4 Easy Day Trips from Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is such a perfect getaway, you may never want to leave the city center. But you’d be missing out if you didn’t do some exploring. There are many charming beaches and small towns on the surrounding coast. Here’s a few of my favorite day trips from Puerto Vallarta.

Mismaloya

Puerto Vallarta has always been a popular area for Mexicans. But it was the famous movie, Night of the Iguana, that put the Mexican pacific coast and Vallarta in the spotlight for Americans.

What To Do in Mismaloya

The movie set is long gone but you can still visit those golden beaches. Because Mismaloya is located on the prettiest little cove, surrounded by jungle, it’s the perfect place for swimming, stand up paddling and kayaking.

Los Arcos National Marine Park is right off the coast. In fact you can see the rocks that make up Los Arcos easily from the beach. There’s an arch, caves and a reef for snorkeling or scuba. You can hire a boat or panga to take you out.

I suggest picking a beach chair and just taking it easy. Eat lunch, have someone serenade you with Mexican classics, even get a massage. I promise the only thing you’ll have to do all day more than that, is move your chair when the tide comes in.

Getting to Mismaloya

Mismaloya is 8 miles south of Vallarta. If you don’t have a car, take the orange and white bus at the corner of Basilio Badillo y Constitucion in the Romatic Zone. The fare is less than $.50 (8 pesos) one way. Get off at the Mismaloya Beach stop. There will be a cobblestone street that leads to the beach. You could also go by taxi or Uber. By car, take Hwy 200 south of of downtown to Mismaloya.

Boca De Tomatlan

Further south down the coast from Puerto Vallarta, is Boca de Tomatlan or Boca. It’s exactly what you think about when you picture a small Mexican fishing village in your mind. It’s also where tourists and locals can catch a water taxi to the beaches further south that are inaccessible by road.

What to do in Boca

Because of it’s convenient location, Boca is the perfect staring point for day trips from Puerto Vallarta. Or you could spend a laid back day there fishing and boating.

There are several restaurants with tables right on the sand. Each with their own colored umbrellas. They are happy to serve up the fresh catch of the day.

One of the restaurants (not on the beach) that I keep reading about is Ocean Grill. I haven’t had a chance to go but from what I’ve read, it’s only accessible by boat. After making reservations to dine there, the owners pick you up in their boat and take you to the restaurant.

I’m on a quest to find out more about it next time I’m in Vallarta. Report back later.

Getting to Boca

Boca is located 15 miles south of Vallarta. If you don’t have a car, take the orange and white bus at the corner of Basilio Badillo y Constitucion in the Romatic Zone. The fare is less than $.50 (8 pesos) one way. Get off at the Boca de Tomatlan stop and walk the short distance to the beach. You could also get there by taxi or Uber. By car, take Hwy 200 south of of downtown to Boca.

Yelapa

If you really want to get off the beaten path for the day, or longer, take one of the water taxis in Boca and go further south down the coast to Yelapa. The fact that it’s only accessible by boat adds to it’s charm.

What To Do in Yelapa

Yelapa is the loveliest little town right on a beautiful crescent shaped coast. It looks like a postcard come to life. Because it’s divided by a river that flows out of the jungle, in addition to all the usual fun water activities, you can follow that river inland to a beautiful swimming hole and waterfall.

Besides it’s beauty, Yelapa is probably most famous for the pie or “pay” made there. Yes, I said pie. For almost thirty years, the pie lady of Yelapa has been making pies and selling them on the beach. You can try one or try them all. There’s chocolate, coconut or cheese and I’ve read there’s a lime flavor. I’m dying to try that one!

If you are just there to lounge in a chair, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. I picked a place at the end of the beach called Juanitos. They not only serve seafood but also have Mexican favorites like queso and fajitas. I ended up having my fav, mahi mahi and of course a Pacifico because it wouldn’t be a day at the beach in Mexico without one.

Getting to Yelapa

Yelapa is located about 30 minutes by water taxi from Boca. From Puerto Vallarta you can take the orange and white bus at the corner of Basilio Badillo y Constitucion in the Romatic Zone. The fare is less than $.50 (8 pesos) one way. Get off in Boca de Tomatlan stop and once you walk into town just ask someone about a water taxi to Yelapa. The taxis leave every hour. The roundtrip fare was $180 pesos or about $10 USD. If you don’t want to travel to Boca by bus, you can now take a water taxi from Los Muertos beach in Vallarta. There are plenty of stands along the beach and the malecon offering tours.

Sayulita

Sayulita is a cool little beach town located to the north of PV in the state of Nayarit. You could day trip from Puerto Vallarta but I would recommend at least a couple of days. I went for two and that was perfect. Although I could have stayed longer.

Sayulita is a little bit bigger town than the other places I’ve already mention here but still has a very low key chill atmosphere which is why you are at the beach to begin with. Or at least that’s why I’m there.

What To Do in Sayulita

You can do as much or as little as you want in Sayulita. It’s protected waters and the shape of the coast makes it the perfect place to learn to surf if that’s something you’ve been wanting to do. There’s also plenty of shopping, art, yoga and spas for the less active.

If you are like me, you’ll have a hard time choosing where to eat because there are so many restaurants.

Getting to Sayulita

Sayulita is located about 25 miles north of Puerto Vallarta and takes about an hour to get there. You can go by Uber, taxi or bus. If you choose to bus, catch the green and white Compostela bus from the airport or from the bus stop in front of Walmart. Look for a bus that has Sayulita written on the windshield. The fare one way is $.35 pesos or about $2 USD. A Uber should cost about $30 USD one way.

The next time you are in Puerto Vallarta, take a couple of days to explore the smaller communities of of Jalisco. Getting there is half the fun and the chance to discover a different piece of Mexico priceless.