Beaches and Towns!
There are so many great beaches and cute towns to check out during your stay in PV! I happen to love the beach Casa Tranquila sits is on (Playa Gemelas) but if you want to explore some other amazing beaches here are a few worth your time.
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If you are up for a day excursion to a town outside of Puerto Vallarta and possibly outside of the state of Jalisco you should take a look at a few of these quaint spots.
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San Sebastián del Oeste
San Sebastián was on its peak during the colonial years. When you arrive at the town its architecture takes you directly to the past. The locals could spend hours telling you captivating stories. It is a delight to enjoy its cool climate, with the vegetation where pines and oaks release energizing aromas. One of the main attractions is La Bufa, a high hill that gifts you an impressive view to make memorable pictures with family and friends. To reach the spot the tours take you on ATV’s or trucks. We recommend you wear warm clothes and adventure shoes.
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Its name comes from the word Amaxcotlán, which means place of deer and snakes. It is homeland of warm and nice people who looks to give you the best experience in your visit. One of the main attractions is the Temple of the Precious Blood. It is an unfinished structure where beautiful gardens are mixed to create an enchanting atmosphere. It is currently the ideal stage for concert, plays and cultural events. San Sebastián del Oeste, Talpa de Allende, Atenguillo and Mascota are part of the Biocultural Landscape. The organization seeks balance between rural communities and landscapes of the western Sierra Madre.
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This Magical Town’s center is invaded by the aroma of the typical sweets, with the guava roll outstanding. While you go strolling, you can watch the making of such an addictive flavor. You will find endless figurines carefully crafted with gum, which can’t be amiss in your shopping list. Its church is an unmissable for hundreds of people. The celebrations of the Virgin of Talpa take place during the first days of May. This town is rich in vegetation, with a maple forest you would think belongs to somewhere in Canada.
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Ameca
In this city you can enjoy a delicious weather with an average of 21°C or 70°F. It also features forests of pines, eucalypts, and oaks among other species. Yu can visit Saint Dominic parish, dating back from 1749. Another of the main temples is Guadalupe, dating from 1875. Yet another one is the temple of Conception, also known as the Conchita Chapel. It also features several haciendas, the oldest one from 1716. Each structure has architectural details that will marvel you.
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Nestled in the southernmost cove of the world's 7th largest bay, lies the peaceful village of Yelapa, Jalisco, Mexico. Although there is a road which leads to the pueblo, it is most easily accessible by boat. Transportation to the village departs daily from various locations in the Puerto Vallarta area. Yelapa's tranquillity is ideal for those looking to stay, for that entirely laid-back vacation. The beach is covered in a blanket of golden sand, and is a superb place to swim, snorkel, or parasail. If you are not that energetic you can just relax in one of the numerous beach chairs, soak up the sun, and enjoy a cold drink.
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Known as a true Mexican town, Lo de Marcos has many fine sandy beaches including Los Venados, Las Minitas, and El Atracadero. These beaches are ideal for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and enjoying exceptional Pacific Ocean sunsets. Wide, calm streets, colorful flowering trees, and brilliantly painted façades accompany patient fishermen as they weave their nets, which they will later throw into the warm Pacific Ocean located at the end of the paved walkway.
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The main square (la Plaza), as is traditional in Mexican settlements, is in the heart of town and offers several very reasonably priced restaurants with quality local dishes. Very recommended are the hand-made corn fresh prepared tortillas. Everything you would want to see in town is less than two blocks from the Plaza de Armas.
Just take your time, enjoy sitting at an outside table and watch the surroundings, the locals, and the traditional architecture. Bask in the tranquility, because, unless there’s one of the local celebrations, that’s what you’ll get in abundance. Horses and cows and kids on bikes, are just as common as big noisy pickups (the bigger the better seems to be the understanding in Mexico), so you really feel you’ve traveled back in time and to a real colorful Méjico!
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The history of San Pancho, as San Francisco Mexico is lovingly called, can be read on the walls of a compound near the San Pancho beach. Here you’ll find exceptional images painted in acrylics depicting colorful personalities sprinkled across landscapes known to this area. Located just 5-km north of Sayulita, San Francisco Mexico is considered the “cultural capital” of the state of Riviera Nayarit, thanks to the numerous initiatives carried out here to promote Mexican culture and education.
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Sayulita is a village on Mexico’s Pacific coast backed by the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. It’s known for beaches with strong surf, like the central Sayulita Beach. To the west, Los Muertos Beach is more sheltered, sandwiched between protective rocks. Galleries in Sayulita sell artworks by Huichol indigenous people. Southwest, the Marieta Islands have diverse wildlife such as humpback whales and dolphins.
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A fishing village for generations, this coastal town has been modernized thanks to the construction of the Riviera Nayarit Marina —the largest and most modern of the corridor. Nayarit Marina has helped to create a Nayarit destination that harmoniously combines the traditional life of a Mexican pueblo with the sophistication of a modern development. So, when visiting La Cruz, as the locals call it, you will have the opportunity to witness postcard worthy scenes such as the arrival of fishermen on the pier in their Panga boats loaded with a variety of fish.
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Known for its stunning beach and waterfall, Quimixto is a must see on your next vacation to Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy the quiet beaches or take a hike to the waterfalls. Qumixto has a little something for everyone to enjoy.