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

Puerto Vallarta’s best coastal scenery is not reached by sitting on the sand near town. This active day takes you south to Boca de Tomatlán, then onto a rocky jungle path with steep climbs, small coves, cliff views, and a final seafood stop at Playa Las Ánimas. Colomitos Beach is the early prize: tiny, photogenic, and reached after roughly 40 minutes of hiking.

I like the mix of local transport and foot travel, and I like that guides such as Juan, Diego, Victor, and Alex add stories about plants, animals, and local life along the route. The main catch is simple: this is a real hike, not a flat beach walk. Snorkeling is also dependent on surf and visibility, so treat it as a bonus rather than the reason to book.

Key points to know before booking

• Start with a local bus ride: Meet in Zona Romántica, then ride south to the fishing town of Boca de Tomatlán.
• Expect steep, rocky sections: The route covers roughly 3.5 to 4 miles with climbs, descents, uneven rocks, and some high steps.
• Colomitos is the scenic early stop: Mexico’s smallest beach is beautiful, though it can be crowded with boats and day visitors.
• Snorkeling is not guaranteed: Equipment is supplied, but rough surf or cloudy water can cancel this part.
• Finish at Playa Las Ánimas: You can buy lunch, relax near the water, and return by boat.
• The $38 price is strong value: You get a guide, transport connections, snorkeling gear, and a full coastal day, but lunch and some boat options cost extra.

Why this south-coast hike is worth your time

This excursion shows you a side of Puerto Vallarta that is easy to miss from the Malecón. The city’s southern coast is a chain of small beaches and forested hills, connected in places by rough footpaths rather than roads. You get a taste of local transport, a solid workout, time in the sea, and a boat ride that reveals the coast from offshore.

The experience runs about six and a half hours and allows no more than 14 people. That group size matters. A guide can keep an eye on the pace, explain where to place your feet, and pause for views without turning the day into a large procession.

The tour earns a 4.8 rating from 527 reviews, with 97 percent of customers recommending it. I would read those numbers alongside the practical warnings: it is highly praised for its guides, scenery, and value, but the hardest sections are steeper than the word beach in the title may suggest.

From Zona Romántica to Boca de Tomatlán

You meet at Constitución 363 in Zona Romántica, near Puerto Vallarta’s old center. From there, the group uses public transportation, just as local residents do. The ride along the coast takes about 25 minutes according to the tour details, though some departures have taken closer to 40 minutes.

That bus ride is part of the appeal. You are not sealed inside a private tour van from start to finish. You see bits of the south side of town, the shoreline, and the small communities leading to Boca de Tomatlán. It also means you should allow extra time, especially if you are visiting from a cruise ship.

Boca de Tomatlán is a working fishing town and the practical gateway to the trail. This is where the walking begins. The return can involve another bus, so cruise passengers must compare the tour schedule with ship time, not simply rely on the time shown on their phone.

The first 40 minutes: riverbank, jungle, and climbing

The trail begins near the river and then rises into tropical forest. The opening section gives you a good sense of the day ahead: shade, vegetation, ocean views, and a route that does not always feel polished or easy.

You will climb and descend over rocks, roots, and uneven ground. Several sections require high steps or careful foot placement. Some people describe the route as moderate, while others find it strenuous. Both views can be true. A fit person who hikes often may find it manageable, while anyone unused to hills may feel the effort quickly.

Wear shoes with firm traction. Hiking shoes are the safest choice, though some people have completed the route in sturdy sandals or even barefoot. I would not copy the barefoot approach unless you are comfortable with sharp rocks and wet sections. You may need to remove your shoes at the beaches, and parts of the route can leave footwear damp or sandy.

Bring a small backpack so your hands stay free. Water, sunscreen, a towel, and a protein snack are sensible additions. A towel is especially handy if you swim early in the route.

Colomitos Beach, the tiny first reward

After roughly 40 minutes, you reach Playa Colomitos. It is officially recognized as the smallest beach in Mexico, and the setting explains why it receives so much attention. The cove is compact, framed by forest and rock, and makes a fine place for photographs.

Colomitos is also the most likely place for swimming and snorkeling. If the water is calm, your guide may provide masks and snorkels so you can look for fish near the rocks. Some people have seen stingrays, pufferfish, moray eels, and several types of smaller fish here.

The conditions can change fast. High tide, swells, or poor visibility may make snorkeling unsafe or simply not worthwhile. On rougher days, the guide may keep the equipment packed away. This is not a failure of the tour. It is a reminder that ocean activities depend on the ocean. Book the experience for the coast and the hike first, then enjoy snorkeling if the day allows it.

Colomitos can also be the least secluded stop. Boats reach it easily, and other beach visitors may be there already. If you are looking for quiet, the later coves may suit you better.

Beyond Colomitos: the quieter beach sections

After the first beach, the route continues along the coast through forest and over more uneven ground. The tour is promoted as a visit to six hidden beaches, but you should understand what that means in practice. You may see several beaches and coves, yet you will not necessarily stop for a long swim at each one.

Some beaches serve mainly as scenic pauses while the group continues walking. Others offer 25 to 30 minutes for swimming or relaxing. Your exact stops depend on group pace, sea conditions, and how much time remains before lunch.

This is where the tour feels most rewarding if you like walking for its own sake. The path gives you changing views of the Bay of Banderas, rock formations, jungle, villas, and small strips of sand that cannot be reached by road. Guides often point out iguanas, trees, and other signs of local wildlife. Victor, for example, is praised for spotting iguanas and explaining the plants and animals along the trail.

You may also find small stands near the beaches selling drinks or fresh coconut. Bring Mexican pesos if you want to buy something along the way. Credit cards are more likely to work at Playa Las Ánimas restaurants than at small beach stands.

A trail that rewards fitness, not speed

The route becomes easier in some places after the early climbs, but it never turns into a paved promenade. Good balance and a steady step matter more than speed. A guide may offer advice on how to handle a steep descent or a large rock, but the trail still requires personal effort.

The minimum age is 10, and the maximum is 60. That age range is a useful guide, not a full fitness test. You should be comfortable with hills and uneven ground, and you should not have health or mobility problems that make climbing difficult.

The guides are one of the tour’s strongest features. Juan is often described as funny and calm, with a good sense of group pace. Diego is known for adjusting to different fitness levels and sharing information about local culture, plants, and animals. Victor receives praise for patience and natural history knowledge, while Alex is described as easygoing and attentive.

The best guides do not rush everyone to the same rhythm. Still, this is a group outing, so you should expect a shared pace rather than a private itinerary.

Playa Las Ánimas and the well-earned lunch

The final main stop is Playa Las Ánimas, the largest and most developed beach on the route. It has restaurants, beach seating, drinks, and a more social feel than the smaller coves. This is where you can buy a seafood meal, but lunch is not included in the $38 price.

Food quality and service can vary by restaurant. Some groups have enjoyed excellent meals, while others have faced a long wait. A slow lunch can eat into beach time, especially if the group arrives hungry and the restaurant is busy. Ask your guide about the available options and confirm prices before ordering.

You may want to treat lunch as part of the local experience rather than a carefully timed restaurant reservation. If you would rather swim, sit by the water, or avoid a long meal, discuss that with the guide. Some groups spend little time in the water at Las Ánimas and go straight to lunch, while others use the beach as the final rest stop.

Bring pesos, though some restaurants accept cards. Your meal, drinks, beach seating, and purchases at the smaller beaches are separate from the tour price.

The boat ride back to Boca de Tomatlán

The return by water is a fine ending. After a day of walking, the boat gives your legs a break and lets you see the shoreline from another angle. You may pass rocky coves, forested slopes, and beaches that looked completely different from the trail.

The standard return described by the tour takes you back to Boca de Tomatlán, where you reconnect with the bus to Puerto Vallarta. Some departures offer an optional water taxi to a point closer to town, near the Malecón area, for an additional charge. One reported price was 250 pesos per person, though you should confirm the current cost with the guide.

That distinction matters for cruise passengers. If you use the included boat to Boca, you still need the bus and possibly a taxi to reach the port. Some groups have returned to the cruise terminal around 5 p.m. after combining boat, bus, and taxi connections. Allow a generous buffer and check local time carefully against your ship’s schedule.

What the $38 price really buys you

At $38 per person, this is a strong deal for an active day in Puerto Vallarta. The price covers the guide and use of snorkeling equipment, while the group size is capped at 14. You also receive help with a route and transport sequence that may feel confusing if you have never visited the south coast.

You are not paying for a private boat, a restaurant meal, or a guaranteed snorkeling session. Lunch is extra, and a faster return boat to town may cost more. The value comes from combining several moving parts: local bus travel, a guided trail, beach stops, swimming opportunities, equipment, and a boat ride.

You could arrange some of this independently. You could take the bus to Boca, walk the coast, find a water taxi, and choose your own restaurant. The difficulty is knowing the trail, understanding boat connections, and judging how much time you have. For a first visit, the guide removes much of that guesswork.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can also lead to a new date or a full refund.

Who should book this experience

Book it if you want to move, sweat a little, and see the coast from more than a beach chair. It suits people who enjoy uneven trails, small groups, local transport, swimming, and simple seaside meals.

It is a particularly good choice early in your Puerto Vallarta stay. You learn where the southern beaches are, see which coves appeal to you, and may decide to return later by water taxi.

Think twice if you want a relaxed beach day, a guaranteed snorkeling session, or long periods at every beach. The advertised six beaches are better understood as a coastal route with several beach views and a handful of meaningful stops.

Final decision: book the hike if the trail matters most

I would book this tour for the scenery, guides, and mix of transport, hiking, swimming, and boating. The strongest moments are the approach to Colomitos, the quiet coves beyond it, the views over the Bay of Banderas, and the boat ride after the climb.

I would not book it mainly for snorkeling. Ocean conditions may cancel that part, and the group may spend more time walking than swimming. Bring good shoes, water, pesos, sunscreen, and patience for a long lunch or an extra bus connection. If that sounds like a fair trade for a real day on Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast, the price is hard to beat.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at C. Constitución 363 in Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately six hours and 30 minutes.

How do I reach the trail?

The group takes public transportation from Zona Romántica to Boca de Tomatlán. The ride is described as roughly 25 minutes, though it may take longer depending on the departure.

How difficult is the hike?

The hike requires a moderate level of fitness and includes steep inclines, declines, rocky ground, and some high steps. It covers about 3.5 to 4 miles according to information shared about the route.

Is snorkeling guaranteed?

No. Snorkeling depends on sea conditions, including waves, tide, and water visibility. Snorkeling equipment is included, but the guide may cancel this part if conditions are poor.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at Playa Las Ánimas is purchased separately.

How do I return after the hike?

The standard return includes a boat ride back to Boca de Tomatlán. From there, you may need to take public transportation back toward Puerto Vallarta. A faster boat option closer to town may cost extra.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The stated minimum age is 10 years old, and the maximum age is 60.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may result in a new date or full refund.