Did you know that the south shore is one of the best places in Puerto Vallarta for beaches. Just a short taxi ride from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone, and you can discover secluded beaches and amazing hidden coves? You will be left in awe by the gifts Mother Nature has provided in Puerto Vallarta. Learn all about the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta below…

South Shore Beaches in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta’s south shore is a privileged area where the stunning Banderas Bay mountains covered by lush palms meet the sea. These beaches begin at the end of the Malecon and Los Muertos Beach south towards Cabo Corrientes on the Barra de Navidad highway. If you have rented a car or you plan on taking the public bus transportation or taxis, you will find it quite easy and affordable to reach these beaches.

Here are our top recommendations for beaches in Puerto Vallarta:

  1. Conchas Chinas Beach

    2. Less than 5 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta is the Conchas Chinas Beach. From the main highway, turn on to Easy Street and head downwards on a cobblestone road. When you get to the Conchas Chinas Beach you will see plenty of coves that have white sands and there are plenty of coves to pick from. This is a residential area, so there are no food venues, so you may want to pack a cooler with drinks and foods. You may see someone selling fish or even a mango on a stick. The waters are absolutely fabulous and the sand here is soft. The tidal pools are excellent fun for children on a calm day.

  2. Punta Negra

    3. From downtown Puerto Vallarta, Punta Negra is only a 10 minute drive and it is close to Conchas Chinas. You will see two or three condominium developments on this beach stretch, and this beach has a forever changing formation. Some days you may see the beach is fully covered with rocks and pebbles, then another day you may see only just beautiful sand. Surf casting fishing lovers will love the waters at this beach, because the waters are clear, so bring your rod. There are no stands or restaurants on the beach, so it’s a good idea to bring a lunch and an umbrella for shade.

  3. Playas Gemelas

    4. Only 12 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. The beach is just a few steep walking steps from the highway and when you hit the sands you will see the white sands and the inviting ocean for swimming. This beach doesn’t have any restaurants, so a picnic lunch should be taken and if you really want to relax, then bring an air mattress with you as you will appreciate it later.

  4. Mismaloya Beach

    5. Mismaloya Beach is about 15 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta as you drive south. This popular beach is known for its outstanding beach activities. The river rushes into the ocean waters, so playing in the waters, fishing out of a rented boat, lounging on the clean, soft sands, or just splashing in the waters are just a few of the beach activities that you can enjoy at this beach. This beach has several restaurants to dine at and you can eat your meal while watching the pelicans plunge for fish. The old set for the 1960s movie, The Night of the Iguana starring Ava Gardner, Richard Burton, and Deborah Kerr can still be visited here.

  5. Boca de Tomatlan

    6. About 25 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta is the Boca de Tomatlan beach. Boca de Tomatlan is bustling fishing village. If you are wanting to really experience genuine Mexico, then this is the beach for you. You can watch the water taxis take passengers to other beaches like Quimixto, Yelapa, and Las Animas while you drink a delicious cold margarita or cold beer and eat fresh fish.

  6. Las Animas

    7. The Las Animas can be reached by hiking or by a boat from Boca de Tomatlan. Many vacationers enjoy the 1.5 hour hiking adventure as the natural landscape is truly beautiful to Las Animas from Boca de Tomatlan. The Las Animas beach is a popular and crowd pleasing beach, because the water is very inviting, there are plenty of drink and food options, and the weather is always perfect for a day at the beach.

  7. Quimixto

    8. Vacationers can only get to this beach by boat and you can catch the boat from Boca de Tomatlan or Los Muertos Beach in downtown Puerto Vallarta. This tranquil, charming, and traditional village has always been a favorite spot for vacationers due to its stunning waterfall and lush jungle scenery. Many vacationers chose to hike the 25 minute walk to see the waterfall or even go on horseback with a guide. After you reach the beach you can sit back and relax and this beach is always a favorite beach for surfers. There are only a couple of very basic options for lunch here, so you are advised to take an umbrella and refreshments.

  8. Yelapa

    9. The only way you can get to this beach is by taking a water taxi, and you can get the water taxi from Boca de Tomatlan or at Los Muertos Beach. Here you will encounter a charming fishing village that seems to be caught in time. Two waterfalls are just a small hike to get to or you can just choose to stay and enjoy the beach with its soft sands, or lay on a hammock with a delicious frosty drink in your hands while you gaze upon the paragliders and paddle boarders.

The South Shore Beaches in Puerto Vallarta are great any day of the week, though you may choose to avoid Sundays as this is the day that the beaches are crowded and busy with local beachgoers.

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