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Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful beach resort city on Mexico's Pacific coast. It's known for its stunning beaches, lush jungles, incredible food and charming colonial architecture. But let's be real, we all want to go to the beach! So whether you're looking for a lively scene or a secluded cove to relax in, Puerto Vallarta has a beach for everyone. All either accessible by foot, bus, Uber or water taxi.
Here is our Puerto Vallarta best beaches list, from north to south:
Since we stayed in the Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone), Playa de los Muertos was the beach we frequented the most. It is the most popular beach in Puerto Vallarta, and for good reason. It's a beautiful stretch of sand with turquoise waters, palm trees, and a lively atmosphere. There are countless restaurants, bars, and shops along the beach, as well as shacks for water sports rentals and boat tours. If you go all the way to the southernmost part of the beach, the locals harvest oysters and shuck them right there on the rocks to sell.
At the south end of Playa de los Muertos, there is an old stairway. If you trek over the bluff, you drop down into Playa Amapas. It is a small but beautiful beach with pebble sand, bookend by gorgeous rocks. Most of the people there were locals or condo owners nearby. It's very secluded, giving you a sense of calm and serenity as the waves crash against the rocks.
Continuing south, Playa Conchas Chinas is another secluded beach about a 10-minute drive from downtown Puerto Vallarta. It's also the southernmost beach in Puerto Vallarta accessible by foot (continuing around the shore from Playa Amapas). But be sure to wear appropriate shoes (water walkers or hiking sandals)! It's a great beach to relax and escape the crowds (except perhaps on the weekends). The beach is known for its soft sand, clear water, tide pools and views of the bay. It means "curled shells" which are the types of shells found there.
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About 25 minutes south of Zona Romántica is Playa Mismaloya. It's known for its beautiful scenery, including the iconic Los Arcos de Mismaloya rock formations, as well as a snorkeling and diving destination with kayak and paddleboard rentals. It's very laid-back and not as crowded as some of the other beaches (get there early). That said, if you're going to spend a good amount of time here, bring your own snacks and drinks, as there are limited options available on the beach.
Only 5 minutes south of Playa Mismaloya is Playa Las Gemelas. One of the best things about this beach is that it's relatively uncrowded, even during peak season. This makes it a great place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of Puerto Vallarta. There are a few palapas serving fruit and skewers, but it's still relatively quiet and peaceful. It's also located near several other popular tourist attractions, including the Vallarta Botanical Gardens and the Marietas Islands, should you want to explore the area. This makes it a great place to visit if you're looking for a relaxing beach while still being close to all the action.
Located at the very southern end of Puerto Vallarta is Boca de Tomatlán. It's a popular spot for locals as a quaint fishing town. The beach is known for its calm waters, making it a great place to swim and relax. It is easily accessible by car or public transportation, about 30 minutes outside of Zona Romántica. The road to Boca on Highway 200 offers amazing views of the Los Arcos National Marine Park, the coastline and the entire Banderas Bay. From here, you can take water taxis to even more secluded beaches.
From Boca de Tomatlán, you can take a ~30 minute water taxi to Playa Yelapa. This beach is gorgeous. This is Mexican seclusion at it's finest and a great place to experience a more authentic Mexican beach town. There is also a 2.5/5 mile round trip hike to the waterfalls. So if that is your thing, Yelapa is for you!
Other notable beaches in Puerto Vallarta include:
Playa Las Glorias, Playa Camarones, Playa Palmares, Playa Colomitos, Playa Majahuitas, Playa Las Animas, Playa Quimixto. But no matter what you're looking for, you're sure to find it in Puerto Vallarta best beaches.
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