Puerto Vallarta Hotels and Vacation Packages

Puerto Vallarta Beaches

Puerto Vallarta is blessed with 25 miles of golden beaches along the beautiful Banderas Bay. There are three different beach zones that are home to almost 40 beaches.

There are two beaches right in the city -- Playa Olas Altas and Playa de los Muertos.

Beaches to the north tend to be longer and wider and are the most popular with tourists. The region is called the Riviera Nayarit because of its similarity in atmosphere to the Riviera in France. This is also where many of the hotels are located.

South of Puerto Vallarta, the mountains meet the water in places, so there are lots of small coves and deserted sandy stretches. Some of the areas are only accessible by boat. The water here is deeper and there are fewer people. The beaches to the south can be accessed via the coastal Highway 200, and buses leave downtown Puerto Vallarta that can take you to the beaches along this scenic route.

Water sports abound on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta. The surf is generally calm and safe for swimming. On any given day you'll see visitors engaging in activities like parasailing, windsurfing, scuba diving, jet skiing and fishing. Sundays are the busiest beach days in Puerto Vallarta, as Sunday at the beach is a strong local family tradition.

Playa de los Muertos
Location: Downtown Puerto Vallarta/Hotel Zone
Amenities: Umbrella and sunbed rental, restaurants, beach bars, shopping

Playa de los Muertos is one of the most popular beaches in Puerto Vallarta, located in the city's Hotel Zone. The beach offers many bars and restaurants and is a hotspot for nightlife after the spectacular sunsets. Vendors rent out beach umbrellas and sunbeds. Many of the restaurants have palapas that are available to use as long as you are buying something. You don't have to go far to find shopping here. There are many strolling vendors that walk along the beach peddling their wares like jewelry and souvenirs. The gay beach is at the south end of Playa de los Muertos and is usually referred to as the "blue chairs" for the seating put out by the gay resort of the same name. Activities at Playa de los Muertos include beach volleyball, parasailing and jet skiing.

Playa Olas Altas
Location: Downtown Puerto Vallarta
Amenities: Food concessions, parking 

Playa Olas Altas is basically an extension of Playa de los Muertos, although this area is a little bit quieter. If you want to find waves for surfing and boogie boarding, you'll find them near the Cuale River, which is located at the north end of the beach. There are bars, restaurants and shopping located adjacent to the beach.

Playa de Oro 
Location: North of downtown Puerto Vallarta
Amenities: Water sports rentals

Playa de Oro is a wide, sandy beach with some rocky areas. The beach is popular with tourists and is good for water sports. There are many vendors who rent out equipment for volleyball, jet skiing, kayaking and windsurfing. If you'd rather just relax, there are plenty of umbrella and sunbed rentals.

Nuevo Vallarta Beach
Location: North of downtown Puerto Vallarta
Amenities: Dining

Nuevo Vallarta Beach, located north of Puerto Vallarta, is lined with large resorts. It is a wide, sandy beach ideal for sunbathing and swimming with fewer rocks than other beaches in the Banderas Bay area. There is a water park, yacht club, shopping, dining and golf nearby.

El Anclote Beach
Location: 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta on the northwest peninsula of Banderas Bay
Amenities: Restaurants, water sport rentals

El Anclote is known for its swimming and surfing. Beginners can rent surfboards and take lessons here. Other water sports are also popular including kayaks, catamarans, snorkeling and more. Boat rentals are also available to take visitors to the Las Marietas Islands nature preserve located just offshore. There are several restaurants and shopping in the area.

Playa Conchas Chinas 
Location: 3 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta, just south of Playa de Los Muertos
Amenities: None

Playa Conchas Chinas is located in an exclusive area lined with luxury homes. The beach features a series of small sandy coves surrounded by rocky areas. The water here is calm and clear enough for snorkeling and fishing is good from the rocky areas. There are not places to rent equipment, so you must bring your own. The beach is known for its beautiful views and sunsets.

Garza Blanca Beach
Location: 10 minutes south of downtown Puerto Vallarta
Amenities: There are no amenities.

Garza Blanca Beach is a small, peaceful beach with white sand and clear water. It is a popular beach for locals, especially on weekends. There are no real facilities here, so it is a good beach to make your own meal and picnic at.

Gemelas Beach
Location: South of downtown Puerto Vallarta
Amenities: There is a restaurant in the nearby hotel.

Gemelas Beach is made up of two small beaches located at the foot of the mountains. Water sports and surfing are popular here because of the calm water. There are condominium projects lining the shore, as well as a hotel. A restaurant is located within the hotel.

Mismaloya Beach
Location: On Highway 200, south of Puerto Vallarta
Amenities: Boat rentals, restaurants

Mismaloya Beach is famous for being the setting of the 1963 film "Night of the Iguana." Tourists can actually walk around the ruins of the movie set. The beach is located on a jungle-lined cove with a view of the Los Arcos rock formations and is a good place to snorkel and scuba dive. There are two large hotels located in the area, as well as several restaurants and souvenir peddlers.