FALL SALE: Save up to $1,058 on our small-group trips! Limited spots. Book Now.

Once an unknown fishing village, the coastal city of Puerto Vallarta in Mexico was transformed in the mid-1960s, when Hollywood power couple Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor moved to the area, bringing the international spotlight with them. Since then, the once quiet town has drawn an endless stream of tourists. The resort boasts world-class hotels and restaurants, but what really attracts tourism is the beautiful beaches. Grab a margarita and flop on a sun lounger at one of these pristine beaches on Mexico’s Pacific coast – here are our top recommendations.

Playa Las Gemelas

Natural Feature

Las Gemelas, like the name implies – it means “the twins” – are a pair of semi-secluded beaches about 20 minutes south of the Puerto Vallarta city center. The beaches are small and typically not crowded – you won’t find snack vendors, tour guides or surf instructors here. This also means you’ll need to pack everything you need before you hit the beach, and scout out a nearby bathroom. However, the privacy and slow-moving blue-green waters here make it a worthwhile stop.

Playa Camarones

Natural Feature

Playa Camarones, or Shrimp Beach, is prime surf and sand, just off the boardwalk lining downtown PV. Hang out on the shore – check out the shops, bars and seafood restaurants along the way – or get adventurous and opt for paddleboarding, jet skiing or parasailing in the water. The sand is soft, so you may want to stay in one place all afternoon long, or move to the beach’s southside where fly fishers post up in hopes of a prime catch.

Marietas Islands

Natural Feature

The Marietas Islands hold Puerto Vallarta’s “hidden beach,” perhaps now one of the worst-kept secrets in the area. Also known as Lover’s Beach, the shore is formed inside an underground crater, creating a small beach amid the rocky Redonda Island. Accessible only by boat, the Marietas Islands are popular among scuba divers, snorkelers and birdwatchers. Spots are limited, so you’ll have to make a reservation ahead of time – most groups take off from Punta de Mita, a short drive north of Puerto Vallarta.

Playa Flamingos

Natural Feature

Playa Flamingos is popular among residents of the Flamingos private resort-condo complex on the shore, but the beach is accessible to all. Stretching eight miles along the coast of Nuevo Vallarta, Flamingos Beach is reportedly the longest and widest walkable beach in the whole Bahias Bay. Kayaks, boogie boards and banana boats can all be rented from nearby stands, and if you visit in season, you can see and even assist in the beach’s turtle release program.

Playa de Oro

Natural Feature

At the north end of Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone, the Playa de Oro gets its name from a famed hotel that once stood along the beach’s shores, before the resorts moved in. Its legacy lives on through the beach, a gold-standard for relaxation. The beach is about 15 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta, and is easily accessible from nearby streets. Before you leave, pop into the tiny artisan market by the entrance, where you can pick up some souvenirs to take home with you.

Las Caletas

Natural Feature

Another hidden beach accessible only by boat, Las Caletas – the Coves – features a craggy shoreline lined with hammocks and surrounded by thick jungle. The beach is private, so you’ll have to book a trip out there. Once you arrive, staff wait at the ready to serve up drinks, and can point you to other activities like scuba diving, snorkeling with sea lions and guided nature walks. Kids can choose from a zip line, donkey rides and swinging bridges at the beach’s adventure park.

Playa Punta Negra

Natural Feature

Mostly locals venture out to this beach, about a 15-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta’s southside. Some condos sit just off the shore, but otherwise, other tourists aren’t flocking here. There are plenty of amenities, however, including restaurants and vendors right on the beach. The clear, blue-green waters are calm, and perfect for relaxing or boogie-boarding all afternoon.

Playa Los Muertos

Natural Feature

Los Muertos and Olas Altas are the two closest beaches to the central square. The former is the most popular, and backs onto a magnificent 200-foot (60-meter) pier that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. The beach was named Los Muertos (Deadman’s Beach) because the site was once used as a cemetery. Excavations conducted at the site during the 1920s unearthed human bones in ceramic pots, a custom of some indigenous tribes. A favorite for banana boat rides and beach volleyball, there are more beautiful beaches in the area, but this is an iconic spot that you definitely need to visit.

Playa Mismaloya

Natural Feature

4km (2.5 miles) from Playa las Gemelas, Playa Mismaloya is the stretch of sand most closely associated with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, since it was the setting of The Night of the Iguana – the 1964 film that brought them to the area. Stretch out on the sand once graced by the Hollywood superstars and look out at Los Arcos Marine Park, a collection of rocky islands that have been designated a protected national park.

Playa Yelapa

Natural Feature

Thirty minutes by boat from Los Muertos beach in Puerto Vallarta, Playa Yelapa is one of Mexico’s most beautiful and authentic beach communities. Still barely touched by tourism, the charming village has been isolated from the rest of the region. With no paved roads leading to the community, it can only be accessed by boat. Take a day trip from Puerto Vallarta’s center and enjoy Yelapa’s gorgeous, secluded bay. Don’t forget to sample the local delicacy: the dessert pies offered by beach vendors are the stuff of legend in Mexico.

Stephen Woodman contributed additional reporting to this article.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, why not book into one of the best boutique hotels in Puerto Vallarta? Or perhaps one of the best resorts? For more inspiration while you’re in town, check out the top things to do. And don’t miss out on the top restaurants in Puerto Vallarta.

About the author

Kylie Madry is a freelance journalist living in Mexico City, working on everything from translating for true-crime podcasts to compiling her favorite sights and sounds across the country. See more of her work or reach out at kyliemadry.com.

Culture Trip Fall Sale

Save up to $1,058 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

toast-message-image
close-ad
Edit article