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.