When planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta, visiting some of the Puerto Vallarta beaches is a must. But with multiple beaches right in town, it’s hard to know what the best beach in Puerto Vallarta to visit is.
After spending a total of fourteen weeks in Puerto Vallarta, heading to the different beaches for sunset, swimming, and even snorkeling, we’re sharing the different Puerto Vallarta beaches, and what each one is best for!
All of the beaches in this post are walkable from Puerto Vallarta. If you’re looking for more day trip style beaches, check out these 15 beaches near Puerto Vallarta.
Before we get into the beaches of Puerto Vallarta… a couple of things to note.
Lifeguards
There are not lifeguards frequently placed throughout the beaches. We’ve only seen a couple of them here and there, so swim with caution.
Sun Protection
Don’t forget your sun protection! The sun is strong here! We saw the UV rays as high as 10 when we were in Puerto Vallarta! Don’t be like me and get skin cancer!
Is It Safe To Swim in Puerto Vallarta?
In short, yes, you can swim at almost all of the beaches in Puerto Vallarta!
Pay attention to the flags (more on that below) to see if the water is actually safe to get in. Most of the beaches have smooth sand and are free of rocks, making them great beaches in Puerto Vallarta to swim at!
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The Puerto Vallarta Beach Flags
Even though the number of flags is few, there are warning flags along the beaches in Puerto Vallarta. These flags are color-coded with signs that state what the colors mean.
Look for and pay attention to the flags.
There are certainly not as many flags flying as there should / could be — so you really have to look for them.
If it’s red — do NOT go in the water!
This means the water is super dangerous and likely has a rip current or something similar. We were in PV when people got swept out to sea and one of the bodies was never found — the red flags were flying, but honestly, who knows if they saw them because there really aren’t that many of them around.
If it’s purple — do NOT go in the water!
Purple means there’s dangerous flora or fauna in the water. This can be anything from bacteria from the rivers or worse, the sewage from hotels to things like poisonous water snakes.
Remember, just because you’re on a beach vacation doesn’t mean it’s worth getting in the water when the water is dangerous!
Puerto Vallarta Beach Map
Puerto Vallarta Beaches At A Glance
Alright, let’s jump into the good stuff. We’ve personally visited all of the beaches discussed in this post unless otherwise noted. I’ve broken up the post into beaches by the general zone and ended with beaches near Puerto Vallarta that would be more of a day trip adventure!
Have fun finding the perfect beach in Puerto Vallarta for you!
- Playa de Oro
- Playa Flamingos
- Playa Los Tules
- Playa Las Glorias
- Playa Tranquila
- No Name Beach
- Playa Camerones
- Rosita Beach
- Playa Olas Atlas
- Los Muertos Beach By The Pier
- Puerto Vallarta’s Gay Beach
- Playa Amapas
- Playa Conchas Chinas
Beaches In Puerto Vallarta From North To South
Hotel Zone Beaches
Playa de Oro
- Location | 20.6463, -105.24208
- Best For | laying on the beach and beach sports
- Beach Vibe | adventure sports + resorts
Playa de Oro is a big open beach space that’s right on the corner of the Puerto Vallarta Marina. This beach is really more for guests who are staying in the all-inclusive resorts in this area, however, it’s big and open to everyone.
When we visited this beach, we noticed not too many people were actually on the beach itself. Instead, it’s a big open sandy beach that’s a bit off the water — and it’s where people who are skydiving in Puerto Vallarta land!
There are pretty big, all-inclusive adults-only hotels at Playa de Oro, and you’ll find some areas that are roped off for the guests of these resorts.
Playa Flamingos / Playa Del Holi
- Location | 20.6418, -105.23938
- Best For | crowds but not touristy
- Beach Vibe | busy with lots of locals and big groups
If you’re looking for a day at the beach that’s mixed with groups of locals and options to purchase things like food, beach chairs, and umbrellas without the touristy feel — this is the beach for you.
We loved the feeling at Playa Flamingos. There were cute little rental tents set up for romantic dates and baby showers, beach volleyball and other sports going on, and the energy of the crowd here is perfect.
Sound baths, birthday parties, beach games, and more were all happening at Playa Flamingos. This is definitely the best beach in Puerto Vallarta for non-touristy beach crowds!
READ MORE | 15 Beaches Near Puerto Vallarta
Lots of people were catching fish here, and while there were literally hundreds of people at the beach, it didn’t actually feel crowded at all.
Playa Flamingos would be my preferred beach in Puerto Vallarta when looking for a fun beach outing instead of a quiet beach escape. And shoot, the mountain views from Playa Flamingos, don’t get me started!
It’s worth noting here.. between Playa Flamingos and Playa Los Tules, there are some prestine beaches with literally nobody else around. When we were walking along this section of the beach, there were literally only two other people on the beach! It’s perfect for a quiet beach getaway!
Playa Los Tules
- Location | 20.63959, -105.23675
- Best For | people who like to beach and dine
- Beach Vibe | energetic with restaurants + salespeople
This beach is located in a bustling section of the hotel zone. We actually stumbled upon this because on accident our first time in Puerto Vallarta.
With it being right next to all the big hotels in the hotel zone, you definitely have the tourist feel. There are loads of people walking the beach selling things from oysters to braids and fishing tours to bracelets!
To get to this Puerto Vallarta beach, we recommend walking the public access trail to the beach near La Madalena.
Be sure to watch for crocodiles along this path! It’s one of the areas in town where these sometimes dangerous wildlife in Puerto Vallarta exist.
Beaches in Las Glorias / 5 de Diciembre
Playa Las Glorias
- Location | 20.63078, -105.23282
- Best For | beach days without the crowds
- Beach Vibe | people working out, beach massages, and hotels lining the beach
Playa Las Glorias is a beach that’s actually pretty skinny. The beach butts right up again a row of hotels and resorts. So most of the people that area hanging out at this beach are people from the accommodation nearby.
With that said, there were also people working out along this beach, jet ski rentals, beach massages, and even weddings going on when we were here!
When we visited this beach in February 2024, there was construction going on on the south part of the beach — so probably avoid that area if you’re looking for a nice beach feel!
The sand at Playa Las Glorias is a bit coarse in some areas, however, that changes as the tides change, so it could be smoother at different times of the year or even different months!
Playa Tranquila
- Location | 20.62754, -105.23246
- Best For | beach day without the crowd, but amenities nearby
- Beach Vibe | small and rocky with construction
Playa Tranquila is one of the Puerto Vallarta beaches that have crocodiles nearby. This beach in Puerto Vallarta can be anything but tranquila right now as there is a lot of construction going on with the new buildings being built.
However, if you visit outside of construction timing, you’ll find a quiet beach that is small and oftentimes, more rocky than other beaches in Puerto Vallarta.
With that said, this is the beach right in front of the Sheraton, so you’ll also find the typical beach bungalows taking up much of the beach space here.
LEARN MORE | Dangerous Wildlife in Puerto Vallarta | more than just crocodiles
No Name Beach
- Location | 20.62424, -105.23209
- Best For | those looking to not get sandy & escape the constant sales
- Beach Vibe | relaxed beach, no salespeople, and lots of locals
This beach in Puerto Vallarta is a well-kept secret. Or rather, I suppose maybe it’s just not a popular beach because it’s smooth rocks instead of sand.
Either way, we love this beach!
I found this beach while on a run one day, and was just looking for a new place to explore. I popped down the road across from the big sports complex, and low and behold, found this secret beach in Puerto Vallarta!
It’s always filled with locals. You can drive right up onto the beach. And we’ve seen many people fishing right off the shore and reeling fish in left and right!
As I mentioned above, at this beach you won’t find sand — instead, it’s rocks. But it’s really nice that way in our opinion.
The other thing you won’t find here are the people trying to sell you things left and right. We’ve been left almost completely alone each time we visit here or have a beer at sunset on this beach!
Playa Camerones
- Location | 20.61912, -105.2324
- Best For | active beach goers
- Beach Vibe | rental chairs, shrimp on a stick, oyster shooters, and drinks delivered all up and down the beach
As touristy as it is, Playa Camerones is a great beach in Puerto Vallarta. The name literally translates to shrimp beach, and as you may guess, you can buy shrimp here at all hours of the day!
There are many places to rent beach chairs and umbrellas, multiple beach clubs, and a good mix of locals and tourist visiting this beach.
We lived only a few minutes walk from this beach for eight weeks, and always loved coming down to the beach for sunset. Yes, we would always get haggled by salespeople, but once we said no, they would move along.
There is very little places for shade here, but lots of options for renting both beach chairs and umbrellas from multiple people up and down the shore.
At Playa Camerones in Puerto Vallarta you can also expect to see a lot of active people. Many people run along this beach, there are beach volleyball courts here, and lots of people walking their dogs along the water.
This is also one of the more popular beaches (second to Los Muertos Beach below) where people are actually swimming in the water.
Playa Camerones is also a very popular spot to go parasailing (lasting five minutes in total, we’ve timed it multiple times) right off the beach or rent jet skis to drive right off the shore.
Get better prices on your tours, by booking them ahead here.
Beaches Along the Malecon
Rosita Beach / Playa Malecon
- Location | 20.61263, -105.23417
- Best For | sunset and a show
- Beach Vibe | right along Malecon so busy sounds + lots of “shows”
Rosita Beach is the beach area that lines the famous Malecon board walk in Puerto Vallarta.
The waves crash in a really strange way along this shoreline, so we’d not recommend swimming from this beach. In fact, all the times we’ve walked past Rosita Beach, we’ve never seen anyone in the water here.
The beach is a mixture of both sand and rocks, and has a few palm trees throughout, providing shade for beachgoers.
There is a public bathroom on the north end of the beach, you’ll find the famous flying men of Puerto Vallarta here too.
We’ve seen sand art, rock stacking, fire shows, and more along this beach. But as for people actually hanging out on the beach, there’s usually not many, and you don’t have all the sales people walking along Rosita beach either.
READ MORE | 15 Things To Do On Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon
Playa Olas Atlas
- Location | 20.60437, -105.23849
- Best For | playing in sand + quieter sunset viewing
- Beach Vibe | lots of sand to play in, high off the water
This beach is the first beach of the Romantic Zone beaches, but it’s also right on the Malecon, so I thought I’d keep it in this section. Playa Olas Atlas is immediately after crossing the bridge along the Malecon.
It’s here you’ll find big waves crashing, and more people just relaxing in the sand instead of actually going in the water.
There are a few restaurants and vendors walking the beach here, but not nearly as much as the neighboring Los Muertos Beach.
Along this stretch of beach in Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find lounge chairs for the resorts nearby and a couple of beachside restaurants where you can eat with your toes in the sand.
With rather dirty water coming in from the river (with a crocodile in it) many people just enjoying the actual beach instead of the ocean at Playa Olas Atlas.
In the summers, Playa Olas Atlas is a nesting area for sea turtles! Super cool to see them here!
Beaches in the Romantic Zone
Los Muertos Beach | By The Pier
- Location | 20.60051, -105.23936
- Best For | families and those looking to swim
- Beach Vibe | lots of families here and many activities and vendors
The Los Muertos Beach by the pier is a completely different beach than it is further south, so I’ve separated the two.
The beach area by Los Muertos Pier is a very popular place for families and the water seems to always be clean and swimmable.
From both the beach and the pier, visitors can do all sorts of water excursions, get water taxis, and literally any and all tourist things you can think of!
This beach is hands down the go to beach for travelers in Puerto Vallarta looking for that iconic beach vacation! It’s full of life and most times we’ve been by, as crowded as it gets!
Along this stretch of Los Muertos Beach, you’ll also find a ton of beachside restaurants, a place you can get a pedicure, and lots of beach view resorts.
Our favorite thing to do at this beach is grab a beer from OXXO and sit along the Malecon boardwalk and people watch / watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.
LEARN MORE | Puerto Vallarta Excursions | land and sea
Los Muertos Beach | Puerto Vallarta’s Gay Beach
- Location | 20.59797, -105.23962
- Best For | gay travelers
- Beach Vibe | gay beach clubs and resorts some vendors
It’s well known here in Puerto Vallarta that the southern part of Los Muertos Beach is a highly populated gay community area. There are two well-known and distinguishable gay hotels, Mantamar Vallarta and Blue Chairs Hotel on this beach stretch.
Just look for the blue umbrellas and you’ll find the gay beach in Puerto Vallarta.
I will say, all the beaches in Puerto Vallarta are accepting of gay people, however, this area is the hot spot and it’s literally known for being Puerto Vallarta’s gay beach.
Just past the gay beach clubs, there is a great beach area that we love. There’s loads of sand, and some shade, and the snorkeling is great along the rocks!
It’s also just far enough away from the main beach areas of PV that you’ll not find as many people haggling you all day long!
Playa Amapas
- Location | 20.59495, -105.24108
- Best For | snorkeling + shade
- Beach Vibe | quiet beach escape close to town
At the end of Los Muertos beach, hiking up and over the stairs, you’ll find Playa Amapas. While we enjoy snorkeling just before going up the stairs, this beach is also great for snorkeling too!
Just be sure to watch the waves and the tide, as there are a lot of big rocks in this area! Once we were there and there was no way I would get in the water with how crazy the ocean was! So, use your best judgement!
Playa Amapas is the perfect beach to pack a day bag and picnic and spend the whole day enjoying the ocean views!
The beach is named after the Amapas trees that surround this little cove, and those trees provide the perfect amount of shade for those looking to escape the sun from time to time!
For sunset, hike back up the stairs to the viewpoint at the top of the rocks!
READ MORE | Our Complete Guide to Playa Amapas | how to get there + safety + what to pack
Playa Conchas Chinas
- Location | 20.59122, -105.24407
- Best For | snorkeling and escaping the crowds
- Beach Vibe | quiet and calm with lush blue waters
Conchas Chinas Playa is our favorite beach in Puerto Vallarta. It’s the last beach that’s accessible by foot from downtown Puerto Vallarta.
This beach is known to be a less touristy beach, and it’s truly a hidden gem in Puerto Vallarta.
To get to Playa Conchas Chinas, you can either bus, drive, or walk, but our favorite way is to walk there. It’s about a 1.25 mile walk from Los Muertos Pier, all along the coastline, and it’s a great hike in Puerto Vallarta.
Learn more about how to get to Conchas Chinas Playa and our complete guide to this beach here.
Looking for beaches near Puerto Vallarta? We’ve got you covered in this post of beaches both to the north and south of Puerto Vallarta.
15 Beaches Near Puerto Vallarta At A Glance
After writing about the beaches we visited in Puerto Vallarta, and seeing the post get upwards of 5,000 words, I decided to break it apart into two different posts.
All of the beaches near Puerto Vallarta are accessible via bus and/or bus and boat. And you’ll find a more detailed look at each beach, similar to how this post was created, on our beaches near Puerto Vallarta guide.
- Conchas Chinas Beach
- Playa Punta Negra
- Playa Palmares
- Playa Esmeralda
- Playa Las Gemelas
- Boca de Tomatlan
- Los Colomitos Beach
- Playa Caballo
- Playa Las Animas
- Playa Yelapa
- Nuevo Vallarta beaches
- Playa Bucerias
- Punta Mita beaches
- Playa Sayulita
- Playa San Pancho
Best Beaches in Puerto Vallarta
What is the best beach for families in Puerto Vallarta?
Playa Camarones is the most popular beach in Puerto Vallarta for families in the 5 de Diciembre zone. Alternatively, swimming near the Los Muertos Pier on the northern bit of Playa Los Muertos is the most popular in the Romantic Zone.
What is the best beach for swimming in Puerto Vallarta?
Los Muertos Beach is the best beach for swimming in Puerto Vallarta. Specifically the part of Los Muertos Beach by the Los Muertos Pier.
Where are the Puerto Vallarta gay beaches?
While all beaches in Puerto Vallarta are gay-friendly beaches, there is one beach in particular that stands out as a designated gay beach, the southern end of Los Muertos Beach. Just walk towards the blue umbrellas at the Blue Chairs Hotel to find the most popular gay beach in Puerto Vallarta.
Where are the best nude beaches in Puerto Vallarta?
There are zero nude beaches in Puerto Vallarta. Being naked in public is completely against the law and you will not find any legal nude beaches on the entire west coast of Mexico.
What is the best secret beach in Puerto Vallarta?
Hands down, the best secret beach in Puerto Vallarta is Playa Caballo. However, if you’re not looking to travel south, then Conchas Chinas Beach is the best-kept secret beach!
What is the Best Beach Day Trip from Puerto Vallarta?
If you’re looking for a bus and water taxi adventure, we’d recommend Playa Caballo. However, this is really for a full relax mode for a beach day. Alternatively, Playa San Pancho is our favorite day trip to a beach destination from Puerto Vallarta. The town of San Pancho is lovely with great food, a brewery, and an awesome beach!
What To Pack For A Beach Day In Puerto Vallarta
Beaches in Puerto Vallarta Warning
A trip to Puerto Vallarta wouldn’t be complete without spending time at any of the beaches in Puerto Vallarta. We hope this guide to beaches in Puerto Vallarta has been helpful to you.
It’s worth reiterating here.. please, please, please, know your swimming abilities and pay attention to the flags at the beach.
Two people were just washed out to sea because they were swimming when the ocean was too rough. Sadly, only one body was recovered.
So, keep in mind even when you’re on a beach vacation in Puerto Vallarta — the ocean is powerful and dangerous — and do not get in it if it looks swift or the warning flags are flying.
We hope you enjoy your time in Puerto Vallarta! We absolutely love it here! Be sure to check out more of our guides to Puerto Vallarta below! We lived in Puerto Vallarta for 14 weeks, throughout two different trips in two completely different seasons! So we’ve got a few tips to share!
More on Puerto Vallarta Travel
- Puerto Vallarta Travel Guides | all our Puerto Vallarta posts in one place
- Things To Do On The Malecon | don’t miss these 15 things!
- Everything To Know About Excursions in Puerto Vallarta | and our reviews on the ones we’ve done
- Living in Puerto Vallarta | our budget and expenses while living in PV
- Best Tacos in Puerto Vallarta | our favorites after literally over 100 tacos in Puerto Vallarta!
- 15 Beaches Near Puerto Vallarta | the perfect day trips from the city
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