8 Must-See Beaches in Puerto Vallarta

Romantic Zone Beach in Puerto Vallarta

If you’re anything like Michael and me, you LOVE the beach. When you combine a beautiful beach with a historic and thriving cultural city, you’ll end up with an amazing vacation, and that’s exactly what Puerto Vallarta was for us. The Puerto Vallarta beaches are some of the most scenic in Mexico, combining ocean views with vibrant city life.

Puerto Vallarta was a wild trip that Michael and I took recently, and it was one of the most fun trips I’ve had in a very long time. It wasn’t just the beach that got our attention, it was the fact that there was a beautiful city, amazing mountains, the friendliest people, the cutest wild animals and activities upon activities upon activities to do to keep you occupied and thriving while on vacation in this Pacific coast city. If you’re planning a trip, you’ll quickly learn why people call these the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta.

While there are so many amazing places to see and things to do, you’ll more than likely spend at least a little bit of time on the beach, and yes, there are several must-see beaches that you should make time to see. Whether you prefer quiet escapes or lively scenes, there’s a beach in Puerto Vallarta for every type of traveller.

First off, in Mexico, some of the beaches are certified “Blue Flag Beaches.” The Blue Flag certification has been given to certain beaches that have achieved excellence in 4 main areas: environmental education, water quality, management, and environmental management, as well as quality in security and services. Needless to say, these are among the top beaches in Puerto Vallarta, but even if a beach doesn’t fit these criteria, it doesn’t mean that it’s not worthy of a visit.

1. Conchas Chinas Beach I

Conchas Chinas Beach - Near Downtown Puerto Vallarta

Just steps away from downtown Puerto Vallarta sits Conchas Chinas Beach. This beach took our breath away. For us, a beach that is walking distance from the Romantic Zone seemed like it would be one of those cool touristy sites. It was that, but it was so much more than that, too. Oh my gosh, this beach is stunningly beautiful. The Sierra Madre mountains of Puerto Vallarta extend down onto the sand here, creating a natural bay, while the tides of the ocean have carved out areas where small ocean life survives while the tide lowers. On top of this, Conchas Chinas is Blue Flag Certified, so the beach is sustainably taken care of and looked after. If you need more of a reason, there are places for food, drinks, and activities close by, and there is enough space for everyone. This remains one of the best Puerto Vallarta beaches to explore.

2. Camarones Beach

Camarones Beach

On the northern side of downtown Puerto Vallarta sits Camarones Beach (Shrimp Beach). This is a must-see beach because it’s one of the most popular spots for LGBTQ+ folks to meet up. Plenty of inclusive events happen along the shore here, which is why we felt so welcomed and comfortable as soon as we arrived. Camarones Beach is Blue Flag Certified, and it shows. The fact that this beach is a protected area (and one of the cleanest beaches in Mexico), even though it’s one of the more popular beach destinations, goes to show the commitment that is taken to keep this beach as natural as possible. There are as many options at this beach as you could ever imagine, so spending an hour or a full day here is easy peasy. This makes it one of the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta for both locals and tourists alike.

3. Playa Del Oro

Playa Del Oro - or Golden Beach

Playa Del Oro translates to Golden Beach, and it is named after one of the first hotels to be built in this area. Just a 15-minute drive, Playa Del Oro is next to the cruise port of entry, so as you’re gawking at the beauty of yet another beautiful beach, you’ll also find yourself with a mouth wide open as the huge cruise ships pull up. This is another Blue Flag Certified beach, and since it’s just 6 kilometers (4 miles) from downtown, you may find that this Puerto Vallarta beach offers a bit more space for you and your friends to spread out. There are shops, dining, activities and more magical backdrops for your photos to be seen.

4. Las Amapas Beach

Las Amapas Beach

If you’re looking for a small, exotic, and uncrowded beach that is within striking distance of downtown Puerto Vallarta, you have to go to Las Amapas Beach. It borders Conchas Chinas Beach to the north, so you could even visit this beach while you’re visiting Conchas Chinas! Regardless, Las Amapas is a bit secluded and a bit tougher to get to. There is a small path over some eroded, rocky steps that brings you down onto this undeveloped plot of sand. There are no amenities here, so it’s just you, the sand, and the water. You can find some shade under the Amapas trees, which is where this beach got its name. This quiet spot feels like one of the best beaches Puerto Vallarta can offer for a hidden escape.

5. Palmares Beach

Palmares Beach south of Puerto Vallarta

Playa Palmares sits just over 4 miles south of downtown Puerto Vallarta and is a beach for everyone! There is plenty of room to mix and mingle with family and friends, and there are enough things to do to keep you busy on and off the sand. Try a banana boat ride, or go body surfing in the warm, turquoise blue waters. You may want to shop a bit. Palmares Beach has that too! Sometimes there are food carts there that offer up local goods like fish on a stick (a must-try) and other fun foods and souvenirs from vendors. Overall, Playa Palmares is a great destination, and it is Blue Flag Certified, making it one of the top beaches in Puerto Vallarta.

6. Garza Blanca 

Garza Blanca Beach

Garza Blanca beach has recently been restored after years of erosion led to the beach losing a lot of real estate. In an effort to protect and restore this beach, a large boulder jetty juts out into the water to help minimise the swell and erosion that impact the beach. It worked. This now Blue Flag Certified beach has beautiful, soft white sands, and thanks to the new jetty, the swell is minimal, making for a perfect dip in the cool blue waters. Garza Blanca beach is south of Puerto Vallarta and has all the amenities you’d want to make a day at the beach great. Today, it stands out as one of the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta for relaxation.

7. Sheraton Beach 

Sheraton Beach

Sheraton Beach actually brings you to a beach in front of the Sheraton Hotel and Resort. This beach is also one of the Blue Flag Certified beaches in Puerto Vallarta, and it is the neighbouring beach to Playa Camarones. The gorgeous Sheraton Resort backdrops this little slice of tranquility. The surrounding landscapes are lush with palms and large ocean-carved rocks. Whether you’re a guest or simply visiting, this beach in Puerto Vallarta offers both relaxation and scenic views.

8. Conchas Chinas Beach II

Conchas Chinas Beach

As if one Conchas Chinas Beach isn’t enough, luckily, you’ll find a whole other section of Conchas Chinas Beach that is within walking distance from the one you’ll likely get dropped off at. Around the bend and over a few larger rocks that have parked themselves in the sand is the north side of Conchas Chinas Beach, a separately recognised Blue Flag Beach. With its natural beauty and certification, it’s no surprise that this is often listed among the best Puerto Vallarta beaches.

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