seasonal and permanent residents say that they first learned of the area through staying at the La Penita RV Park or Decameron Resort. I have been amazed at how many interesting, altruistic people have gravitated to the park- I’ve made so many good friends! No matter what their background, these RVers know how to have fun.
I’ve been told that people from the United States discovered coastal Mexico in the 1980s. Generally these travellers were seeking a laid back, beautiful scene. Sure, some were hippies from the 1960s approaching middle age but some of the US visitors were simply looking for tropical R&R as a change of pace from the American lifestyle. By the 1990s, the more affluent Canadians began spending a few weeks during the frozen winter months in the small villages. By the 2000s, the word was out, local entrepreneurs developed hotels, bungalows and RV parks, and with the huge numbers of Baby Boomers approaching retirement age, Jaltemba Bay saw a dramatic increase of thousands of monthly visitors Riviera Nayarit was born!
It goes without saying that the main attraction to this area is the winter climate, gorgeous scenery, cultural charm, friendly people, and spectacular sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. What then, is the big attraction to staying in the La Penita RV Park?
Although the land the La Penita RV Park is owned by a Mexican developer, a Canadian couple began to lease the venue early in 2000s. Savvy business people that are also devoted RVers, they set about turning a dozen primitive sites into the current 120 comfortable hook ups. Over the years the RV community has been modernized making the visitors comfortable with in park laundry facilities, bath houses, club house and scenic palapa for parties, plus an alfresco restaurant.
Not only that, but there is huge list of amenities and services that come to the park for residents’ convenience: All Park activities are led by volunteers. This is what the fabulous people in the RV community do make La Peñita RV Resort so special. Pool and beach volleyball; Pickleball; Ping Pong; Exercise classes (Yoga, Kinetics, Aquacize); daily Walking group; Bridge; Poker; Washer Toss; quilting/sewing group; Mexican Train dominoes; Bingo; Darts; Game nights; Movie nights; art classes; Hamburger Sunday, with music and dancing, sometimes live music or karaoke; Taco Tuesday with free margaritas and many more social activities.
Popular services available on site: Corner Bar (next to pool); Hairdresser; Manicure, pedicure and facial; Massage; Our own outdoor market (Vegetables, fruit, beer and more) on Tuesday and Saturday; Cafe by the pool daily except Thursday; fresh pizzas Wednesday-Saturday. Lastly, Costco and Amazon make deliveries to the park.
In addition, the residents of the park are involved in community service clubs and activities .Two original RV Park projects, the annual Cancer de Mama Clinic and the RV Park Education Fund is administered by park residents. The local community reveres the RVers for their creativity, generosity, and assistance.
Many who only come for a couple of weeks’ visit, time their trip to be in the park for the breast cancer clinic and/or scholarship fundraiser. Most people volunteer once and become dedicated to helping. In the 16 years that the park has raised funds for education, 23 young men have been able to go to university and graduated! Wonderful benefit to the area.
Over the years, the managers have provided innovations, effective workers and ongoing improvements. The Park itself is a beautiful piece of land that goes from the sand beach, natural tropical vegetation up a hill and overlooks the Pacific Ocean yet is walking distance to a charming Mexican village. Truly a slice of paradise.
The sheer variety of attractive camper site choices, amenities, great new friends, and Mexican culture has made this RV park one of the most popular in coastal Mexico. To learn more or to explore making reservations, check out these sources: Go to the La Penita RV Park website for a detailed map of the facility: http://www.lapenitarvpark.com/home/home/park-map/ or visit https://passport-america.com/campgrounds/mx/nayarit/3883/la-penita-rv-park For reservations or more specific info email Carole Thacker: Carole@lapenitarvpark.com
you want to simply sit on the beach or participate in social activities, the La Penita RV Park is truly a slice of the good life!
