Are you one of those people who treasure the discovery of remote beaches and secluded coves? If so, you are going to love the gems Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore has. The list below contains some of the most elegant secluded spots you can visit when it comes to staying at your home at Garza Blanca Preserve.
Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore
Along the coast from Garza Blanca Preserve, you will find some of the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta. The beaches found in this area are commonly called “South Shore Beaches” because you can find them between Puerto Vallarta’s Los Muertos Beach and Banderas Bay’s southernmost tip (at Cabo Corrientes).
South Shore Beach Hopping
Garza Blanca Preserve is not the only location near Puerto Vallarta known for having elegant beaches. There are several beaches and coves along Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast line worth exploring while enjoying your home at Garza Blanca Preserve. Whether using Puerto Vallarta’s public transportation or your own transportation (rented or otherwise), you will find that it’s very easy to get to these locations.
Conchas Chinas Beach
Less than 7 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta and 5 minutes from Garza Blanca Preserve is Conchas Chinas Beach. While traveling on Carretera de Barra de Navidad, you will turn on Easy Street and keep on following a short cobblestone road. Along the way is a series of white sandy coves you can explore. So, make sure to take a cooler with you because this is residential area and does not have any food outlets around (although you might see someone occasionally selling mango or fish on a stick). The water conditions are very soothing, and the kids will love it on calm days.
Punta Negra
Ten minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta is the beach known as Punta Negra. There are condos there, and the beach formation is always changing. One minute the beach is plain sand, and the next time you go there it’s covered with rocks. The water is also a nice turquoise color. Like its neighboring beach, Conchas Chinas, you will also need to take a cooler with you. You might also want to bring a fishing rod if you like to surf fish.
Playas Gemelas
Very close to Garza Blanca Preserve and only 12 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta is the hidden jewel known as Playas Gemelas. You get to this beach from the highway by going up some extremely steep steps. When you arrive there, you will see powdery white sand and a lovely ocean view that begs for a swim. Again, you might want to take a cooler with you since this beach has no food places. You also might want to bring an air mattress with you.
Mismaloya Beach
If you go south (in the opposite direction of all the other beaches mentioned) while traveling from Garza Blanca Preserve, you will reach Mismaloya Beach within 5 minutes. It’s also about 15 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. A lot of people love to come to this beach. There are plenty of restaurants to visit, and you can even visit the movie set for Night of the Iguana that was made in the 60s (starring Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, and Deborah Kerr). Frolic in the Pacific waters or rent a boat to go fishing. You can even relax in the sand and watch the Pelicans dive.
Boca de Tomatlan
About 25 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta and 10 minutes from Garza Blanca Preserve is the calm fishing village known as Boca de Tomatlan. This is a taste of the eccentric side of Mexico. You can delight in barbecued fish and sip on margaritas and admire the view of the water taxis bringing new beach lovers to remote beaches (only accessible by boat) like Quimixto, Yelapa and Las Animas.
Yelapa
Yelapa is a lovely beach to explore on a daytrip while residing at Garza Blanca Preserve. The entire day (or even longer than that) can be spent here, and you will always find something to do. It’s best to travel here from a water taxi from Boca de Tomatlan, but you could also get here from Los Muertos Beach. There are plenty of things to do while on Yelapa beach: relax on the beach, explore the winding paths on the hills or hike to the many waterfalls found there. Relaxing in a beach hammock with an exotic cold drink while enjoying the view of the paragliders and paddleboarders is a priceless experience.
Las Animas
A water taxi from Boca de Tomatlan will get you to Las Animas in no time, but a lot of people like to explore the 90-minute hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas while admiring the beautiful scenery. This beach is a hot spot and is popular for its water fun, delightful food and drink, amazing beach weather and just overall rejuvenation. You will be amazed at how energizing and relaxing this place can be.
Quimixto
In the lovely place called Banderas Bay is Quimixto Beach. You can reach this exotic village by water taxi from Boca de Tomatlan. The traditional-style village is hidden in a scenic jungle that is laid against a mesmerizing cascading waterfall. Many visitors loved to visit this village and travel to the waterfall by hiking (a 25-minute adventure) or by horseback with a guide. After that, most people lounge on the beach and watch the surf lovers.
Keep this in mind: Sunday is not a good time to go to the beach if you’re looking to have a peaceful time there. Everybody loves the beaches on Sunday. So, you may want to try another day of the week for exploring the peaceful beach scene.