10 Best Beaches South of Puerto Vallarta: Playa Conchas Chinas to Yelapa
So you’re on a vacation in Puerto Vallarta for the umpteenth time, and you’re tired of the same old beaches. You’ve got your Playa Los Muertos, Playa del Holi, and Playa Las Glorias, and those beaches are alright for a day or two. But I’m here to tell you that the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta aren’t really in PV at all, but are instead located just south of the city, where the Sierra Madre mountains mingle with the sea. Some of the beaches south of Puerto Vallarta are remote and can be a bit difficult to reach, while others are just a few minutes away by bus. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to find your way to each of these hidden beaches in Banderas Bay with our handy Puerto Vallarta South Zone travel guide.
1. Playa Conchas Chinas: Tide Pools
Situated about 20 minutes walking or a short bus ride from the Romantic Zone, the neighbourhood of Conchas Chinas is often called the Beverly Hills of Puerto Vallarta because of its luxurious houses and opulent hotels, which are built right into the side of the mountain. Playa Conchas Chinas itself is an incredible example of the beauty of nature and is one of the most scenic beaches in Puerto Vallarta.
Known for its natural, crystal clear tide pools, which have been formed over the millennia by volcanic activity and water erosion.
It is one of the most romantic beaches in PV and is popular with couples. It is also a photography hotspot and a great place for snorkeling.
You can get to Playa Conchas Chinas by either walking along the shore from Playa Los Muertos or hopping on a bus or taxi.
Puerto Vallarta Hotels
2. Playa Palmares: Blue Flag Beach
Moving further south to Playa Palmares. This beach isn’t just incredibly scenic but also holds the distinguished title of Blue Flag certification. For a beach to become a blue flag beach in Puerto Vallarta, it must check all the boxes, guaranteeing water quality, swimability, and adequate facilities.
It is not only one of the best swimming beaches in Puerto Vallarta, but it also boasts lovely white sand and turquoise blue water.
This is a family-friendly beach and is suitable for those with disabilities or mobility issues, as it features a wheelchair-accessible ramp. Safety here is top-notch as Playa Palmares is a lifeguard-protected beach.
The beach is located around 15 minutes south of PV and can be reached by either bus or car, and if you do drive yourself, there is plenty of parking when you arrive.
3. Playa Las Gemelas: Twin Beaches
Playa Las Gemelas translates to "The Twins Beach" in English and is comprised of two small, side-by-side beaches which offer some of the clearest water in the region, in turn making it one of the most photogenic beaches in Puerto Vallarta.
This beach is somewhat secluded, quiet, and has strikingly green water that is quite swimmable.
This beach is great for escaping the busy vendor-heavy beaches of the city.
Get to this beach via bus or car and access it via a set of stairs next to the Girasol Sur condominiums.
A scenic view from Playa Palmares in Puerto Vallarta
4. Playa Paredon: Sea Cave Beach
Playa Paredon is an off-the-beaten-path beach that very few visitors to Puerto Vallarta actually know about. It features a rugged, dramatic sea cave with a rock arch and a massive cliff.
This beach is wild, adventurous, and being difficult to get to means it is typically empty for the most part.
Playa Paredon is a popular stop during kayaking, paddleboarding, and private boat tours.
You can reach the beach by either hiking along the rugged coastline from Playa Las Gemelas or by renting a panga (water taxi).
5. Playa Mismaloya: Night of the Iguana
Playa Mimaloya gained notoriety when it became the filming location of the 1960s hit movie The Night of the Iguana. Watchers of the movie were so mesmerized by the breathtaking scenery in the film that they started traveling to the region in droves, thus turning PV into the tourist hotspot it is today.
A small, authentic fishing village tucked into a lush jungle canyon.
Popular for its fresh seafood, beachfront palapas, and boat tours to the Los Arcos Marine Park, where you can visit several rocky islands that lie in the Bay of Banderas.
This village has very easy access and can be visited by hopping on the "Orange Bus" from the Romantic Zone or taking the hop on hop off bus near the Plaza de Armas.
Playa Mismaloya with hotels and palapas in the background
6. Boca Beach: Boca de Tomatlan
Boca Beach is located in the small village of Boca de Tomatlan. Like Mismaloya, it is wedged into a canyon where the Horcones River meets the sea. What started as a remote fishing village is now a stopover for tourists looking to do boat tours to Playa Las Animas, Quimixto, or Yelapa. Boca de Tomatlan is the last town at the end of the road, and any village or beach further south is boat-in or hike-in only.
Boca de Tomatlan is a truly authentic Mexican fishing village with a great local vibe.
This town is home to one of Puerto Vallarta’s best hiking trails. A scenic coastal beach-hopping hike that goes from Boca to Playa Las Animas, passing fantastic beaches like Playa Colomitos and Playa Caballo along the way.
Reaching Boca Beach is easy, and most arrive via bus, which makes its final stop in the village before heading back to PV.
7. Playa Colomitos: The Smallest Beach in Mexico
Tiny in size but mighty in beauty, Playa Colomitos is a pristine slice of beach that is postcard-perfect. The beach is also home to a restaurant called Ocean Grill Vallarta, where you can enjoy food and drinks with a stunning view.
This beach is wild and incredibly photogenic.
Perfect for hikers and nature lovers looking to have a jungle adventure.
This beach can be reached by doing a moderate 40-minute hike from Boca de Tomatlán or a 5-minute water taxi.
8. Playa Caballo: The Untouched Shore
Playa Caballo is located along the same hiking trail from Boca de Tomatlan to Play Las Animas. This is one of the most scenic beaches in Puerto Vallarta, and with the coconut palms and mountains in the background, you will feel like you could easily be in Hawaii.
The beach is usually empty, with most hikers just passing through, as they are exhausted by this point and are just trying to get to Playa Las Animas, where there is food and drinks.
This beach is perfect for peace seekers looking to disconnect. The beach is also home to an idyllic resort on this beach called Casitas Maraika.
This beach can only be visited by hiking the 4km from Boca de Tomatlan or by taking a water taxi.
9. Playa Las Ánimas: Perfect Day Trip
Las Animas is a lively and popular beach destination with many tours from Puerto Vallarta or Boca de Tomatlan. It has several beachfront restaurants, a couple of hotels, an adventure park, and plenty of cocktails.
This beach is high energy, social, and a great place for swimming.
Plan for an all-day excursion, but know that you can leave anytime you want, as boats are constantly coming and going. You can rent loungers for the day and enjoy some "ostras" (oysters) straight from the sea.
This beach is easily reached by taking a water taxi or the Boca-to-Las Animas jungle hike.
Boca Beach in Boca de Tomatlan
10. Playa Yelapa: The Tropical Escape
There is an old saying, and it goes like this: ‘I’d rather have a palapa in Yelapa than a condo in Redondo. ’ Yelapa is more than just a beach village; it's the complete package. This roadless village belongs to the local indigenous people and sits in its own private bay at the southernmost part of the Bay of Banderas..
This beach is incredibly picturesque with grass huts lining the base of jungle-covered mountains. It seems as though it is almost ‘lost in time,’ but in the best way possible.
Yelapa is known for its incredible waterfalls, lush scenery, and the famous "Yelapa Pie," which comes in banana cream, coconut, chocolate, and lemon meringue.
There is only one way to get from PV to Yelapa, and that is by taking the 45-minute water taxi ride from Los Muertos Pier or the 30-minute ride from Boca de Tomatlán.
Travel Tips for the South Zone:
Bring cash with you! Many of these beaches, especially Yelapa and Las Animas, have no ATMs. So you should bring along some pesos for water taxis and food.
It is always best to arrive early at the beach, if you can. This way, you will get a good spot and experience these beaches without the crowds. Aim to arrive by 9:00 AM.
If you take the hiking trail from Boca de Tomatlán, make sure you plan ahead and wear sturdy shoes, and bring plenty of water.
