Boca de Tomatlan & Horcones River, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Boca de Tomatlan & the Malecon

A small fishing town with great traditional beachside restaurants, a starting point for trips to the south beaches and with lots of things to do in and around the Boca village.

  • 11 miles south of downtown Puerto Vallarta, you can get there on a public bus to Boca de Tomatlan as well as taxis, Uber or even a water taxi.
  • Get there in 20 or 30 minutes, the journey there is also a scenic trip.
  • A fishing village where you’ll get a taste of what real Mexico is all about.
  • It offers a nice beach and picturesque beachside restaurants.
  • It’s a starting point for water taxis (pangas) to the Cabo Corrientes South Zone beaches.
  • Not to be confused with Boca de Tomates that’s located a bit north of the Airport on the other side of the Pitillal River mouth and Nuevo Vallarta
  • Boca de Tomatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Boca de Tomatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Boca de Tomatlan Malecon, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Boca de Tomatlan beach from the water taxi pier, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Boca de Tomatlan beach, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Boca de Tomatlan beach looking south, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Boca de Tomatlan from the hill, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Boca de Tomatlan mouth of Horcones river, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Boca de Tomatlan water taxis, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Boca de Tomatlan beach, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Boca de Tomatlan is a charming and lively traditional fishing village known simply as “Boca” by the locals. A little community on both sides of the Horcones River (Rio Horcones), which flows down from the Sierra Madre Mountains through beautiful tropical rainforest.

It’s also a popular starting place for pangas (water taxis) heading to Banderas Bay‘s southern zone and beaches such as Playa Las Ánimas, Colomitos Beach, Quimixto Beach, Majahuitas Beach, and Yelapa.

There’s also a hiking path that runs from here all the way to Quimixto, following a jungle trail that mostly follows the edge of the water (no flip-flops!).

Boca an authentic Mexican fishing village, eleven breathtaking and scenic miles south of Puerto Vallarta, where the Horcones River empties its waters into a beautiful cove, surrounded by bougainvillea, hibiscus, banana, papaya and palm-covered hills. Enjoy its soft-sand beach, gentle ocean surf, great food, and friendly people!

Puerto Vallarta South Zone Beaches

Beaches south of Puerto Vallarta, Mismaloya, Boca de Tomatlan, Colomitos, Las Caletas, Las Animas, Quimixto, Majahuitas & Yelapa

Why visit Boca de Tomatlan

Boca is a great destination for visitors to see what Mexico is all about. You’ll get a true taste of rural Mexican culture here.

People are pleasant and courteous here. Children have fun on the street and at the beach. There’s plenty of wildlife and activity here, including parrots, egrets, herons, hummingbirds, and seagulls. There are also cute donkeys, not-so-cute roosters, barking dogs, cats, and rancheras, so it’s not for the faint of heart.

It’s one of the many great little day trips you can enjoy from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

There’s also a lovely beach, which is always divided into two sections by the Malecon and the river mouth: one part north of the river, where you’ll find the Boca Malecón, pier, water taxis, and restaurants along the bay’s edge; and one piece south of the river, where you can simply relax under parasols, lounge chairs, and tables. Walk all the way to the end of the beach on this side to find a magnificent tree that will provide you with shade as you bask in the water. It’s fantastic!

Panoramic view of Boca de Tomatlan (Jan 5, 2017)

What to do in Boca

Enjoy the beach, bay, and sea. You’ll have a terrific day simply sitting by the water’s edge. The water is clear and serene, and the waves are gentle, as one would expect from a little cove. If you enjoy swimming in the sea, this location is safe from the open ocean; just avoid the panga (water taxi) area to the northeast of the river.

As previously stated, Boca now has its own palm-lined Malecon (with washrooms and showers for approximately $0.30) and a reinforced breakwater exit for the Horcones River. Pelicanos Street is followed by the boardwalk. It was inaugurated on April 7, 2017 and was a significant occasion for the village.

It not only provides a pleasant promenade, but it also helps keep the river on course and serves as a convenient starting point for local fishermen and water taxis traveling north and south.

It’s also ideal for the pier. Previously, river course changes could have rendered it worthless. Not now.

The bay is a great starting point for your trip south, as well as, a hike from Boca to Las Animas and Quimixto and other more secluded beaches along the way like Madagascar Beach, El Caballo Beach, and Colomitos Cove.

It’s a well-marked trail that starts off in Boca, you cross the river and follow the edge to the right. Here’s a link to a video that shows the complete hiking route to the Hidden Beach at Colomitos.

Another popular activity you could enjoy out from Boca is a trip to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, buses on the way to El Tuito can take you there, just ask to be left off at the “Jardin Botanico”. This park is wonderful and has been voted time and again as one of the best in the Americas (find out more).

Vallarta Botanical Gardens, Hacienda de Oro Visitor Center

You can visit Boca Divers in town and arrange for scuba lessons, rent a kayak, get some gear for a snorkeling adventure or maybe even charter a fishing boat.

From November to March you’ll also be able to go on a Whale watching tour.

You should also check out the locally brewed whiskey (!!) (The first real Mexican Whiskey called Dorwart) and maybe find a Raicilla seller in town (careful!).

Where is Boca? How to get there

Local bus to Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán

Local bus to the south zone, including Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlan

Boca is the last part of the Federal Highway 200 going to Barra de Navidad by the sea’s edge, it then turns inland taking you through the town of Las Juntas y Los Veranos, El Tuito (18 miles from Boca) and other smaller ones along the way, this also includes the very popular attraction, the Botanical Gardens between Las Juntas and El Tuito.

It’s 3 miles past Mismaloya Beach and is the most popular landing and departure bay for the water taxis that take you to the isolated and beautiful beaches of the southern part of the Banderas Bay, including Las Ánimas, Quimixto, Majahuitas, Yelapa, Pizota, Corrales and more.

You can catch a bus to Boca de Tomatlan in Puerto Vallarta on the corner of Basilio Badillo and Constitución streets in Old Vallarta (Romantic Zone), the same place and the same buses that go to Mismaloya beach in the south zone. The buses were orange and white, now they are completely white and have a sign that says “Boca”, you can always check with the driver. The ticket should put you back about $0.60 dollars (one-way).

You could also try hitchhiking with pickups going south where the highway starts off south on the corner of Basilio Badillo and Highway 200 (Carretera Federal 200), I don’t, but maybe it’s your “thing” :-).

Public transport (Bus) to Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán

The bus ride to Boca doesn’t take that long from downtown Puerto Vallarta, it’s 11 miles (17km, a 20-minute car or taxi ride, around 30 minutes in a bus). You’ll follow along the edge of the sea on the road between the jungle hills on your left and the emerald-blue ocean on your right.

Local buses run to and from Boca and Mismaloya every day, starting off early around 6:30 AM – 7:00 AM and running at regular intervals until around 10 – 11 PM.

If you are a seafaring person, you can also get there in water taxis, you can catch these at the Marina, or better, at the Pier at Los Muertos at Playa Los Muertos. Check out the departure schedules here.

Where to eat

On Boca beach, you’ll find five small restaurants one after the other along the edge of the sea, you’ll know which one is which based on their tablecloths, each has a different color! You’ll enjoy the freshest local seafood and fish dishes under their palapas (traditional Mexican palm-leaf roofs), and have a drink served on the beach at the water’s edge. Did I mention they are quite inexpensive? They are open from around 10 AM to 7 PM, you can also just enjoy a cold beer and maybe some grilled shrimp or fish.

Embarcadero Restaurante

Le Kliff

Half a mile from Boca going in Mismaloya’s direction, you’ll find Le Kliff Restaurant, a great five-star location, as you might expect, on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the sea. Offers gourmet dishes and drinks with equivalently breathtaking views of the Boca Bay, Pacific Ocean, and Los Arcos to the north.

Ocean Grill Puerto Vallarta

Restaurant located around the bend from Boca at Los Colomitos Beach. A palapa-covered veranda (traditional Mexican shelter roofed with palm leaves), over the edge of the cove and ocean. A spectacular location, with great service, and delicious food.

You’ll need to reserve beforehand, it’s a cash-only and reservation-only restaurant and grill, so you can’t arrive unannounced. Adult-only and no pets due to the location, which could be dangerous for them.

Chico’s Paradise

If you want you can go a little further south along the highway, before arriving at Las Juntas y Los Veranos, you’ll find a great place called Chico’s Paradise Restaurant by the river. They offer a canopy tour there and/or you can enjoy a great meal at the restaurant overlooking the river, it’s also a great view.

Where to stay

There are lodging options in town, bed & breakfasts, vacation rental villas, apartments, and other accommodations if you plan to stay overnight. If you like the laid-back atmosphere of the place, would be a great idea to stay here a night, you’ll have either budget options or boutique hotels.

Among the most popular, we can mention the Bed and Breakfast called Casa de Piedra, Las Brisas, Posada Pacifica, Vistamar Apartments, Villa Rodelinda, and the more upscale options: Villa Armonía and Villa Lala Boutique Hotel.

Tips & ideas

  • The Horcones river ends its trip from the Sierra Mountains and flows into the little bay of Boca de Tomatlán.
  • The river brings most water during the rainy months that start in June and end in October.
  • Visit Colomitos Beach, either take a water taxi (5 minutes) or hike from Boca by land (40 minutes).
  • Visit the Botanical Gardens.
  • Take a trip from Boca to El Tuito.

Boca de Tomatlan Jalisco Mexico, despite its quaint, relaxed demeanour, is also a great starting point for many adventures and some of the best memories from your trip to Puerto Vallarta and the Bay area, be sure not to miss it while you are vacationing here.

Last Updated on 07/01/2023 by Puerto Vallarta Net