By Kenya Barrett
Puerto Vallarta is known as one of Mexico’s most popular resort towns on the Pacific coast. In addition to the tasty cuisine and the vibrant nightlife available in the area, Puerto Vallarta is surrounded by a number of beautiful beaches – each with their own unique characteristics.
If you’re looking to experience some of the best shores in this town, look no further. Here are five beaches you must visit during your time in Puerto Vallarta!
Playa los Muertos
Playa los Muertos takes the cake as one of the most energetic and vibrant beaches in all of Puerto Vallarta. Tourists typically enjoy this area due to the abundance of restaurants, bars, and shopping centers. As you stroll through the heart of the area, you’ll find yourself dancing to the music playing from the nearby lounges or spotting beachgoers enjoying a drink, or two. The most exciting part of this beach however, is the Los Muertos Pier. Since its recent restoration in 2018, the pier has become the perfect lookout point for visitors to enjoy the view of boats sailing or tourists participating in watersport activities in the Banderas Bay.
Playa Conchas Chinas
If you are looking for a more secluded beach with even better views, head to Playa Conchas Chinas. Located just south of Los Muertos Beach, Conchas Chinas is still pretty close to the downtown area of Puerto Vallarta, but remains the number one beach choice for locals and frequent visitors of the town. This beach is perfectly nestled between mountains and forest regions, and generally offers calmer waves for swimming and snorkeling. While Conchas Chinas has more of a chill vibe than Playas los Muertos, there are still restaurants and bars within walking distance, if you decide to turn it up a notch!
Playa Colomitos
Playa Colomitos is an ideal location for those who enjoy a bit more of an adventure. This beautiful beach glitters with golden sand and offers sparking views of the ocean that you may never experience anywhere else in Puerto Vallarta. If you’re up for the adventure, you can hike to Playa Colomitos through a mile-long jungle path that begins in the fishing village of Boca de Tomatlan. Alternatively, you can catch one of the local water taxis from the Los Muertos Pier and make your way to the secluded beach. Seeing as though this beach offers no services for tourists, it’s best to bring everything you’ll need for the perfect adventurous beach day. Although this beach is located 11 miles south of Downtown Puerto Vallarta, it is still a destination worth traveling to if time permits. If you’re lucky, you may just spot the hidden waterfall at Playa Colomitos!
Yelapa Beach
One of the southernmost beaches in Puerto Vallarta is located in Yelapa – and it is only accessible by boat! This area thrives as a fishing village and offers some of the best seafood in town – which makes it an ideal location to try some different seafood dishes and sample the catch of the day. Yelapa Beach serves as the perfect getaway for visitors who want to step away from the overcrowded beaches and experience an authentic slice of Mexican life. During your time at this beach, you will find many vendors selling delicious eats, since there are no chain restaurants, bars or hotels in the area. Nonetheless, it is a wonderful beach to fully decompress and enjoy some R&R.
Playa Camarones
Playa Camarones, which literally translates to “Shrimp Beach” maintains the reputation as being the one of the cleanest beaches in Puerto Vallarta. The town’s commitment to preserve the beauty of the beach led to it being awarded the Blue Flag certification in 2013. Surrounded by many restaurants, bars, and hotels, this beach has no shortage of options for anyone who’d like to visit. With a scenic view of the bay and the Sierra Madre Mountains, tourists typically enjoy lounging by the shores sunbathing or sipping on a cocktail from a nearby bar. For those looking for more fun in the sea, there are various water-based activities available including jet skiing, parasailing, and even horseback riding!
Which beach will you explore on your next trip to Puerto Vallarta?
