Boca: Water, with and without Salt & Village Life

Boca de Tomatlan Mexico – Where the Rio Horcones Meets the Bay of Banderas

Boca - aka the mouth of the river. This fits for the majority of the village. A smaller portion of Boca de Tomatlan is bordered by the saltwater inlet of the Bay of Banderas. Boca is the most prominent of all the inlets off the Bay. The saltwater portion, as well as its sister river mouth, are vital to Boca’s livelihood. The Panga fleet resides here. If you are into trivia, there is a Blog about Pangas on the Villa website.

Boca’s Panga Fleet – The Lifeline of the South Shore

Boca’s Panga fleet - A significant percentage of Boca’s population is directly involved with Pangas. They have many uses as South Shore villages are water access only.

1. Transport village people to and from Boca. These include school pupils.

2. Haul food and supplies to all the South Shore villages.

3. Bring non-biodegradable trash to Boca, which is transported to a nearby landfill.

4. Provide tours (villages, waterfalls, snorkelling, sunset cruises, private beach stays).

5. Offer fishing trips (primarily 4-6 hour within the Bay of Banderas).

For visitors staying in Boca de Tomatlan, the Panga is more than a tourist boat. It is part of everyday village life and one of the main ways to experience the Puerto Vallarta South Shore, from beaches and villages to fishing and snorkelling.

Water in Boca de Tomatlan - Drinking, Cooking, Showers, etc.

Water - drinking, cooking, showers, etc. Most Gringos hardly give a thought to that chilled drink or hot shower. It is just there. Boca and Mexico are different, especially in remote or small villages without “City” services. Boca de Tomatlan probably not all that remote, only a few miles south of Puerto Vallarta. But small it is, and the infrastructure is minimal. Country and private businesses provide electricity and telephone/internet services, but water is handled by the small village organization.

The village is supplied by a well pump just east of the Villa. It accesses groundwater which is supplied by springs located on the surrounding slopes. It is part of the overall Rio Horcones system, which has small streams feeding it from similar springs. During the rainy season (June - September) the river receives significant runoff as well as groundwater recharge, which maintains the seasonal water flows. The Rio Horcones is the last significant free-flowing river in the region. It provides nutrients and a change in salinity that is vital to marine wildlife.

The Rio Horcones flows from the mountains through the surrounding landscape before reaching the Pacific Ocean at Boca de Tomatlan, helping create the distinctive environment that makes the village different from the more developed Puerto Vallarta resort areas.

Water Pressure & Gringo Showers

Water pressure & Gringo showers - water from the Village well is pump driven to residents and businesses but at relatively low pressure. Well is 3.5 meters deep. With village demand there are times flow can be weak and reliability is not a typical “City” condition. This is overcome with Tinacos (tanks) that provide a sufficient supply if the system is offline or insufficient. Tinacos have in most cases replaced Cisterns, which are enclosures to collect and hold water, but require a pump to deliver. Tinacos are normally placed at the highest feasible height and supply water via gravity. Since many Tinacos are roof-located the pressure at various outlets is 15-20 psi (each meter in elevation provides 1.42 psi). The probability of a typical Gringo type shower is nil. To overcome gravity limitations, the Villa installed a booster pump, which is in line with the Tinaco line going to all Villa outlets. When an outlet is opened, a flow switch initiates the booster pump, and water pressure is just like at home (40-60 psi).

Villa Potable Water – Drinking Water for Guests

Villa potable water – Typically, most people use bottled water for drinking in Mexico. The Villa provides two sources for its guests. The apartment refrigerators have an enclosed tank that housekeeping keeps filled, so cold drinking water is available. A 5-gallon container with an easy fill spout is available on the patio for other needs (teeth care, washing fruits and vegetables, filling ice trays, etc.)

For guests staying at Villa La Sirena in Boca de Tomatlan, potable drinking water is provided as part of the Villa setup. The Villa's apartments also include kitchen facilities, making it practical for guests who want to prepare snacks and meals during their stay.

Water, Plan B – Real Mexico Has Its Practical Side

Water, plan B - Boca provides a unique, real Mexico vibe. It is family-oriented; they appreciate the income from the uncommercial tourist activity, but it is small, relatively undeveloped, and most like it that way. Over the 5 years of Villa operation, we have seen gradual upgrades, but care is taken to keep the village vibe. As mentioned, the water system is not sophisticated but if a line breaks with a lengthy fix there is the remote chance the Tinacos could be depleted. The Villa has a relationship with a water supplier who quickly arrives and we pump water into the Tinacos. Only happened once in 5 years.

This is part of what makes a stay in Boca de Tomatlan, Mexico different. It is a small working village rather than a large resort destination, and the practical realities of village life are part of the experience.

Rio Horcones Protection Proposal

Rio Horcones protection proposal - In 2019, Boca found themselves in a fight against an illegal project threatening to expropriate the rivers water through a dam and pipeline. Purportedly in the name of generating “clean energy”. Contractors were given a shady exemption to proceed without the required environmental and social impact studies. Thousands signed a petition to cease this activity. To date, no work has been conducted, and proposals have been made in 2025 to the State Council to formally protect the area. Vallarta Botanical Gardens has been a key member of the group in this proposal. A follow-up meeting is scheduled this year.

The Rio Horcones hydroelectric project became a significant community issue in 2019, with residents of Boca de Tomatlan opposing the proposed development. Federal environmental authorities subsequently ordered a closure of construction works.

The Vallarta Botanical Garden continues to describe conservation efforts for the Los Horcones River basin, including work toward protected-area designation.

From Mild to Wild – Rio Horcones

From Mild to Wild - Rio Horcones - As a free-flowing river that is not constrained by a dam and with drastically different seasons (Wet and Dry) offers a wide variety of situations. Some desirable and some not; thankfully, the extremes are rare. With a tropical storm nearby it’s flow is too much for Panga operation. Village Captains know from experience to pull their craft ashore. Boca beach at the mouth of the river exit disappears.

On the flip side, during the dry season it is low enough to cross with a vehicle, crossing on local built temporary bridge, for the beach to come back and maybe even create a soccer pitch. Some unscrupulous people say a dam with proper control could manage an effective compromise. The bottom-line is don’t mess with Mother Nature and entities operating with greed. They would destroy Boca’s livelihood in favor of other interests as everyone knows the dammed river flow would never allow normal Panga operation. A practical engineering analysis shows the topography would not offer a viable damming project anyway. As a side note, there are ample explosive experts in the wings who would, without hesitation, cause detrimental damage to any construction efforts if protection proposals fall on deaf ears.

If you're planning your next vacation, perhaps this is the year to try something different. Come experience the Real Mexico at Boca - authentic experiences, affordability, family travel, and hidden destinations in the most authentic way.

If your travels include a stay at Villa La Sirena, check with Rafael, the onsite manager. If his schedule permits, he can host you on a private tour and help design experiences that match your interests and travel plans.

We'd love to welcome you to Villa La Sirena and help you discover why so many of our guests return again and again.  

For a limited time, book 4 nights and enjoy 3 additional nights FREE at Villa La Sirena. Wake up to complimentary coffee and Pan Dulce, enjoy airport pickup, and experience a quieter, more authentic side of Mexico. Offer available through mid-December.