Remote Hidden Beaches Hike of South Shore (Puerto Vallarta)

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the shoreline hike from Boca de Tomatlán to Las Ánimas, where jungle trails lead to coves that road-bound visitors never see. You’ll also stop at Playa Colomitos, a small beach with emerald-green water, then spend several hours at Las Ánimas.

I like the small maximum group of 12 and the chance to hike with Abraham, a biologist who can explain local plants, animals, birds, and insects. I also like the price: at $49.50, the guided walk and transport arrangement offer good value, though you must budget extra for lunch, the local bus, and the optional boat ride back to Boca.

Key points to know before you book

• The walk begins in Boca de Tomatlán: You cross a footbridge over the river, pass through town, and follow the coast toward Las Ánimas.
• Playa Colomitos is the swimming stop: Plan about 30 minutes for the cove and its clear green water.
• Las Ánimas gets the most time: You have at least two hours for lunch, swimming, and beach activities, although the full stop is listed at about four hours.
• Abraham brings a naturalist’s eye: His background in biology is useful if you care about birds, insects, and wild animals, not just beach photographs.
• Extra costs are modest but important: Lunch is not included, bus fare is 10 pesos each way, and the boat from Las Ánimas to Boca costs about 250 pesos.
• This is a real hike: A moderate fitness level is expected, and the day can last six to eight hours.

Why the South Shore route is worth your day

Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore is where the city gives way to thick jungle, steep hills, coves, and scattered beach resorts. You see that change before the walking starts. The road passes upscale neighborhoods, beachfront villas, and resorts tucked among the trees, offering a quick look at the area’s expensive side without making it the main event.

The road also passes through Mismaloya, once a quiet fishing village. It became famous after Hollywood filmed The Night of the Iguana here. You’ll catch views of the bay, larger hotels on the bluff, and the beach as the vehicle continues south.

This passing view is brief, so don’t book the outing expecting a full Mismaloya visit or a film-history tour. Its value is context. You see how Puerto Vallarta developed from fishing villages and jungle coves into a major resort destination, then leave the road behind for a quieter route on foot.

Along the coast, look toward the large granite islands that make up a National Marine Sanctuary. These rocks provide habitat for millions of birds and fish. The tour description does not promise a dedicated wildlife cruise, so think of the islands as a striking coastal view rather than a separate sightseeing stop.

Starting in Boca de Tomatlán at 9:00 a.m.

The day starts at 9:00 a.m. at Basilio Badillo 339A in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica. From there, the group travels toward Boca de Tomatlán, the practical starting point for the hike.

Boca is a useful place to begin because it feels like a working coastal town rather than a resort strip. You leave the bus, walk through town, and cross the footbridge over the river. That bridge marks the shift from road travel to the walking portion of the day.

The first section follows the bay and leads out of the cove toward Las Ánimas. The exact trail difficulty is not described in detail, but the outing requires moderate physical fitness. You should be comfortable walking for much of the day on a coastal route rather than treating this as a short beach stroll.

I would wear secure walking shoes, bring sun protection, and carry enough water for the hike. Those are sensible preparations for any six-to-eight-hour outdoor trip, especially since the included portion covers the guide and walk, not food or drinks.

Playa Colomitos and the first swim

Playa Colomitos is the first major beach stop and one of the main reasons to choose this tour. It is described as the most beautiful beach in the area by many people familiar with the route, and its emerald-green water gives you a clear reason to pause.

You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough for a swim or time in the cove, but it is not a long beach stay. If your ideal day means hours on one small beach with no further walking, this schedule may feel rushed.

For me, the short stop works because Colomitos is part of a larger day. You get the pleasure of reaching a quiet cove without giving up the longer coastal walk and the extended time at Las Ánimas. The contrast between a small, enclosed beach and the larger final stop adds variety.

Water conditions and beach activity can vary, and no equipment is listed as included. Bring what you need for a simple swim. You should not count on lunch or drinks being supplied here.

The coastal trail toward Las Ánimas

The walk from Boca to Las Ánimas is the heart of the outing. Rather than viewing the South Shore through a vehicle window, you move at walking speed along the bay and past smaller beaches. That makes the coast feel less like a row of resorts and more like a place shaped by coves, forest, and sea.

The guide matters most on this section. Abraham is identified as a biologist, and his role goes beyond leading the way. He can discuss local nature, wild animals, birds, and insects, which gives the hike more substance than a simple transfer between beaches.

The only direct account provided describes the route as a real hike with spectacular views and clear blue-green water. That is useful guidance: this outing suits someone who wants physical activity and natural details, not someone looking for a fully relaxed boat-and-beach day.

The trail’s exact length, elevation changes, and surface are not specified. Because of that, I would avoid booking it if you need a fully predictable, easy route. The moderate-fitness requirement is the clearest warning, and the six-to-eight-hour duration gives you a better sense of the commitment.

Four hours around Playa Las Ánimas

Las Ánimas is the longest stop and the place where the day shifts from hiking to beach time. You have at least two hours for lunch and swimming, while the schedule gives the stop about four hours overall. That extra time lets you set your own pace after the walking portion.

The beach has at least 10 restaurants, so you have choices for a meal. Lunch is not included, and neither are water, food, or other drinks. The price of your meal is therefore up to you, but you should carry Mexican pesos or confirm payment arrangements directly with the restaurant you choose.

The water is described as warm, making Las Ánimas a good place to cool off after the trail. You can also rent activities such as boogie boards, sail boards, banana boats, and parachute rides. These are optional and cost extra, so they matter mainly if you want more than swimming and lunch.

Las Ánimas is not presented as an isolated beach with no development. Its restaurants and paid activities make it more social and service-oriented than Colomitos. That is a benefit for a long stop, since you can eat and find activities, but it may disappoint you if your idea of a remote beach means total quiet.

Returning from the beach and understanding the extra costs

The boat ride from Las Ánimas back to Boca is not included and costs about 250 pesos. The local bus fare is also separate, at 10 pesos each way. These are small charges compared with many Puerto Vallarta excursions, but they should be part of your planning.

The transportation details deserve attention because the day combines a guided road transfer, a coastal walk, and local transport. The description lists the activity as ending back at the original meeting point, but it also identifies the boat from Las Ánimas to Boca as an optional extra. Ask the operator how the return is handled on your date, especially if you plan to take the boat.

At $49.50 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a guided day that includes the route from Puerto Vallarta, the hike, and beach stops. It is not an all-inclusive beach package. Once you add lunch, drinks, and the boat, your total cost will be higher.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise need to arrange the South Shore route themselves. You pay for the structure of the day and the guide’s attention, while still having freedom to choose your meal and beach activities.

A small group with a naturalist guide

The group is limited to 12 people. That is a useful size for a trail walk, since you are less likely to feel lost in a large procession and should have a better chance to ask questions.

Abraham’s biology background is the most distinctive feature of the guiding. The available account specifically praises his ability to explain nature and adapt the walk to different fitness levels. That does not remove the need for moderate fitness, but it suggests the guide can adjust the pace within reason.

If you care about birds, insects, and wild animals, pay attention during the walking sections rather than treating them as a transfer between beaches. The area includes coastal forest and protected marine habitat, so the natural details are a major part of what you are paying for.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is normally provided at booking, except that bookings made within one day of departure are confirmed as soon as possible, subject to availability.

Who should book this South Shore hike

I would choose this outing if you want a physical day with beach rewards. It fits people who enjoy walking, swimming, coastal scenery, and learning about nature, especially in a small group.

It also suits first-time visitors who want to see more than Puerto Vallarta’s city beaches without arranging several connections on their own. The route gives you the basic South Shore story, from upscale villas and Mismaloya to Boca’s town streets, forest trails, Colomitos, and Las Ánimas.

I would think twice if you want a slow, purely restful beach day. The opening road trip, town walk, trail, beach stops, meal, and return transport create a full schedule. Colomitos gets only about 30 minutes, and the trip can take six to eight hours.

You should also consider the extra spending. Lunch, drinks, the boat, bus fare, and any water activities are all outside the $49.50 price. None is unreasonable, but the tour is easier to judge when you see it as a guided hike with beach time, not as a prepaid resort day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to reach South Shore beaches on foot, learn about local wildlife from Abraham, and balance a genuine hike with swimming and a long stop at Las Ánimas. The clear water at Colomitos, the granite islands, and the small-group format give the day plenty of character.

Skip it if you need a gentle route, dislike spending extra at the beach, or want to stay in one quiet cove all day. For active visitors who see the coast as more than a backdrop for a lounge chair, this is a strong-value Puerto Vallarta outing, provided you arrive ready to walk and pay separately for lunch and return transport.

FAQ

How long does the South Shore hike take?

The experience lasts approximately six to eight hours.

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Basilio Badillo 339A in Zona Romántica, Puerto Vallarta, at 9:00 a.m.

Where does the hike begin?

The group leaves the bus in Boca de Tomatlán, walks through town, crosses the footbridge over the river, and begins the coastal route toward Las Ánimas.

Is swimming included?

You have time to swim at Playa Colomitos and Playa Las Ánimas. Swimming itself is included as part of the beach stops, but equipment rentals are not listed as included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch, water, food, and beverages at Las Ánimas are not included.

How much does the boat from Las Ánimas to Boca cost?

The boat is not included and costs about 250 pesos.

Is the tour suitable for all fitness levels?

No. Participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness because the experience includes a substantial coastal hike.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.