A Paradise We Must Protect.
Las Ánimas Beach, a super pretty place in the southern part of Puerto Vallarta. It is a quiet beach, with clear waters and soft sand, very popular among locals and tourists looking for a more relaxed and natural environment.
Where is Las Ánimas Beach?
It is located south of Boca de Tomatlán, about 20-30 minutes by panga (boat) from the Los Muertos pier in the Romantic Zone, or from Boca de Tomatlán. There is no direct road access, which makes it more special, but you can also get there on foot if you take a good walk from Boca, passing through Colomitos and Las Ánimas.
What can you do?
● Swimming: The sea is calm, ideal for families and for those who do not want to deal with strong waves.
● Restaurants: There are several on the beach where you can eat fresh seafood, ceviche, aguachiles and of course, some good micheladas.
● Water activities: Banana boat rides, parasailing, jet skiing and even paddle boarding if you want something a little more peaceful.
● Snorkeling: Near the rocks it is easy to see colorful fish.
● Relaxing on lounge chairs: You can rent a lounge chair and spend the day sunbathing.
What makes it special?
It is a place that, although it is touristy, is not as saturated as other more famous beaches. The combination of its access only by boat or hike and the jungle environment of the Sierra Madre make it a small hidden paradise. In addition, it is common to see local families and groups of friends enjoying the atmosphere.
Tips:
● Bring cash, because some restaurants do not accept cards.
● If you like walking, you can take the trail from Boca de Tomatlán to Las Ánimas, passing by beautiful beaches like Colomitos and Majahuitas.
● If you want a different experience, take a sailing or catamaran tour that stops there and at other nearby beaches.
In Playa Las Ánimas as such, there are no high-end hotels or luxury resorts. It is a more rustic and relaxed beach, with the typical atmosphere of a traditional Mexican beach town. What predominates there are thatched-roof restaurants, lounge chairs to spend the day and some cabins or simple rooms that you can rent if you decide to stay, but it is not a place with large hotels or international chains.
What type of accommodation is there in Las Ánimas?
● Rustic cabins: Some local restaurants and businesses offer accommodations like bungalows or very simple cabins, with the basics to spend the night. They are ideal for a more adventurous experience or if you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle.
● Local lodging: There are families that offer rooms for rent, but it is very simple, without luxuries or high-end hotel services.
Where are the high-end hotels nearby?
If you are looking for luxury or high-end hotels, these are found in:
● Puerto Vallarta Romantic Zone: Here you have very nice and good-quality boutique hotels such as Hotel Mousai (which is further south, in Garza Blanca) or the Grand Miramar.
● Mismaloya and Garza Blanca: Here you find high-end resorts such as the Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa, Hotel Mousai, Barceló Puerto Vallarta (in Mismaloya). They are quite close to Las Ánimas, but you need transportation by sea or road to get to the beach.
● Conchas Chinas and Amapas: More exclusive areas in Vallarta with luxury villas and hotels.
Why are there no large hotels in Las Ánimas?
The beach is difficult to access by land (only by walking or boat) and has maintained a more natural and traditional atmosphere. In addition, many of these southern beaches, such as Yelapa, Quimixto and Majahuitas, have opted for more ecological and low-impact tourism, which limits the development of large hotel constructions.
If you are looking for something more exclusive but want to enjoy Las Ánimas, the best option is to stay in Garza Blanca or Mismaloya and take a tour or a boat to spend the day there.
Visiting Playa Las Ánimas does not have to be expensive. It is one of those beaches where you decide how much you want to spend. Here I break down the approximate costs and options so you can get an idea:
Transportation (round trip)
● Panga from Boca de Tomatlán to Las Ánimas:
○ Approximate cost: $100 - $150 MXN per person round trip.
○ It is the cheapest and fastest option (10-15 min trip).
● Tour from the Los Muertos pier (Romantic Zone):
○ Boats or catamarans that make stops at different beaches, including Las Ánimas.
○ Cost: $400 - $1,200 MXN per person, depending on whether it includes food, drinks or activities.
● Hike from Boca de Tomatlán:
○ Free, only the physical effort. It is a 1.5 - 2 hour trail, passing through Colomitos and Majahuitas.
Food and Drink
● Restaurants on the beach:
○ Seafood dishes: $250 - $400 MXN per person if you order ceviche, zarandeado fish, shrimp, etc.
○ Drinks like beers or micheladas: $50 - $150 MXN.
○ There are packages with a full menu (starter, main course, dessert and drink) for $500 - $800 MXN per person.
● If you bring your own picnic, you save a lot, but some restaurants ask for a minimum consumption if you use their lounge chairs (between $300 - $500 MXN per person).
Activities
● Lounge chairs or hammocks:
○ Sometimes they are free if you eat at the restaurant, other times they ask for $100 - $200 MXN if you are not going to eat much.
● Water sports:
○ Banana boat ride: $200 - $300 MXN per person.
○ Jet ski: $800 - $1,500 MXN for 30 min.
○ Parasailing: $1,000 - $1,500 MXN.
Lodging (optional)
● If you want to stay there, there are simple cabins from $800 - $1,500 MXN per night, although it is more common to go and come back the same day.
A simple trip, just transportation and basic food, can cost you between $400 and $800 MXN per person.
A trip with a boat ride + food + drinks + some water activity, easily goes up to $1,500 - $2,500 MXN per person.
If you are looking for an economical and adventurous experience, the walking trail and a picnic are the best option.
If you are looking for comfort and all-inclusive, there are catamaran tours that take you there, give you food and an open bar.
Playa Las Ánimas is one of those corners that deserve to be protected from predatory tourism and gentrification that has already changed the essence of many places in Mexico, including parts of Puerto Vallarta.
Why does Las Ánimas deserve protection?
- Nature still preserved: Although there is already a tourist presence, Las Ánimas maintains a balance between the Sierra Madre jungle and the sea. You can still see vegetation, animals (such as birds, iguanas and even dolphins near the coast), and a clean environment if it is cared for.
- Local economy: Most of the businesses in Las Ánimas are family-owned or run by small entrepreneurs from Vallarta. They are fishermen, boatmen and restaurateurs who have been working in the area for years, without large corporations or transnational hotels displacing local people.
- Cultural identity: Although it is a beach visited by tourists, the traditional Mexican atmosphere is preserved. Eating zarandeado fish made by locals, getting on a boat driven by local fishermen or buying crafts directly from producers keeps a piece of the authentic Puerto Vallarta alive.
What risks exist?
● Massive and uncontrolled tourism: If it is not regulated, large boats could arrive every day, leaving garbage, noise and polluting the sea.
● Gentrification: If they start building luxury hotels or private villas in the area, they will raise prices, displace locals and change the spirit of the community.
● Pollution: More tourism without environmental education can generate waste accumulation, damage to the marine and terrestrial ecosystem, and loss of biodiversity.
What can be done?
- Support responsible tourism: Choose services from local operators, consume in family businesses, and respect the place (take away trash, do not disturb the fauna).
- Promote conservation: Demand that the government and communities maintain regulations on the type of construction and the number of visitors.
- Educate visitors: Inform about the importance of not taking anything from the environment, not littering, and understanding that Las Ánimas is not just a pretty place, but an ecosystem that deserves respect.
So... Is it a place that we should protect?
Yes, without a doubt. Las Ánimas still preserves the soul of what Puerto Vallarta was 30 or 40 years ago, and it is an opportunity to learn from the mistakes of other places that were exploited without conscience.
It would be incredible if Las Ánimas were an example of sustainable tourism, where development goes hand in hand with the community, without losing its essence.
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