Stroll down the beaches in Puerto Vallarta, and you’re walking through the pages of a scandalous Hollywood love affair. In the early 1960s, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, turned this sleepy fishing village into a hotbed of romance and gossip.
Their love transformed this village into a glamorous playground for the stars that ignited the town’s fame, but it’s the timeless beauty of the beaches that draws the world in today.
When you think of Puerto Vallarta, are the beaches the first thing that comes to mind? It’s no surprise.
Nestled along the Bay of Banderas, with the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains as a backdrop, Puerto Vallarta's coastline offers something for every beach style.
The beauty of these beaches isn't just in their golden sands or sapphire waters—it’s in the unique vibe each one offers.
Do you want to dive into a party atmosphere on the beach?
Or is unwinding on a beach only accessible by boat, more your speed?
No matter your beach-loving style, Puerto Vallarta has a spot that will steal your heart.
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Playa Los Muertos: Best Beach For Beach Clubs And A Party Vibe
Don't be fooled by its name, which translates to Beach of the Dead. This beach is by far the most famous and popular in town.
But why the gruesome name — especially when the scene couldn't be further from macabre? There are a few legends, none with real legs, but legends, nonetheless.
The first is that when gold and silver ore from the Cuale mines were being loaded from the beach onto a ship, a group of pirates planned a sneak attack and killed everyone there. They stole all the booty and left the dead on the beach.
The second, and more likely legend, is that it was an Indian burial ground. And when the first settlers came and started building their shady palapas, they found human remains and ceramics. As the city grew and hotels were built, they'd discover remains and burial offerings as they dug.
Today, the only bodies on Los Muertos Beach are the bronzed bodies of tourists, expats, and locals who are having the time of their lives on the soft golden sand.
Because of its location in the touristy haven of the Romantic Zone, this beach attracts the most tourists, both domestic and international.
The atmosphere here is electric. The beach is packed with chairs and umbrellas during high season, from November through April. But still, there are people parasailing and jet skiing and vendors selling everything you can imagine (and a few things you probably can't), from silver jewelry and king-sized blankets to hats and sprays of sunscreen.
Not to mention the grilled shrimp on skewers, the oysters that vendors call Mexican Viagra, and the candy man who pushes his massive cart along the sand full of everything from gummy worms to candied pecans.
This beach isn't for people looking for a quiet day at the beach. It's where a singing mariachi croons in Spanish and English, and entire strolling five and six-piece bands will play a private concert as long as you pay them a few pesos. There is even a jazz saxophonist. Actually, there are two.
This beach is lined with restaurants that, by day, turn into beach clubs and, by night, are feet in your sand candlelit spots with unbeatable sunset views.
The far southern end of the beach caters to the LGBTQ+ crowd with famous gay bars like Mantamar and Blue Chairs.
The heart of the beach is the iconic pier, which looks like a sail and is lit up at night with dancing colors that shift from red to green to blue and purple.
In the high season, there may be a lot of vendors on the popular beaches. A lot. It might get frustrating at times, but they are just doing their jobs and trying to make a living. All you need to say is no gracias, and they will move on. They are not pushy, but they do deserve respect and common courtesy. So just say no thanks, and they will be on their way.
But if you really want to experience a day at a Mexican beach, get a massage, buy some gifts, buy a fedora from the guy walking with a stack of 20 (I kid you not) on his head, or a woven blanket with a Catrina (Dia de los Muertos female face) on it. When you get home, you'll be grateful you did.
Playa Camarones: Best Beach For A More Local Vibe
In the heart of downtown Puerto Vallarta, in the Cinco de Diciembre neighborhood, is Playa Camarones, or Shrimp Beach. It's a local beach with more families spending the day than fancy beach clubs and restaurants.
However, if you can snag a table at El Solar Bar or its sister restaurant, Barracuda, you can sit all day eating, drinking, and watching the day go by.
If you are looking for a beach club, head to Mangos and relax on a Bali bed or a lounger.
It's a far less crowded beach, so if you just want to pop up with a cooler and sit in the sand, this is the beach for you. You might have trouble finding an available spot on Los Muertos.
But if you want to rent a chair and umbrella for the day, some guys will approach you as you enter the beach, offering two lounge chairs, a small table, and an umbrella for about 300 pesos ($16).
After a big storm or crazy tide, Playa Camarones can get swatches of water-polished rocks heaped on the sand. If that happens, just walk for a minute in any direction, and it'll be smooth sand again.
If you need an adrenaline rush, have no fear (see what I did there?). You can parasail, jet ski, take a banana boat ride, kayak, and SUP from the beach.
Conchas Chinas Beach: Best Beach To Get Away From It All
This beach has a little Robinson Crusoe-esque feel, and it's only a 10-minute drive south of the Romantic Zone. Yet, it feels worlds away.
You definitely won't find vendors coming at you or mariachis looking to serenade you. It's one of the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta for quiet and solitude.
The shallows have natural tidal pools full of marine life, like tiny fish, crabs, and small mollusks. You can unwind in the sun-warmed pools that feel just like a natural hot tub.
The Conchas Chinas neighborhood is an exclusive and upscale area of town with zillion-dollar homes to prove it. Once you step into the crystalline water, do yourself a favor and turn around. You'll have a breathtaking view of the jungle-covered mountains, the sliver of golden sand, and the swoon-worthy homes. The trifecta will take your breath away.
Best Beaches South Of Puerto Vallarta
The further south you go, the more magical the beaches get. These are only accessible by boat, making them perfect day trips from Puerto Vallarta. And perfect for infamous lovers to slip away to secluded beaches, seeking refuge from the world's prying eyes.
You can take water taxis from the pier at Los Muertos Beach. Depending on the season and the guy you are negotiating with, it could cost anywhere from 500-600 pesos roundtrip to Yelapa. Confirm that they'll stop at Animas on the way.
Playa Las Animas: Best For A Magical Slice Of Paradise
Hop in a water taxi from Los Muertos, and you'll be at Las Animas in less than one hour.
On the way, you'll pass Playa Colomitos, the ittiest-bittiest beach in Puerto Vallarta. It's a cove you could walk across in 30 seconds but has the most extravagantly hued green-blue water.
Once you get to Las Animas, several restaurants line the beach, so pick one and get yourself a fresh seafood lunch. Go for the daily catch grilled zarandeado style.
If you want, you can restaurant/bar hop (there are about five places), but I suggest finding a place with lounge chairs and sticking around until your water taxi-chariot arrives to take you back to Puerto Vallarta.
The water there is crystal clear, and the sand is full of mica flakes, which look like gold glitter. So, as you stand in the water, every gentle wave surrounds you with twinkling gold sand. It's truly magical!
Las Animas is a dreamy little paradise.
Yelapa: Best Beach For A Weekend Getaway
People say Yelapa is what Puerto Vallarta was 30 years ago. It's a peaceful fishing village mixed with a little hippy hamlet full of expats who came to Puerto Vallarta years ago and kept moving south.
It's nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains and only accessible by boat.
It's a tranquil retreat from the busy beaches of Puerto Vallarta.
The beach is a long crescent of soft caramel-colored sand with emerald-green waters gently lapping the shore. The Rio del Tuito, Tuito River, runs through the heart of town and down to the beach and often splits it. During the rainy season, you can hike up the river to a waterfall just a few minutes from the beach.
Like Las Animas, there are a few restaurants with lounge chairs and umbrellas where you can spend the day.
The Wrap Up
As you wander along Puerto Vallarta’s beaches, it’s easy to see why they captivated the hearts of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
From the vibrant buzz of Playa Los Muertos to the serenity of Yelapa, Puerto Vallarta’s beaches have a kind of magic that appeals to everyone — even one of Hollywood’s most iconic couples.
Get Your Free Mexico Report Today!
Get Your Free Mexico Report Today!
Learn more about Mexico and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter. Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you a free special report – Mexico: The Perfect Close-to-Home Retirement Haven.
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