Beaches & Coastline
Beach
Playa Los Muertos
Zona Romántica, El Centro, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Most popular beach in PV. Iconic pier, restaurants, and lively atmosphere.
Local Tips
Visit Playa Los Muertos early morning (7-9 AM) or late afternoon (5-7 PM) to avoid the cruise ship crowds that typically flood the beach between 10 AM and 4 PM. The beach is also much more photogenic during golden hour, and you'll have better luck securing a prime palapa spot.
Bring your own beach umbrella or pop-up tent instead of renting palapas from vendors. The rental prices can be inflated for tourists (300-500 pesos per day), but if you do rent, negotiate directly with the palapa operators rather than going through hotel concierges who add a markup.
Beach
Conchas Chinas
South of town
Series of small coves with clear water and fewer crowds. Rocky but beautiful.
Local Tips
Visit Conchas Chinas early morning (7-9 AM) on weekdays to have the beautiful rocky coves almost entirely to yourself. Most tourists stay in the hotel zone and don't venture this far south until late morning, plus locals are at work during these hours.
Be extremely careful on the rocky areas during high tide or when waves are strong - the rocks become very slippery and several tourists get injured each year trying to climb on them for photos. Always wear proper water shoes with good grip, not flip-flops.
Beach
Playa Mismaloya
10 km south
Famous from Night of the Iguana movie. Surrounded by jungle-covered mountains.
Local Tips
Visit Playa Mismaloya on weekday mornings before 10 AM to have the beach almost entirely to yourself. The tour boats from Puerto Vallarta don't start arriving until around 11 AM, and locals typically come in the afternoons.
Skip the expensive beachfront restaurants and walk 2 minutes inland to the small palapa called 'Doña Carmen' where locals eat. You'll get authentic fish tacos and cold beer for about half the price of the tourist spots right on the sand.
Beach
Playa las Animas
Accessible by boat
Remote beach accessible only by boat. Peaceful with beach restaurants.
Local Tips
Visit Playa las Animas on weekdays between 10am-2pm when the tour boats haven't arrived yet and locals are still working. The beach transforms from peaceful paradise to crowded tourist spot once the water taxis from Boca de Tomatlán start bringing day-trippers around 2:30pm.
Skip the expensive water taxi rides from Puerto Vallarta marina and instead take a local bus to Boca de Tomatlán for 12 pesos, then catch the much cheaper panga boats that locals use - they charge about 60 pesos round trip versus 300+ pesos from the main tourist departure points.
Beach
Yelapa Beach
Accessible by boat
Remote beach village with waterfall. Bohemian atmosphere and tranquility.
Local Tips
Visit Yelapa Beach on weekdays between 10am-2pm when the day-trip boats from Puerto Vallarta haven't arrived yet. Most tourists come on organized tours that arrive around 2:30pm and leave by 5pm, so you'll have the beach almost to yourself in the morning.
Skip the expensive boat tours from Puerto Vallarta marina and take the local water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán instead. It costs about 100 pesos round trip versus 800+ pesos for tour boats, and you can stay as long as you want rather than being rushed back on a schedule.
Beach
Playa Camarones
Febronio Uribe, Las Glorias, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Long beach in hotel zone. Good for walking and swimming.
Local Tips
Visit Playa Camarones early morning (7-9 AM) or late afternoon after 4 PM to avoid the cruise ship crowds that flood the beach mid-day when ships dock at the nearby terminal. The beach is practically empty during these times and you'll have prime spots for lounging.
Instead of buying overpriced drinks from beach vendors, walk two blocks inland to the local convenience stores (Oxxo or similar) where you can buy cold beers and snacks for about 1/3 the price, then bring them back to the beach. Just be discreet as some vendors may not appreciate it.
Beach
Playa Palmares
North of Marina
Long stretch of sand popular with locals. Less touristy.
Local Tips
Visit Playa Palmares early morning before 9 AM or after 4 PM to avoid the cruise ship crowds that flood this beach when ships dock at the nearby terminal. The beach transforms from packed to peaceful within an hour of the ships departing.
Instead of renting beach chairs from the resort vendors for $15-20 USD, walk 200 meters south to the local beach club 'El Palmar' where locals go - they rent the same quality chairs and umbrellas for 100 pesos ($5-6 USD) and include a complimentary agua fresca.
Beach
Sayulita Beach
45 min north
Hip surf town with great waves. Bohemian vibe and good restaurants.
Local Tips
Visit Sayulita Beach on weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday, 7-9 AM) when the local fishermen are bringing in their catch and the beach is nearly empty of tourists. You'll get the best waves for surfing and can buy ultra-fresh fish directly from the boats at a fraction of restaurant prices.
Be extremely cautious of the strong rip currents on the north side of Sayulita Beach, especially during high tide and larger swells. Locals know to swim only in the protected central area near the main beach break where the river meets the ocean - this creates a safer swimming zone that most tourists miss.
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