Jalisco is Mexico's cultural heartland, birthplace of tequila, mariachi music, and the Mexican hat dance. Home to the vibrant metropolis of Guadalajara and the Pacific resort city of Puerto Vallarta, it offers a stunning blend of colonial heritage, indigenous traditions, and natural beauty.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Jalisco.
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- Vibrant, social, LGBTQ+-friendly
- sun lounger rental ($8-15/day)
- umbrella rental ($5/day)
- beach clubs
- restaurants
- bars
- restrooms
Playa Los Muertos
Puerto Vallarta's most beloved beach stretches 630 meters of golden sand at the heart of the Zona Romántica. The iconic blue-and-white pier arch is the city's most photographed landmark. Calm swimming waters, beach clubs with sun loungers, restaurants right on the sand, and excellent people-watching from morning to evening.
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- Family-friendly, quieter, resort-backed
- resort hotel beach clubs
- sun loungers ($5-10/day)
- restaurants
- bars
- water sports
- restrooms
Playa del Sol (Playa Los Muertos North)
The northern section of Puerto Vallarta's main beach backed by large resort hotels. Calmer than Los Muertos proper with gentler surf, excellent for families with young children. Some of Puerto Vallarta's best beachfront restaurants line this stretch.
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- Upscale resort, calm and organized
- resort facilities (for guests)
- sun loungers
- restaurants
- bars
- water sports concessions
- lifeguards
Playa de Oro (Hotel Zone Beach)
The beach fronting Puerto Vallarta's Hotel Zone and Marina Vallarta is a long stretch of calm water backed by 4 and 5-star resort properties. Well-maintained and organized, with access to resort facilities for guests. Good for swimming in gentle Pacific swells.
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- Scenic, historic, quieter
- seafood restaurants
- basic facilities
- sun loungers
- snorkel equipment rental
Playa Mismaloya
A beautiful sheltered cove set between dramatic jungle-clad headlands where John Huston filmed 'Night of the Iguana' in 1963. The jungle descends directly to the beach creating a lush tropical backdrop. The village's seafood restaurants and relatively calm swimming make this a popular day trip.
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- Secluded, rocky coves, upscale
- limited facilities
- some beach clubs from adjacent hotels
- snorkel equipment rental
Playa Conchas Chinas
A series of small rocky coves with crystal-clear water south of Puerto Vallarta backed by clifftop luxury villas and hotels including Hyatt Ziva. The rocky outcrops divide the beach into intimate sections perfect for snorkeling. More secluded and less crowded than central Puerto Vallarta beaches.
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- Remote, authentic, hippie hideaway
- fresh fish restaurants
- water taxi service
- basic beach facilities
- hammock rentals
Playa Yelapa
A hidden fishing village and beach accessible only by boat, Yelapa is one of Jalisco's most magical destinations. The crescent beach fronts a village of just a few hundred residents with no cars, a waterfall hike, excellent fresh fish restaurants, and a famously bohemian atmosphere. Day trips or overnight stays available.
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- Rustic, very calm water, local fishing village
- palapa restaurants
- water taxi access
- basic beach facilities
Playa Las Ánimas
A remote beach accessible only by water taxi from Puerto Vallarta, fronting a small fishing village. The calm, protected waters are excellent for swimming and snorkeling among sea turtles and tropical fish. A handful of palapa restaurants serve fresh catch. Far less touristy than central Puerto Vallarta beaches.
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- Local fishing village, transit point, scenic
- water taxi terminal
- seafood restaurants
- parking
Playa Boca de Tomatlán
A charming fishing village at the mouth of the Tomatlán River serving as the main departure point for water taxis to Yelapa and Las Ánimas. The small beach itself is protected and calm, and the village seafood restaurants are excellent. The scenic coastal hike from here to Playa Las Ánimas is unforgettable.
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- Unique, pristine, once-in-a-lifetime, UNESCO protected
- guided tour only (no independent access)
- snorkel gear included with tours
Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor), Marietas Islands
One of Mexico's most remarkable natural wonders — a circular beach hidden inside a collapsed volcanic crater accessible only by swimming through a 200m tunnel. The turquoise enclosed pool is completely private from above. Entry is strictly limited to protect the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Yelapa, Las Ánimas, and Conchas Chinas offer quiet, less-crowded alternatives to busy central Puerto Vallarta beaches
Family
Family-friendly
Playa del Sol (north of Los Muertos) and Marina Vallarta beaches have gentle surf, lifeguards, and resort facilities ideal for families
Sport
Active & sporty
Los Muertos Beach has the most water sport options — jet skis, parasailing, paddle boarding, and banana boats all available from beach vendors
Social
Lively scene
Los Muertos Beach and its beachfront bars are the most social, especially for LGBTQ+ travelers in the Freddo/Oscar's beach bar area
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Jalisco memorable.
Whale Watching
Humpback whale watching in the Bay of Banderas from November to March — one of the best whale watching destinations in the Americas
Depart from Puerto Vallarta marina or Los Muertos pier
Snorkeling
Excellent snorkeling around the Marietas Islands UNESCO reserve with sea turtles, manta rays, and tropical fish; also good at Conchas Chinas and Los Arcos marine park
Marietas Islands (guided tour only), Los Arcos (15 min south by boat), Conchas Chinas
Surfing
Puerto Vallarta's bay has gentle waves suitable for beginners. The outer coast south of Cabo Corrientes has exposed breaks for more experienced surfers.
Playa Miramar (beginner lessons), Quimixto (intermediate)
Sailing and Sunset Cruises
A wide range of sailing, catamaran, and sunset cruise options depart from Puerto Vallarta's marina and Los Muertos pier
Marina Puerto Vallarta and Los Muertos Pier departure points
Sportfishing
Jalisco's Pacific waters are world-class for sportfishing — marlin, sailfish, dorado (mahi-mahi), and yellowfin tuna are the main targets
Charter from Puerto Vallarta Marina
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Swimming conditions are excellent year-round in Jalisco's Pacific coast. Peak beach season November-April brings calm seas and low rain. July-October brings warmer water but more rain and occasional rough seas from tropical storms.
Getting there
Los Muertos and main Puerto Vallarta beaches have free public access. Remote beaches require water taxi fare ($15-30 round trip). Marietas Islands require an organized tour ($80-120 per person).
On-beach facilities
Main Puerto Vallarta beaches (Los Muertos, Hotel Zone) have full facilities — restrooms, showers, sun lounger rental, restaurants, and water sport vendors. Remote beaches (Yelapa, Las Ánimas) have basic palapa restaurant facilities only.
Costs to budget
Sun lounger rental $5-15/day at most beaches; umbrella $5/day; water sports vary from $15 (paddle board hour) to $80 (parasailing); snorkeling equipment rental $10-15
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.