Puerto Vallarta: Full Day Hike to 6 Hidden Beaches & Snorkel

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is that you reach the southern coast the local way, by public bus and water taxi, then walk through jungle and over rocky paths to six beaches. Colomitos is the photo star, while the smaller coves along the way give you time to swim, rest, and see a quieter side of Banderas Bay.

I like the mix of real exercise and beach time, and I like having a local guide explain trees, wildlife, and coastal life instead of simply pointing out the next stop. Guides such as Juan, Diego, Alex, and Victor are often praised for keeping groups together and helping less confident hikers. The catch is simple: this is a proper hike, not a gentle beach stroll, and rough footing, steep steps, heat, and slippery sand can make it hard for anyone with weak knees or low fitness.

Key points at a glance

• Six beaches south of Puerto Vallarta: Walk from Boca de Tomatlán toward Playa Las Ánimas, with swimming and photo stops along the coast.
• The bus and boat are part of the adventure: Ride public transportation with locals on the way out and return by water taxi before catching the bus back.
• Colomitos is the main photo stop: This tiny cove is often described as Mexico’s smallest beach and makes a striking first reward after the jungle walk.
• Snorkeling depends on the sea: Your guide may take you to a favored snorkeling spot, but waves, tide, and jellyfish can cancel the water activity.
• Wear serious footwear: Closed-toe shoes are required in the instructions, and the rocky trail makes sandals a poor choice for many hikers.
• $37 is strong value: The guide, bus fare, and boat fare are included, while lunch, drinks, snacks, and any extra purchases are yours to cover.

Why this coastal hike feels different

Many Puerto Vallarta beach outings keep you on a boat or at one resort beach. This one makes you work a little for the coast. You leave the city behind, ride south to Boca de Tomatlán, and follow a trail beside the river and sea before climbing into tropical forest.

That change of pace matters. You see fishing-town life, public buses, thick vegetation, rocky paths, and small beaches that are not reached by a simple walk from central Puerto Vallarta. The day feels more like a local outing than a polished resort excursion.

The group is limited to 14 people, which is a useful size for a narrow trail. A good guide can keep the front and back of the group in touch, point out plants, and help with tricky sections. Juan is repeatedly praised for his humor and local nature knowledge, while Diego, Alex, and Victor are also singled out for care, patience, and good group control. Your guide is assigned by the operator, so you cannot count on a particular person, but the pattern of strong guiding is one of the tour’s biggest assets.

The stated duration is six hours. In practice, leave room for a full outing, especially if the group moves at a relaxed pace or you stop for lunch. One cruise-ship passenger found the day ran longer than expected and had to leave the final beach early. If you have a fixed ship departure or another appointment, allow a generous buffer.

Starting at Constitución 363 and riding south

The meeting point is on the sidewalk in front of the OXXO and the white and green buses marked for Mismaloya. The Pancake House, across the road, is another landmark.

Pay close attention here: you are not meant to board a bus by yourself, and the tour does not meet inside the nearby touring shop. Wait for the guide in front of the OXXO. The meeting instructions are clear about this because the area can be confusing, and one practical improvement would be a guide holding a sign or sending a photo ahead of time.

The bus ride takes about 30 minutes. It is public transportation, not a private coach, so it may be warm or crowded, particularly on the return. That is a small tradeoff for seeing how people actually move between Puerto Vallarta and the southern coast. Your bus fare is included, so you do not need to budget separately for this part.

You may want to eat a solid breakfast before meeting the group. Lunch does not come until Playa Las Ánimas, and the final beach can arrive well into the afternoon.

Boca de Tomatlán: where the trail begins

Boca de Tomatlán is a small fishing town and the practical gateway to the southern beaches. After leaving the bus, you begin near the riverbank and sea before heading toward the forest.

This opening hour sets the tone. You are not walking on a smooth promenade. The route can include rocks, roots, uneven ground, and man-made steps. Some sections have narrow passages and no railing. Several people found the trail manageable with decent fitness, but others struggled, especially on the first uphill section.

The trail rewards patience. Your guide may point out local trees, plants, insects, and other signs of wildlife. One memorable guide habit described by participants is Juan walking barefoot over terrain that most people should handle in shoes. Treat that as entertainment, not as footwear advice. You should wear closed-toe shoes with good grip.

The first section also gives your guide a chance to judge the group’s pace. Stay close, watch your footing, and do not race toward the next beach. The point is not to finish the trail as fast as possible.

Colomitos Beach: the first big payoff

After climbing through the tropical forest, you descend to Colomitos Beach. This small cove is often called the smallest beach in Mexico, and it is the most obvious early photo stop.

Colomitos works well as a first reward because the setting changes quickly from jungle trail to sand and clear water. You get time for pictures, swimming, and, if conditions allow, snorkeling. The cove can feel compact, so do not expect a broad stretch of sand or a long, empty beach.

The tour description allows about an hour here. That gives you time to cool down after the initial hike and adjust your gear. Wearing swimwear under light active clothing is smart because you may go in the water, then continue walking soon after. Carrying a towel is essential, since there may not be a convenient place to dry off.

Some groups have been able to swim at several beaches, while others have faced waves, tide problems, or jellyfish. The water portion is a bonus, not a guarantee. If the sea is rough, the scenery still carries the stop.

The middle coves and Cabo Corrientes trail

From Colomitos, the route continues along the Cabo Corrientes coast. The schedule allows about an hour for hiking and scenic views, followed by another stop of roughly 50 minutes at a smaller cove.

These middle beaches are less about one famous landmark and more about variety. Some are quiet and simple. Others offer a better place to swim or take pictures. You will pass beaches that are more attractive for a short look than for a long break, so the guide may keep the group moving toward the strongest swimming spots.

The trail itself can feel easier after the first climb, but do not assume the hard work is over. Sand can be slippery, and rocky sections demand careful foot placement. One useful clothing plan is to wear proper shoes for the jungle and keep flip-flops or water shoes packed for the beach. Several people found changing footwear at each cove annoying, but sandals alone are a poor match for the roughest section.

If the water is calm, your guide may take you to a less obvious snorkeling spot. The operator provides the guide, but snorkeling equipment is not clearly listed as an included item, so confirm what is supplied before you rely on it. The marine life can be worthwhile, yet conditions control the experience. High tide, large waves, or jellyfish have prevented some groups from snorkeling or even swimming.

Playa Las Ánimas and the late lunch

Playa Las Ánimas is the final beach and the place where the day shifts from hiking to eating and resting. Unlike the smaller coves, it has restaurants and more beach facilities.

Food and drinks are not included in the $37 price. Bring cash for lunch, beverages, and snacks. Seafood is the natural choice, and fish tacos, seafood plates, and margaritas have all been praised. Prices at the beach restaurant can be higher than in town, so keep your expectations in line with a beach setting. You are paying for the location as well as the meal.

This is also where the physical effort catches up with you. By the time you reach Las Ánimas, you may be ready for a long sit, a cold drink, and a proper meal. The schedule allows about an hour, but your exact time can depend on the group’s pace and the conditions earlier in the day.

A practical point for families: one group with young children completed the outing, but the official guidance says children under nine are not suitable. The trail has steep and rocky parts, and the operator also advises against the activity for people over 60, those with respiratory problems, or anyone with a low fitness level.

Returning by water taxi, then bus

The return begins with a water taxi of about 10 minutes. This is one of the most enjoyable parts of the day because you see the coves and forested coast from the water instead of from a trail.

The boat ride also gives your legs a break. You return to the fishing town, then board a public bus for the roughly 30-minute trip back to Constitución 363. The bus may be crowded and hot, so save some water and do not assume the final ride will be restful.

An optional longer boat return may sometimes be offered at an extra cost, but the included plan is the water taxi followed by the bus. The basic return is part of the value of the tour and keeps the price low.

What the $37 price really gives you

At $37 per person, this is an inexpensive way to combine transport, a guided hike, several beaches, and a boat ride. The included boat fare, bus fare, and guide cover the parts that can add up when arranged separately.

You still need to pay for lunch and drinks, and you should carry cash because beach facilities may not take cards. Bring your own water, sunscreen, towel, beachwear, and insect repellent. A small snack is also wise, since the first proper meal comes late.

The value is strongest if you want an active day and would otherwise need to arrange transport to Boca de Tomatlán and the southern beaches yourself. It is less appealing if you want guaranteed snorkeling, a private vehicle, a slow beach day, or a polished resort-style service.

The small group helps. A group of up to 14 is manageable on a narrow trail, and guides have shown care in helping people over rocks or arranging an earlier water taxi for anyone who cannot continue. Still, this is not a substitute for choosing the right fitness level.

How hard is the hike?

Expect roughly 5 to 6 kilometers of walking, though one estimate put the actual hike closer to 1.8 miles. The useful takeaway is that the distance is not extreme, but the terrain makes it feel harder than a flat walk of the same length.

The first half is usually the demanding part. You may climb through jungle, cross rocky ground, use steps, and handle sections without railings. Later stretches can be flatter, but sand and wet footwear create their own problems.

I would rate it moderate, with short sections that feel strenuous. Good balance matters more than speed. If you have bad knees, joint trouble, respiratory issues, or a low fitness level, skip this activity. The operator lists it as unsuitable for people over 60, and that guidance deserves serious attention.

Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Bring water and sunscreen. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch or bag if you plan to swim, and carry only what you can manage on a hot trail.

Who should book this day?

You should book if you like combining nature, local transportation, swimming, and moderate exercise. It is especially good for someone who wants to see beaches beyond the main Puerto Vallarta strip without paying for a private boat charter.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy learning about plants and wildlife along the way. Guides such as Juan, Diego, Alex, and Victor have been praised for keeping people together, explaining the area in English or Spanish, and making the day social without rushing every stop.

You should think twice if your main goal is snorkeling. Sea conditions control that part, and several outings have had no snorkeling because of waves, tide, or jellyfish. Book it for the coast and the hike first, then treat snorkeling as a possible extra.

Should you book the six-beach hike?

Yes, if you are reasonably fit, pack proper shoes, and want an active look at Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast. The combination of six beaches, jungle paths, local buses, a water taxi, and a seafood lunch offers a lot for $37.

No, if you need a firm six-hour finish, cannot handle rocky or steep trails, or want guaranteed time in the water. For the right person, this is a generous day at a low price. Just start early with breakfast, bring cash and water, and respect the trail.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet on the sidewalk in front of the OXXO store and the white and green buses to Mismaloya at C. Constitución 363. The Pancake House across the road is an extra landmark. Do not wait inside the touring shop or board the bus on your own.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is six hours. The schedule includes bus rides, hiking, beach stops, lunch time, and a water taxi. Your day may run longer if the group moves slowly or you need to coordinate a boat return.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Bring cash for seafood, drinks, snacks, and purchases at the beaches.

Is snorkeling guaranteed?

No. Snorkeling is offered when the sea is calm, but waves, tide, and jellyfish can make it unsafe or unsuitable. Swimming may also be limited by conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, water, beachwear, cash, and closed-toe shoes. Insect repellent and a snack are also sensible additions based on the length and setting of the outing.

How large is the group?

The tour uses small groups limited to 14 participants. The guide leads the group along the trail and helps keep everyone together.

Who should avoid this hike?

The activity is not suitable for children under nine, people with respiratory issues, people with a low fitness level, or people over 60. The trail includes steep, rocky, uneven, and sometimes narrow sections.