A Guide To Los Muertos Beach, Puerto Vallarta - Updated 2024

Los Muertos Beach Puerto Vallarta
Priyanjali
Priyanjali 
Updated
| 5 min read

Popularly referred to as ‘PV’ or just 'Vallarta’, the coastal getaway town of Puerto Vallarta boasts lavish oceanfronts and a charming small-town vibe. There are many scenic spots for tourists to explore. While the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains form the town’s backdrop on the east, the stunning Banderas Bay snakes along its coast to provide visitors with spectacular getaway experiences. Los Muertos Beach, or Playa Los Muertos, in Puerto Vallarta, is another spot you can’t miss. Azure waters meet the beach’s glittering, golden sands that are peppered with many camera-toting tourists and beach bums having a ball. It is a popular hangout spot for families, expats, locals, and water sports enthusiasts. Book one of the many Vrbo vacation rentals for your stay and witness the vibrant city culture and participate in water sports at this marvellous beach. The town also has many all-inclusive hotels catering to tourists who prefer a more luxurious stay. To make the most of your time here, check out our guide to Los Muertos Beach, Puerto Vallarta.

Where to stay

1. Playa Los Arcos (from USD 215)

Playa Los Arcos is one of the best hotels for those who want to enjoy nice beach views in Puerto Vallarta. Apart from easy beach access, this property has outdoor pools for guests to take a refreshing dip. Guests also can enjoy rejuvenating treatments in a spa.

You can book an air-conditioned room featuring a private balcony. The hotel organizes outdoor activities such as walking tours and indoor entertainment programs such as themed dinners to keep their guests engaged. If you feel hungry after all these activities, indulge in exclusive Austrian cuisine at Café Maximilian and Mexican food at Mi Pueblito.

Visited this place?

Playa Los Arcos

Wifi Available

Address: Olas Altas 380

Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Garden Terrace Non-smoking rooms

2. Casa Nicole Boutique Hotel (from USD 232)

If you are looking to enjoy an unforgettable vacation in Los Muertos Beach, then stay at the charming Casa Nicole Boutique Hotel. This hotel features a 24-hour front desk to ensure a seamless stay for guests. The on-site eatery, Casa Nicole, offers Mexican and American cuisine.

Stay connected with free internet and enjoy the city and garden views from the balcony in your room. The air-conditioned rooms feature convenient amenities such as flat-screen TVs, desks, wardrobes, and private bathrooms with a walk-in shower.

Visited this place?

Casa Nicole Boutique Hotel

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: Pinos Suarez 203 Col. Emiliano Zapata en Olas Altas

Restaurant Room service Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Terrace Non-smoking rooms Facilities for disabled guests Breakfast in the room

Things to do / Highlights

Playa de Los Muertos
Source: Photo by user David Stanley used under CC BY 2.0

Go in for some water sports

Parasailing, windsurfing, and jet skiing are among the top water sports activities that visitors busy themselves with. Or, you can just enjoy an invigorating swim in Puerto Vallarta. Else, hop aboard a banana boat and enjoy an exciting time, wading through the ocean’s waters. Since the beach sees a heavy tourist footfall, there are plenty of gear rental shops and guided tour facilities that you’ll be able to find. Just zero in on the activity you prefer and go around bobbling in water.

Spend time fishing

You can also bring along your reels and rods and find yourself a spot on the Los Muertos Pier or the rocks on the southern side of the beach and enjoy time fishing. Although, remember to be careful as there might be naughty cranes snatching your catch!

Enjoy beach activities

Those not too confident about water sports can have themselves a whale of a time indulging in some beach volleyball. You’ll find several nets and other groups playing. You can mingle with others, too.

Soak in gorgeous views

Spot the towering, sail-shaped structure and that’s the Los Muertos Pier, bustling with photographers and hordes of tourists there to admire stunning views of the vista. While the day time offers an unmatched view of the never-ending horizon, the evenings are a visual treat for views of the sunset from Bahía de Banderas. At nighttime, the structure is bathed in blue lights, making it quite the stunning sight. Remember to head there early to be able to grab a place to sit, else you’ll have to make do standing.

Walk down to neighbouring areas

The Malecón boardwalk runs along the beach’s shore from the pier to the north. It is dotted with several beautiful statues that you can stop by and admire or click snaps for your Instagram. Among the most famous of these life-like statues is the Seahorse statue. Additionally, the beach’s southern end, a strip called Blue Chairs, is a haven among the LGBTQ community. It is quite the party place, we hear.

What to eat

Award winning, mouth-watering, belly-stuffing burger (and fries) - all for 70 pesos TODAY!

Posted by Joe Jack's Fish Shack PV on Wednesday, 29 August 2012

Considering Los Muertos Beach’s popularity, there are a ton of eateries the beach is fronted with. From casual cafes and walk-in shacks to fine dining restaurants, Los Muertos Beach in Puerto Vallarta offers diverse culinary experiences. Choose one that suits your preference best.

Los Muertos Brewing

Serving some of the best, most crisp locally crafted beers is Los Muertos Brewing. Pair this with one of their freshly made pizzas and you have yourself a winning combo! It is located on the south side and is barely a five-minute walk from Los Muertos Beach.

Joe Jack's Fish Shack

A short walk from the beach is Joe Jack’s Fish Shack, bustling with hungry diners gorging on the restaurant’s yummy seafood. Order their fish tacos, one of the burgers, or the fish and chips and you’ll know why the place enjoys the popularity that it does. Wash these down with a side of one of their zingy mojitos – mmmm!

Di Vino Dante

Just a few steps from the beach, along Basilio Badillo Street, is Di Vino Dante, offering an exquisite, upscale dining experience. Oozing an intimate charm, the restaurant’s ambience (and of course, delicious food) makes it a top spot for dates or a romantic dinner. It is primarily a tapas and wine bar, but is touted to serve some of the best margaritas in town so remember to order one. Di Vino Dante also has an excellent selection of Latin American and Mexican wines that you can go in for.

Things to buy

Posted by Barb Bremner on Wednesday, 14 March 2018

The beach is lined with many shops selling a variety of items, ranging from souvenirs to trinkets that you can pick up. Don’t leave the beach without buying some of these:

Crystalware

PV’s best crystalware store, Mundo de Cristal, is a skip away from the beach. They sell all sorts of delicate items, such as drink stirrers, glassware, and other decorative items made of crystal. They even offer shipping services so if you want to buy something, but are worried about the size or weight, request them for doorstep delivery!

Hernandez ceramics

You can’t leave PV without buying these bespoke, hand-painted Hernandez items. Senor Talavera and Encino, both house a fantastic collection so drop by and pick some up. They also offer shipping services so buy away!

Tequila

Mexico is BIG on tequila so it’s only right that you take back some to relish at home as well. Herradura and Don Julio are the top tequila brands that are recommended. You can buy these off any liquor store you find around you.

Raicilla

A trip to PV isn’t complete if you’re not taking back raicilla, a drink that resonates with the Mexican state every bit. It tastes a bit like tequila, except is much more nuanced in terms of flavour and is best enjoyed in the form of cocktails. There’s a subtle smokiness about it that you’ll just love so do buy some for home.

Vanilla

You’ll find some of the world’s best, most aromatic vanilla in Puerto Vallarta. The one most commonly opted for is the one by Orlando. You can buy these off any store selling grocery or everyday items.

Travelers tips

Playa de Los Muertos
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Melikamp used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Beware of vendors

There’s no dearth of small-time vendors on the beach. Some of them can get particularly aggressive so tourists or first-time visitors should keep an eye out. Just remember to turn them down in a stern, but polite manner. A simple “no, gracias” should do the trick!

Swimming-friendly side

For those of you with children, stay near the Los Muertos Pier, where waters and facilities are better for children to enjoy swimming in the ocean.

Carry beach essentials

While a sexy beach tan is welcome, getting bronzed to the point of being sunburnt isn’t. Remember to carry along a sunscreen lotion, sunhats, caps, towels, and other necessary stuff to avoid an unsavoury experience.

How to get there

Mismaloya Picnic
Source: Photo by Flickr user Dennis Sylvester ... used under CC0

Cab

There are several spots across the city from where you can hitch a taxi. Else, just fire up the Uber app and call one for yourself anywhere.

Bus

Bus travel is the most common way for tourists to get around PV because it’s cheap and hassle-free. Several buses service the Los Muertos Beach at a frequency of every 10 to 15 minutes so go in for one closest to you.

Private car

Unless you want to explore neighbouring towns, it’s best to skip renting a private car. There are ample trustworthy public transportation modes that you can opt for.

Los Muertos Beach information

Playa de Los Muertos
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Melikamp used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Los Muertos Beach

Address: El Centro (Off Calle Olas Atlas), Puerto Vallarta 48380, Mexico

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Department of tourism: Visit Puerto Vallarta

Frequently asked questions about Los Muertos Beach, Puerto Vallarta


  • What exciting activities await tourists in Los Muertos Beach?

    The list of exciting activities that tourists can enjoy on Los Muertos Beach includes water sports such as parasailing, banana boat rides, jet skiing, windsurfing etc. Apart from that, you can also go fishing and join a walking tour in the neighbourhood.

  • What is the best way to get to Los Muertos Beach?

    The best way to reach Los Muertos Beach is to get an Uber across the city. But if you want to save money, you can always find a bus to the beach. They are pretty regular and there is one every 10 to 15 minutes.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Priyanjali, a writer and traveler, identifies as a self-proclaimed aesthete dedicated to achieving fulfillment in her personal and professional life. Her skill lies in transforming intangible...Read more

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