Summary
- These beaches offer a mix of lively atmospheres, serene escapes, and natural wonders, perfect for any beach lover’s paradise.
- Conchas Chinas: A picturesque beach with clear water and rocky coves.
- Playa Colomitos: A hidden beach accessible only by boat or hiking, with crystal clear water and a peaceful atmosphere.
- Mismaloya: A beautiful beach with clear water and a jungle backdrop, famous for being the filming location of “The Night of the Iguana.”
- Los Muertos: A popular beach in the heart of downtown with a lively atmosphere, vendors, and fishermen throughout the day.
- Amapas Beach: A beautiful beach with clear water and a jungle backdrop, located in the Romantic Zone.
- Playa Camarones: A downtown beach with fewer crowds than Los Muertos and many little beach bars and restaurants.
Best and safest swimmable beaches
Downtown Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a world-renowned resort town with miles of pristine beaches, but sometimes it’s hard to find the best spot for you. Here are six of the best swimming beaches in Puerto Vallarta & the Banderas Bay area that will make your time on the beach even better!
Best beaches for snorkeling
Conchas Chinas Beach, Puerto Vallarta
If you’re looking for the best beaches to snorkel, look no further. This is a list of the seven best beaches/locations in Puerto Vallarta and the nearby Bay area that are perfect for snorkeling and guaranteed to provide you with an incredible experience.
Best beaches for kitesurfing and windsurfing
Bucerias Beach Nayarit
If you’re looking for the best beaches for kitesurfing and windsurfing, Bucerias and La Manzanilla in the town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle in the neighboring Nayarit, but still in the Banderas Bay area are where you should go. These two towns offer some of the best sand beaches and winds for sailors and kiters. If you’re looking for some of the most dependable spots on Mexico’s Pacific coast, then these two towns might be your perfect match. It doesn’t matter if you prefer to catch some waves or fly high through the air with a kite; these destinations offer up an array of gorgeous beaches that will keep any water sports lover happy.
Best hidden beaches
Hidden Beach (Lovers Beach) Marietas Islands
Puerto Vallarta is known for its beautiful beaches, but that doesn’t mean every inch of sand is good. Here are our recommendations on where to find the best hidden beach in Puerto Vallarta! Lover’s Beach at the Marietas Islands is certainly a one-of-a-kind experience. You’ll need to take an authorized tour though and getting to this crater beach will take a good part of your day. If you are looking for a beach that is hidden and on the mainland, then the Colomitos Beach South of Puerto Vallarta might be your perfect spot. read more about them in the full articles linked below.
Most beautiful beaches
Las Caletas Beach, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico
Take a dip in the beautiful blue water of Vallarta. Explore Mexico’s natural beauty by exploring these five beaches! Las Caletas, Conchas Chinas, Las Animas, Colomitos and Mismaloya. There are many breathtaking places to explore in this amazing country. From the beachside towns to the jungles full of life and color- there is nowhere else quite like it. Either way, your experience will be unforgettable so pack your bags because here are five stunning beaches worth checking out while you’re down south!
Best beaches for walking
Nuevo Vallarta South Beach
When it comes to beaches, Vallarta is one of the best spots in Mexico. The resort city offers six miles of beachfront that has something for everyone – surfers, swimmers, and walkers alike. Whether you want a serene escape or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, Vallarta’s got it all, but it can be hard to choose from so many great beaches in the Vallarta area. For travelers looking for a place to stroll along the shoreline with plenty of space, without the crowds (or worry about traffic), Destiladeras Beach, Bucerias, Sayulita, and Nuevo Vallarta are the best options, read more and how to get to them in the specific articles:
Best Hiking Beach
Boca de Tomatlan Beach, Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta has two fantastic beaches in Colomitos and Boca de Tomaltan. If you are into hiking you can get from one beach to the other, you’ll need to hike around 30 to 45 minutes through some gorgeous scenery. Hikers will find themselves surrounded by lush jungle vegetation (between July and February) as they make their way down this hidden gem of a trail.
You’ll finally emerge onto Colomitos Beach where you can enjoy the secluded golden-sand mini beach and turquoise waters while soaking up some sun on your vacation.
Best beach for biking
Nuevo Vallarta Beach (Flamingos), Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
If you are looking for a beach that is not only beautiful but also offers the best biking experience in the area, look no further than Nuevo Vallarta Beach. Located on Banderas Bay, this is truly one of the most scenic beaches around. It has just over two miles of soft sand and it’s just perfect for all levels of riders!
Best kid-friendly beaches
Playa Destiladeras, Nayarit, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta is an incredible place for families to escape the winter cold in North America. For those who want to spend their winter in a warm locale with beautiful beaches, Puerto Vallarta has something for everyone. Destiladeras Beach and Nuevo Vallarta’s beaches are some of our favorite places to take kids so they can experience some of the best soft clear sand beaches on this side of the world. Sayulita is another great beach town that offers more secluded spots for adults and also plenty of kid-friendly activities like surfing, swimming, snorkeling or just playing on the beach. There’s no better way to get away from it all than spending time at these amazing destinations!
Best beach for relaxing
Garza Blanca beach, Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful city with many fantastic attractions, but what about the beach? If you’re looking for a place to relax in Puerto Vallarta, Garza Blanca beach in the south zone is the perfect spot. The sand is soft and powdery (or at least it should be), the breakwater ensures there is not much of a current or waves to make it difficult to get out to sea, so it’s ideal for people who don’t want their feet getting wet. It’s not crowded and has plenty of space to walk along or sunbathe on a towel. You can enjoy some shade under palm trees and cool off in the water before coming back out for more fun in the sun. During high season there are also lifeguards present to make sure you’re safe while enjoying all that this wonderful beach has to offer!
Most romantic beaches
Las Amapas Beach, Puerto Vallarta
If you’re planning your next romantic getaway, then the best beach in Puerto Vallarta is either Amapas Beach or Lover’s Beach at the Marietas Islands. The two beaches are very far apart and offer quite a different experience for couples. Amapas is perfect if you want to enjoy some time with your honey without distractions and just relaxing, while Lover’s Beach at the Marietas offers an active adventure experience, a wild boat trip with a challenging swim through a tunnel and so on. So what do you prefer? Peaceful relaxation or an active romantic option?
Best Water Activities Beach
Camarones beach Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful, diverse city with many things to do. The people are friendly and the food is amazing. But what about the water? If you’re looking for some of the best water activities in Puerto Vallarta then head to one of these beaches: Camarones Beach or Los Muertos Beach. These two beaches have something for everyone from a banana boat ride, parasailing, SUP, sand-castle building, a starting point for tours, and more!
Best beach for people watching
Los Muertos Beach, Puerto Vallarta
The best place in Puerto Vallarta to people watch is on the beach and among them, topping the list is Playa Los Muertos. Every day there are people of all shapes, sizes, and colors walking by your lounge chair with unique stories and adventures to share. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a group of kids playing soccer or volleyball with their friends while their moms chat over coffee nearby. There’s also the occasional fisherman working hard pulling his net out of the water for another round – not to mention numerous vendors passing by selling anything from fresh coconuts to sombreros! In short, if you want some good old-fashioned entertainment while soaking up some sun rays on a beautiful Mexican beach then head down south!
The same goes for Sayulita north of the Bay area, real Mexico shines through on the beach there too.
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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