Enjoying a privileged location midpoint on the Banderas Bay coast, Puerto Vallarta beaches are beach-goer nirvana, the bay itself offering 34 miles of coastline — and 26 of them beaches! As a rule of thumb, beaches to the north in Nayarit on the Costa Vallarta tend to be longer and wider, the foothills of the Sierra Madre just that little bit further back from the sea than in Jalisco, giving them a different character. South of Puerto Vallarta the mountains actually tumble into the sea in places, so there are lots of small coves and intimate sandy stretches. The water here is deeper and there are fewer people. Sundays are the busiest beach days, the one day of the week that most workers get off and spend with their families. While you might think they would eventually tire of Puerto Vallarta beach-going because they can do it any time they want, Sunday at the beach is a very strong local tradition.
Yelapa: About as 'Robinson Caruso' as it gets these days, this fishing village on a quiet cove has few roads or cars, but a big stretch of beach divided by an inlet, one side popular with day trippers for its thatched-roof restaurants and other much more peaceful with few amenities.
Las Animas (South Shore): A favorite with locals who arrive on their own boats, this secluded very pretty beach actually consists of two sandy stretches each about a mile long, separated by rocks. One has half a dozen palapa restaurants and a dock, while the other is still pretty much the way God made it.
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Boca de Tomates (Airport Valley): Ideal for when you want to get away from the maddening crowd and see more crocodiles, sea turtles and exotic birds than sun worshippers.
Marina Vallarta: Primarily catering to those staying at the resort hotels, this beach is wide and sandy, offering a great view of Puerto Vallarta proper and its undulating-mountain backdrop.
Los Muertos (El Centro): It's ironic, considering that the literal translation of Los Muertos is "The Dead," that this long sandy beach on the South Side is the town's liveliest by far.
El Anclote (Punta de Mita): This is one of two public beaches at
Punta de Mita, which is the peninsula at the northern tip of
Banderas Bay. Both a bustling beach and seaside community, there's a lot more to do here than swim!
San Francisco [San Pancho] (Riviera Nayarit): This pristine beach on open sea just a few miles outstide the bay is gorgeous, windswept and primitive feeling, long and wide, with deep creamy sand and rougher waters than inside
Banderas Bay. The locals, both Mexican and an increasing number of expatriates valuing untrammeled nature, are super friendly.
Quimixto (South Shore): This is where you will find the only surf break on the south side of the bay. A remote beach and one of the biggest fishing villages on the south part
Banderas Bay, there are lots of palapa restaurants where you can hide from the sun and enjoy cold refreshments and a meal.
Bucerías: Golden sand stretching literally for miles, waves that are normally gentle and a gradual drop-off make this an ideal family beach — with lots of oceanfront
palapa restaurants and an interesting small town to explore, besides.
Destiladeras (Punta de Mita): A favorite with many Vallartans, especially families and on Sundays, when they flock here to enjoy the wide white sand beach and fresh seafood at its outdoor
palapa-shaded restaurants at the edge of the water.
Nuevo Vallarta (Nuevo Vallarta/Flamingos): This wide sandy beach stretches farther than the eye can see, lined with fancy condominiums and sprawling resort hotels.
Gemelas (South Shore): "Twin" beach is two small crescent-shaped beaches at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Here the surf is gentle and good for swimming.
Garza Blanca (South Shore): A small city beach located off the Barra Navidad road at Km 6 on the way to
Mismaloya, this white sand beach is framed with palms and crystal clear water that laps the shoreline. It is popular with the locals on weekends who pack a picnic, as there are no amenities.
Hotel Zone: This wide sandy beach stretching from
Marina Vallarta to the
Rosita is lined with resort hotels,
Puerto Vallarta's original and still growing tourist playground.
Las Caletas (South Shore): This lush hidden cove with three small sandy beaches and rock formations south of PV is the former home of movie director John Huston.
