Puerto Vallarta occupies a rare sweet spot on Mexico’s Pacific coastline. The city wraps around the Bahía de Banderas, one of the largest and deepest natural bays in the country, which means the water here tends to be calmer, warmer, and clearer than at many other Pacific beach destinations. Towering emerald mountains from the Sierra Madre Occidental provide a dramatic backdrop, while the tropical latitude keeps average daytime temperatures comfortably in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit for most of the year.
What makes the beach scene here genuinely special is the variety. You are not choosing between a handful of identical stretches of sand. Instead, the bay offers everything from bustling urban beaches lined with seafood shacks and paddleboard rentals to remote, boat-access-only coves where the loudest sound is the splash of a pelican diving for lunch. Whether you are traveling with young children, celebrating an anniversary, or simply trying to escape the northern winter, there is a specific beach that fits your mood.
For first-time visitors, the geography can be slightly confusing. The city itself is divided into several distinct zones, including the romantic cobblestone streets of the Zona Romántica, the hotel-dense Zona Hotelera, and the marina area. Each of these zones fronts a different stretch of sand with its own personality, crowd level, and wave action. Understanding these differences before you leave your hotel can save you time and ensure you pack the right gear for the day.
Some beaches are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, thanks to gentle gradients and protected rock formations. Others are better suited for long walks, sunset cocktails, or watching local fishermen pull in their morning catch. A few are famous for their lively social scenes, where beach clubs pump music and servers deliver ice-cold margaritas directly to your lounge chair. The key is matching the beach to the experience you actually want.
Because Puerto Vallarta sits on a bay rather than the open ocean, the water is generally swimmable year-round. However, seasonal shifts do matter. From November through April, the skies are dry and sunny, while the summer months bring higher humidity, warmer water, and the occasional afternoon rainstorm. The ocean temperature rarely dips below 75°F, making it a reliable winter escape for swimmers and snorkelers from the United States and Canada.
Below, you will find a curated guide to the best beaches in and around Puerto Vallarta, arranged to help you decide where to spend your precious vacation days. Each entry focuses on what the beach actually feels like, who it is best for, and how to reach it. After the list, you will find practical tips for staying safe, avoiding crowds, and making the most of the bay’s unique geography.
Playa Los Muertos
| Address | Malecón 1, Amapas, 48399 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Phone | — |
Playa Los Muertos, sun-soaked shore ❤️
A fabulous beach with warm golden sand, a beautifully warm ocean, and plenty of character. From adorable dogs wearing little hats to the colourful personalities along the shoreline, there’s always something to make you smile. The beach bars serve delicious cocktails, making it the perfect place to relax and soak up the atmosphere.
The vendors selling pearls, blankets, and other souvenirs can be a little persistent at times, but you soon get used to politely declining and enjoying your day.
One of the highlights is the fantastic selection of beach massages. There are many skilled, attentive, and friendly / handsome massage therapists offering treatments, all with a relaxed, no-pressure approach that makes the experience even more enjoyable.
Pros: Very easy to get to and the water near the pier is nice and calm for swimming.
Cons: The water can feel a bit oily/dirty from the boats, and the vendor activity is intense - expect to be approached constantly.
Note on Facilities: Unless you pay for an expensive beach club, there are no public restrooms or showers available. It’s a decent spot for a quick visit, but I’d recommend heading to other local beaches for a better overall experience and cleaner water.
Very lively beach in PV great for a day of swimming, people watching and relaxing this is where it’s at in PV!!! You can parasail or get your snorkel and see what’s going on in the Pacific. A must see for a day at the beach.
This beach and its surrounding area are full of energy, with a lively mix of restaurants, bars, food stalls, and street vendors, all set against a backdrop of soft, inviting sand. It attracts a diverse crowd, from locals and tourists to families and solo travelers, creating a dynamic and welcoming atmosphere. The vibe is great, and the sunset is truly stunning.
Typically pretty crowded and the beach is not great to stroll down since it is at a fairly steep angle for walking any distance along the water but a nice walk just the same.
Las Gemelas Beach
| Address | Manzanillo - Puerto Vallarta 2354, 48294 Aguacate, Jal., Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
We walked over from Playa Esmeralda via the road. While locals hike over the rocks to get here (which is much faster), it looked too difficult with a toddler.
Be prepared for a lot of stairs to go down (and then back up). My toddler enjoyed the climb, but it’s a workout! There’s a trashcan at the top of the stairs.
The beach is large with beautiful, soft sand. Unlike Esmeralda, the waves here were quite strong. My little one was too scared to go in. There is some great natural shade near the rocks on the left side..
There are vendors for fish kabobs, oysters, and beach gear. Note that the beachfront restaurant is for resort owners only. We found out there is a "hidden button" at the gate you can press it and a waiter will come out to take your order so you can still eat on the beach!
Overall, a great day trip, though we preferred the calm waters of Esmeralda for swimming.
It was easy to get an uber to and from this beach. The path was fairly easy. It took about 3 minutes to get down to the beach. It is not accessible if you have a disability. I went on a Tuesday around 9:30am and it was not crowded at all. I stayed 5 hours here, brought my own water, snacks and a towel. Don’t forget the sunscreen. There is some shade. I only saw 2-3 vendors going around but they are very respectful. The water was warm and calm when I went in November. A quiet beach that’s clean with fine sand.
Wonderful, calm and swimmable beach. Food and drink service available for neighboring restaurant. Lots of stairs so take your time. Street parking is a bit tricky.
Nice beach. Food and drink options are limited, recommend bringing your own. You can rent an umbrella table and chairs, the chairs are not lounge chairs, just a regular plastic patio chair. Beach is nice, current can be a little strong, but that's most beaches outside of a cove. Nicest beach fairly close to town IMO.
Excellent beach, gentle surf. Long steps down to the beach. A few locals selling drinks. No one selling trinkets. A few boat people offering trips to tour Los Arcos
Los Muertos Beach
| Address | Los Muertos Beach, Jalisco, Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
At playas Los Muertos, you can do it all here...
Lounging all day on our hotel's beach chairs for the past three days was the way to go for us. We didn't even use the pool.
While soaking in the warm sun (overcast morning til 10a), snoozing, eating, drinking and people watching, I didn't want the day to end. Never got to see our hotel room until later in the evening. Lots of vendors all over the beach. You just need to learn to tune them off if not interested, and simply say, "no thank you." However, good luck with the persistence ones.
We got our foot massage by Alejandro Molina, a couple times one day. He's that guy walking through the Los Muertos beach with all his equipment: black folding seat, large umbrella, yellow towels, massage ball, head and feet cushions, and massage chair if you prefer over hotel lounge chair. We have used him many times before in the past year.
We liked our food vendors: you can hear David a mile away selling his oysters, Miguel (clams) wearing "Mexican viagra" t-shirt , Sebastian with his smile and sombrero selling mangos and lastly, Zeke and son "Zeke Ceviche" selling their ceviche tostadas.
If you're not staying in a hotel by playas Los Muertos, beach vendors and restaurants will charge you anywhere from 150 pesos to 450 pesos per person for their chairs, table and umbrella. It's best you ask around.
The beach can get packed up until sunset with lots of beach goers and passer-bys, locals or non local, the entire beach is lively and busy.
Definitely not a "quiet" beach.
Lastly, must see sunsets. Next to Mazatlan and La Paz, Mexico, Puerto Vallarta has one of the best sunsets.
Easy access from zone romantica. Lots beach restaurants around here. It’s pretty busy. Nice sunset views. It’s low season so we are here enjoying some way quieter beach moments. Keep eyes out for your valuable stuff. Bring a waterproof bag and take your cell phone with you if you want to go chill in the water.
Really enjoyed our stay. The staff, especially Alonso were so accommodating. We will definitely be back!!!
Nicer beach in the Zona Romantico, lots of umbrella/lounge chairing going on. North of Los Muertos pier, water is bilgey possibly due to boat moorings. Some head high waves Feb. 7th, 2026.
Nice beach, pretty popular, but not overly crowded. Lots of people selling snacks along the beach and near the bathrooms.
The waves were bigger/stronger than we expected, and since I'm afraid of swimming in the ocean, I didn't love it, but it wasn't a bad beach. 😅
Some areas are hard to walk on without shoes because of all the rocks. Very coarse sand, almost no seashells.
Playa Camarones
| Address | Febronio Uribe, Las Glorias, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | — |
This has been our go to beach in Puerto Vallarta. Not too crowded, beautiful views, and super fun for swimming but just watch out for the waves, they can get strong depending on time of day. There are sellers but nothing crazy. And the sunsets are wonderful from there.
This long, beautiful beach stretches just beyond the end of the Malecón. It’s clean, uncrowded, and has soft, inviting sand. Conveniently, there’s a 24-hour underground parking garage just one block away.
It has a lot of rocks on the beach, just fyi! It’s a cool place to hang out and take a refreshing dip. The people who rent chair and the Jet Ski are really helpful. They called me out of the water because they spotted a crocodile. Overall, great beach! Rent a chair and chill.
This beach is hard to swim at during the day because of where the waves break it is uneven and very rocky. Rubber slip on booties/shoes make it easier for going in and out of the ocean. The best time to enjoy this beach is before 9 am when the water is calm. Before 9 a.m. it is GREAT for Paddle Boarding, Swimming, Kayaking, etc. This beach also offers Horse Back Riding on the beach in the mornings. There are a couple of choices in restaurants right on the beach. Table, chair, umbrella rental for the day also available. Easy access from the main road Hwy 200 inspite of the construction going on in this area. Plenty of free parking and a good beach to watch the sunset.
Relaxed and low key, this is the best beach in town. Check out Los Mangos Beach Club or Barracuda to drink and eat. Chairs and umbrellas are available for rental. Bathrooms and showers have small fee.
Conchas Chinas Beach
| Address | Conchas Chinas Beach, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
We visited Playa Conchas Chinas during our time in Puerto Vallarta. The beach is undeniably scenic, with rocky formations, small coves and clear water that give it a more secluded feel compared to the main hotel zone beaches. It’s quieter and feels more residential, which many people will appreciate.
That said, I found it just okay overall. The sand areas are relatively small and broken up by rocks, and depending on the tide, space can feel limited. It’s pleasant for a short visit or a walk, but not necessarily a beach I would choose for a full day of relaxing.
If you’re staying nearby, it’s worth stopping by for the views and atmosphere. Otherwise, there are other beaches in Vallarta that may offer more space and comfort.
Nice place to visit, a different beach in PV. There’s a nice bar in front of an awesome view
A gorgeous beach! Very relaxing. A nice break from the beaches around Zona Romantica. We took a bus here and at Calle Busy, we walked down and found stairs to the sand and ocean.
$150 pesos from Fluvia. Beautiful beach. Wonderful swimming. Ended up at a delightful restaurant on the beach. Very nice spot for a swim and drink.
Great swimming spot in Puerto Vallarta. The water is so clean. And the sand is very nice and soft. There is a lot of space. There are often fruit vendors if you need a snack.
Los Muertos Beach Pier
| Address | Francisca Rodríguez 121, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | — |
Los Muertos Beach Pier in Puerto Vallarta is the great spot to relax after a busy day wandering the city around.
As the sun begins to set, the views become absolutely stunning, with vibrant colors reflecting off the water and also great place to see the green flash just right before the sunset.
Overall, it’s a must-visit spot if you’re in Puerto Vallarta.
In Puerto Vallarta, I often return to Los Muertos Beach Pier to meditate, take pictures, and simply be. Facing the vast Pacific Ocean in Banderas Bay, time seems to slow. There is something profoundly serene yet quietly melancholic about this place: alive with color, movement, and possibility. The rhythm of the waves invites reflection, the horizon stirs longing, and the air hums with a vibrant excitement that gently awakens the soul. Here, I find both stillness and motion, solitude and connection, all coexisting in perfect harmony.
Every time I go to Puerto Vallarta I go to Los Muertos Beach Pier. I enjoy walking from the entrance to the malecon all the way to the Pier. I try to do that everyday if I can. There is plenty to see on the way but the best part is the Pier at night because the lighting makes it look great. On both sides of the Pier you can see people swimming in the sea and restaurants with music as well. Plus all the boats by the Pier coming and going during the day. At night there are not many boats leaving the Pier but it looks beautiful with all the boats out there.
I highly recommend a visit to the Pier at night and during the day. It is such a beautiful sight always.
Beautiful place to check out! Very busy around sunset but what a great view!
It was also lovely to see it around Christmas time all decorated up.
Gorgeous views of the sea and the beach. Absolutely amazing at sunrise and sunset. We were there on Christmas and it was beautifully lit up. It was absolutely packed and for good reason. What a view, what amazing vibe. Unforgettable and spectacular
Playa de Oro
| Address | Playa de Oro, Jalisco, Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
Usually smaller surf, great swimming!
We just went there today and it is less busy than other beaches around here, but the scenery is nice and it has enough little stores around to please everyone
The beach here is pretty dirty. It gets better the closer you get to downtown on it, but it is still filthy. If you want a nice beach, I recommend going on a bus toward Mismaloya and asking locals where to go. It is nice to watch the sunset and watch people, though. And it is close to many things.
As beaches in the tropics go, it's a very good one. Mild water and not overly-crowded. On the minus side, it's rarely calm. A lot of the days, the flag was red (dangerous) or black (don't go in!!). Aside from that, if this is the beach you've come to, you'll certainly enjoy it.
We stayed in the Peninsula Condo for 1 week the end of October and was never able to swim. The red flag was out everyday & black 🗑 bags were never picked up the entire week of our stay.
Rosita Beach
| Address | Rosita Beach, Centro, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
This is a great beach if you want to avoid the crowds. I would recommend wearing water shoes, though, because I got a deep cut on my foot from a very sharp underwater rock.
Beautiful beach and views. This beach has a lot of rocks.
Rocky but beautiful beach. Even if you just admire from the boardwalk, it’s a must visit! Pretty views, clean, picturesque.
🌴 Relaxing Time at Rosita Beach – Puerto Vallarta 🏖️
Rosita Beach is a beautiful spot to unwind and soak up the Puerto Vallarta sunshine. The beach is clean and lively, and while it can get a bit crowded on weekends, the atmosphere stays friendly and fun.
One of the highlights was seeing The Voladores de Papantla, a traditional Mexican performance that takes place right on the beach truly a cultural treat!
There are plenty of food vendors and souvenir shops all around, so you won’t go hungry or leave empty-handed. The boardwalk area is lined with stores on both sides, making it a pleasant place for a stroll.
Overall, Rosita Beach is a nice, vibrant beach with a mix of culture, shopping, and seaside fun. Definitely worth a visit when you’re in Puerto Vallarta!
A very rocky and somewhat narrow strip of sand that's not really that good looking nor is it really that great for sunbathing. It's only redeeming value is the proximity of the boardwalk/Malecon area
Amapas Beach
| Address | Amapas Beach, Jalisco, Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
Such an awesome, secluded little gem just beyond Los Muertos beach. It’s worth the extra walk to have what feels like a private cove with very few people, although it’s definitely not a beach for swimming (big rocks, large waves and intense undertow).
Please be aware that over the last year several people have had all their stuff stolen while they were swimming. I’m reaching out because in the last two months, two of my friends were some of those people they took Wallet cell phone money, and even the bag, on two separate occasions. There’s always people selling drugs as you walk over to the side of the beach.
Super pretty and not too crowded. Natural shade as well. You should bring your own snacks and drinks, but sometimes there's people selling fruit and grilled shrimps 🙂
Beautiful little beach, there are rocks around!
Very beautiful beach. Not so crowded. Its a hike but the views are great.
Destiladeras Beach club & Restaurant
| Address | Bahía de Banderas, 63727 Nayarit, Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | 322 107 5961 |
I was very fortunate to stay on this beach for about a week and loved how quiet and tranquil and calm it was..
Especially in the mornings and around sunset..🌅
The beach is saturated with gorgeous rocks and oyster 🦪 shells 🐚 EVERYWHERE!!!
I had such a pleasure putting my feet in the water sitting down and just staring into the bay… for hours…
STUNNING 😍 views!!
Wonderful beach. Not very crowded. And mostly quiet. Families and people with their dogs. Food is good and the staff is kind. Parking inside the premises is 100 pesos all day. Bathrooms and showers available, 10 pesos each. Tip: If you seat on the Palapa upstairs you don't need to pay for and umbrella or chairs. Great way to spend a relaxing day on the beach.
This beach is absolutely beautiful. It’s very quiet and not crowded at all, which makes it perfect if you’re looking for a peaceful spot to relax. The sand is soft and clean, and the ocean looks stunning with its crystal-clear water and gorgeous colors. It’s an ideal place for taking photos—the scenery is just incredible from every angle. It’s also perfect for swimming, as the water feels amazing. This is definitely my favorite location, and I always love coming back here.
Just a short 15 minute drive up the coast from Busarias just being La Cruz, Playa Destiladeras is one of the nicest beaches in the area. It is a lovely location for a long beach walk, with a very good food concession and plenty of space for all those there. Not too be missed.
Pretty beach and they do charge for parking.
The beach has tables and umbrellas for rent at $400 pesos even if you drink and eat.
If you move to the palapa restaurant and have food and drinks, they do not charge any rental. The food and drinks were ok and service was good.
Puerto Vallarta Malecon
| Address | Paseo Díaz Ordaz S/N, Centro, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
Dec 31, 2025
New Years Eve along the Malecón, breathtaking, sand, ocean, waves, beautiful meal at Serrano’s Meat House, watched the fireworks ‘n drones along the ocean at Canto del Mar Beach 🏖️
What an incredible experience surrounded by beautiful scenery, to end the evening streets are blocked off in Romance Zone district for a street dance 💃 🕺 how cool is that!! DJ blaring out the music 🎶 you cannot help but dance ‘n move with the beat on street or side walks. I took the safer route staying off the cobble stones. There were lots lots lots of people. Not once was there issues in the crowd, I felt very safe. So much fun. 🤩
Please enjoy my memories I am sharing.
Colleen
Fun place to walk, try local tacos, and soak in the vibrant energy of the city. It’s lively with people, vendors, and local shops, and features beautiful statues that reflect regional history and folk tales. We visited both during the day and at night and felt safe the whole time. Family friendly with a great atmosphere and wonderful ocean views.
Fun place to see at night and during the day. Lots of action and pretty good food vendors. You must make an effort to carve some of your time to visit here
We walk it every morning, sometimes two or more times. You never get tired of the sound of the waves hitting the shoreline. I especially like the rock tumbling area, where the waves tumble large rocks in the surf, sounding like distant thunder.
Amazing place to walk and snack all the way. It was vibrant and full energy. Lots of people and vendors. Numerous things to eat and drink and beautiful statues reflecting history and folk tales. Family friendly and safe. Lots of police on duty making one feel safe and secure. We absolutely loved the place and kept going for dinner, lunch or just snack while enjoying the vibe.
Punta Negra Beach
| Address | Punta Negra, 48273, 48399 Jal., Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | — |
Fantastic waves. This is a public beach next to the Hilton. Very nice sand and a few parking spots. There is a shrimp place on the south side of the beach. This place is also enjoyed by the locals. No public bathrooms but there might be one near the restaurant that is paid.
It's my first time in Mexico and it's incredible! The best beach in my life!!! Great waves, no camels! Big and different birds, wildlife is amazing!! The beach is not the cleanest, but it is not popular and there is shade from palm trees.
A nice beach, very quiet, not crowded, sandy and rocky beach.
A good place for swimming and sunbathing..
I really enjoyed this beach! Great place to spend time with friends and family but it does take awhile to get there from puerto Vallarta. You may need to either rent a car or call an uber or taxi over there. Also watch out for the jellyfish. They do frequent around here sometimes.
Beautiful beach. Not to crowded or touristy.
Tips for Enjoying Puerto Vallarta’s Beaches
A little local knowledge goes a long way when you are exploring a new coastline, especially one that spans such a wide range of settings. From understanding the sun’s intensity to knowing how to reach a hidden cove without getting lost, these practical strategies will help you avoid common mistakes and make each beach day feel effortless. Keep these tips in mind whether you are planning a quick afternoon swim or a full-day boat excursion to a remote stretch of sand.
First, always check the flag system and ask your hotel or a local lifeguard about current conditions before entering the water. While the bay is generally calm, some beaches, particularly those facing open ocean or near river mouths, can experience strong currents and undertows after storms. Second, wear reef-safe sunscreen and reapply it more often than you think necessary. The tropical sun is intense, and the reflection off the sand and water increases your exposure even on overcast days. Third, bring cash in small denominations. Many of the best beach palapa restaurants and chair rental vendors do not accept credit cards, and you will want small bills for tips, coconuts, and impromptu boat rides.
Fourth, plan your arrival time around the tides and the sun. Morning visits offer cooler temperatures and softer light, while late afternoon often brings spectacular sunsets over the bay. If you want a front-row palapa or a quiet stretch of sand, arriving before 10 a.m. makes a significant difference, especially during the winter high season. Fifth, use official taxi stands or ride-share apps rather than hailing random cars on the street, and always agree on a fare before getting into a taxi without a meter. For beaches south of the city, public buses are an affordable and safe alternative that locals use daily.
Puerto Vallarta’s coastline rewards travelers who are willing to explore beyond their immediate hotel zone. A short bus ride, water taxi, or coastal walk can transport you from a lively party scene to a tranquil fishing village in under an hour. The bay’s unique geography means that each beach has its own microclimate, wave pattern, and social rhythm, so no two days at the beach ever need to feel the same. Take your time, ask locals for their favorite spots, and let the rhythm of the Pacific set the pace for your trip.
