Best Beaches

Best All-Purpose Beaches

Beginning on Puerto Vallarta [1]’s south side, my list of best all-purpose beaches must include Playa los Muertos [2]. Farther south, Mismaloya [3] and Boca de Tomatlán [4] would be on my list as well.

Continuing south on the Jalisco Coast [5] is family-friendly Pérula [6], on islet-decorated Chamela Bay [7]. Farther south, find RV- and tent-camper havens Playa Tenacatita [8] and Playa Boca de Iguanas [9]. Finally, those who want it all—good hotels, restaurants, and drowsy, country-Mexico tranquility—choose Melaque [10].

On the north side of Puerto Vallarta [1], the best beach comprises the Hotel Zone strip [11] between the Hotel Sheraton and the Hotel NH Krystal, ending just before the Terminal Maritima (cruise-ship terminal).

On the bay’s northwest side, creamy Playa Bucerías [12] is a favorite. Farther away, on the Bay of Banderas’s northwest side, are petite Playa Manzanillo [13] (at the Hotel Piedra Blanca) and Playa Anclote [14] at Punta Mita [15], with good palapa restaurants, snorkeling and surfing nearby, and excursions to offshore Islas Marietas.

Also on the north side of the Bay of Banderas, check out Playa Destiladeras [16]. There’s no hotel or trailer park, but there are palapa restaurants, and the miles of nearly flat coral-strewn beach are ideal for beachcombing, swimming, boogie boarding, tent camping, and surfing at Punta el Burro, about a mile west of the restaurants.

Continuing north, the best beaches along the Nayarit Coast [17] are the currently hot beach at Sayulita [18] and, farther north, family-friendly Lo de Marco [19] and Rincón de Guayabitos [20]. All of these beaches have trailer parks nearby.

My favorite beach on the Nayarit Coast is gem-like Playa Chacala [21], whose golden sand curves gently around its intimate, palm-tufted half-moon bay.

Best Wildlife Beaches

On the Nayarit Coast [17], the beach at San Francisco [22] is steep, often with thunderous waves and strong undertow. Nevertheless, it has hotels and restaurants and is fine for surf fishing, bird- and wildlife-watching, turtle-watching in the fall, and tent camping, if you don’t mind a bit of company.

For pristine isolation, wildlife-watching (egg-laying turtles in the fall), surf fishing, tent or RV camping, and a small rustic hotel with restaurant, no place could be finer than Playa Punta Raza [23].

Also very lovely and worthwhile is the local country beach haven of Playa el Naranjo [24], north of Rincón de Guayabitos–La Peñita [20]. It offers palapa restaurants, a near-level beach with little undertow, surfing breaks, a mangrove lagoon, crocodiles, plenty of birds, and lots of palm-shaded room for RV or tent camping.

Best Hidden Beaches

South of Puerto Vallarta, venture off-road to Playa Maito [25], accessible from Highway 200 at El Tuito [26], via jeep or public minivan over about 20 miles of dirt road. Playa Maito is a three-mile-long golden-sand beach good for virtually all beach diversions, including a comfortable, moderately priced hotel and restaurant with a pool.

Alternatively, go a mile farther south to Tehualmixtle [27] fishing cove, with restaurants and a rustic hotel; add fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving (with your own equipment) to the family-friendly beach activities.

Most Beautiful Beaches

Gem of gems, Playa Careyes [28] sits on its own petite half-moon bay and offers palapa restaurants, informal tent camping or RV parking by the restaurants, surf fishing, fishing trips, and more. A few miles farther, de facto wildlife refuge Playa el Tecuán [29] offers everything: a long pristine strand perfect for beachcombing, powerful rollers for advanced surfers, great surf fishing, even bird- and wildlife-watching in your own kayak on the Tecuán lagoon. The beach has no facilities, however, so bring everything.