Features & amenities
Guided Tours
Land Activities
Swimming
Water Activities
Marine Wildlife
South Zone
Summary
- Visitors can enjoy a Yelapa and Majahuitas Beach Adventure tour, explore the coves, and relax in the secluded beach.
- The cove is also one of the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta for snorkeling.
- The tour includes amenities such as snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and a gourmet lunch.
- The beach is perfect for a day of snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking, and it is surrounded by untouched sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.
Introduction
Majahuitas, despite being a small cove with a small stretch of golden sand beach, is woven into Puerto Vallarta’s colorful history.
After Mexicana Airlines started regular flights to the town, various foreigners moved down to marvel and live in the pristine jungle areas that were bounded by crystal-clear emerald waters and beautiful sandy beaches.
Majahuitas Beach
Majahuitas jumps into the local folklore with the Von Rohr family settling there for many years, who are linked with Archie Alpenia, the original owner of Archie’s Wok Restaurant, who was also John Huston’s personal chef for many years (more below).
Puerto Vallarta’s South Zone beaches
Majahuitas Beach is the place par excellence if you desire to just turn off your cell phone, forget about the clock and completely disconnect from it all – except nature and relaxation, of course.
How to get to Majahuitas Beach
Getting there is quite an adventure, though it’s easy enough. Access is only by sea, it’s located a mile and a half to the west of Quimixto town and beach (18 miles/29 km from Puerto Vallarta).
Majahuitas Beach looking east
The only way to get there is by sea, starting points are the pier at Los Muertos Beach in the Romantic Zone or, better still, travel by land southward from downtown PV by taxi or bus to Boca de Tomatlán (the last bay before the highway turns inland), where you can take a water taxi (panga) that passes Colomitos, Las Animas, Quimixto and Las Caletas before arriving at Majahuitas (see map above).
Check out the water taxi schedule.
Location map
Majahuitas Beach is south of Puerto Vallarta, located between Yelapa to the west and Quimixto to the east.
Majahuitas’ name comes from “Majahua” (Hibiscus pernambucensis – Seaside Mahoe), which was actually the original name of the beach, a local tree (photo above) with large leaves that can grow by the edge of the sea and is commonly found on these beaches of the southern part of the Banderas Bay.
The Majahua tree
Local kids used to use them to make toy bows (for bows and arrows) because they are soft and easy to carve while humid and become tougher and elastic when dry.
A bit of history
Majahuitas Beach, South Zone, Puerto Vallarta
Though the beach itself is part of the Chacala Indian Ejido (commune), this beach was leased to and became the home for the Von Rohr family that lived in a beautiful house in this almost private paradise.
Cathy Von Rohr is a distinguished artist (photo below) and Nevon Seay Von Rohr was a retired businessman that presented Archie Alpenia to John Huston (Archie later became Huston’s personal chef in Las Caletas and was the original owner and founder of Archie’s Wok Restaurant in the Romantic Zone).
Cathy and the Von Rohr family lived at Playa Majahuitas for 27 years but moved into town in 2002 where she has continued working as a renowned artist. Visit: cathyvonrohr.com.
“The Path to John’s” Cathy Von Rohr painting in Archie’s Wok Restaurant
Cathy Lomprey Von Rohr Biography
Born in Toledo Ohio and spent her childhood in Wayne, Michigan. She received a Bachelor of Industrial Design in 1964 from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. Worked for GM in Detroit, designing Cadillacs. After a few years in Michigan, she returned to New York to work for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, teach at Parsons School of Design, and freelance as a graphic and exhibit designer. After five years in New York, she moved to Mexico City to work as product and graphic designer for Rafael Davidson.
“Waterfall at Quimixto” Cathy Von Rohr painting in Archie’s Wok Restaurant
In 1967 she met Nevon Seay Von Rohr, a retired businessman from California, and settled with him on the isolated beach south of Puerto Vallarta named Playa Majahuitas (Majahuitas Beach). There she began painting and sculpting. Preferring not to be limited by one recognizable style, her creativity is unlimited and ever open to new stimuli. At peace with nature her paintings glow with tropical themes. Her first show in 1970 at Galleria Uno in Puerto Vallarta marked the official start of her career as a painter and sculptor. Her work is now in private collections throughout Mexico, the United States and Europe.
What to do here
360 Panorama Beach Photo
I can tell you, the place invites you to just lay down and relax, the place makes you feel like you are on a deserted tropical island, the rustle of the palm trees, gentle waves lapping the beach, the warmth, the humidity… but if you feel like doing something, swimming is great, there are kayaks and snorkeling is also available.
In addition to white sand and crystal clear water, you will also find a reef and numerous sea caves inhabited by a wide variety of marine fauna.
These include sea cucumbers, parrotfish, pufferfish, damselfish, angelfish, trumpet fish, moray eels, among many others, that can easily be spotted through the water, or, if you want to appreciate them up close you might be able to find someone to rent you scuba diving gear.
Majahuitas looking west
From the last days of November to mid-March you’ll be able to see and photograph up to four different species of sea turtles plus humpback whales, manta rays, and dolphins.
Majahuitas Beach, tours with Vallarta Adventures & Marigalante
Majahuitas beach is next to the Tuito jungle, between the town of Quimixto and the fishing village of Yelapa, so you will not only find fish of all colors but also a large number of birds that fly over the site constantly. It is also rich in palm trees and all kinds of wildlife.
Majahuitas has a small river too
Being a virgin beach located in the southern part of Banderas Bay is the best place if you enjoy nature, swimming, sunbathing, hikes, and other eco-activities.
Majahuitas beach view from the west side looking east
To get access to this heavenly place, you can take a water taxi (panga) from Boca de Tomatlan or the pier at Los Muertos, or take one of the bay cruise tours that visit different beaches around the bay. The trip in a “panga” from Boca should be no more than 20 to 30 minutes depending on the stops along the way.
Majahuitas cove and the Marigalante Pirate Tour
Many of the main tours provided include a trip to Yelapa too, another one of the beaches and towns in the area that you should not miss. Other activities you can enjoy on the beach are kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling.
Where to stay
Previous home of the Von Rohr family at Majahuitas Beach
Another one of the important reasons why Majahuitas was well known was in great part due to “Majahuitas Resort”, a hotel that was built in this Chacala ejido but is now permanently closed.
In its day, it is one of the few real environmentally friendly hotels in the area. It used renewable solar energy to power the rooms and common areas, they recycled plastic, aluminum, and glass and kept the gardens nourished using compost, and other green practices.
Clear and warm waters of Majahuitas
It has now been replaced with Majahuitas Beach Club, it look trendy and chic, but I am not so sure they keep the same eco-friendly ethos as Majahuitas Resort had in its time, we’ll see.
Majahuitas, Jalisco, Mexico
Now the Chacala Indigenous Community has lent the land concession to Vallarta Adventures and there no longer is a place to overnight on this beach.
I haven’t either heard this tour provider offer any accommodations or camping permissions on the beach, so my guess is that there is no way to lodge here, not anymore.
* Based on information by Eduardo Guereña and Adán Mantecón Montes.
FAQ
- What is the safest part of Puerto Vallarta to stay in?
The Marina and the Romantic Zone are considered some of the safest areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta. Both areas are popular among tourists and offer a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. The Marina is known for its upscale atmosphere, luxury resorts, and high-end shops and restaurants. It has a very secure, controlled environment with 24/7 security personnel. The Romantic Zone offers a more authentic Mexican experience with cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and a vibrant mix of galleries, cafes, and bars. As a central tourist area, it also has a strong police presence and is considered very safe.
- Where do locals go in Puerto Vallarta?
Locals in Puerto Vallarta enjoy spending time at the city’s beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and lively local markets. Popular beach spots include Playa de Oro, Playa Las Animas, and Playa Camarones for their soft sand and calm waters. Many locals visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens to enjoy the lush vegetation and hiking trails. They also frequent authentic local food venues like Birrieria las 3 Regiones taco stand, cafes like Cafecito Vallarta, and neighborhood bars like La Cerveceria Union. The downtown Lazaro Cardenas market is a favorite for produce, spices, crafts.
- Is Downtown Puerto Vallarta nice?
Yes, downtown Puerto Vallarta is an exceptionally nice and popular area, celebrated for its vibrant mix of historic Mexican charm and a lively beach town atmosphere. It features a picturesque historic center with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the iconic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The downtown seamlessly blends into the scenic Malecón, a beautiful oceanfront boardwalk lined with fascinating sculptures, shops, and restaurants, making it perfect for strolling and enjoying the stunning ocean views.
The area offers an excellent variety of dining, from upscale restaurants to authentic street food, along with fantastic shopping in boutiques and art galleries. Adjacent to the main center is the popular Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone), known for its trendy vibe and energetic nightlife. The entire downtown is considered safe and is very walkable, allowing visitors to easily explore its captivating blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty on foot.
Tip: For an unforgettable experience, head down to the Malecón or any beachfront spot about 30 minutes before the scheduled sundown to watch the spectacular sunset over the bay.
- What is considered old town in Puerto Vallarta?
Old Town, also known as the Romantic Zone or Zona Romántica, is considered the historic heart of Puerto Vallarta. It is characterized by its picturesque cobblestone streets, classic whitewashed buildings, red-tiled roofs, and a lively mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay, Old Town has a traditional Mexican village charm with its colonial architecture and slower pace compared to the rest of Puerto Vallarta. Its romantic ambience comes from the area’s natural beauty, outdoor cafes, and charming boutique hotels. Old Town offers visitors a taste of an authentic Mexican neighborhood.
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