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

Puerto Vallarta’s best coastal surprise is not a resort or a sunset cruise. It is the rough footpath south of town, where jungle trails lead to small Pacific beaches that you cannot reach by road. This outing combines a local bus, a 3.5 to 4 mile hike, swimming, possible snorkeling, seafood, and a boat ride.

I like the use of ordinary public transport, which gives you a quick look at local life before the trail begins. I also like the guides, including Diego, Juan, Alex, and Victor, who are praised for their humor, patience, and eye for iguanas, fish, plants, and coastal views.

The catch is clear: this is not a gentle beach walk. Steep climbs, slippery rocks, high steps, and wet feet make it a moderate to strenuous outing. Snorkeling depends on the tide and surf, so you should book this for the hike and beaches first, not for guaranteed fish sightings.

Key points to know before you go

• Colomitos comes first: It is the smallest beach in Mexico according to the tour description, and its rocky setting makes a memorable opening stop.
• The trail is genuinely rugged: Expect inclines, declines, rock scrambling, and sections where sturdy shoes matter.
• Snorkeling is condition-dependent: Gear is supplied, but rough or murky water can cancel this part of the day.
• You ride like a local: The tour starts with public transport from Zona Romántica and ends with a boat ride from the coast.
• Playa Las Ánimas is the finish: This larger beach has several restaurants, loungers, and places to buy food and drinks.
• The price is strong value: At $38 per person, the day includes guiding, snorkel gear, public-transport guidance, and the return boat to Boca de Tomatlán.

Why this south-coast hike is worth your time

This experience gives you a very different Puerto Vallarta. You leave the city center, ride south along the coast, and then walk through tropical forest above the Bay of Banderas. The reward is not just a beach at the end. It is the changing view as the trail rises, drops, crosses rocky stretches, and opens onto small coves.

I like that the day feels active without being a serious expedition. You are not simply carried from one photo stop to another. You walk under your own power, pause to swim, and see parts of the coast that are awkward to reach without local help.

The tour has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5, with 97 percent of participants recommending it. That fits the experience well, provided you understand the physical demands and the flexible nature of the water activities.

The advertised duration is about six and a half hours. In practice, allow extra time. A group moving at different speeds, a long lunch, or transport delays can stretch the day beyond the stated schedule.

From Zona Romántica to Boca de Tomatlán

You meet at Constitución 363 in Zona Romántica, the old center of Puerto Vallarta. From there, the group takes public transport toward Boca de Tomatlán, a fishing town south of the city.

The ride is part of the experience. It is not polished sightseeing transport, but it is inexpensive, practical, and gives you a glimpse of the towns and coastal road outside the main hotel zone. The stated ride takes about 25 minutes, though some participants have found the full transfer closer to 40 minutes.

Boca de Tomatlán is where the actual hike begins. This matters if you are coming from a cruise ship. You need to account for local time, ship time, and the return journey. The tour ends back at the original meeting point, but the route may involve a boat, bus, and possibly a taxi depending on how you return from Boca.

The first climb to Playa Colomitos

The opening section follows the riverbank before climbing into tropical forest. After roughly 40 minutes, you reach Playa Colomitos.

Colomitos is small, scenic, and framed by rocks and forest. It is an excellent place to take photographs and catch your breath. It can also be the busiest beach of the day, especially when boats bring in people who are not hiking. So do not assume the first beach will feel completely secret.

The trail to Colomitos sets the tone for the rest of the outing. You will encounter steep sections and uneven ground early, when your legs are still fresh but you may not yet know how demanding the path feels. Wear shoes with solid traction. Several people have managed parts of the route barefoot or in sandals, but that is not a sensible plan for most people.

You may remove your shoes for wet beach sections, then put them back on for rocks and climbs. Bring a small bag so your hands stay free. A towel is useful if you swim or walk through shallow water.

Smaller coves, rock sections, and quiet swim stops

After Colomitos, the group continues along the coastal trail and leaves the busiest beach behind. The route passes several coves and small beaches, but the exact number of stops and the amount of time spent at each one can vary.

This is an important distinction. The tour is marketed around six beaches, but you may not stop for a long swim at all six. Some are viewed from the trail or passed quickly. The guide may choose a beach based on surf, tide, group pace, and safety.

The early part of the trail is the hardest. Expect steep up and down grades, large steps, and rocks that require careful footing. Later sections can feel easier and more level, but this is still not a flat coastal stroll.

I like the freedom to spend more time in the water when conditions and the group allow. Reports describe beach breaks of around 25 to 30 minutes, though some groups have had enough time to swim at only one beach. If you have a favorite stop, tell your guide. Guides such as Alex and Diego are described as flexible about where the group pauses.

The beaches are the main reason to accept the effort. They are less built up than the beaches beside Puerto Vallarta’s roads, and the rocky edges create good views and photographs. You may see villas, resorts, small beach stands, and passing boats, so the route is not untouched wilderness. It is a slice of the south coast where nature and local development sit close together.

Snorkeling at the mercy of the Pacific

Snorkel equipment is included, which is useful because you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. But the gear does not guarantee a snorkeling stop.

Calm water can reveal striped fish, white fish, black fish, stingrays, pufferfish, and even a moray eel. Some participants have had excellent sightings near the first beach. Others have found the water murky, rough, or too swelled up for safe snorkeling.

That variation is normal for an open coastal route. February conditions, in particular, have sometimes brought rough water. The guide may decide that snorkeling is not worthwhile or safe, and a larger group can also reduce the time available to hand out equipment.

My advice is simple: treat snorkeling as a bonus. Bring your own goggles if you have them, but book this outing because you want a coastal hike with swimming opportunities. If seeing fish is your main goal, a dedicated snorkeling trip in calmer water is a better choice.

Playa Las Ánimas and the long-awaited lunch

The route ends at Playa Las Ánimas, the largest and most developed beach on the itinerary. Here you will find restaurants, beach seating, drinks, and seafood. Lunch is not included, so bring pesos or a payment card, depending on the restaurant you choose.

This is a welcome finish after the trail. You can order a local seafood plate, have a cold drink, and let your legs recover. The food has been a highlight for some groups, while others have waited a long time for their meal. If the restaurant is busy, lunch can take more than an hour.

You may prefer to eat at the recommended restaurant, especially if you want the day to run smoothly. Still, it is fair to ask your guide about the available choices. Some groups have eaten at Pichon Restaurant, while another group chose El Caracol and liked the food and cold drinks. The exact restaurant can depend on the guide and the group.

Do not expect a long final swim here unless your schedule allows it. Some groups have gone directly to lunch. Playa Las Ánimas is more developed and busier than the smaller coves, but it offers the practical comforts that you may appreciate at the end of a strenuous walk.

Returning by boat along the Bay of Banderas

After lunch, you take a water taxi back toward Boca de Tomatlán. The ride gives you a fresh view of the coast, cliffs, beaches, villas, and the bay. It is a fitting end because you see how far you walked from the water.

The included boat ride returns you to Boca de Tomatlán, where you can take public transport back toward Puerto Vallarta. Some groups have paid extra for a boat directly toward town, near the Malecón or the cruise-port area. One reported price was about 250 pesos per person, though you should confirm the current cost with the guide before agreeing.

If you are on a cruise ship, build in a generous time cushion. One group using the included boat, bus, and taxi reached the cruise terminal area around 5 p.m. after a 9 a.m. start. That example shows why this outing is a poor choice if your ship departure leaves little room for delays.

What $38 really gets you

At $38 per person, this is a good-value day if you want activity and local transport rather than a polished resort excursion. Your fee covers the guide, the organized route, snorkel equipment, and the included return boat to Boca de Tomatlán.

You still pay for lunch, drinks, and any taxi or extra boat ride. Those costs are easy to underestimate, especially if you want seafood and a direct return toward town. Bring pesos for beach purchases and transport.

The value also comes from the practical knowledge of the guide. Without local help, you could reach Boca de Tomatlán and find some beaches, but the route, timing, water-taxi arrangements, and rougher trail sections would be harder to manage. Guides such as Juan, Diego, Alex, and Victor have been singled out for keeping different fitness levels together and explaining plants, animals, culture, and local history.

The group limit is 14 people. That is small enough to feel manageable, but a group of 12 can still make beach stops and snorkel equipment distribution feel rushed.

Who should book this experience

You are a good match if you:

• Enjoy a moderate to strenuous hike over uneven coastal ground
• Want to see the south side of Puerto Vallarta beyond the main beaches
• Like mixing public transport, walking, swimming, seafood, and a boat ride
• Can handle steep inclines, declines, and high steps
• Are happy to adapt when surf cancels snorkeling
• Want a guide to handle a route that would be awkward to plan alone

You should think twice if you have mobility problems, health concerns, or little experience on rocky trails. The minimum age is 10 and the maximum is 60, but age alone does not determine suitability. Fitness, balance, and comfort on uneven ground matter more.

Wear shoes you trust. Bring water, sunscreen, a small backpack, a towel, swimwear, and pesos. Shoes that can get wet are useful because parts of the route run along beaches and you may move between water and trail.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can also lead to a new date or a full refund. Inside 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a real workout with beautiful coastal rewards. The hike, not the snorkeling, is the dependable heart of the day. Colomitos, the smaller coves, the views over the Bay of Banderas, and the return by boat make the route feel varied and worthwhile.

Skip it if you want guaranteed snorkeling, long quiet hours on each beach, or an easy walk. For the right person, $38 is a strong price for a guided south-coast adventure. Just bring sturdy footwear, allow extra time, and accept that the Pacific sets the schedule.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is approximately six hours and 30 minutes. It can run longer depending on the group’s pace, lunch, beach stops, and transport conditions.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at C. Constitución 363 in Zona Romántica, Puerto Vallarta. The group then takes public transport to Boca de Tomatlán, where the hike begins.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkel equipment is included. Actual snorkeling depends on the tide, surf, water clarity, and safety conditions, so it is not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at Playa Las Ánimas is purchased separately. The beach has several restaurants and places to buy drinks and seafood.

What fitness level is needed?

You need moderate physical fitness and the ability to handle steep inclines, declines, uneven rocks, and high steps. The route is not recommended for people with mobility issues.

Does the tour include the return boat?

The included boat returns you to Boca de Tomatlán. A direct boat toward Puerto Vallarta or the Malecón may be available for an additional charge, but confirm the arrangement and price with your guide.