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Colomitos Beach, a hidden gem near Puerto Vallarta

Colomitos Beach, or Playa Colomitos, is one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches located in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.

The name Colomitos means Little Colomos and Colomos in the Mexican language is the name of a plant from Asia.

What makes this beach so unique and charming is that it can be reached only by boat or by hiking through the rainforest.

It is the perfect destination for a day trip from Puerto Vallarta, which you must not miss when in the area.

It is an undeveloped and intimate beach, perfect for reconnecting with nature and listening to the sound of waves.

The beach is about 50 m wide, so ensure you arrive here early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Its crystal-clear water and white sand is perfect for diving, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing.

In this guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about this beach, from how to get there to which are the best activities in the area.

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Where is Colomitos Beach?

Playa Colomitos is located about 23 km south of Puerto Vallarta, right between Yelapa and Puerto Vallarta.

The beach is located in the Mexican state of Jalisco, 30 minutes drive from the fisherman village Malecon.

It is located in a small cove in the southern curve of Banderas Bay, between El Caballo Beach and the Horcones River.

Colomitos beach crystal water
Colomitos beach crystal water

How to get to Colomitos Beach Puerto Vallarta

Colomitos Beach is easy to reach by boat or after a short hike.

Getting to Colomitos by Uber

If you don’t like driving, consider booking a taxi from Puerto Vallarta.

The price for a trip is around 30 USD, and make sure you put Boca de Tomatlan, not Colomitos, on Uber Apps.

Renting a car in Puerto Vallarta

There are a lot of rental companies in Puerto Vallarta, but I prefer to book the car online as I have better visibility of the costs and coverages, and it is also cheaper.

Mexico car rental
Mexico car rental

I always use DiscoverCar as here I can compare the prices and see the components of the price transparently.

The cost for renting a car in Mexico starts from 25 USD per day, and you have the freedom and mobility do drive wherever you want.

Get the best price for your car rental today

Getting to Colomitos by bus

To get to Colomitos Beach, you should take the bus near Costa Linda Suites in Zona Romantica.

The buses leave quite frequently, and you don’t have to buy tickets in advance.

One ticket costs around 10 MXN, and the ride last for about 30 minutes.

There are about 9 stops to Colomitos. Actually, you are getting off the bus at Boca de Tomatlan.

And don’t worry, a lot of people get off there, so you will not miss this stop.

Getting to Colomitos with a guided tour

A fantastic way to explore the area and learn a lot of interesting things about the local flora and fauna is with a guided tour.

Puerto Vallarta: Los Arcos Islets Private Snorkeling Tour is one of the best tours from Puerto Vallarta.

You will explore Los Arcos Islets and the beautiful Colomitos Beach in a 4 hours tour.

How about a snorkeling session in these pristine waters packed with many species of fish, rays, and corals?

You have included snorkeling equipment, soft drinks, and the tour guide in the tour price.

Getting to Colomitos by boat

Consider taking a boat if you don’t want to hike to this pristine beach.

The price for the boat is somewhere around 100 pesos per person.

Boat tour in Mexico
Boat tour in Mexico

Colomitos Beach hike: what it looks like

The trail to Colomitos Beach starts from the fishing village of Boca de Tomatlan.

Boca de Tomatlan is actually another interesting attraction in the area.

The beach here is very nice, and there are a lot of restaurants overlooking the sea.

Signs are pointing you to the hike to Colomitos, but just for you to know, the hike to Colomitos from Boca de Tomatlan starts from the parking lot.

Here you have to cross the bridge to continue the hike from Boca de Tomatlán.

The hiking trail passes through a Mexican neighborhood, and you can ask locals for directions if you are confused.

Along the way, there are a few view decks and beautiful spots from where you can admire the view and take some awesome photos.

Colomitos Beach ocean view
Colomitos Beach ocean view

The hike lasts around 30 minutes, but the time mostly depends on how many stops you make.

In the end, you will enter the jungle, and from there, you will see Colomitos.

You will cross a wooden bridge, and you will reach the beach.

I went here quite early in the morning, and the beach was almost empty, so I could enjoy the view and relax.

So that is why I advise you visiting Colomitos Beach early in the morning, to can truly enjoy its beauty.

On the beach, a small hut sells drinks but no food.

What you’ll see along the way

You might spot different species of animals like foxes, iguanas, crabs, skunks, raccoons, and small reptiles.

These animals are somehow used with people, so they are not shy, and you can spot them in their natural environment.

There are also birds and insects, as well as butterflies in the jungle forest and many species of trees and plants.

Playa Colomitos from view point
Playa Colomitos from view point

Things to do at Colomitos Beach Mexico

  • Snorkeling
  • Swimming
  • Sunbathing
  • Kayaking
  • Hiking

The waters around the beach are packed with marine creatures like giant damselfish, angels, pufferfish, reef cornetfish, moray eels, spotted boxfish, sergeant majors, rainbow wrasses, and many others.

Tips and suggestions

There are no facilities available on this beach, so make sure you take with you everything you need for a day at the beach.

Pack food and water, as well as mosquito repellent and sunscreen.

For those of you who like hiking, a path goes further to Las Animas Beach.

There is a stair on the western side of Colomitos Beach which is the starting point of this hike.

The hiking trail is very well marked and last for about 1 hour or 1 hour and a half.

Don’t forget to take at least 2 liters of water, sunscreen, and a sun hat.

Colomitos beach crystal water
Colomitos beach crystal water

Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta

There are no fancy hotels around Colomitos Beach, and since it is really close to Puerto Vallarta, we recommend booking your hotel in this magnificent city.

There are plenty of options for overnight stays around Puerto Vallarta, so finding the ones with the best price-quality ratio might be time-consuming.

I did this research for you, and I drop below my results:

Best adults-only resort- Hotel Mio Vallarta

This adults-only hotel is located about 300 meters from Villa del Mar Beach.

Hotel Mio Vallarta features an outdoor swimming pool, a terrace, a restaurant, and free parking.

The rooms are spacious and clean and are equipped with a flat-screen TV, a desk, a balcony, and a private bathroom.

Hotel Mio Vallarta
Hotel Mio Vallarta

Best beachfront hotel – The Paramar

Located right in the heart of Puerto Vallarta, The Paramar is one of the most beautiful Boutique hotels in the area.

The rooms feature a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, an oven, a flat-screen TV, and a balcony.

Camarones Beach is just a few steps away, while the beautiful Los Muertos Beach is less than 2.5 km away.

The Paramar Hotel Puerto Vallarta
The Paramar Hotel Puerto Vallarta

Is Colomitos Beach worth visiting?

Yes, it totally worth the effort.

Actually, the beach’s beauty is also given by the hiking experience.

You will pass through the beautiful village of Boca de Tomatlan and the jungle packed with incredible creatures.

Many viewpoints along the trail offer breathtaking views of the coastline.

At the end of this trail, you will find a wild beach hidden from crowds with a fantastic atmosphere and a good vibe.

Colomitos Beach view
Colomitos Beach view

What to pack for Colomitos Beach Jalisco Mexico

Logistical tips and tricks for your trip

Book your accommodation
We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.

You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.

Don't forget travel insurance
We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money.

When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.

Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected costs caused by medical events like illness, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.

We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.

Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.

We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.

Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.

We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.

Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.

Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.