Beaches in and around Puerto Vallarta 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.
Los Muertos / Carricitos (Riviera Nayarit): Located just south of Sayulita, these two beaches are smaller, often overlooked options you may wish to consider, as you explore Sayulita. They are both within walking distance from Sayulita's main beach.
Marina Vallarta: Marina Vallarta beach serves the oceanfront hotels and developments, along with other residents of the neighborhood by the same name.
Boca de Tomates (Airport): Located just north of Puerto Vallarta's International Airport, Boca de Tomates is ideal for when you want to get away from the maddening crowd and see more crocodiles, sea turtles and exotic birds than sun worshippers.
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.
Yelapa (South Shore): About as 'Robinson Crusoe' 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.
