Southshore Puerto Vallarta FAQ

I’ve been spending a lot of time on the Southshore lately, and I realize that there is so much to discover in this beautiful area of Puerto Vallarta. Our newest listing is Torre Punta Vallarta 7, a beautiful 2 bedroom, 3 bathroom condo that sits right on Punta Negra beach. I’ve been busy with showings and spending a lot of time in this absolutely gorgeous area. I thought I would share with you all a bit of information on PV’s famous Southshore.

Where is the PV Southshore?

Technically, the southshore starts as soon as you leave Old Town Vallarta and head south of the Basilio Badillo area on the 200 highway. The Southshore goes all the way to Boca de Tomatlan, a small fishing village 15 km south of PV. Notable towns include:

Amapas
Conchas Chinas (Upper and Lower)
El Nogalito
Punta Negra
Garza Blanca
Las Gemelas
Mismaloya
Boca de Tomatlan

What’s so great about it?

Vallarta’s Southshore is famous first and foremost for its stunning natural beauty. There are many coves here with dramatic rock oucroppings that create private beaches and great snorkelling. There are larger beaches like Punta Negra, Las Gemelas, and Garza Blanca that attract crowds on the weekends. The jungle provides a dramtic backdrop to this area as there are no flatlands in this 10 mile stretch. Many homes are built vertically on the seaside cliffs. Home buyers are attracted to this area for the quiet, peaceful seclusion it provides. The bigger residential areas like Amapas and Conchas Chinas allow residents to be close to the action of the Romantic Zone, yet retreat to their mountainside or coastal quiet areas. The further south you go, the more peace you will encounter.

What to do?

The beautiful beaches are definitely a great way to enjoy the Southshore, but few know the other amazing options to explore in this area.

Palo Maria river and waterfalls (across from the Garza Blanca Hotel)
Waterfall hike down in El Nogalito
Temezcal (sweat lodge) and wellness center in El Nogalito
Zoo in Mismaloya
El Eden zipline and restaurant with waterfalls in Mismaloya
Full moon SUP trips leaving from Mismaloya beach with Paddle Zone
Snorkel and scuba dive at Los Arcos National Park
Go Horseback riding in Mismaloya
Epic 7 waterfall hike in the highlands of Mismaloya
Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas Hike
Boca de Tomatlan is gateway to beaches further south that can only be reached by boat like Las Animas, Quimixto, and Yelapa.
Bungee Jump (just north of Mismaloya)

Things to consider…

Every area has its pros and cons. While the “cons” list is quite short, there are a few things to consider. Since this area is more secluded, things like going to the grocery store become a little more complicated the further south you live. Those in Amapas and Conchas Chinas are still walking distance to town and all the services of a big city. But the closer you get to Boca de Tomatlan means a car will come in most handy! Although Uber and public buses are definitely viable means of transport for many residents of the southshore. Highway 200 is a two lane coastal highway that is very beautiful, but can occasionally experience traffic if accidents occur. However, many parts of Vallarta have 2 lane highways and experience a similar issue.

I hope this brief FAQ has been helpful to you if you are considering living in this most amazing part of Mexico!

Would you like to live on Puerto Vallarta’s Southshore? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below! -Christina

Visit www.vallartaluxurylifestyles.com to learn more about incredible Puerto Vallarta and our real estate market.

Yelapa: the Perfect Tropical Escape!

Yelapa is a beautiful little fishing village situated on the very southern end of the Bay of Banderas. Visiting this tiny seaside town is like stepping back into simpler times. If you’re up for the adventure of getting to a remote village, you will love the experience of visiting Yelapa.

How to get there…

Yelapa is not accessible by car, although there are small roads in the town that ATVs use. The vast majority of residents and visitors come in and out of the village by boat. You can also arrive mountain biking via El Tuito. The most common way to get there is by taking a bus/car to Boca de Tomatlan (25 minutes south of PV), then jumping into a taxi boat for another 35 minutes. It is definitely part of the adventure!

What to do in Yelapa…

Relax is the number one “thing to do” on most people’s list when visiting this sleepy, tropical oasis. There isn’t a lot to do here. Lounge by the beach, meander through the colorful town, walk to the waterfall! If you are staying in Yelapa for a longer period of time, then you may want to explore neighboring communities like Chimo and Pizota for a taste of even smaller town life. Fishing is a fantastic way to spend a day as well. And for those adrenaline junkies out there, there is hang gliding and parasailing as well! But most people are happy to laze the day away at a beachfront restaurant and taking in some Vitamin Sea.

Have you ever been to Yelapa? What do you enjoy most about this magical place? I would love to hear from you in the comments below! -Christina

Looking for you own tropical vacation or retirement home? Please visit my website www.vallartaluxurylifestyles.com to begin your journey.

Best Remote Beaches PV!

Puerto Vallarta is famous for its fun, beachy atmosphere. Downtown PV offers plenty of options if you’re looking to casually walk up to a beachfront restaurant with 20 of your closest friends and spend your day in the comfort of a chaise lounge under an umbrella. But what about those looking for a more off- the-beaten-path experience? The best remote beaches PV has to offer are not widely known, and today I’d love to give you a little insider’s information. I hope you get the chance to visit one of these amazing beaches on your next trip to Puerto Vallarta!

Colomitos

This is an incredibly beautiful little beach to the south of Puerto Vallarta. Located in between Boca de Tomatlan and Las Animas, Colomitos is only accessible by foot or boat. It is mostly frequented by hikers that are en route to the Las Animas. It’s the perfect spot to stop and catch your breath and go for a refeshing dip in the sea. Tour boats do stop in this tiny cove as well. It is common to see passengers dive off yachts or catamarans to snorkel in the cristalline emerald waters this beach is famous for. There is a famous restaurant called Ocean Grill that is perched on the rocks adjacent to Colomitos Beach. It is absolutely delicious and the views are out of this world! I highly recommend spending the day in this tiny nook of beauty.

Palito Verde

Palito Verde is definitely one of the Best Remote Beaches PV has to offer. Located North of Puerto Vallarta in between La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta de Mita, this lovely beach is hard to find! Parking is along the side of the old highway to Punta de Mita. You then hike down about 5 minutes on a dirt road to a beautiful secluded cove with shady trees. The water is calm and clear and you have a beautiful view out across the Bay towards Valalrta.

Tag: south shore