Along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, lies the beautiful resort town of Puerto Vallarta, a beautiful resort town. Once a sleepy fishing village, in the last 50 years Puerto Vallarta has been re-invented. When Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton arrived in the 1960s, they brought the eyes of the rest of the world with them and it is now home to world-class resorts and restaurants, a variety of water sports and adventure opportunities and, of course, stunning coastline. Here is our guide to 5 of the most beautiful stretches of shoreline which are not to be missed on your next visit.

Playa Las Caletas is a unique beach which is only accessible via the tour operator Vallarta Adventures. You can take a daytrip to this hidden beach and enjoy exploring the little islands, relaxing in a hammock, doing some water-based activities such as snorkelling or paddle boarding, or simply enjoying the amazing seafood. There’s also a cliff-top spa! The tour company are extremely reliable and this is a very family-friendly way to spend the day!

A small piece of paradise, Playa Yelapa is a gorgeous beach to the south of Puerto Vallarta which maintains that sleepy fishing village feel while providing some great seafood restaurants and a number of beach clubs perfect for spending the day here. There’s also a magical waterfall further up the mountain, about half an hour’s walk away which is simply beautiful and lovely for an afternoon swim. You can only access Yelapa by boat which makes it feel a bit more secluded and not completely reached by mass tourism.

Just outside of town is Playa las Gemelas is another quieter beach and perfect for spending the day swimming and soaking up the Mexican sun. As its name suggest (gemelas means twins in Spanish), this is technically two beaches which really are postcard-worthy with stretches of white sand looking out onto clear, turquoise water. It’s east to get to from the center of town, which makes it a great daytrip and an ideal escape from city life.

One of the most popular beaches close to Puerto Vallarta, Playa Los Muertos is right in the heart of town! Next to the brand new 60-meter pier, this means is visited by locals and tourists alike and has many restaurants, bars and water-based activities to choose from such as banana boat rides! Don’t forget to visit the shops and galleries too. Originally named ‘Deadman’s Beach’, because this skeletons of indigenous tribes were once found here, this beach is now the perfect spot for spending an afternoon watching daily life at this lively and fun part of Puerto Vallarta.

For the opposite experience, head to Conchas Chinas where there are 3 small, secluded beaches surrounded by hills. This is a popular site for weddings and there are many stunning homes and villas overlooking these incredible beaches. If you’re looking for some true peace and quiet, and a spot of rock pool strolling, then this is the place for you! We recommend bringing your own food and drink, packing a towel and enough water for the day as you won’t find beach umbrellas, bars and restaurants here!