Puerto Vallarta Beaches

No trip to Puerto Vallarta is complete without a trip or two to the beach. Thankfully, the area has over 100 miles of amazing beaches, 40 distinct beaches in all, to explore. The large number of beaches is also a boon to those who dislike crowds. If you find yourself in a crowded area, simply move up or down the beach, you're bound to reach a secluded, quiet place to your liking. In the spirit of making your search for the perfect beach better and easier, here are a few of the beaches you can reach from the city.

Playa Los Muertos: The meaning of this beach's name, literally, "the Dead," is somewhat misleading. This is the most popular beach around Puerto Vallarta. This is where you come for the people, the sun, the shopping and dining and much more. If you love people and fine accommodations, you will find exactly what you want on this beautiful beach.

Playa de Mismaloya: A quiet, remote cove, this beautiful stretch of pristine beach has begun to be developed, though not extensively yet. If you want a quiet place to walk and relax or just sunbathe in peace, this is the beach for you.

Boca de Tomatlan: A primitive beach with only a few restaurants, this is the place to go for seclusion, though if you follow the beach away from town, you will find even more empty stretches of clean sand. If you don't like crowds and simply want to relax in solitude, this is the area to go.

Playa Olas Altas: This beach is very close to the city and the piers. It's incredibly popular with the locals and tourists from the interior. If you are looking for a gentle beach lined with amazing open air restaurants, this is the place for you. Not as crowded as Los Muertos, Playa Altas offers you a great experience without the hassle of traveling outside of the city.

Playa Boca de Tomates: This is one of the few beaches that out of town tourists do not care to frequent. Large numbers of rocks can be found on the beach and the proximity to the river can make the water muddy. It is, however, a great place for exploration and quiet time. If you want to avoid most of the crowds, try this beach for a little sea side exploring.

Playa las Animas: This is one of the few white sand beaches in the area and is often frequented by snorkeling and dive expeditions of all kinds. It is developed, though not overly much and there are quite a few excellent restaurants to dine in or have a quiet drink.

Playa las Caletas: This is a pristine, undeveloped beach ideal for quiet relaxation. Once the private beach of the film director, John Huston, it has been transformed into a nature preserve. This is also a favorite area of snorkelers, thanks to the close proximity of a live coral reef just off shore.