Visit Puerto Vallarta's Las Animas Beach
- ChasingBuffaloesandBeyond
- Jan 2, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 19, 2023
Looking for a day trip outside of Puerto Vallarta? Spending a day at Las Animas Beach is a must do! Did you know that there are numerous beaches located south of Puerto Vallarta that are only accessible by boat? In fact, these are some of the most beautiful beaches in the area with crystal clear waters, great snorkeling and will provide for a memorable day in paradise! Located along the southern portion of Banderas Bay, Las Animas Beach is absolutely stunning!
HOW TO REACH LAS ANIMAS BEACH
To reach Las Animas Beach, it does require a bit of effort, but is well worth it! There are actually three different ways to reach Las Animas, two of which require a boat ride and the other requires a short hike.
Option 1: The first option is to grab a taxi from the Los Muertos Pier in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta. This will be the easiest, yet more pricey way to reach Las Animas. The water taxis depart every 45 minutes from the pier starting at 10am and the boat trip takes just under an hour. Prices can fluctuate but plan on spending up to $40 roundtrip per person for this option. Water taxis from the Los Muertos Pier also provide access to the remote beaches of Yelapa and Quimixto daily.
Option 2: The second option, is to take a water taxi from Boca de Tomatlan, which is a small town located south of Puerto Vallarta. This option is actually much more affordable and was our choice for accessing Las Animas Beach. First, you must get to Boca de Tomatlan either by driving or taking a local bus. To catch a bus - go to the corner of Basilio Badillo and Constitución streets in the Romantic Zone. The bus ride from Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlan takes about 25 minutes and only costs 20 pesos (under a $1) each way. Upon reaching Boca de Tomatlan, walk down the hill into town and look for the water taxis along the beach that will take you to Las Animas Beach. Typically, these water taxis cost about 50 pesos (a little over $2) each way per person. If you have time, spend a bit of time enjoying the small town of Boca de Tomatlan - grab a beer at one of the small restaurants along the beach and relax while enjoying the views of this quaint Mexican town.
Option 3: The last option to reach Las Animas is hiking to it! Yes, from Boca de Tomatlan you can actually hike to Las Animas Beach. The hike is about 2.5 miles and takes you thru the beautiful jungle forests along the coast offering a chance to really get away and find your own secluded beaches along the way before reaching Las Animas! We have hiked a small portion of this trail to Los Colomitos and it was a spectacular hike (at least the portion of the hike we did). In Boca de Tomatlan, look for the sign pictured below and follow the arrow towards the start of this fun trail!
WHAT TO DO AT LAS ANIMAS BEACH
Upon arriving to Las Animas Beach you will be greeted to a tropical paradise! Arriving to the pier, the view is unbeatable, palm tree covered hillsides line the golden beaches and the crystal clear waters beckon to be enjoyed! Once at Las Animas you can choose from parasailing, riding a banana boat, snorkeling, strolling the beach or just plain relaxing. Numerous small restaurants and vendors also line the beach and offer you a beach lounge chair for the day as long as you purchase some food or drinks. Grab a spot and let the relaxing begin!
Interested in planning your own trip to Las Animas Beach? Below is our summarized itinerary for you to follow or adjust to your own preferences. ENJOY!
One Day at Las Animas Beach: Bus to Boca de Tomatlan (25 minutes) - $20 pesos. Take water taxi from Boca to Las Animas - $50 pesos each way. Spend some time on the beach and have lunch then take taxi boat back to Boca de Tomatlan.
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