Beaches · Puerto Vallarta · Mexico
The best beaches in and near Puerto Vallarta
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
The best-known beach is Playa Los Muertos (Zona Romántica). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 30°C (86°F)
The beaches
Zona Romántica · Atmosphere and nightlife
1.Playa Los Muertos
The town's main beach in the Zona Romántica, with restaurants, beach clubs, loungers and the sail-topped pier.
About 2 km south of the Zona Romántica · Quiet and snorkelling
2.Playa Conchas Chinas
Small coves with rocks and tide pools, quieter than Los Muertos and good for snorkelling on calm days.
About 15 minutes by water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán · Families and seafood lunches
3.Playa Las Ánimas
A long, calm beach reachable by water taxi or trail, with palapa seafood restaurants.
About 30–45 minutes' walk from Boca de Tomatlán · Hikers and photographers
4.Playa Colomitos
A tiny emerald cove reached by a jungle trail from Boca de Tomatlán.
About 15 km north of the Centro · Families and long walks
5.Nuevo Vallarta beach
A long, wide, gently sloping beach backed by resorts across the state line.
About 12 km south of the Centro · Snorkelling trips and film history
6.Playa Mismaloya
A sheltered cove with seafood restaurants and boat trips to Los Arcos.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 25°C (77°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| February | 24°C (75°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| March | 24°C (75°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| April | 25°C (77°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| July | 29°C (84°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| August | 30°C (86°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| September | 30°C (86°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| October | 30°C (86°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| November | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| December | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$ · Best for families, beach and first-timers
Zona Hotelera
The Hotel Zone stretches along the bay north of town, with big resort hotels on wide beaches facing Avenida Francisco Medina Ascencio and shopping centres across the road. It is convenient for the airport and has easy bus and taxi links to the Malecón.
- Good
- Big beaches and pools; Close to the airport; Plenty of all-inclusives
- Watch out
- Little local character; Stronger surf on some open beaches; Taxi or bus needed to reach town
- Nearby
- Playa de Oro, Marina Vallarta, Galerías Vallarta
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — City buses run frequently along the main avenue between the Zona Romántica, the Centro, the Hotel Zone and the marina, and south to Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán.
- Boat — Water taxis leave Los Muertos pier and Boca de Tomatlán for Las Ánimas, Quimixto and Yelapa several times a day; schedules depend on the season.
- Car — A rental car is useful for Sayulita, Punta de Mita and San Sebastián del Oeste, but parking in the old town is difficult.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in October–June. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Strong surf and undertow affect some open beaches in the Hotel Zone, so follow the flags. Petty theft from beaches, overcharging by taxis and timeshare sellers at the airport are the most common problems, and crocodiles live in the marina and estuaries. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Puerto Vallarta have beaches?
Yes: Playa Los Muertos, Playa Conchas Chinas, Playa Las Ánimas, Playa Colomitos, Nuevo Vallarta beach and Playa Mismaloya.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Puerto Vallarta?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Puerto Vallarta?
Playa Los Muertos: The town's main beach in the Zona Romántica, with restaurants, beach clubs, loungers and the sail-topped pier.