Full-Day Trail to 6 hidden Beaches, Colomitos & Snorkel

Puerto Vallarta’s best coastal views often require leaving the pavement. This six-hour hike from Boca de Tomatlán follows a rough jungle trail past Colomitos and several smaller coves before finishing at Playa Las Animas. You return by boat, with the Bay of Banderas opening up around you.

I like two things right away: you use local transport instead of a private tour van, and the guides bring real knowledge of the plants, animals, and coast. I also like the mix of hiking, swimming, beach time, seafood, and a water taxi. The main caution is simple: this is not a gentle walk. Steep climbs, slippery rocks, and beach sections make it a moderate to strenuous outing, while snorkeling can disappear when the surf turns rough.

Key points to know before you go

• A local start: Meet at C. Constitución 363 in Zona Romántica and ride public transport to Boca de Tomatlán.
• Colomitos comes first: The small cove is scenic and popular, so it may not feel very secret during busy periods.
• A real workout: Expect roughly 3.5 to 4 miles of steep inclines, declines, rocks, and high steps.
• Snorkeling is conditional: Equipment is included, but visibility and safety depend on tide, swell, and water clarity.
• Las Animas is the finish: Buy lunch at one of the restaurants, then take the included boat back to Boca de Tomatlán.
• Small groups help: The maximum is 14 people, and guides such as Juan, Diego, Victor, Alex, and Juan Carlos are praised for their calm pacing and local insight.

Why this Puerto Vallarta hike feels different

This outing shows you the south shore of Puerto Vallarta in a way a standard beach day cannot. You see small fishing-town streets, villas tucked along the coast, tropical forest, rocky coves, and open water. The route links places that are also reachable by water taxi, but walking between them gives the day more texture.

The advertised idea is six beaches, though you should not expect six long lounging stops. You pass several coves, but the group usually spends meaningful time at only a few. That is important when you compare this trip with a boat tour or a beach club day.

The experience earns a 4.8 rating from 527 ratings, with 97 percent of participants recommending it. That strong result makes sense if you enjoy active days and local transport. It is less suited to anyone who wants guaranteed snorkeling, flat paths, or several hours on one beach.

From Zona Romántica to Boca de Tomatlán

You meet at C. Constitución 363 in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica. This is a central spot in the old part of town, close to public transport. From there, the group takes a bus along the coast toward Boca de Tomatlán, a small fishing town south of the city.

The ride is part of the experience. It is not polished sightseeing, and the bus can be crowded, but you see ordinary coastal life and get fine views along the road. The stated ride is about 25 minutes, though you should allow closer to 40 minutes depending on traffic and the exact departure.

This transport plan matters if you are coming from a cruise ship. Puerto Vallarta operates on local time, so check your ship’s time carefully. The full outing can run longer than the estimated six and a half hours, especially when a group moves at different speeds or takes a long lunch.

Boca de Tomatlán begins the real adventure

After leaving the bus, you start beside the river and then climb into tropical forest. The first 40 minutes bring the route’s initial serious effort. You gain height, walk over uneven ground, and begin to see the coast from above.

The trail is not a smooth park path. You may encounter large rocks, steep steps, slippery sections, and places where you need to place your feet carefully. Some people with strong hiking experience found the route manageable, while others described it as demanding. Both views can be true. Fitness, footwear, heat, and recent rain will shape your day.

Your guide is the key to handling this section. Juan, Diego, Victor, Alex, and Juan Carlos are all named as guides on different departures, and the strongest praise centers on their patience, humor, and ability to adjust the pace. Guides also point out local trees, iguanas, and other wildlife. One outing included sightings of iguanas in the trees, while another included whales visible from shore.

You should keep your hands free. A small backpack works better than a large beach bag, and water is essential. Bring sunscreen, pesos, and a snack. A towel is useful if you swim or step into the water.

Colomitos, Mexico’s tiny beach

Colomitos is the first major stop and one of the prettiest moments of the day. It is widely described as Mexico’s smallest beach, a compact strip of sand surrounded by rock and forest. The approach gives you a fine view of the cove before the trail drops down to the water.

This is usually the best place for a swim and, when conditions cooperate, snorkeling. Fish may include striped and pale varieties, black fish, pufferfish, stingrays, and even a moray eel. Those sightings are possible, not promised. The operator supplies snorkel equipment, but ocean conditions decide if it is sensible to use it.

Colomitos is not always quiet. Boats bring people to the cove, and the small size means it can feel crowded. If you expect a deserted beach, adjust that expectation. Its appeal is the setting: a small, dramatic pocket of sand reached by trail or water, not the amount of personal space.

You may have around 25 to 30 minutes here, though the exact stop depends on the group and the sea. If swimming matters to you, this is the place to make the most of it.

The middle coves require careful footing

After Colomitos, you leave the busiest part of the route and continue along the coast. This section is where the trip earns its reputation as a proper hike rather than a beach stroll.

The path rises and falls through forest and over rock. Some parts follow the shoreline, while others cut inland before returning to the water. You get views of cliffs, coves, resorts, and private villas from angles that are hard to reach by road. The trail can feel wild, though it is not a remote wilderness route.

The beach sections create a practical problem. You may need to remove shoes for wet sand or shallow water, then put them back on for rocks and climbs. Wear sturdy shoes with good traction that you do not mind getting wet. Sneakers can work, but proper hiking shoes give you more confidence on steep or slippery ground. Sandals may suit experienced hikers, but they are not the safest choice for everyone.

The middle beaches are often quieter than Colomitos and Las Animas. Still, you may only pause briefly at some of them. The tour is built around moving along the coast, not setting up camp at every beach. If you want to linger, tell your guide. Several guides allow the group to choose where to spend more time when the schedule and conditions permit.

Snorkeling depends on the Pacific, not the brochure

The snorkeling is the least predictable part of this experience. When the water is calm and clear, the first beach can offer a good look at small fish and other sea life. When the swell rises, the water can become murky or rough, and the guide may cancel snorkeling for safety.

That happened on several recent outings. In some cases, the group had equipment but no practical chance to use it. In others, swimmers saw fish despite less-than-perfect visibility. February can bring rough water, though conditions vary from day to day.

I would book this for the hike, coves, and views, and treat snorkeling as a bonus. That mindset prevents disappointment. If you need guaranteed time in calm water, choose a dedicated snorkeling trip instead.

Swimming also remains optional. You may have time at the first beach or another cove, but the group’s pace and the sea will affect the length of each stop. Bring a towel and footwear that handles wet transitions.

Playa Las Animas brings food, boats, and more people

The trail eventually reaches Playa Las Animas, the largest and most developed beach on the route. Here, restaurants, beach chairs, and bars replace the quiet feel of the smaller coves. It is a useful place to end because you can eat, rest, and watch the water before the return journey.

Lunch is not included. Your guide may recommend a restaurant, and the food can be a satisfying reward after the climb. Seafood is the natural choice, but allow time for service. One group waited more than an hour for lunch, which reduced time on the beach. Other meals were described as delicious and well organized.

You may find restaurants that accept credit cards, but pesos remain useful for drinks, snacks, and small beach purchases. Some stops may offer fresh coconut, including coconut water and the soft coconut meat. Those small food moments add to the local feel of the route.

Do not count on Las Animas as a long swimming stop. Some groups go straight to lunch. If you prefer water time to a full meal, discuss that with your guide before ordering.

The boat ride back completes the day

After lunch, you board a water taxi. The included return normally takes you back to Boca de Tomatlán, where you catch the public bus toward Puerto Vallarta and return to the original meeting area.

The boat is more than simple transport. From the water, you see the coves, cliffs, villas, and beaches from a new angle. It is a calm finish after the rough trail, and often one of the day’s most memorable parts.

Some groups pay extra for a boat that goes farther toward Puerto Vallarta, near the Malecón or the port area. That option is not included, and the price can vary. If you choose the included ride to Boca, plan on another bus ride and possibly a taxi to your hotel or cruise terminal.

Cruise passengers need to build in a generous buffer. One reported schedule reached the cruise-terminal area around 5 p.m. after the boat, bus, and taxi connections. Do not book this close to your ship’s all-aboard time.

What the $38 price really buys you

At $38 per person, this is a strong value for an active day. You get a guide, public transport coordination, a coastal route, snorkel equipment, and a boat return. A private water taxi and separate beach visits could cost more, especially if you do not know the area or how to connect the beaches.

The low price also reflects the style of the outing. You are not getting a private vehicle, a reserved beach bed, or a guaranteed restaurant menu. You use local buses, walk on an uneven public trail, and buy your own lunch. That is part of the charm, but it also means you should arrive prepared.

A group of up to 14 is small enough for questions and guide attention, though a full group can slow the pace and reduce time at the beaches. The best value comes if you want several kinds of experience in one day: local transport, exercise, nature, swimming, food, and a boat ride.

Who should book this coastal hike

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy walking, do not mind getting your shoes wet, and want to see the coast south of Puerto Vallarta without planning every bus and boat connection yourself. It is particularly good for active couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and friends who prefer a day outdoors to a resort afternoon.

The minimum age is 10 and the maximum is 60. That age range does not tell the whole story. A fit person near 60 may manage it well, while someone younger with limited hiking experience may struggle. The route is not suitable for mobility problems, and you should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

Families should know that the hike includes high steps and steep grades. A 13-year-old completed it with family, but the parents still recommended sturdy footwear. Children should be comfortable on rough trails and able to follow directions near rocks and water.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transport. The tour requires good weather. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start, while a weather cancellation offers a new date or full refund.

What to pack for a better day

Keep your gear simple and practical:

• Sturdy shoes with traction
• A swimsuit and small towel
• Water and a protein snack
• Sunscreen and sun protection
• A small backpack
• Mexican pesos for drinks, snacks, and optional transport
• A phone or camera with a secure strap

Do not bring a bulky bag. You will want both hands available on rocky sections. Shoes that dry easily are useful, since you may move between sand, water, and forest trail several times.

My call: book it for the hike, not the snorkeling

Book this tour if you want an active and good-value way to see Puerto Vallarta’s south coast. The guides, especially Juan, Diego, Victor, Alex, and Juan Carlos, add humor, local detail, and steady help on the harder sections. Colomitos is beautiful, the smaller coves reward the effort, and the boat ride gives the return trip a fine finish.

Skip it if you want a flat walk, long uninterrupted beach time, or guaranteed clear water. Go in expecting a rugged coastal hike with optional swimming and uncertain snorkeling. With good shoes, water, pesos, and a flexible attitude, this is one of the better ways to trade the hotel pool for a real day outside Puerto Vallarta.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at C. Constitución 363 in Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta. From there, you take public transport to Boca de Tomatlán.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is approximately six hours and 30 minutes. The actual day may run longer depending on the group’s pace, lunch, and the return connections.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling equipment is included. The snorkeling itself depends on tide, waves, and water visibility, so it may not be possible on every departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at Playa Las Animas is not included. You can purchase seafood, drinks, and other food at the beach restaurants.

How difficult is the hike?

You should expect a moderate to strenuous hike with steep inclines and declines, rocks, slippery sections, and some high steps. A moderate level of physical fitness is required, and the route is not recommended for people with mobility issues.

How do you return to Puerto Vallarta?

The included boat ride normally takes you from Playa Las Animas to Boca de Tomatlán. From there, you take public transport back toward the original meeting point. A farther boat ride toward the Malecón or port may be available for an additional charge.