In our constant quest to find new secret beaches, hikes, and other cool spots, we recently stumbled upon Playa La Majahua. What seemed like a semi-hidden gem turned out to be well-known among the locals. Still, it’s pretty awesome.

The history of La Majahua is a little sketchy. There is a lovely road that leads down to the beach. In fact there is a whole neighborhood of roads around the beach, including several dozen large houses of various stages of construction. Some were almost completed, some are just foundations, all are abandoned except for the bats that inhabit them and the vultures that sit atop them. At the beach are at least a dozen different pools that were built and woven among the trees. From what I understand Raul Salinas de Gortari started this project. If he had finished it then I’m sure that these would be million dollar homes with a great beach and amazing views of the Pacific. Salinas de Gortari was the brother of the 53rd president of México. The brothers were depicted in an episode of Narcos: México where they shot and killed their maid, based on an event that actually happened in their youth. In later episodes the 1988 corrupt election that placed his brother in the presidency was explained. Over $90million in funds were frozen as Raul Salinas transferred it out of México. Although it was never proven, money laundering was alleged.

The government siezed Raul Salinas’ Playa La Majahua project in 1996 along with a dozen other Pacific Coast properties. He had enriched himself in the post presidency years and the government alleged illegal enrichment. In 2013 a court allowed him to recover about $18million, though. So who knows, maybe he’ll one day come back to complete this project?

The beach sand is amazing, and it’s the perfect place to social distance. We rarely see more than a dozen other people on the roughly 3/10 mile long beach. There are a few areas to hide in the shade; the well prepared bring an umbrella. The water is refreshing, but only medium or strong swimmers should go past knee deep water. Of course with the limited beachgoers no one has set up a tienda for snacks and drinks either. We’ve been told there is a cave that can be explored up the hillside on the north end of the beach. Finding this cave has been added to our to-do list.

To get there from Centro, you’ll take Avenida Jose Maria Morelos Y Pavon west towards the “other side” of the pier, then turn left on Paseo del Cantil. This road turns has a slight left that turns it into Carrera Escenica La Majahua. You’ll see the two giant gates on your left as you climb the hill, with the gate on the right open. The total distance from Centro to the beach is about 4km.