Puerto Vallarta: Six Beach Coastal Hike & Water Taxi Return

Summary

Puerto Vallarta jungle hike to hidden beaches with boat ride back

You’ll start in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone, ride with locals by bus to Boca de Tomatlán, then hike through jungle paths connecting six wild beaches. Swim where few people go, eat fresh seafood at Las Animas (not included), and finish with a breezy water taxi ride back along the coast. Expect real adventure—and maybe sand stuck between your toes for days.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really know what I was getting into when I signed up for the Six Hidden Beaches Hike from Puerto Vallarta. There was just this itch to get out of the city and see what was beyond the bars and boardwalks. We met up in the Romantic Zone—everyone a bit sleepy, except our guide who had that easy confidence you only get from walking these trails a hundred times. He showed us how to catch the local bus (which, honestly, was half the fun—windows down, sea air sneaking in, everyone chatting quietly or just staring at the blue outside).

Boca de Tomatlán is where we hopped off—a fishing village that smells like salt and fried fish even at 10am. The hike started right there. It’s not a walk in the park; there are roots everywhere and sometimes you’re just picking your way over rocks while parrots shout from somewhere above. But then you pop out onto these tiny beaches—one of them apparently is the smallest in Mexico (I still think about how soft that sand felt after sweating up the hill). At each stop, our guide would tell a quick story or point out something I’d never have noticed on my own—like these little crabs hiding under driftwood or why one cove is always empty after noon.

We swam at two spots. The water was warm but not too much, and there’s this moment when you float on your back and all you hear is your own breath mixing with distant music from a beach shack. Lunch wasn’t included but we stopped at Las Animas beach anyway—our guide said it’s his favorite for seafood, so I tried grilled octopus (Li laughed when I tried to order it in Spanish). Sitting there barefoot with sand sticking to my legs, eating something smoky while watching boats bob around—it’s hard to explain why that felt so good.

The last part is kind of magic: instead of hiking all the way back, we piled into a water taxi that zipped along the coast. Wind in my face, salt on my lips again. Back at Boca de Tomatlán we caught the bus home—sunburned and tired but happy. If you’re thinking about this day trip from Puerto Vallarta, just be ready for some sweat and a lot of small surprises.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hike six hidden beaches and return

• Meet at Romantic zone
• Take 25 min public coastal ride
• Arrive at Boca de Tomatlán beach
• Hike 30 min to smallest beach
• Swim and refresh at smallest beach
• Hike to next four beaches
• Hike through jungle and beaches
• Arrive at Las Animas beach
• Try local seafood (not included)
• Return by boat to hiking start
• Take city bus back to Puerto Vallarta

Top questions

How long is the Six Hidden Beaches Hike from Puerto Vallarta?

The total hiking distance is about 3.6 km (2.3 miles), plus return by boat.

Is lunch included on this day trip from Puerto Vallarta?

No, lunch isn’t included—but there’s time to buy seafood at Las Animas beach.

What level of fitness do I need for this coastal hike?

You should have moderate physical fitness; it’s not recommended for those with injuries or health issues.

Does this tour include transportation?

Yes, it includes local bus rides and a water taxi return along the coast.

Where does this hike start?

The group meets in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone before heading south by bus.

Can I swim during the Six Hidden Beaches Hike?

Yes, there are several chances to swim at different beaches along the route.

What time does this tour run?

The tour runs from 9:30am to around 4pm.

What’s included

Your day includes a local city bus ride from Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone down to Boca de Tomatlán where you’ll start hiking; later on you’ll hop onto a water taxi for an easy return along the coastline before catching the city bus back into town.