When you talk about Puerto Vallarta, you are talking about more than 40 miles of coastline along Banderas Bay. Some interesting beaches are just a few minutes from the bay, such as Sayulita in the north or Yelapa in the south.

So the diversity is enormous and each place has its charm, but taking everything into consideration, there are still some beaches that are better than others and knowing that the traveler has limited time and needs information, here is our Top 10 of the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta:

1. Yelapa

Like a “pure beach” Yelapa is definitely the best. Tucked away in a small, remote bay, to get to Yelapa you’ll have to take a “panga” (water taxi) from the Muelle de Los Muertos, for a 45-minute trip by sea. There are no roads to this beautiful little town, which keeps it away from the noise of civilization and tourists. Whoever visits Yelapa simply falls in love with the “magic” of the place. No cars, very few phones, just the beach between the sea and the jungle, and a few palapas scattered on the sand to enjoy nature and feel alive…

2. Stills

Near the north end of the bay Of flags And just a 40-minute drive from downtown Puerto Vallarta, Destiladeras is a favorite with locals. It is a large, open beach with almost no restaurants or businesses, perfect for a day of picnics in the sand, a soccer game or for surf its great waves. On Saturdays and Sundays there are a lot of people in Destiladeras, but that is not a big problem since the beach is so big that you will only have to walk for a while to find a secluded place where you can have some privacy. Here you will feel how the people of Vallarta enjoy the beach.

3. The Dead

It is the liveliest beach in Puerto Vallarta, right in the heart of Vallarta Old Town, just south of the Cuale River. This is where you’ll find more beachside restaurants and bars, with plenty of palapas where you can enjoy fresh seafood and a cold drink. Daisy flower while you rest your feet in the sand. It’s also the easiest to reach, creating a good mix of locals and tourists that you can’t find anywhere else.

4. Sayulita

50 minute drive north of Downtown Puerto VallartaSayulita is the beach of good vibes and bohemian attitude. Surfers love this beach and its campsites, which create a lively nightlife in the bars and cafes of the small town. Here you will get an idea of ​​what Puerto Vallarta was like about 40 years ago. There are restaurants along the beach and plenty of stalls for surf lessons and massages. Great to take your dog with you as no one will complain here as it is the quietest beach in the region.

5. Mismaloya

The most famous beach in Puerto Vallarta, and the one that put it in the international spotlight. In 1964, John Huston chose it as the location for the filming of his movie. “Night of the Iguanas” starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. Houston had just married a young woman named Elizabeth Taylor who also made the trip. Nothing was the same for Puerto Vallarta and Mismaloya. After the filming, the airlines opened new routes to Puerto Vallarta and the large hotel chains began the change that has been taking place in Vallarta ever since. However, Mismaloya still maintains that atmosphere that captivated Houston, very Mexican, very welcoming, with the jungle and palapas completing the picture. But if you want to get a better idea of ​​what Mismaloya was like when Huston cast it in his movie, you should visit our next beach…

6. Quimix

Quimixto is another hidden beach south of Puerto Vallarta. With no more than 200 families living there, you will not find a tourist atmosphere and you will be able to breathe the authentic Mexico. Accessible only by boat, adding to the tropical experience, Quimixto has a lot to offer; simply relaxing on the beach is a must, but afterwards, diving or having a to ride a horse to a waterfall deep in the jungle are excellent options. If you want to go back in time and discover a place from another era, this is your One day trip.

7. The Anchor

Situated in Punta Mita, the northern end of Banderas Bay, is a wide, sandy beach with some excellent palapa restaurants. It is the only public beach left in Punta Mita, since access to all the others has been closed by large resorts and real estate developments. The four Seasons is the reference when talking about Punta Mita, so you can get an idea of ​​the beauty of the beach. It is very frequented by locals and has protected bathing areas and it is also the best place to take a water taxi to the Marietas Islands, which are a biosphere reserve protected by UNESCO, ideal for diving, snorkeling and observing the great humpback whales.

8. Colomitos

Another southern beach with access only by boat. It is usually mentioned in the same talk as Yelapa and Quimixto, but each has its own personality. To get to Colomitos, you must first go to Boca de Tomatlan25 minutes south of the center of Puerto Vallarta and from there begins an interesting walk of another half hour through the jungle, which will take you to this beautiful little cove, unknown to most, and where peace and silence meet. everywhere. the place.

9. Bucerias

Beautiful town just 25 minutes north of downtown Puerto Vallarta with a wide beach and an unassuming attitude. In the winter season it is filled with expats from the USA and Canada that have made it their winter home and the place becomes very lively during the afternoons. The beach is very quiet and perfect for children and is a good idea for a day at the beach that is not too tiring or long.

10. Peninsula

This may be a range, but it’s the one I used to go to with my girl and dog. It is in the heart of the hotel zone, so its best asset is that it is very central and you do not have to plan much to have a good time. It is the beach of two of the most exclusive condominium developments in the city, Peninsula Y grand venetian, so that alone says a lot. have the pitillal river in the middle, which brings fresh water and sometimes opens a stretch of beach between the sea and the river, where your dog will go crazy running and playing. There is a small cozy restaurant by the river, with typical Mexican music and cold beers that make my Sundays perfect and I highly recommend it.