Are Puerto Vallarta Beaches Nice?
Costa Sur Resort has prepared a guide of the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta including information on how to get there, what to bring, recommendations and more. We have listed the best beaches around Puerto Vallarta and especially in the south shore very close to Costa Sur Resort and Spa. Trust me, these Puerto Vallarta beaches are not to be missed!
Las Animas, Puerto Vallarta
Only accessible by boat, this remote beach is one of the most famous in the south of Puerto Vallarta. Visiting Las Animas beach is a full day worthy excursion. It has plenty of restaurants and bars to spend the day under a palapa, sipping margaritas and feasting on the freshest seafood ever! While on the beach you may rent paddleboards, jump on a banana boat ride or just relax and enjoy the sun. Snorkeling is also possible even without gear since the water is crystal clear. If you are traveling with kids, we suggest you visit Las Animas Adventure Park. Great option with zip lines, balancing beams and more.
Getting to Las Animas Beach
There are 2 options to get to Las Animas, option 1 is by walking from Boca de Tomatlán. This walk takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and it is a fun filled adventure. The walk is through the jungle and up the mountains. The pathway is clear and the views are amazing. Bring a lot of water and mosquito repellent if you choose to walk.
Option #2 is by water taxi. Water taxis are available from Boca de Tomatlan (15 minutes from Costa Sur Resort). Water taxis take 5 to 7 minutes to get to Las Animas and the views from the ocean are amazing!
Colomitos Beach, Puerto Vallarta
This is one of the hidden beaches in Puerto Vallarta. It is small but really beautiful. Colomitos beach is located in the south of Puerto Vallarta and surrounded by the green mountains of the Sierra Madre. There are no restaurants or facilities on this beach, therefore we only recommend visiting for a few hours and swimming in its turquoise waters.
Getting to Colomitos Beach
Same as for Las Animas there are 2 options for getting to Colomitos Beach:
Option #1 walk from Boca de Tomatlan, approximately 1 hour and stop at Colomitos for a quick swim.
Option #2 take a water taxi from Boca de Tomatlan. It will be a quick 5 minute boat ride. Colomitos is a little before Las Animas Beach so you may walk from Colomitos to Las Animas to grab some lunch!
Yelapa, Puerto Vallarta
An old time favorite, Yelapa is a tropical paradise! Located 45 minutes from Boca de Tomatlan to the south, Yelapa continues to have that fisherman's village feel to it. Yelapa has an interesting number of restaurants and beach clubs where you can spend the day having some fun in the sun! There are also little hotels on the beach with basic services.
Among the things to do in Yelapa besides the beach is walking to the waterfall. The walk takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes depending on how fast you walk or how many times you stop for pictures! The entire trek is through the jungle up the mountains and it ends on a natural pool of cold water from the waterfall. It is a safe and a great swim!
Getting to Yelapa
The only way to get to Yelapa is by boat. Take a water taxi from Boca de Tomatlan and 45 minutes later you will be in the golden sands of Yelapa, Jalisco!
Las Caletas by Vallarta Adventures, Puerto Vallarta
Also accessible only by boat, Las Caletas Beach Hideaway, used to John Houston's home back in the day. Now Vallarta Adventures has transformed it into a beautiful day excursion. Tours begin at 9:00 am and end approx at 4:00 pm. The boat ride is very entertaining and after 1 hour you arrive at this amazing beach where snorkeling, scuba diving and paddle boarding are among the main activities. This is a great tour for families with little ones. There is and adventure park with zip lines and also an animal encounter. For the adults there is a private section with hammocks and water toys. In addition there is a spa at the top of the cliff. All meals and drinks are included in this day tour.
Getting to Las Caletas
You may get information and tickets to visit Las Caletas with our concierge located in the main lobby of the hotel. Tour lasts approximately 7 hours and is available every day except Sundays.
Costa Sur Resort Beach in Puerto Vallarta
The beach at Costa Sur is a great example of the beauty you will find on the beaches in the south zone of Puerto Vallarta. This incredible beach is not only crystal clear but it is also home to a wide variety of species ranging from colorful fish, corals, starfish, rays and much more. The rock barrier placed to protect the sand on the beach also creates an ocean lagoon with calm waters making it one of the best swimmable beaches in Puerto Vallarta. The beach at Costa Sur is not extensive, but is the ideal size for guests who enjoy snorkeling, kayaking and paddle boarding onsite. These activities can be practiced solo or in the company of our activities team. There are guided tours inside and outside the rock barrier or ocean lagoon. All rooms at Costa Sur Resort are full oceanfront. Hotel guests may enjoy the most amazing sunsets, dolphins swimming by all year around and humpback whales from December through March. This is a fantastic beach if travelling with children.
Los Muertos Beach, Puerto Vallarta
One of the most popular beaches around Puerto Vallarta, Los Muertos Beach is located by the iconic and recently renovated pier. Los Muertos Beach is in the heart of Puerto Vallarta as you cross the Rio Cuale Bridge. There are many restaurants and bars for you to choose from or you may indulge on the famous fish and shrimp on a stick sold by vendors on the beach. Visited by locals as well as tourists, Los Muertos Beach is a tradition in Puerto Vallarta.
Getting to Los Muertos Beach
Easy access by car or walking, Los Muertos beach is located to the right as you cross the bride in downtown Puerto Vallarta. Make sure to bring extra time to visit art galleries and shops around the area.
El Caballo Beach (Horse Beach), Puerto Vallarta
White sand and turquoise water...that is the only way to describe this Puerto Vallarta beach located in the south shore a few minutes before Las Animas Beach. There is only one small hotel with a restaurant and bar offering service to locals and tourists, Casitas Maraika. The restaurant has good food and drinks and we suggest you call to make a reservation before arriving, as seating is limited. This is a good spot to spend the day.
Getting to El Caballo Beach
Same as Colomitos and Las Animas, pick your choice of walking or water taxi, either way is fun and full of photo opportunities.
Los Arcos National Marine Park, Puerto Vallarta
Even though this is not a beach, it is worth mentioning as it is one of the most beautiful spots for snorkeling, scuba diving and paddle boarding there are in Puerto Vallarta. 2 islands in the south of Puerto Vallarta form this protected reserve. These islands are home to both marine life and a wide variety of birds. Among the species you may swim with are rays, dolphins and many different types of colorful fish. This is definitely a day tour, offered by many companies in Puerto Vallarta. Please check with our concierge for more information.
Los Arcos can be seen from Costa Sur Resort, travel by speedboat takes approximately 15 minutes. In the winter season our activities team offers snorkeling tours twice a week.
Getting to Los Arcos National Marine Park
All tour companies in Puerto Vallarta offer this day tour, only accessible by boat; it is one of the most visited spots for snorkeling and scuba diving. Please check with our concierge for the tour that best suites, times and costs.
Conchas Chinas Beach, Puerto Vallarta
One of the most famous beaches in the south of Puerto Vallarta, Conchas Chinas beach is known for its white sand, turquoise water and rock formations that create fun little pools of water. This beautiful beach is the cover for many Puerto Vallarta publications. Some of the most beautiful homes and villas, popular for private events and destination weddings are located ocean front with the most spectacular views of the ocean. There are no bars, restaurants or beach clubs in this area so we recommend you bring food, beverages and umbrellas to spend a fun day at the beach!
Getting to Conchas Chinas Beach
With easy access by car, there is very little parking space available; therefore we recommend using public transportation. Signage indicates public beach access in the various streets in the Conchas Chinas neighborhood. Chonchas Chinas beach is only 5 minutes away from
Sayulita Beach near Puerto Vallarta
Sayulita has become a popular beach destination in Mexico specially for surfers. While it is not located in Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita is not that far away. This colorful town is very well known for hosting international surf and paddle board competitions. It is a great beach to spend the day as almost every restaurant has lounge chairs and umbrellas you can rent for the day. Bars, boutiques, hotels and surf lessons are also available along the beach.
How to get to Sayulita?
After exiting the Internation Puerto Vallarta Airport it will take you approximately 45 minytes to get to Sayulita. You can drive, take a taxi or bus.
Puerto Vallarta has been blessed with these and many more beaches. Here are a few recommendations for you to enjoy your next Puerto Vallarta beach adventure:
- Bring waterproof sunscreen
- Mosquito repellenet
- Ziploc bag to keep your cellular phone, cash and other valuables protected from the water
- Photo Camera
- Garbage bag
- Keep your children supervised at all times
- If you drink alcoholic beverages please do not go into the water
- Bring additional cash as most of the beach clubs and local vendors do not accept credit cards
