12 Best Beaches in Puerto Vallarta

In Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find everything from beaches right downtown offering umbrellas and loungers and seaside restaurants, to secluded spans where you’ll be immersed in spectacular nature with hardly a soul around. There are stretches ideal for swimming and snorkeling, while some offer waves for surfing and other wind sports. Others are best for simply relaxing and soaking up the sun. Among this list of the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta, we’ve included something for everyone, from popular Los Muertos to Hidden Beach tucked away in the Marietas Islands.

Los Muertos Beach, or Playa Los Muertos—Playa translates to “Beach”— is the most popular in Puerto Vallarta. Easy to access, this wide, palm-lined stretch of sand is right in the historic center, providing a vibrant hub for a variety of activities. Enjoy strolling the shore, sunbathing with food and drink service at the beach clubs, swimming and all sorts of water sports like parasailing and jet skiing. The Los Muertos Beach Pier provides a great photo op as well as being a favorite fishing spot and departure point for water taxis and boat tours. Plus, you’ll find many beachfront bars and restaurants here offering everything from quick bites to elaborate seafood meals. 

If you don’t want to venture outside Puerto Vallarta but prefer a less-crowded beach, consider Camarones. It lies at the north end of the promenade downtown, providing a long stretch of pale golden sands that frame brilliant aquamarine water. It also has Blue Flag certification, meaning it meets high international standards of outstanding water quality, safety and cleanliness. Great for families as one of the best for little ones to swim, it also offers activities like jet skiing, banana boat rides and kayaking. One of the best if you want to hang out for the day, there are also beach bars, eateries and vendors selling items like ice pops, fresh fruit and grilled shrimp. 

Only 15 to 20 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta, easy to access by taxi, Uber, or public transportation, Las Gemelas translates to “The Twins.” It’s made up of two nearly identical small beaches with unspoiled golden sands and remarkably clear water ranging in shades from cobalt to emerald, separated by a rocky outcrop. Backed by tropical greenery, it also offers a bit of shade to cool off from the heat. As it’s a bit further from town, it’s a great place to avoid the big crowds and enjoy snorkeling or swimming.

Note that Las Gemelas is relatively small, so it can feel more congested, especially on the weekends, making it best visited on weekdays or early morning hours. You’ll need to bring your own supplies as there are no vendors here, but many appreciate the fact that it makes for a more peaceful atmosphere. 

Palmares offers a family-friendly spot with plenty of amenities just four miles south of downtown. Popular among those looking for a laid-back day at the beach, it’s another Blue Flag stretch, graced with fine golden sands. Admire the spectacular scenery showcasing mountain and sea views and enjoy swimming in the tranquil, shallow aquamarine water. There are lifeguards, public restrooms, umbrella and beach chair rentals and delicious food and drink, making it enjoyable to spend an entire day here.

One of the top spots for dining is Cantos Palmares, which has an oceanfront terrace for enjoying tasty dishes and ice-cold cervezas. There are also vendors roaming the beach who sell foods like frozen treats, traditional pescado embarazado (fish on a stick) and other fried seafood items, along with roadside stands that offer chilled coconut water and ceviche.

Just south of Los Muertos, tucked between the forest and mountains, is Conchas Chinas, providing another more serene alternative. One of the most beautiful in the area, it’s ideal for couples seeking opportunities for romantic moments, from tranquil strolls hand-in-hand to picnics and discovering the underwater world together with a snorkel and mask. The beach is made up of a series of picturesque coves with pristine white sands, unique rock formations and tide pools teeming with marine life like hermit crabs and colorful fish. The water is so incredibly clear that you can look right down to the ocean floor and see more fish and other sea creatures there too.

If you want to just relax and enjoy the scenery, there are usually umbrellas and beach chairs available for rent, but there are no restaurants, so it’s a good idea to bring your own food and drink.

Las Animas requires a boat to access, but it’s worth the effort and a popular stop on boat tours. You can join a tour or take a water taxi from the Los Muertos Pier, departing hourly. It’s also possible to hike by following a trail roughly 2.5 miles from Boca de Tomatlán that winds to Las Animas. Once there, you can go horseback riding along the shore, swim in the clear, shallow waters and gaze out at the stunning scenery from the soft sands. Banana boat rides, parasailing and paddleboarding are available too. To fuel all your activities, you’ll find beachfront eateries serving fresh seafood and various local specialties.

Hidden Beach may no longer be a best-kept secret, but it’s a stunner, located in the Marietas Islands just over 20 miles west of Puerto Vallarta. This unique and protected natural wonder is also known as Playa del Amor, or Lover’s Beach. It’s hidden within a cave, accessed by a tunnel that opens to the stunning stretch of sand. 

A haven for wildlife with some of the best bird watching, snorkeling and diving around, Hidden Beach is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve home to sea turtles, giant manta rays and some 90 bird species, including blue-footed boobies. While exploring the underwater paradise, watch for parrotfish, giant damselfish, butterflyfish and a variety of corals and sponges. If you’re here during the winter months, it’s also one of the best spots for watching humpback whales. 

Caballo is also a scenic water taxi ride away, plus a short walk. Hop on a boat to Las Animals and then head east on foot to discover a serene oasis tucked among lush greenery. The fine golden sands may be secluded, but there are basic amenities here, including umbrella and lounger rentals. There are restaurants within walking distance, or you can always bring a picnic. It’s a great place for couples to cozy up together and enjoy pure bliss with the sounds of the sea. Plus, the calm turquoise water is ideal for romantic dips. If you bring a snorkel and mask, head to the rocks just offshore to explore the abundant marine life.

Yelapa Beach offers a unique secluded escape south of Puerto Vallarta in the small fishing village of Yelapa, accessed by a 45- to 60-minute water taxi ride. It’s a vast stretch of palm-lined sands where a river meets the sparkling waters of the Pacific. It’s an ideal place for sunbathing, sipping a cocktail beneath a palapa, or swimming. The water is also ideal for snorkeling, just a short distance from shore. Paddleboarding and kayaking are popular too. While there are no restaurants at the beach, you might see local vendors selling various eats, including famous Yelapa pies. 

Don’t miss the Yalapa waterfalls, one of the highlights here, with natural pools for a refreshing dip. Yelapa Waterfall is only a 15-minute walk from the beach and is surrounded by tropical greenery. If you want to explore more, a roughly 45-minute hike from the village will bring you to Cathedral Waterfall. Both have serene pools for swimming. 

If you like to watch classic films, you might have seen Mismaloya in 1964’s “Night of the Iguana. About a 45-minute drive south of Puerto Vallarta, it lies along the Banderas Bay. The golden sands are beautifully contrasted by the brilliant shades of emerald and turquoise waters while boasting a backdrop of the lush Sierra Madre Mountains. Just offshore, the iconic Los Arcoas rock formations provide excellent opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Boat tours are available that will get you up close. Kayaking, bodyboarding and paddleboarding are possible, with lessons typically available during the peak tourist season from December through April. 

Views from the beach itself are stunning, surrounded by tropical jungle with a river on one side, making it ideal for those who just want to relax too. There are a variety of casual palapa-style eateries offering traditional dishes and fresh seafood specialties. 

TripAdvisor named Las Caletas among the world’s most beautiful beaches. Another hidden gem only accessible by boat, it’s a secluded three-quarters of a mile stretch broken up into smaller beaches that includes a natural reserve with more than 1,000 hectares of jungle. The beach once fronted the Huston Beach House, the home of late actor/director/screenwriter John Huston. He lived here for many years, enjoying the isolation and breathtaking beauty. It remains an idyllic place to spend the day, soak up the sun along the sandy shores, kayak, paddleboard, or snorkel in the protected waters.

There are some unique experiences too, including a hilltop spa, guided nature hikes, zip-lines, wildlife encounters and mezcal tastings. You’ll find an open bar and casual bites for lunch too.