San Patricio - Melaque in the Mexican state of Jalisco is a busy community located 4+ kilometers northwest of Barra de Navidad on Bahia de Navidad. The area comprises two beachfront villages: San Patricio - Melaque and Villa Obregon all generally referred to as "Melaque." The small village of Melaque has been a vacation retreat for Mexicans for generations. San Patricio - Melaque, a kilometer long strip on the west end of the bay, is named after the Ejido San Patricio and before that a small Rancho named San Patricio. Downtown Melaque contains a colorful town square, many retail shops, two banks, many restaurants and a few hardware stores. Villa Obregon, to the east, is much more residential. The two areas of San Patricio - Melaque and Villa Obregon form the largest community along the coast between Puerto Vallarta and Cihuatlan. Playa Melaque is the main beach in the area and good for swimming,bodyboarding y skimboarding. The west end of Melaque beach is protected from the large swells found elsewhere on the beach, allowing for swimming for children and the less adventurous.