Among the more economical recommendable lodgings in town is the family-friendly 46-unit Posada Real Hotel and Bungalows (Retorno Ceibas and Andando Huanacaxtle, tel./fax 327/274-0177, toll-free Mex. tel 01-800/74-3501, www.guayabitos.com.mx/posadareal/), built around a cobbled parking courtyard jungle of squawking parrots and shady palms, mangoes, and bamboo. The bungalow units are on the ground floor in the shady courtyard; the hotel rooms are stacked in three plant-decorated tiers above the lobby in front. The 20 double-bed hotel rooms rent for about $50 high, $32 low, with discounts possible for longer-term stays. The 26 four-person bungalows with kitchenette rent for about $70 high season, $60 low. Amenities include ceiling fans, a small pool and a kiddie pool, water slide, racquetball, and parking; credit cards are accepted.

Right-on-the-beach Bungalows El Rinconcito (Retorno Ceibas s/n and Calle Ceibas, tel./fax 327/274-0229, bws_elrinconcito [at] hotmail [dot] com) remains one of the best lodging buys in Guayabitos. The smallish whitewashed complex set back from the street offers large, tastefully furnished units with yellow-and-blue-tile kitchens and solid Spanish-style dark-wood chairs and beds. Its oceanside patio opens to a grassy garden overlooking the surf. The seven one-bedroom bungalows rent for about $50 high season, $40 low, with fans and parking. Three two-bedroom bungalows rent for about $60 high season, $50 low. Discounts are generally negotiable for longer-term stays.

One of the most appealing off-beach Guayabitos lodgings is Bungalows El Delfín (Retorno Ceibas and Andando Cocoteros, tel./fax 327/274-0385, www.bungalowseldelfin.com), managed by friendly owners Francisco and Delia Orozco. Amenities include an intimate banana- and palm-fringed pool and patio, including recliners and umbrellas for resting and reading. Chairs on the shaded porch/walkways in front of the three room-tiers invite quiet relaxation and conversation with neighbors. The spacious four-person suites are large and plainly furnished, with basic stove, refrigerator, and utensils, rear laundry porches, and big tiled toilet-showers. The 23 bungalows with kitchenette sleep four and rent for about $50 d high season, $40 d low, $28/day for one-month rental, with ceiling fans, pool, and parking; small dogs and cats are allowed.

Just as deluxe but more spacious is the beachfront family-oriented Hotel Costa Alegre (Retorno Tabachines s/n at Calle Tabachines, tel./fax 327/274-0241, 327/274-0242, or 327/274-0243, toll-free Mex. tel. 01-800/710-5683, www.costaalegresuites.com), where the Guayabitos beach broadens. Its plusses include a big blue pool and patio on the street side and a broad, grassy oceanview garden on the beach side. Although the rooms are adequate, most of the regiment of kitchenette bungalows are set away from the beach with no view but the back of neighboring rooms. The most scenic choices are the several upper-tier oceanfront rooms, all with sliding glass doors leading to private seaview balconies. Some rooms are in better repair than others; look at more than one before paying. The 30 view rooms run about $75 d ($370/week); the 80 kitchenette bungalows $90 ($440/week). Amenities include air-conditioning, pool, parking, and restaurant/bar; credit cards are accepted.

Travelers who like lots of ready-made entertainment and an all-inclusive option should consider the compact pool-and-patio ambience of the Hotel Decameron Rincón de las Palmas (Retorno Palmas, corner of Calle Palmas, tel. 327/274-0190, fax 327/274-0138). On the south end of the beach, with an airy beachview restaurant and bar for sitting and socializing, this is a lodging for those who want company. Guests may often have a hard time not getting acquainted. The smallish rooms are packed in two double parallel breezeway tiers around a pool and patio above the beach. Right outside your room during the high season you will probably have your pick of around 50 sunbathing bodies to gaze at and meet. This hotel, once independent, is owned and operated by its big neighbor Hotel Decameron Los Cocos, which handles reservations (in a Bucerías office, tel. 329/298-0226, toll-free Mex. tel. 01-800/011-1111, www.decameron.com), mandatory in winter. Specify the Hotel Rincón de las Palmas (or Cocos II, as it’s now known), or you might be put in the oversize Los Cocos. The 40 rooms rent, high season, all-inclusive, for $75 per person double occupancy, with all drinks, food, and in-house entertainment included, with air-conditioning, pool, TV, tennis court, breezy seaview restaurant and bar, and parking; credit cards are accepted.

For lots of peace and quiet in a deluxe tropical setting, the Bungalows Anai (Calle Jacarandas and Retorno Jacarandas, tel./fax 327/274-0245, www.suitesanai.com) is just about the best on the beach. The 12 apartments, each with private oceanview balcony, in three separate four-unit sections, stand graciously to one side. They overlook a spacious plant-bedecked garden, shaded by a magnificent grove of drowsy coconut palms. The garden leads to an oceanview pool patio and whirlpool tub, where a few guests read, socialize, and take in the beachside scene below. Inside, the two-bedroom apartments are simply but thoughtfully furnished in natural wood, bamboo, and tile and come with bath, three double beds, furnished kitchen, fans, air-conditioning, and TV. Rentals run about $72 for two, add about $12 for each additional person; one-week minimum stay.

A couple of blocks farther north, Villas Stefany (Retorno Laureles 12 Poniente, tel./fax 327/274-0536, 327/274-0537, or 327/274-0963, www.guayabitos.com.mx/steffany/) offers a contrasting deluxe alternative. Guests in the 32 suites enjoy private balconies overlooking a lush pool, patio, and garden and ocean vista. The accommodations, simply but comfortably furnished in pastels, wood, and tile, have a living room with two sofa beds, a furnished kitchenette, and one bedroom with one double bed and a bath; other extras include cable TV, telephone, and air-conditioning. Rentals run about $85 ($70 daily rate for one week, $60/day for one month) except holidays and July–August summer vacations; stay three nights and you often get the fourth night free. Amenities include a good restaurant, pool, lobby bar, and credit cards accepted; street parking only, however.