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.
Playa del Sol, the stretch often called Playa Los Muertos North, runs along the Hotel Zone north of the Zona Romántica in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The sand is fine and golden, similar in character to Los Muertos proper, but the beach here fronts a line of large resort towers rather than small guesthouses, giving it a more organized, resort-managed feel. Waves are gentle and the shoreline slopes gradually, making the water noticeably calmer and shallower than sections further south — a key reason families with young children gravitate here. The beach is open rather than enclosed, with wide sightlines up and down the Bay of Banderas and no rocky headlands breaking up the shore. Amenities are plentiful: resort beach clubs offer sun loungers for roughly $5-10 per day, several beachfront restaurants serve full lunch and dinner service with ocean views, and water sports operators run parasailing, jet ski, and banana boat rides from stands along the sand. Public restrooms are available through the restaurants and hotel lobbies. The vibe is calmer and quieter than the party energy nearer the pier, drawing more families and older travelers who prefer a resort-adjacent stretch of sand. Access is easy on foot from the Zona Romántica — about a 15-minute walk north along the malecón — or by taxi and local bus directly to the Hotel Zone.
Amenities
- resort hotel beach clubs
- sun loungers ($5-10/day)
- restaurants
- bars
- water sports
- restrooms
Good to know
- Best for
- families, couples, sunbathers, swimmers
Highlights
- Gentler surf and shallower water than central Los Muertos, ideal for children
- Backed by large resort hotels with beachfront restaurants
- Water sports stands offering parasailing, jet skiing, and banana boat rides
- Quieter, more family-oriented atmosphere than the Zona Romántica core
- Easy 15-minute walk north along the malecón from central Puerto Vallarta
Tips for visiting
- Visit weekday mornings for the calmest water and fewest jet ski operators active
- Sun loungers run $5-10/day, often cheaper than those closer to the pier
- Non-guests are generally welcome at resort beach clubs if they order food or drinks
- Walk the full 15 minutes from Zona Romántica along the malecón rather than paying for a short taxi
- Water sports operators cluster mid-morning to mid-afternoon; arrive early to avoid queues
When to visit
Mornings are calmest for families before water sports activity picks up; the dry season from December through April offers the most reliable weather.
Accessibility
The paved malecón walkway leading to this section is step-free, though crossing the soft sand to the water requires assistance for wheelchair users; no dedicated beach wheelchairs are known to be available.
Frequently asked questions
Is Playa del Sol good for families?
Yes, the gentle surf and shallow entry make it one of the calmer, more family-friendly stretches of Puerto Vallarta's main beach.
Do non-hotel guests have beach access?
Yes, the beach itself is public, and most resort beach clubs allow non-guests to use loungers if they purchase food or drinks.
How do I get there without a car?
It is an easy 15-minute walk north along the malecón from the Zona Romántica, or a short local bus or taxi ride.
Are water sports available?
Yes, parasailing, jet skiing, and banana boat rides are offered by concessions along the beach, typically operating mid-morning through mid-afternoon.