BEACHES
Puerto Vallarta has more than 42 kilometers (26 miles) of beaches,
where the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean
caress the shore. The following beaches stand out from the rest:
Quimixto - Only 21 kilometers (13 miles) southwest of Puerto Vallarta and
located on the estuary of the La Puerta River, this
beach features an authentic Mexican-style villa overlooking the clear waters,
which was built for film director John Houston. An excellent
spot for diving.
Conchas Chinas - This beach is 3 kilometers (2 miles) southwest of Puerto Vallarta along
Highway 200. Natural tide pools have formed between the rocks, which serve to
hold back the surf in an area extending 220 by 50 meters (240 by 55 yards). The clarity of
these waters allows a crystal clear view of the bottom of the sea and the
creatures that dwell there.
Playa del
Sol o de los Muertos ? This long beach
stretches nearly 2
kilometers (1.2 miles). Here you can hire boats for both
tours and sportfishing ,paragliding and water-skiing are also available.
Las Estacas - Just 3
kilometers (2 miles) from downtown, this beach is about 600 meters (660 yards) long. It
offers fine, light gray sand, green-blue water and gentle surf. Sports
activities you can do here include paragliding, water-skiing and boating.
Las Glorias - Located on Francisco
Medina Ascensio Boulevard,
this beach offers moderate surf, fine gray sand, a moderately sloped beach, and
blue-green waters. Each hotel has marked off its beach property with rocks, yet
along the entire beach you can find services for water-skiing, paragliding, and
boat rentals.
Las Gemelas - These are two beaches with fine gray sand, moderate surf
and a slightly sloped beach; each one is about 100 meters (110 yards) long. They are
located 9 kilometers
(6 miles)
southwest of Puerto Vallarta.
You can rent boats for water-skiing and touring.
El Salado - Located near the Vallarta Marina, you?ll find
restaurants, hotels and golf courses along this beach?s 1.5-kilometer (1-mile)
stretch.
El Malecon - Due to its proximity to downtown, this is one of the most
visited beaches by both international travelers and Puerto Vallarta locals.
Islas Marietas - An entertaining
one-day excursion will take you to this wildlife sanctuary inhabited by more
than 40 different bird species. The waters around the islands are full of
marine life, making it an excellent location for all
kinds of water activities. From November to April, you can spot giant manta
rays, turtles and whales.
Las Animas - This is a beach with
down-to-earth accommodation and a high sense of adventure. The Bora Bora trimaran
makes daily excursions to this beach from Puerto
Vallarta.
Mismaloya - Surrounded by forested mountains,
this beach was the famous location site of "The Night of the Iguana,"
of which some traces are still visible. This beach offers practically every
kind of water sport including paragliding.
Playa de Oro - Palms line this 700-meter (770-yard) long beach offering such activities as
surfing, paragliding, water-skiing and horseback riding.
Boca de Tomatlan - This small villa has great open-air restaurants with palm
leaf rooftops and pools to take a refreshing swim.
Yelapa ? Nestled in a cove in the southern part of the bay lies the hamlet of Yelapa. Though
there is a road that goes to the town, it is easier to reach it by boat.
Various restaurants along the beachfront serve fresh seafood and cold beer. A
short walk leads to a waterfall 50 meters (165 feet) high in the
middle of the forest. The golden-sand beach is a magnificent place for
swimming, snorkeling and paragliding.
