8 ‘secret’ beaches to find along the Bay of Banderas

Back successful my 20s, I made Puerto Vallarta beach-hopping my full-time job. There apt isn’t a country of Playa Los Muertos, Playa Camarones, oregon Playa Gaviotas that I person not combed. They are the large hitters, aft each — the beaches radical deliberation of erstwhile they deliberation of Puerto Vallarta. They’ve got the formation clubs, the Jet Skis, the resorts and the bosom of Puerto Vallarta’s coastal scene.

While I’ve logged galore a sunny day sipping thing frosty astatine El Solar oregon staking retired my towel successful beforehand of Mantamar, fto maine beryllium honest: Sometimes you privation a formation that doesn’t travel with convenience.

That’s wherever “secret” beaches of Bahía de Banderas travel in.

Scattered on the confederate curve of the bay and tucked into pockets of jungle, stone and aureate sand, these spots are wherever I spell to find a small peace, overwhelming quality and possibly a grilled shrimp skewer oregon two. 

They’re not hard to get to, but they bash necessitate conscionable capable effort to support the crowds away.

1. Playa Colomitos

(Trip Advisor)

One of Puerto Vallarta’s champion hikes is the 1 that winds from Boca de Tomatlán to Playa Las Ánimas. Playa Colomitos is the formation interruption you are begging for astir halfway done the hike. 

Forty minutes in, the way spills down to a tiny pouch of aureate sand, backed by a heavy jungle wood and a gorgeous portion of turquoise-colored h2o that mildly laps ashore. It’s 1 of the smallest and loveliest beaches successful Jalisco. Don’t expect immoderate vendors. No chairs oregon facilities either. Bring everything you request and permission nary trace.

Or instrumentality the five-minute panga vessel from Boca. No judgment. I’ve done both.

2. Playa El Caballo

Just astir the crook from Las Ánimas lies Playa El Caballo, a once-deserted agelong of soil that present plays big to the Ánima Beach Club. Think boho daybeds, pricey cocktails and that bamboo-and-beige Tulum aesthetic. But don’t worry. Even with the caller amenities, the formation inactive feels disconnected the radar.

You tin hike present arsenic portion of the Boca-to-Las Ánimas coastal way oregon get via vessel to Las Ánimas and locomotion over. If you privation a VIP experience, you tin publication a backstage vessel charter to the formation nine via Jet’s Private Boat Tours.

3. Playa Esmeralda

(VIP Vallarta)

Just southbound of Mismaloya, this petite spot of aureate soil and jade-green h2o flies nether the radar, partially due to the fact that it’s a small tricky to access. 

You’ll request to thrust oregon drawback a southbound autobus (hop connected astatine Basilio Badillo and Constituyentes successful the Zona Romántica) and exit adjacent Condominios Playa Gemelas. From there, it’s a abbreviated hike down a rocky way that follows a shallow watercourse — slippery during rainy season, truthful tread carefully. 

What awaits astatine the bottommost is simply a peaceful, shady formation flanked by jungle and rock, without a formation nine oregon vendor successful sight. Bring your ain snacks and umbrella. The pelican statue perched connected the breakwater means you’ve recovered the spot. 

4. Yelapa

(Trip Advisor)

Accessible lone by boat, Yelapa is simply a sportfishing colony cradled betwixt jungle-covered peaks and the Pacific, astir 45 minutes southbound of Puerto Vallarta by h2o taxi. You tin drawback a panga vessel from Los Muertos Pier oregon Boca de Tomatlán.

The formation present is simply a wide, aureate crescent lined with palapa-topped restaurants serving grilled food and micheladas. The h2o is calm and swimmable, and determination is simply a abbreviated hike that leads to a 150-foot waterfall. 

5. Quimixto

(puertovallarta.com)

About 20 minutes southbound of Boca by vessel (you’ll walk Las Ánimas and El Caballo connected the way), Quimixto is simply a quiet, amber-sand formation lined with thenar trees and sportfishing boats. 

Along the confederate curve of the Bay of Banderas, the colony is simply a 20-minute h2o taxi thrust from Boca de Tomatlán. Once ashore, Quimixto greets you with honey-hued sand, gentle surf and an unplugged vibe. There are nary cars here, conscionable cobblestone paths and sandy streets. The formation is cleanable for swimming and snorkeling, and if you’re lucky, you mightiness drawback a question during the autumn and outpouring seasons. 

6. Playa Palmares

(Canto Palmares/Facebook)

If you’re abbreviated connected clip but inactive privation a local’s formation experience, Playa Palmares is for you. Just 10 minutes southbound of Puerto Vallarta by car oregon bus, this formation is hiding successful plain sight. It’s close disconnected the highway, with a tiny parking batch and nationalist entree stairs. Just look for the Canto Palmares restaurant.

Despite its proximity, Palmares seldom gets crowded. It’s long, constrictive and cleanable for swimming. Locals bring umbrellas and picnic coolers, truthful travel their lead. Bring your ain shade, and settee successful for a quiescent time that feels miles from the city, adjacent though you’re practically inactive successful it.

7. Playa Las Gemelas

(Trip Advisor)

Just southbound of Palmares, Playa Las Gemelas (the “twin beaches”) is simply a stunner. One broadside is easier to reach, via steep nationalist stairs adjacent to Condominios Girasol Sur, portion the different requires a scramble implicit rocks. Both beaches connection brushed achromatic sand, wide turquoise h2o and amazingly fewer people, particularly connected weekdays.

The h2o present is calm, lukewarm and shallow. There’s nary shade, truthful bring an umbrella. And if you marque it to the much distant side, congratulations: You’ve conscionable claimed a portion of paradise fewer others are consenting to earn.

8. Playa Majahuitas

(Carlos O. Flores/Shutterstock)

Last but not slightest is Majahuitas, a secluded formation cove with superior duality. On weekdays, it’s a mellow hangout with snorkeling, paddleboarding and a scattering of hammocks. But travel the weekend, Majahuitas Beach Club turns up the volume. Think D.J. sets, barefoot dancing and chilled cocktails nether the jungle canopy.

Take a panga from Boca oregon publication a time travel from the Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port. The thrust unsocial is worthy it. Surrounded by Sierra Madre jungle, underwater caves and achromatic coral reefs, Majahuitas is simply a “choose your ain adventure” experience.