EL TUITO: THE SWEET MOUNTAIN ESCAPE SOUTH OF PUERTO VALLARTA

EL TUITO: THE SWEET MOUNTAIN ESCAPE SOUTH OF PUERTO VALLARTA

Sometimes you love Puerto Vallarta so much you forget there is a whole other Mexico sitting right behind it in the mountains. El Tuito is one of those places that feels like a deep exhale. It is charming, simple, and genuinely local, with cooler air, a pretty plaza, and the kind of Sunday energy that makes you slow down without even trying.

WHERE IS EL TUITO

El Tuito is in Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, tucked into the hills south of Puerto Vallarta. From PV, it is an easy day trip. Think about an hour to an hour and a half depending on traffic and where you start. The drive is scenic and you can feel the shift as you leave the coast and head inland.

THE CLIMATE: A LITTLE COOLER, A LOT CALMER

One of the first things you notice is the weather. Because El Tuito sits higher than Puerto Vallarta, it often feels a bit cooler and less humid than the beach. It is the kind of place where mornings can feel fresh, afternoons feel comfortable, and evenings make you want a light sweater and a warm drink. If PV feels steamy and energetic, El Tuito feels grounded and breezy.

THE CULTURE: SMALL TOWN JALISCO IN THE BEST WAY

El Tuito is not polished for tourism. And that is exactly why people fall in love with it.

Life centers around the plaza. You will see families walking, friends catching up, locals sitting and talking, and kids running around like they own the place. There is a beautiful simplicity to it. No one is rushing. No one is putting on a show. It just feels real.

Take a few minutes to walk the main square and pop into the church, Parroquia de San Pedro Apostol. Even if you are not a “church person,” it is worth seeing because it gives you a sense of the town’s roots and rhythm.

THINGS TO DO IN EL TUITO

Start with the plaza and let the day unfold. This is one of those towns where the best plan is a loose plan.

If you go on a Sunday, you will catch El Mercadito in the plaza. It is the perfect mix of local food, snacks, sweets, crafts, and little finds that you did not know you needed until you see them.

Food is part of the El Tuito experience. Take your time with lunch. Order something regional. Say yes to dessert. This is not a “grab and go” town. This is a “sit down and enjoy your life” town.

You will also hear about local dairy products, especially panela style cheeses and other fresh items that people drive up to buy. If you like bringing home something edible from a day trip, El Tuito makes that easy.

And if you want a fun Jalisco story to tell when you are back in PV, explore raicilla culture. This area is closely tied to raicilla, an agave spirit with deep roots in the region. Some visitors add a tasting or tour stop and turn the day into a little countryside adventure.

MAKE IT A FULL DAY: BEACHES NEARBY

Here is a pro move. El Tuito can be your mountain stop on the way to quieter beaches in Cabo Corrientes. If you want “mountains in the morning and ocean in the afternoon,” you can pair El Tuito with a beach day toward Mayto or Tehuamixtle. It is a totally different coastline than PV and it feels wild in the best way.

IS THERE AN EXPAT COMMUNITY

El Tuito is not an expat hub like Puerto Vallarta. It is more local, more ranch town, more traditional. You will definitely see foreigners passing through and you will hear about people who live in the surrounding area for the peace and space, but it is not built around an expat social scene. That is part of its charm. You come here to step into small town Mexico, not a bubble.

REAL ESTATE IN EL TUITO: MORE SPACE, MORE NATURE, LESS STICKER SHOCK

Now let’s talk about the part that gets people’s attention.

El Tuito is one of those areas where you can still find gorgeous homes and land opportunities at prices that often feel more reasonable than prime coastal Puerto Vallarta. This is not a condo skyline market. It is more about charming houses, ranch style properties, small fincas, and land where you can actually breathe.

Think gardens, fruit trees, views, privacy, and that quiet mountain lifestyle. The type of place where you can picture a casita plus a guest casita. A pool. A studio. Space for dogs. Space for peace. Space to build something personal.

Who this is perfect for

People who want a quieter lifestyle but still want Puerto Vallarta close enough for dinners, beach days, and the airport

Remote workers who want nature, calmer days, and cooler mornings

Buyers who care more about land and lifestyle than elevators and amenities

Anyone who wants to feel “in Mexico” while still being within reach of PV

A quick reality check, because I keep it real

Rural real estate is different. You want to do smart due diligence on things like road access, water source, internet options, and making sure the property paperwork is clean. This is not difficult, it just means you buy wisely, not impulsively. The reward can be huge when you do it right.

A SIMPLE DAY TRIP PLAN FROM PV

Leave PV mid morning

Arrive and walk the plaza

Lunch, slow and delicious

If it is Sunday, browse El Mercadito

Optional add on: raicilla tasting, or keep going toward the beaches for an ocean afternoon

FINAL THOUGHTS

El Tuito is the kind of place you visit once and then start recommending to everyone. It is easy. It is close. It feels like a mini vacation without the stress. And if you have ever thought, “I love PV, but I also want space and quiet,” El Tuito is worth putting on your radar.

Will Hutt

Coldwell Banker La Costa

+1-239-691-0782

Will.Hutt@cblacosta.com

If you want, tell me what you love most: being walkable to town, having views, having land, or being tucked away and private. I can point you toward the right areas and the right type of properties, or help you plan the perfect first visit so you can feel it for yourself.