Los Tamarindos: rentals and area guide

Picture Zicatela as a long beach running southeast from the town's bay to the rocky point of La Punta. Calle del Morro runs behind the sand, lined with hotels, restaurants and surf shops; Carretera 200 runs parallel further inland. Los Tamarindos is the band of streets between the two, toward the La Punta end. Boundaries are informal and listings use the name loosely, so check the map pin rather than the label.

Rough distances (straight line, so allow a little more on foot):

• Zicatela beachA few hundred meters, typically 5 to 10 minutes on foot.
• La Punta's main street (Calle Alejandro Cárdenas Peralta): about 1.3 to 1.5 km.
• Playa Marinero and Playa PrincipalAbout 2 to 2.5 km.
• AirportAbout 5 to 6 km, usually a 15 to 20 minute taxi ride.

The nearest beach is Zicatela, one of the most powerful beach breaks in the world. It is spectacular to watch and the reason many people stay here, but it is not a swimming beach: the shore break is heavy and the currents are strong, even on days that look calm. Respect the flags and the lifeguards.

For a softer wave and, on calm days, a sheltered corner to get in the water, walk south to La Punta. For real swimming, head north: Playa Marinero, at the town end of Zicatela, and Playa Principal in the bay are calmer, and the coves of Puerto Angelito and Carrizalillo in Rinconada are the classic family swimming beaches, about 10 to 15 minutes by taxi.

Daily errands are easy. There is an OXXO on Calle las Palmas in the middle of the area, and more along Calle del Morro and on the highway, which cover water, snacks and phone top-ups. The Mercado de Zicatela, on Calle Palmeras a few blocks north, and small family tiendas, tortillerías and food stands scattered through the streets cover the rest. Calle del Morro, a few minutes away, has the bulk of Zicatela's restaurants, cafés, surf schools and bars, and La Punta adds more within a 15 to 20 minute walk.

For a big shop, the Chedraui on Avenida Hidalgo and the Bodega Aurrera downtown are a short taxi ride, and the Benito Juárez market is where you buy fruit, vegetables and fish.

Rentals here are small and practical: studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments in small buildings, rooms in family houses and modest standalone houses, many of them fairly recent and aimed at the surf and remote-work crowd. Some have a shared pool or a roof terrace; fewer have ocean views, since the area sits behind the beachfront. That mix makes it popular for long-term rentals and monthly stays, and our page on apartments for rent covers what to expect from a small unit.

• NoiseStreets near the highway hear trucks and buses; streets near Calle del Morro can hear the bars on weekends. Ask which side the bedroom faces.
• Street surfaceNot every street is paved; some turn muddy in the rainy season (June to October).
• AC and fansWithout a sea breeze, air conditioning matters more here than on the beachfront, especially from May to October.
• InternetFine for most streets, but confirm the speed if you work online.

You can live here without a car. Walking covers Zicatela and, with a bit more effort, La Punta. Taxis are easy to find on Calle del Morro and on the highway and are cheap for short hops into town or to Rinconada; agree on the price before you get in. Colectivos run along Carretera 200 for even less, and plenty of long-stay residents rent a scooter. Take a taxi at night rather than walking dark, unlit streets with valuables.