Boca de Tomatlán Beach

From Puerto Vallarta, drive south on Highway 200 for about 25 minutes — parking near the village is a mix of informal roadside spots and paid lots, both limited, so arrive early. Prefer public transit? Buses depart from Basilio Badillo and Constitución every 10 to 20 minutes and take around 30 minutes. You can also reach the beach by water taxi from Puerto Vallarta in roughly 30 minutes. No entry fee applies.

This dock is the launchpad for the southern coves: water taxis connect you to Playa Las Ánimas, a boat-access crescent beach with palapa restaurants about 5 kilometres away, and all the way to Playa Yelapa — a remote village beach with a waterfall 18 kilometres south. Closer to hand, Mismaloya Beach, a sheltered cove with film-history ruins, is just 3.5 kilometres north by road. For a viewpoint fix, Mirador los Arcos de Mismaloya is 4.4 kilometres away and well worth the short detour.

Right at the waterfront, Restaurant Playa Mi Ranchito, Boca Del Mar, and Restaurant El Embarcadero all sit within metres of the sand — ideal for a cold drink while you wait for a water taxi. A short walk into the village brings you to Los Mangos and La Cecicheria Lo Dr Magy, both within 100 metres and leaning into local, unfussy cooking.

The closest resort options are clustered roughly 7 to 9 kilometres north along the coast — Hotel Moussai and Hotel Garza Blanca sit around 7 kilometres away, while the Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort is about 9.3 kilometres up the road. If you want something closer to the action, Barcelo Puerto Vallarta is 3.4 kilometres away and the nearest of the larger properties.

Shoot from the water's edge at sunrise when the jungle hills catch the first light and the golden sand reflects the emerald water with almost no visitors around. The dock area at departure time — water taxis loading against the backdrop of forested cliffs — makes a compelling mid-morning frame.

Water taxis run on fixed schedules — confirm your return time before you board, or you may be stranded until the next departure. Between July and September, heavy rains cause the river to flood, depositing debris on the beach and seriously degrading water quality; skip those months entirely. After any storm, the river current running through the beach can be strong and unpredictable, so stay out of the water if the river looks swollen or discoloured. The terrain is uneven and the river-mouth sand shifts constantly, making wheelchair access impractical.