Puerto Vallarta has no shortage of beautiful beaches you’ll find golden sand and turquoise waves just steps from the Malecón. But let’s be honest: sometimes you crave a little more seclusion. A place where the water sparkles untouched, the only music is the sound of waves, and the horizon belongs to you.

I spent a few glorious weeks hunting down these secret slices of heaven. And now, I’m sharing them with you not because I want them to get crowded, but because some beauty is just too good to keep to yourself.

So here are my absolute favorite hidden beaches and coves near Puerto Vallarta told from my sun-kissed, saltwater-splashed journal.

🌿 1. Colomitos Beach – The Jewel of the South

I’d heard whispers of Colomitos like it was some mystical cove only pirates knew how to find. Turns out, you can get there by boat or if you’re up for it, hike from Boca de Tomatlán. I chose the trail, winding through lush jungle, climbing over roots and rocks, until bam there it was.

A tiny, perfect bay with water so green-blue it looked Photoshopped. Maybe ten people total. A few kayaks. And me, floating on my back, listening to nothing but birds and my own slow breath.

Tip: Bring snorkel gear. There are colorful fish just off the rocks and a secret freshwater spring trickling into the sea if you look closely.

🚤 2. Las Ánimas – A Reward Worth the Ride

A bit farther down from Colomitos is Las Ánimas a beach only accessible by boat or hiking. I took a water taxi from Boca, and when I stepped off onto the sand, I immediately felt the difference: no cars, no traffic noise, no stress.

There are a few casual restaurants where I sipped on cold micheladas and ate shrimp straight off the grill. But what made this beach special was how alive everything felt kids playing in the shallows, pelicans diving, a guitarist strumming softly under a palm tree.

It’s simple magic. And sometimes, that’s the best kind.

🐚 3. Caballo Beach – Where Time Slows Down

Want a beach with even fewer footprints? Walk about 15 minutes south from Las Ánimas and you’ll hit Playa Caballo a crescent of untouched sand nestled between rocky cliffs. It felt like a movie set from the 1950s, the kind where lovers run into the waves, laughing with the sun in their hair.

I stayed until sunset, completely alone, writing in my journal while the tide whispered closer. If you’re looking to unplug this is it.

Note: No restaurants here. Bring water, snacks, and something to sit on.

🌊 4. Mayto Beach – The Wild One

If you’re up for an adventure, rent a car and head two hours south of Vallarta to Mayto an untamed stretch of sand so wide and wild it makes you feel like you’ve landed at the edge of the world.

The beach goes on for miles, backed by palm trees and nothing else. I saw maybe four other people the whole day. No vendors. No jet skis. Just crashing waves, and at night stars like I’d forgotten existed.

Bonus: Mayto is home to a sea turtle sanctuary! If you visit in the right season (usually between July and December), you can help release baby turtles into the ocean. I cried. A lot.

🌴 5. Yelapa – The Boho Hideaway

I debated putting Yelapa on this list because it’s not exactly a secret anymore. But it feels like one. Accessible only by boat, Yelapa is a dreamy fishing village where donkeys outnumber cars and everything runs on Vallarta Time.

The beach is wide and welcoming, with thatched roof restaurants serving fresh ceviche and chilled coconuts. But if you keep walking past the main beach, you’ll find quieter spots and rocky coves where the jungle meets the sea.

Stay a night if you can. I did, and waking up to the sound of waves and roosters might have been the best morning of my year.

🎒 What to Pack for Hidden Beaches

Here’s my go-to list for remote beach days:

• Lightweight hiking sandals
• Swimsuit + towel
• Portable cooler with water/snacks
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• A good book or journal
• Dry bag for electronics
• Snorkel gear or goggles
• Bug spray for trails

Trust me when you're lounging on a beach with no cell service, a snack and a notebook feel like luxury.

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Puerto Vallarta is full of postcard beaches but the real treasures are the ones you have to chase. They ask you to hike, to paddle, to explore. But they give back more than just sand between your toes. They give you stillness. Perspective. And stories you’ll want to tell forever.

So while you stay at Barrio Vallarta Boutique Hotel, ask us how to get to these hidden gems. We’ll share our local tips. Maybe even draw you a hand-sketched map. And then all you have to do… is go.

Because sometimes the best view isn’t the one you planned it’s the one that found you.