 Enjoying a privileged location midpoint on the Banderas
Bay coast, Puerto Vallarta is beach fanatic's nirvana, the
bay itself offering 34 miles of coastline — and 26 of
them beaches! As a rule of thumb, those to the north in
Nayarit on the Costa Vallarta tend to be longer and
wider, the foothills of the Sierra Madre just that
little bit further back from the sea than in Jalisco,
giving them a different character.
South of Puerto
Vallarta the mountains actually tumble into the sea in
places, so there are lots of small coves and intimate
sandy stretches. The water here is deeper and there are
fewer people. Sundays are the busiest beach days, the
one day of the week that most workers get off and spend
with their families. |
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Boca de
Tomatlan
- A small seaside village cove that sits
at the edge of the jungle, three miles south of
Mismaloya, where the mouth or boca of the
Tomatlan river meets the bay, hence its name.
About 25 minutes south of PV by public bus,
private car or taxi and about the same by boat
from Los Muertos. |
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Bucerías - The name
means "Place of the Divers." Its 5-mile stretch
of white sand beaches is the longest along the
Bay of Banderas. Just over half an hour north of
PV by public bus, private car or taxi |
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Conchas
Chinas
- This beach is 3 kilometers (2 miles)
southwest of Puerto Vallarta along
Highway 200. Natural tide pools have
formed between the rocks, which serve to
hold back the surf in an area extending
220 by 50 meters (240 by 55 yards). The
clarity of these waters allows a crystal
clear view of the bottom of the sea and
the creatures that dwell there. |
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Destiladeras - Located
19 miles from the airport at Km 8 on Highway 200
and popular with the locals for its wide sandy
beaches and with surfers for its
two-to-five-foot swells. About 45 minutes from
PV by public bus, private car — your car well
taken care of in the new pay parking lot — or
taxi. |
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El
Malecon
- Due to its proximity to downtown, this
is one of the most visited beaches by
both international travelers and Puerto
Vallarta locals. |
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Garza Blanca - A small
city beach located off the Barra Navidad road at
Km 6 on the way to Mismaloya, this white sand
beach is framed with palms and crystal clear
water that laps the shoreline. |
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Hotel Zone - This wide
sandy beach stretching from Marina Vallarta to
the Sheraton is lined with resort hotels, Puerto
Vallarta's original and still growing tourist
playground. Ten to 15 minutes from PV by public
bus, private car or taxi |
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Islas
Marietas
- An entertaining one-day excursion will
take you to this wildlife sanctuary
inhabited by more than 40 different bird
species. The waters around the islands
are full of marine life, making
it an
excellent location for all kinds of
water activities. From November to
April, you can spot giant manta rays,
turtles and whales. |
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Las Animas
- This is a beach with down-to-earth
accommodation and a high sense of
adventure. The Bora
Bora
trimaran
makes daily excursions to this beach
from Puerto Vallarta. About half an hour
from PV by boat. |
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Las Caletas - This lush
hidden cove with three small sandy beaches and
rock formations south of PV is the former home
of movie director John Huston. About an hour
from the Maritime Terminal by boat. |
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Las
Gemelas
- "Twin" beach is two small
crescent-shaped beaches at the foot of the
Sierra Madre Mountains. Here the surf is gentle
and good for swimming. Located south of town at
Barra Navidad road, Km 8. |
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Majahuitas -
Located on a remote, secluded cove south of
Puerto Vallarta, Majahuitas beach is accessible
only by boat (i.e. water taxi). Half an hour
south of PV by boat |
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Mismaloya
- Probably the most well known Puerto
Vallarta beach due to the filming of "Night of
the Iguana" here in l963, this 500-meter-long
beach sits at the very edge of the jungle where
the Mismaloya creek meets the sea. About 25
minutes from PV by public bus, private car or
taxi. |
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Nuevo Vallarta - This
wide sandy beach stretches farther than the eye
can see, lined with fancy condominiums and
sprawling resort hotels. About half an hour from
PV by public bus, private car or taxi. |
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Playa de
los
Muertos
– "The Beach of the Dead" was so named
because of a battle fought a century ago between
gold and silver smugglers from the mines of the
Rio Cuale and the natives who tried take their
stolen booty from them. In downtown PV south of
the Isla Rio Cuale, easily accessed by public
bus, private car or taxi — or this a fabulous
walking area because there is so much to see |
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Punta de Mita - Located
at the northern tip of the Bahia de Banderas, 26
miles from Puerto Vallarta on the Punta Mita
Highway, this once-remote beachside fishing
village is now home to the Four Seasons Punta de
Mita Resort. Less than an hour from PV by public
bus, private car or taxi. |
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San Francisco / San Pancho
- A sleepy little town 31 miles (49 km) north of
Puerto Vallarta known for its "gnarly waves,
dude." Purported by some surfers to be the best
in the area due to its big open ocean beach and
southwest to northwest swells. Just under an
hour from PV by public bus, private car or taxi. |
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Sayulita - 22 miles
north of the airport, the idyllic Sayulita beach
is located in a cove where the jungle meets the
sea. Perfect for surfing or sunning and
everything in between. Seaside cafes and fine
dining along with other services available. Less
than an hour from PV by public bus, private car
or taxi. |
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Quimixto
- One of three remote beaches south of
Puerto Vallarta that is accessible only by boat.
Pangas or water taxis leave the mainland several
times a day for this half hour trip. |
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Yelapa
– Nestled in a cove in the southern part
of the bay lies
the hamlet of Yelapa. Though there is a road
that goes to the town, it is easier to
reach it by boat. Various restaurants
along the beachfront serve fresh seafood
and cold beer. A short walk leads to a
waterfall 50 meters (165 feet) high in
the middle of the forest. The
golden-sand beach is a magnificent place
for swimming, snorkeling and
paragliding. About 45 minutes from PV by
boat. |
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Vallarta
is very popular as one of the best places in the world
to view Humpback whales in their natural habitat. From
November to March, humpback whales migrate to the warm
waters of the Bahia de Banderas. Several guided tours
leave every morning to take visitors to see and learn
about these huge mammals.