Hotel y Bungalows Estancia San Carlos

Right on the beach in the quaint, breezy Mexican seaside
town of Rincon de Guayabitos, the Hotel y Bungalows Estancia San Carlos offers casual, low-key accommodations. It’s a slightly older property and offers an authentic-feeling Mexican
experience, far from the commercialism of the big resorts in nearby Puerto
Vallarta. With a nice pool and a small outdoor playground, the hotel is family-friendly and many Mexican families with kids are often playing there. The exterior of the hotel is painted a sunny yellow, with
iron railings and brick columns, though the impression is slightly motel-like. Enter
through the small lobby and front desk accented with traditional red tile, and
step into the large central courtyard with lovely green gardens stretching down
to the beach. The hotel is arranged in a large U shape with three main
buildings on each side, all facing out to the ocean. The interior of the
buildings -- the rooms especially -- are where the hotel’s age starts to show and
many updates are needed. Despite the dated, drab rooms, the Estancia San
Carlos offers a decent value option for families looking to be right on the
beach.

The tiny oceanfront town of Rincon de Guayabitos is a local beach
destination along the coast of Nayarit, a relaxed area of Mexico known
for beautiful beaches. Puerto Vallarta is about an hour and 15 minutes south by car, though arriving by a local bus
will take extra time. The closest airport is an hour away. The town is surrounded by hills and rural
areas, providing a glimpse of small town life. The Estancia San Carlos is
located in the small downtown area, which goes on for half a dozen blocks or
so. There's a few dining options in the area and markets are located within walking
distance of the hotel. The beach is lively, and many vendors roam and local fishermen sell fresh fish and oysters from
a cart.

The 58 rooms include several different room types, a number of which feature a small kitchen or kitchenette. There are Bungalows, Junior and Master Suites,
and Double Rooms. The Bungalows include a two-burner range and a full fridge, while Double Rooms come with a mini-fridge, and a few have a tiny kitchenette
with a two-burner stovetop as well. There are flat-screen TVs in some rooms, while
others have bulky old tube TVs.Overall the rooms are somewhat dated and the buildings feel
old. The decor blends certain traditional accents, like
the ceramic kitchen tile or stained glass window panels, with dated pieces like
old patent-leather couches and even older bedding in an orange hue reminiscent
of the '70s. There are a few updated touches here and there, like the padded
headboards and sunny yellow walls, but otherwise rooms are plain and lack
style. Bathrooms are dated and dim, with old tile and fixtures. Some
bathrooms have new sinks, but updates are few and far between. Most rooms
feature a nice balcony with chairs looking out towards the ocean.The Master Suite, situated closest to the beach, comprises a large kitchen, dining, and living room area. The kitchen has four-burner
stove, a microwave, a blender and a full fridge. There are two good size
bedrooms, one full bath and a spacious balcony with a table and chairs.

The hotel centers around the large courtyard, in the middle
of which is a medium-sized pool. The pool consists of two hexagons joined by a
bridge in the middle. One side is shallow for small children, and the other
side is a bit deeper. The pool is surrounded by many blue plastic lounge
chairs, but little shade is available and there are just a few umbrellas. There
is plenty of space around the pool area but it's often crowded, with lots
of kids jumping and playing.The surrounding area features well-maintained grassy lawns
and nicely trimmed hedges. Through the gardens, there are paths leading down to
the beach, where a few concrete steps to the sand. The beach here is
nice and wide, offering plenty of room for families to spread out. There are lots
of vendors, with a nice variety of local snacks for sale including fresh
oysters, grilled shrimp on a stick, ice cream, or donuts. There are only about
two umbrellas and a few plastic chairs provided by the hotel for guests to use
on the beach -- and there are no lounge chairs. The on-site restaurant has a super casual atmosphere with a diner-style
bar and barstools, and both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu offers basic
fare like burgers and sandwiches, and a variety of Mexican dishes. Coffee is available in the lobby. Next to the
restaurant, there’s a small outdoor playground and swing set for kids.