Puerto Vallarta is an international well-known beach destination due to its warm waters, exotic natural beauty and top-notch facilities that blend in with its warm hospitality. There’s plenty of beaches to discover, each of them with a particular enchantment, some of them only accessible by boat, hidden and surrounded by magical sceneries, others right in the heart of the action.
If it’s your first time in Puerto Vallarta, coming back for more, or investing in Puerto Vallarta Real Estate, discovering beautiful beaches is a must. Here’s our Coldwell Banker La Costa list of top beaches in the South Shore.
Conchas Chinas Beach
Conchas Chinas beach is located 10 minutes south via car from Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone. From the main highway, take the turn on Easy Street, and follow the short cobblestone road down towards the water. A public beach with easy access and unbeatable views of Puerto Vallarta and the Banderas Bay.
Conchas Chinas is a spectacular beach for a quiet beach day with the family. It is highly recommended for young children, for one of its biggest attractions. The natural pools made by towering rock formations, filled with Conchas Chinas turquois water and soft white sand.
Some of our tips for visiting Conchas Chinas beach:
Carpool or take a taxi due to limited parking in this residential area. Bring your own beach gear and cooler, as there are no restaurants on this beach. You may however find a few vendors selling fruit or camarones on the beach. Don’t forget an umbrella, sunscreen, and your favorite beach chair.
Conchas Chinas is aligned with beautiful beachfront residences, such as luxury villas. If you’re looking to invest in property in Conchas Chinas, there has simply never been a better time.
Mismaloya Beach
Mismaloya Beach is less than 20 minutes south via car from the downtown area of Puerto Vallarta. This is a renowned location which is often bustling and vibrant, and offers much in the way of activities and amenities. Mismaloya is definitely one of the places that helped shape Puerto Vallarta into the sought-after destination it is today!
This beach is well-known for being the setting of the famous 1964 film The Night of the Iguana with Richard Burton, who invited his then girlfriend, Elizabeth Taylor to join him during the shooting of the movie.
Mismayloya Beach has a wonderful view of Los Arcos, a famous destination for boatgoers and yacht renters in Puerto Vallarta. Most notable for snorkel and its beautiful marine life. Jump on to a boat and go and explore, right from Mismaloya.
Mismaloya beach has several hotels and restaurants to make for the perfect adventurous day at the beach; sit at one of the many beachfront restaurants.
Our tips for visiting Mismaloya beach:
Bring cash to enjoy all of the activities on the beach. Arrive early to get the best seat on the beach. Enjoy the food at some of the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. Keep in mind that weekends and high season (November-April), Mismaloya tends to get busy, so if you’re thinking of investing in Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta, head out on any given weekday!
Properties in Mismaloya tend to be up in the hills, quiet and tranquil yet close to the action of the Mismaloya beach. Mismaloya is a great place to invest in property in Puerto Vallarta.
Punta Negra Beach
Punta Negra beach is just a 5-minute drive from Conchas Chinas. This is another beach for a perfect beach day to relax and take in the beautiful views of Puerto Vallarta.
If you enjoy fishing, Punta Negra is a great beach to do so, right from the shoreline! Punta Negra has a little restaurant, right as you enter the beach from the access point, perfect for those looking for fresh aguachile or a nice cold beer to enjoy the views with. Punta Negra is also a short walk along the shore to Palmares Beach, which has a beachfront restaurant, Canto Palmares.
Our tips for visiting Punta Negra Beach:
Bring an umbrella, chairs and a cooler to enjoy. Stay till the late afternoon to enjoy watching the sun set over the bay. After all, Puerto Vallarta’s famous sunsets are best enjoyed beachfront! Walk along the long stretch of the beach to fully enjoy Punta Negra Beach and the adjacent Palmares Beach.
Punta Negra has a bunch of beachfront residences, more-so condominium buildings, and is perfect for those looking to invest in a condo in the South Shore.
Boca de Tomatlan
Boca de Tomatlán is about a 30 minute drive from downtown Puerto Vallarta. This sleepy fishing village is a great beach to visit, as it offers a unique experience to those seeking authentic Mexican culture.
Get on a boat at the Boca de Tomatlán water taxi dock, and venture to the nearby beach clubs like Casitas Maraika and Mahajuitas. The water taxi rides cost about 5 dollars per person. They will organize a time with you to pick you up at whichever beach or beachclub you decide to venture to. In addition to the famous beachclubs of the South Shore, there are also the favorite beaches like Las Animas, Quimixto and Yelapa, all accessible by water taxi from Boca, or via Los Muertos Pier in the Romantic Zone.
Boca de Tomatlán is the perfect Mexican culture experience, and it’s picturesque landscape makes it ideal for those looking to be enveloped in nature. Boca is where the river meets the ocean and is also home to a hiking trail that can take you all the way to Las Animas beach.
Our tips for visiting Boca de Tomatlan:
Arrive early to get a great parking spot (they fill up quick!). Decide whether you’re going to spend the day exploring the beaches of the South Shore via water taxi or if you’re looking to rather spend the day at one of the many beachfront restaurants in Boca.
Properties in Boca de Tomatlán tend to be luxury listings along the shoreline, making for great rental machines!
Las Animas
Las Animas is very close to Boca de Tomatlán. Las Animas is about a 10 minutes water taxi ride or an hour and a half hike if you decide to take the hike from Boca through the stunning natural landscape. Once you arrive you will find a beach filled with amazing restaurants and tons of water activities to enjoy. This is a great beach to enjoy with family and friends, and rest assured, water taxis will pick you up before dark.
We recommend sitting and eating at one of the many beachfront restaurants and jumping on the banana boat, a floaty that is pulled by a boat around Las Animas shore. This attraction is great for kids and some good ol’ family fun.
Our tips for visiting Las Animas:
Arrive to Boca de Tomatlán via car or taxi and take a water taxi early. Bring cash for restaurants and water activities. Enjoy this beach with young kids or friends and family.
Also, a great beach to arrive to via jet ski.
While there are tons of beaches to explore in the South Shore, these are some of our top picks! We know you will all enjoy these wonderful destinations, whether you have recently purchased property in Puerto Vallarta or are considering investing. With so much to explore in Puerto Vallarta, it is hard to grow bored of this incredible tropical destination. The Puerto Vallarta Real Estate market is absolutely on fire, so if you’re considering investing in Puerto Vallarta, now is the time! Our team of Real Estate Professionals are here to help you!