Insider’s Guide to Playa Quimixto, Puerto Vallarta

Playa Quimixto, Jalisco, is one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches and the region’s best-kept secrets. Located between Las Ánimas and Majahuitas, you’ll find this picture-perfect beach along the southern part of Banderas Bay. This tiny slice of paradise is excellent to visit on a day trip from Puerto Vallarta or as its own stop on an epic beach-hopping vacation. 

The town of Quimixto is tiny, with only 400 or so permanent residents. They do, however, have a few great accommodation options. But don’t expect traditional, multistory buildings or a fancy hotel. 

Many people travel here to attend wellness or yoga retreats. 

Who wouldn’t want to focus on themselves when you stay in lodges that look like they are taken directly from a postcard? 

If that isn’t your thing, plan to rent an apartment for a few nights to truly get a feel for the area. 

Things to do in Playa Quimixto

Enjoy Quimixto Beach

Quimixto Playa is a stunning beach and cannot be missed on a trip to Puerto Vallarta. 

This beach is a long stretch of warm, honey-hued sand that opens up to clear, cerulean waters. The area is calm and relaxing, without loads of vendors trying to get you to buy whatever they are selling that day. 

In fact, Playa Quimixto is very quiet compared to other beaches near Puerto Vallarta. You’ll feel like you have the beach to yourself, allowing you to soak up the sun in peace. 

Another option is to visit Wikari, the Quimixto Beach Club. This gorgeous set-up offers lounge chairs and umbrellas on the beach as well as a lovely restaurant and bar. 

If laying on the beach all day isn’t for you, don’t worry. The crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkeling. In addition, you can spot a variety of marine life right off the beach, so be sure to pack your snorkel gear with you.

Nature lovers can walk toward the La Puerto River to see many seabirds, such as gulls, pelicans, and herons. You may even be lucky enough to see some of the area’s other fauna, like iguanas, parrots, ocelots, and deer.

Playa El Volador, Quimixto beach’s official name, also offers epic surfing. People come from Europe, the US, and South America to compete in tournaments here. If you time it right, you can watch the surfers train.

Hike the Quimixto Waterfall

Other than its breathtaking beach, Quimixto is best known for its waterfall. 

It is one of the best hikes near Puerto Vallarta, so if you love adventure, you cannot miss this. 

Pro tip: The amount of water in the fall depends on the season. You may see a raging waterfall if you travel during the rainy season or only a tiny trickle if there hasn’t been rain for a while.

To get to the waterfall, walk up the town’s main road and follow it along until you see horse rentals and a bridge. Cross the bridge into the forest and look for signs pointing towards the falls marked cascada—waterfall in Spanish.

From there, it is about a 30-minute hike to the Quimixto waterfall. There is a slight incline, but the trail is well-marked, and there is plenty of shade along the way.

Once you arrive at the waterfall, you will notice a restaurant. It is customary and expected to buy something to enjoy their chairs and swim in the refreshing pools.

Eating in Playa Quimixto

Once you get hungry, check out a Quimixto beach restaurant. 

There are two directly on the beach and a few on the main road in town. Eat what the locals eat, fresh seafood, delicious ceviche, and ice-cold cervezas!

Even though the options are limited, you won’t be disappointed. Whether visiting for the day or staying over for a few nights, you’ll be happy to fuel up and enjoy a drink or two here.

Weather in Playa Quimixto

The weather in Playa Quimixto is best between December to June. Temperatures hover between 25-30℃ (77-86℉), the humidity is lower, and it is well within the dry season. This is also a great time to visit because it is peak whale season, so you may catch some majestic humpback whales on their yearly migration. 

The rainy season is from July through October. Average temperatures are between 32-34℃ (89-93℉), and it is much more humid due to the storm systems in the area. If you travel during this time, expect daily afternoon showers. The rest of the day, however, is usually dry. Hot and humid, but good beach weather until the storms roll in.

Overall, August is the cheapest time for accommodation in Playa Quimixto. Puerto Vallarta flights are also less expensive during this time. You’ll get hot weather and a daily thunderstorm, but there is plenty of time to spend on the beach or hiking the waterfall–if you don’t mind the humidity. The draw here is that you avoid peak season at the resorts in November and December.

Pro tip: This time coincides with hurricane season. Keep an eye on the weather forecasts, so you don’t get stranded.

Packing List Essentials for Playa Quimixto

When visiting Quimixto Beach, Puerto Vallarta, you’ll want to pack the following:

• Swimwear
• Hat 
• Sunscreen 
• Sand resistant towel
• Large water bottle
• Bug spray
• Snacks
• Snorkel gear
• GoPro or waterproof camera
• Cash—businesses here operate on cash, and finding an ATM will be challenging
• If you’re only coming for the day–a change of clothes or a dry pair of shorts for the ride home

Map of Playa Quimixto

You know all the important info except where this beach is on a map. So without further ado… here is an interactive map for you to peek at.

How to Get to Playa Quimixto via Puerto Vallarta

To get to Playa Quimixto, you must first get to Puerto Vallarta. So let’s start with that journey first…

Puerto Vallarta has an international airport (PVR), so if you can fly directly there, bonus! 

If you are planning on flying into the capital, it is possible to take a bus from Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta. The ride takes about twelve and a half hours. However, the trip will be pretty comfortable. They offer WiFi, AC, and charging ports at your seat. 

Unless you love a long bus ride, the better option is to take a domestic flight to Puerto Vallarta. Flights are often very reasonably priced and only take an hour and a half.

There are plenty of ways to get to Puerto Vallarta from other areas of Mexico. For example, you can book a flight from Monterrey or take a comfortable tourist bus from Manzanillo.

Ok, now that you’re in Puerto Vallarta, on to Playa Quimixto.

How to get from Puerto Vallarta to Playa Quimixto

Playa Quimixto is about 39 km (24 miles) southwest of Puerto Vallarta.

There aren’t any roads that lead directly to Playa Quimixto. And unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of public transportation options between the two towns. But if you’re wondering how to get to Quimixto from Puerto Vallarta, fear not! 

You can take a water taxi directly from Los Muertos beach pier in Puerto Vallarta to Quimixto. Just note that there is no boat to bring you back unless you book in advance. Keep this in mind if you are only going for a day trip. 

Another option is to take a local bus from downtown Puerto Vallarta to Boca Del Tomatlan, a small fishing village 18.5 km (~11 miles) away. The ride takes about 30 minutes. Wait for the white and orange bus at the corner of Calle Constitucion and Basilio Badillo in Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town. There is a departure every half-hour starting at 7 am. 

Or you could also organize a taxi to take you directly to the port. 

Once you arrive in Boca de Tomatlan, head to the pier, where plenty of water taxis are waiting. This part of the trip will take about 20 minutes. 

Pro tip: The last boat leaves either side at approximately 5 pm, so be sure you arrive early enough to make it across.

Final Thoughts

While it does sound like a mission to get to Play Quimixto, it is totally worth it! No matter how you get there, it’s a fantastic place to spend a few days hiking and relaxing on the beach. You’re definitely in for a relaxing vacation!

Not ready for your holiday to end just yet? Find out all the places Bookaway can take you to throughout Mexico.

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