Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s most practical beach destinations because visitors do not have to choose between city convenience and coastal scenery. The bay offers beaches within walking distance of downtown, quiet coves south of town, hotel-zone beaches with easy services, and boat-access beaches that feel farther removed from the city. The official Puerto Vallarta tourism guide lists beaches from Boca de Tomates in the north to Yelapa in the south, giving travelers a wide range of options depending on how much time, effort, and comfort they want from a beach day.
Some beaches are best for swimming. Others are better for restaurants, sunsets, water taxis, snorkeling, or simply taking a walk along the shore. This guide gives a quick overview of the main beaches in and around Puerto Vallarta, with details to help you decide which beaches deserve a spot on your itinerary.
Boca de Tomates sits near the northern edge of Puerto Vallarta, close to the airport and the Ameca River area. It has a more local feel than the city’s better-known tourist beaches, with family-run seafood restaurants and a quieter atmosphere. Because the surf can be stronger and the area is close to mangroves, it is better for a meal by the beach, birdwatching, or a low-key afternoon than for casual swimming.
Playa de Oro is one of the most accessible beaches in the North Hotel Zone. It is close to the Maritime Terminal, shopping areas, restaurants, and hotels, making it a simple choice for visitors staying in that part of town. The beach is known for gentler waves, water activities, and ample space to walk or relax without leaving the main tourist corridor.
Los Tules is another hotel-zone beach with soft sand and moderate waves. It is a practical option for visitors who want a beach day without traveling far from their hotel. The area is also associated with water activities such as kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, and banana boat rides, depending on conditions and availability.
Las Glorias is a convenient beach for both locals and visitors, especially for those staying in the hotel zone. It has a mix of sand, rocky shoreline, water sports, and easy access to nearby services. It is not the most secluded beach in Puerto Vallarta, but it is useful for travelers who want a simple beach stop without planning a full excursion.
Playa Camarones is one of the better-known beaches between the hotel zone and downtown. It is popular with local families, especially on weekends, and has a more active beach scene with vendors, beach clubs, and casual food options. Its location makes it a good choice for travelers who want a beach that still feels connected to everyday Puerto Vallarta.
The Malecón Beach is not usually the beach visitors choose for swimming, but it is part of the downtown shoreline experience. This small, rocky beach sits just below Puerto Vallarta’s famous seaside promenade and is better for photos, sunsets, a short rest, or watching the activity around the boardwalk. It works best as part of a downtown walk rather than a full beach day.
Playa Los Muertos is the city’s most famous beach and one of the easiest places to understand Puerto Vallarta’s personality. It is busy, social, and lined with restaurants, bars, beach clubs, vendors, and the well-known Los Muertos Pier. This is the beach for travelers who want energy, convenience, people-watching, food, drinks, and water taxis to beaches farther south.
Amapas Beach is just south of Playa Los Muertos, but it has a quieter and more tucked-away feel. Access takes a little more effort, and the beach is smaller and rockier than Los Muertos. It works well for visitors who want to stay close to the Romantic Zone but step slightly away from the busiest beach scene.
Conchas Chinas is one of Puerto Vallarta’s most scenic beaches, known for rocky formations, small natural pools, and views where the Sierra Madre mountains meet the sea. It is close enough to town to feel accessible, but it has a more residential and cove-like atmosphere than the central beaches. It is a good beach for scenery, photos, tide pools, and a quieter swim when conditions are favorable.
Palmares Beach is south of town along Highway 200 and is often seen as one of the cleaner, more organized public beach options in the area. It has parking access, a longer stretch of sand, and water suitable for kayaking, paddleboarding, or swimming, depending on conditions. It is a strong option for travelers who want to leave downtown without making the trip too complicated.
Garza Blanca Beach is a small, scenic beach south of Puerto Vallarta, close to resort development yet still appealing to visitors seeking clear water and a more polished coastal setting. The beach is also near access points for the Palo María area, making it useful for travelers who want to combine beach time with nearby nature.
Las Gemelas Beach is made up of two small “twin” beaches separated by rock formations. It is known for clear blue-green water, fine sand, and a more compact feel than the long hotel-zone beaches. There are limited services directly on the beach, so visitors should come prepared, but it is one of the better choices for travelers looking for a prettier swim south of town.
Mismaloya Beach is a small beach village south of Puerto Vallarta with restaurants, water activities, and easy access to the Los Arcos area. It has long been connected to Puerto Vallarta’s tourism history and remains a popular destination for visitors seeking a beach day with nearby food, boat tours, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or kayaking.
Las Caletas is a group of small beaches south of Puerto Vallarta, accessible by sea on an organized tour. It is more structured than most public beaches, with activities, amenities, and a controlled day-trip format. It is best for travelers who want a planned beach outing rather than an independent beach visit.
Boca de Tomatlán is both a beach village and one of the most important gateways to the south coast. Visitors come here for seafood, a small beach, pangas, water taxis, and hiking access to beaches farther down the coast. Even for travelers who do not stay long, Boca de Tomatlán is often the starting point for reaching Colomitos, Las Ánimas, Quimixto, Majahuitas, and Yelapa.
Colomitos Beach is a tiny cove reached by boat or by hiking from Boca de Tomatlán. It is small, scenic, and often included in south coast beach trips. Because of its size, it can feel crowded quickly, but it remains one of the most photographed small beaches near Puerto Vallarta.
Caballo Beach is a quieter beach near Las Ánimas. It is better suited for travelers who want a more peaceful stop rather than a busy restaurant beach. Access usually involves arriving by water taxi to Las Ánimas and walking from there, making it a better fit for visitors comfortable with a little extra movement.
Madagascar Beach is a more secluded south coast beach with no major facilities, making it better for travelers who want a less-developed stop. It can be reached by sea, and there is also a hiking route from Boca de Tomatlán. Because services are limited, visitors should treat it as a natural beach and bring what they need.
Las Ánimas is one of the most popular beaches south of Puerto Vallarta for a classic day trip. It has restaurants, water taxis, beach chairs, activities, and a pier, making it easier for many visitors than the more isolated coves. It is a good choice for families, groups, or travelers who want the South Coast experience without giving up food and services.
Quimixto is a small fishing village south of Boca de Tomatlán, known for its beach and nearby waterfall. Visitors usually arrive by boat, then choose between staying by the water or heading inland for the waterfall trail. It is a good option for travelers who want a beach day with a simple nature outing attached.
Majahuitas is a cove-style beach known for clear water, rocky geography, marine life, and a more remote feel. It is often visited by boat and is a strong option for snorkeling, kayaking, and a quieter coastal setting. It works best for travelers who want the south coast scenery without necessarily spending the whole day in a larger beach village.
Yelapa is one of the best-known beach villages south of Puerto Vallarta. It is reached by boat and offers a different rhythm from the city, with a beach, restaurants, small hotels, local paths, and waterfall walks. Many visitors treat it as a full-day trip rather than a quick beach stop because getting there is part of the experience.
For the easiest beach day, visitors can start with Playa Los Muertos, Playa Camarones, Playa de Oro, or Las Glorias. These beaches are close to hotels, restaurants, transportation, and other services.
For a prettier swim south of town, Conchas Chinas, Palmares, Garza Blanca, Las Gemelas, and Mismaloya are good choices. They offer more scenery while still being reachable by road.
For a day trip, Boca de Tomatlán, Colomitos, Las Ánimas, Quimixto, Majahuitas, and Yelapa give travelers a look at the coast beyond the city. These beaches require more planning, but they also show why Puerto Vallarta is more than a single-beach destination.
