February 27, 2025

Top 10 Puerto Vallarta Beaches You Must Visit

Puerto Vallarta’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in all of Mexico. Their pristine waters and soft, golden sands are perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

Puerto Vallarta has beaches to suit all tastes and all types of travelers; whether you prefer a more youthful and festive atmosphere or are looking for an oasis of peace and tranquility. From Boca de Tomates, a family beach in a mangrove and wildlife area on Puerto Vallarta's north end, to Yelapa, the fishing village known for its bohemian, artistic and laid-back vibe.

Here are the top 10 beaches in the Puerto Vallarta area you must visit in 2025. So pack your bags and get ready to enjoy the most beautiful beaches on the Mexican Pacific and an enviable climate in the Friendliest City in the World.

CAMARONES

Location: 5 de Diciembre, very close to the Puerto Vallarta Malecón boardwalk.
What We Love: Camarones Beach stands out as one of the most popular beaches for locals and visitors alike. The atmosphere here is festive and very family oriented. Camarones Beach is especially famous for its soft waves, fine golden sand and young vibe. The calm waters that bathe this beach make it one of the most popular and one of the safest beaches for swimming. You can also enjoy sunbathing, horseback riding at sunset, and water sports such as kayaking and jet skiing.
Ideal For: Families / Groups / Solo Travelers
What to Do: Swimming / Watersports / Parasailing / Sunbathing
Pro-tip: You will find a variety of beach clubs, hotels, restaurants, bars and shopping in the vicinity of Camarones Beach.

YELAPA

Location: South of Puerto Vallarta.
What We Love: This charming little fishing village at the southern end of Banderas Bay, about 27 kilometers from Puerto Vallarta, has a relaxed and bohemian atmosphere. Its crystal clear and calm waters invite you to cool off with a swim, to explore the marine life just below the surface, or simply to lie back, soak up the sun and relax. A variety of water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking and paddle boarding are also available in Yelapa.
Ideal For: Groups / Couples / Solo Travelers / LGBTQ+
What to Do: Swimming / Water Activities / Sunbathing / Hiking
Pro-tip: Don't forget to check out the famous Yelapa waterfalls. Walk the cobblestone streets of the village and you'll find signs marking the way. After hiking up the river, the Yelapa waterfalls are ideal for a refreshing dip. If you wish, you can also get to the waterfalls by taking one of the horseback riding tours that start from the beach.

COLOMITOS

Location: South of Puerto Vallarta.
What We Love: Colomitos is the smallest beach in all of Mexico. It is a true hidden paradise just south of Puerto Vallarta. Located at the mouth of a branch of the Los Horcones River, this small cove is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and rock formations. Colomitos is only accessible by boat. The beach is small, but it is well known for its crystal clear, emerald green waters and gentle waves.
Ideal For: Groups / Couples / Solo Travelers / LGBTQ+
What to Do: Swimming / Water Activities / Sunbathing
Pro-tip: If your condition allows, hike the trail from Boca de Tomatlan to Colomitos. The route is considered medium difficulty, so don't forget to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water.

LOS MUERTOS

Location: Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone.
What We Love: The great atmosphere, especially on weekends. Playa Los Muertos also offers a variety of services including lifeguards, showers and public bathrooms. For comfort, you can rent chairs, sunbeds, and umbrellas, so all you have to do is enjoy the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean or just watch the people passing by. Spend the day at one of the beach clubs in the area if your budget allows: La Palapa, Sapphire Ocean Club, and Mantamar Beach Club for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Ideal For: Families / Groups / Solo Travelers / LGBTQ+
What to Do: Swimming / Water Activities / Sunbathing / Boat Tours
Pro-tip: Stick around Los Muertos Beach until the sun goes down. The light show that plays on the pier makes it one of our favorite places to take some spectacular photos.

BOCA DE TOMATES

Location: Marina Vallarta.
What We Love: Boca de Tomates is a beach located at the northern end of the city of Puerto Vallarta. Its ramadas, which offer menus based on fresh seafood and other seafood delicacies, are popular with local families and visitors. On weekends, there is live music and entertainment for children. On weekdays, Boca de Tomates (not to be confused with Boca de Tomatlán, the small fishing village south of Puerto Vallarta) has few visitors, making it ideal for those seeking a quiet environment.
Ideal For: Families / Groups / Couples
What to Do: Water activities / Sunbathing / Bird Watching / Nature and Wildlife Photography
Pro-tip: The surf can be rough. Take precautions if you decide to swim in or near where the Ameca River empties into it. Remember: Boca de Tomates is a mangrove area and a natural habitat for wildlife.

CABALLO BEACH

Location: South of Puerto Vallarta.
What We Love: Playa Caballo is a small oasis of peace and tranquility. Its fine, golden sand is perfect for relaxation and contemplation of the lush tropical vegetation all around you. The waves are usually moderate, so our advice is to stay on the beach and work on your tan.
Ideal For: Couples / Solo Travelers / LGBTQ+
What to Do: Sunbathing / Hiking
Pro-tip: The charm of Playa Caballo lies in its sense of tranquility and isolation. Let yourself be enveloped by its paradisiacal nature and the peace that surrounds you.

MISMALOYA

Location: South of Puerto Vallarta.
What We Love: Mismaloya offers visitors a lush natural setting with calm emerald waters, gentle to moderate waves, and golden sand. Mismaloya Beach is only about 350 meters long. However, it is ideal for a variety of water activities. You'll find scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, bodyboarding and, in season, Stand Up Paddle (SUP). Along the beach you'll find modest restaurants with fresh seafood specialties. They offer all the services you need to spend a pleasant day in the sun.
Ideal For: Families / Groups / Couples / Solo Travelers
What to Do: Swimming / Water Activities / Sunbathing
Pro-tip: Visit the small boardwalk of Mismaloya. To commemorate the filming of "The Night of the Iguana", there is a pole topped by a friendly iguana, the pride of the locals.

BOCA DE TOMATLÁN

Location: South of Puerto Vallarta.
What We Love: The beach at Boca de Tomatlan is small, with soft golden sand and gentle waves that are perfect for swimming. This picturesque fishing village and the "mouth" of this small cove are protected by the lush tropical vegetation of the mountains. Its gentle waves are ideal for swimming as well as water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding. Boca de Tomatlan is an uncrowded beach. This makes it a good option for those who want to escape the crowds and bustle of other Puerto Vallarta beaches.
Ideal For: Families / Groups / Solo Travelers
What to Do: Swimming / Water Activities / Boat Tours / Hiking
Pro-tip: Boca de Tomatlan is known as the embarkation point for the pangas that go to other beaches south of Puerto Vallarta that can only be reached by boat. These include Las Animas, Playa Caballo, Quimixto and Yelapa. Boca de Tomatlán can be reached by public transportation on the "Mismaloya-Boca de Tomatlán" route, which leaves from the intersection of Constitución and Basilio Badillo streets in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta.

QUIMIXTO

Location: South of Puerto Vallarta.
What We Love: Quimixto is a fishing village located about 20 minutes by boat to the south of Boca de Tomatlan, between the beaches of Las Animas and Majahuitas. It is very beautiful with its amber sand beach. Quimixto Beach is ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving with gentle to medium waves and crystal clear emerald waters.
Ideal For: Families / Groups / Solo Travelers
What to Do: Swimming / Water Activities / Sunbathing / Hiking
Pro-tip: The Quimixto Waterfall is another must-see attraction. There are 2 easy ways to get there: Walk through the small cobblestone streets of the town, or hike upstream through dense tropical vegetation along the trail that parallels the La Puerta River.

LAS ÁNIMAS

Location: South of Puerto Vallarta.
What We Love: The beach at Las Animas has clear, golden sand and crystal-clear water with gentle waves, making it ideal for swimming and enjoying activities such as parasailing and banana rides. It is surrounded by lush vegetation and a variety of seafood restaurants overlooking the ocean where you can rent comfortable lounge chairs shaded by palapas. Las Animas Beach can be your first stop when starting to explore the beaches south of Puerto Vallarta. You can get there by water, taking a water taxi from Boca de Tomatlan or one of the boats from Puerto Vallarta's marine terminal to Las Animas.
Ideal For: Families / Groups
What to Do: Swimming / Water Activities / Sunbathing
Pro-tip: Las Animas Beach Adventure Park is a great option for the whole family. It is conveniently located just 200 meters from the beach. It offers zip lines and fun sports and entertainment tours. The duration of the tour is 5 hours, including meals.