Features & Amenities
Restaurants
Bars
Hotels
Vendors
Land Activities
Swimming
Blue Flag
Water Activities
Hotel Zone
Summary
- Playa de Oro is located in the North Hotel Zone of Puerto Vallarta.
- The beach is easily accessible and is a local favorite, with good public access and great views of the bay.
- Playa de Oro has been awarded the Blue Flag international certification for excellence in service, safety, environmental management, and quality.
- The gentle waves make it ideal for water sports like jet skiing, kayaking, parasailing, and banana boat riding.
- It is close to shopping centers, restaurants, grocery stores, and other services.
- The beach’s name originates from the former Playa de Oro Hotel, one of the first hotels built in this zone.
Introduction
Playa de Oro (Gold Beach) Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone
The beaches in the Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone are from north to south:
- Playa de Oro Beach
- Los Tules Beach
- Las Glorias Beach and
- Tranquila Beach
The northern Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone has a beach that runs along its edge that’s called Playa de Oro (Gold Beach).
This Puerto Vallarta beach has three easy public access points within the 3470 ft (1060 m) long beach. It’s 15 minutes, 6km, approximately 4 miles from the main square in downtown Puerto Vallarta.
It is bounded on the north side by the harbour area and runs along the edge of various hotels and condos until Peninsula Condominiums and the Pitillal river, which is the southern end of Playa de Oro Beach.
Playa de Oro Beach looking south. Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone
The beach’s name derives from one of the first hotels built in this area of the city, called Hotel Playa de Oro. Playa de Oro Beach has soft golden sand (hence the name) that makes it an excellent option for those who enjoy a walk along the shore, followed by a dip in the crystal clear waters.
Playa de Oro Beach is a certified Blue Flag beach, so it has clean waters, plus clear sands, soft waves (most of the time), and follows a number of requirements that insure your well-being and enjoyment as well as protecting the environment, including land and sea life. It features emerald-green waters and inviting clear sands on a medium-width swath that extends south until the mouth of the Pitillal River.
Where is Playa de Oro?
Playa de Oro beach is in Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone, that’s the area between Marina Vallarta & the harbor to the north and Downtown Puerto Vallarta to the south.
De Oro Beach is the northernmost beach of the hotel zone, located in what’s known as the North Hotel Zone.
Playa de Oro is specifically between the harbor area and Los Tules beach (Pitillal River).
What To Do?
The activities in Playa de Oro Beach are very varied, and this is thanks to its ideal location, surrounded by hotels, clubs, and resorts of all kinds, so the activities include a wide variety of sports too. Swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, water skiing, jet-skiing, fishing, whale watching, parasailing, are just some of the many activities that take place in Playa de Oro, in addition to being an ideal area for beach sports.
An ideal place to spend a day with family or friends, although the beach at times can be quite crowded so if that’s the case and you are looking for a quiet and relaxing place, during high season (Dec.- April) you may probably need to consider other options.
There you’ll find sightseeing tours on the local pangas (water taxis), maybe a banana boat ride or an exciting parasailing ride in a parachute. The beach is quite wide, you can enjoy the sun and there’s plenty of space for beach sports too. You’ll see people practicing beach volleyball or a sandy bout of football (what you might call soccer). It’s not unusual to see people horseback riding in the area. Waves are soft and it’s a good place for swimming.
Now that there are more and more cruise ships arriving in Puerto Vallarta, you might even be treated to the show of one of these tourist-filled floating cities arriving at the PV API area.
How To Get To Playa de Oro?
This Puerto Vallarta beach has three easy public access points along the 3400 ft (1040 m) long beach (see them on the map). There’s easy public access through Av. Las Águilas, the one that goes along the north side of Hotel Krystal, with the big potato sculptures.
- The northern access point is a gate from the Puerto Vallarta harbor area (the API). You walk from Francisco Medina Ascencio to the west, toward the beach, you’ll find the gate between Crown Paradise Club (to the south) and the harbor area.
- Via Quetzal Street, you get off on the corner of De Las Aguilas street by the Hacienda hotel, you walk westward toward IconVallarta, you then continue to the right (northward) until the end of Icon then you turn to the left (westward) on Quetzal Steet, there’s an OXXO there too. Go toward the sea, turn right, and 40 yards to the left you’ll find the public access point. You’ll find a small picturesque arts and crafts market, with little souvenirs and things you might need at the beach, including sunblock and more.
- Souther access point: Along the northern edge of the Pitillal River entrance point by Plaza Península, you walk in on the south side of Peninsula Plaza (Mall), then along the edge of the mall, through the parking lot, then along the edge of the Pitillal River, until you get to the beach and the Pitillal River mouth (if it’s draining into the sea).
Playa de Oro Location and Access Points
Where to stay by Playa de Oro Beach
Northern Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone, hotels and Playa de Oro beach
There are a number of well-known hotels & condos in this area that share this great Vallarta Beach, including, from north to south:
- Crown Paradise Club Puerto Vallarta
- Crown Paradise Golden Puerto Vallarta
- IconVallarta Condos
- Hotel Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort
- Hacienda Buenaventura Hotel & Mexican Charm
- Krystal Puerto Vallarta
- Peninsula Condos
Map of the Hotel Zone lodging options
A little bit of history
Posada Vallarta looking north (you can see the El Salado River mouth that later became the harbor)
The Hotel Posada Vallarta was a modern hotel that opened its doors in 1964. It was one of the first hotels to do so, and it has an interesting history as well – not just because Jean-Paul Belmondo filmed his movie El Magnífico here but also for giving Victor Iturbide “El Pirulí” (Vicente Riestra) his start on stage at this very location with an ambitious and highly successful singing career in his near future! Posada Vallarta’s location is now taken by a new hotel called Krystal.
“Also among those who made their way into the hospitality business through hard work and facing many obstacles was Jack Cawood, a tall, blond, good-looking man from the United States; he came to this place in the company of his wife Tere and her little children.
Jack, like many, had come in search of new horizons; he found a suitable field for it but nothing was done, you had to work hard to achieve it … and he did it! Remembering those golden years, Nelly Barquet told me that when she and her husband Guillermo Wulff had just arrived in Puerto Vallarta, while she was at the beach at the Hotel Rosita a young American man caught their attention, who, together with a laborer, were throwing stones into a canoe. When they asked him what they were doing he let them know that he was going to build some bungalows in a place that could only be reached either by boat or, failing that, crossing through pastures. When he left, they commented among themselves, “Crazy gringo!” It became one of the most beautiful hotels in Puerto Vallarta, the ‘Playa de Oro Hotel’.”
Yolanda Pita McCullough
Conclusion
Playa de Oro Beach looking north. Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone
The times I have visited this beach, it’s been calm, without many people. The location offers great sunsets, that most of the year actually ends with the sun falling into the ocean. You can see a fisherman or two throwing their circular nets into the sea, people are mostly relaxing, so it’s a nice beach to visit. Easy access makes it a great beach in Puerto Vallarta. After your day by the sea, you can jump into one of the many restaurants in the Peninsula Mall or walk south over the El Pitillal river bridge and enjoy the La Isla Mall and the many options there. In my opinion, a great beach, try it out and send me your comments.
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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