Are there ANY nice beaches/water in Puerta Vallarta?

After reading many posts while trying to decide on an all inclusive resort for the day it seems that people are always complaining about the yucky beaches and brown water.

Having never been on the west coast of Mexico I am wondering if this is truly the case and if it isn't... where would you recommend we go? I'd rather have beach than pool, but a pool would be a plus in a resort. We are a family of 4 with two children 10 and 7. Help!

I haven't been to any of the all inclusive resorts but we did visit the beach in PV and I was not impressed. The water was did look dirty. This trip we are booking a canopy tour so we don't go to the beach. If we didn't do that we would have gone to an all inclusive so we could have the pool.

After reading many posts while trying to decide on an all inclusive resort for the day it seems that people are always complaining about the yucky beaches and brown water.

 

Having never been on the west coast of Mexico I am wondering if this is truly the case and if it isn't... where would you recommend we go? I'd rather have beach than pool, but a pool would be a plus in a resort. We are a family of 4 with two children 10 and 7. Help!

"yucky beaches and brown water" aren't commonplace along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, but you will find contaminated water in some bay areas and at points along bays and the Ocean where rivers feed into those bodies of water.

The Puerto Vallarta area suffers, many times, from bay waters that carry higher than desirable levels of fecal and other contamination - probably more so than any other port you will stop at.

Bacteria and contamination problems become most serious during the days following heavy rainfall, when run-off is at a greater volume.

Beaches at or near Puerto Vallarta (sharing the large Bahia de Banderas) which frequently report high contamination levels have been: Los Muertos, Cuale, Tomatlan, Yelapa, Quimixto and Mismaloya.

The water is not great in PV or even further up the coast in Bucerias. Beware of stingrays and very tiny almost invisible jelly fish. Also, in the winter, the water is fairly cold especially if you go out to Marietas for snorkeling.

We snorkeled at the Marietas islands in early November when the water was still very warm. Even if the water is cooler during the winter the water at the Marietas is very clear and clean as it is outside of the bay water.

The water is not great in PV or even further up the coast in Bucerias. Beware of stingrays and very tiny almost invisible jelly fish. Also, in the winter, the water is fairly cold especially if you go out to Marietas for snorkeling.

Yes, I got horrible jellyfish stings in PV and still have the scars; made me quite sick.

Agree, the water is often contaminated and I would not view this as an ideal "beach" stop.

In summertime (rainyseason) indeed the water isnot that nice in Puerto Vallarta. Rivers can bring down all kind of stuff.

However in wintertime (hardly or no rain) the bay and the water are nice. Swimming and beaches may not be that great in the city but certainly nicer around Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias etc which is more north on the bay.

I swim in the ocean often (we are in PV during wintertime) and never have problems.

I know from other travels (and living along the Northsea in The Netherlands) that it is certainly isnot just the bay of Puerto vallarta having some bad days from time to time.

I do not think gomexico has ever been to Vallarta but I can tell you that the water clarity will always be brownish at the mouth of the river in the rainy season.

On a side note, I have compared the water sample levels here are we are even better than most samples collected from Long Beach, California! (They often have to close beaches in California in the rainy season so DO NOT think this is a Mexico thing)

So, if you want to see some beaches, here are some recent photos:

This is Plya Conchas Chinas just south of the Romantic Zone, right by the Lindo Mar hotel: http://i.rentalo.com/images/Puerto-Vallarta-Villa-p7_232367_7205476l.jpg

This is also Conchas Chinas by Villa Celeste: http://www.gayguidevallarta.com/Lodging/Images/483_20071003161611_l_copy4.jpg

This is from the pier at Los Muertos: http://z.about.com/d/gaytravel/1/0/0/6/-/-/Gay_Beach_Puerto_Vallarta.jpg

Las Caletas beach: http://www.louisfuqua.net/caletasnoone.jpg

Dreams Vallarta: http://z.about.com/d/studenttravel/1/0/G/L/puerto-vallarta-beach-south.jpg

The coast along Garza Blanca: http://virtualvallarta.com/puertovallarta/bm.pix/a298~s600x600.jpg

Beach/cove at Yelapa: http://casagraceland.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/yelapa-beach2.jpg

I do not think gomexico has ever been to Vallarta but I can tell you that the water clarity will always be brownish at the mouth of the river in the rainy season.

On a side note, I have compared the water sample levels here are we are even better than most samples collected from Long Beach, California! (They often have to close beaches in California in the rainy season so DO NOT think this is a Mexico thing)

 

So, if you want to see some beaches, here are some recent photos:

This is Plya Conchas Chinas just south of the Romantic Zone, right by the Lindo Mar hotel: http://i.rentalo.com/images/Puerto-Vallarta-Villa-p7_232367_7205476l.jpg

 

This is also Conchas Chinas by Villa Celeste: http://www.gayguidevallarta.com/Lodging/Images/483_20071003161611_l_copy4.jpg

 

This is from the pier at Los Muertos: http://z.about.com/d/gaytravel/1/0/0/6/-/-/Gay_Beach_Puerto_Vallarta.jpg

 

Las Caletas beach: http://www.louisfuqua.net/caletasnoone.jpg

 

Dreams Vallarta: http://z.about.com/d/studenttravel/1/0/G/L/puerto-vallarta-beach-south.jpg

 

The coast along Garza Blanca: http://virtualvallarta.com/puertovallarta/bm.pix/a298~s600x600.jpg

 

Beach/cove at Yelapa: http://casagraceland.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/yelapa-beach2.jpg

gomexico needs to chnage their name to don'tgomexico......:cool:

I would rather swim in the Banderas Bay then any part of California.

Nices Pics Bzy :) When we were at Dreams I fell in love with the little white house on the cliff nearest the old tower......Loved that house :)

Good Morning from Australia... I noticed you are a resident of Puerto Vallarta so you will be the best qualified to answer my question if you don't mind.

We are a group of 6 aussies arriving on the Mariner in early April of this year. We love lounging around nice beaches and pools and having a few drinks here and there. I noticed you photos and they all looks great... We are seriously considering going to dreams resort & spa for a 6 hour half day all inclusive. Would you recommend this place more than any of the other beaches you have in the photos or do you think we should consider one of the other places you have shown.Thanks very much for your help in advance.

Regards Bob & Chris ( Downunder );)

Thank you for the beautiful pictures of Vallarta. I have seen the water look like that more often than not.

We are cruising in 2 weeks to PV and planning on going to the Dreams resort. Has anyone ever experienced jelly fish or stingrays there? How is the water there in March? Is there any areas around there to snorkel?

We are cruising in 2 weeks to PV and planning on going to the Dreams resort. Has anyone ever experienced jelly fish or stingrays there? How is the water there in March? Is there any areas around there to snorkel?

Jelly fish are uppredictable about when they come into the bay and we saw several manta rays at Dreams both of Dreams they ride the waves......They are more afraid of you then you them

My husband stepped on a sting ray in Nuevo last OCT and got a barb full of venom pumped into his foot..three anti venom shots later....remember to always shuffle your feet in the water. ..it was my husband's fault as he was running through the water to rescue me from whatver slimy thing had swam past my leg....I am such a sissy.

We have been t Dreams PV in late Feb last year and the water was wonderful :)

For people here looking for truthful answers, and who aren't employed by the tourism industry in Vallarta trying to cover-up the water quality situatiion there - you may be interested in viewing a beach-area water quality reporting website the Mexican federal government maintains and to which it posts the results of it's periodic testing:

http://www.semarnat.gob.mx/queessemarnat/politica_ambiental/certificaciondeplayas/Pages/playas_limpias.aspx

The testing standards were changed (reduced) after initially implemented because some serious problems were revealed which port city mayors thought would harm tourism in their communities. What you'll see in the results, though, will give you a reasonably good idea of conditions at various Pacific Coast destinations.

To the Aussies :)

You will love Dreams in PV, a great beach, nice food for an A/I and great drinks. An awesome way to spend the day! You could also check out the beach in front of Lindo Mar Hotel and La Playita restaurant there if you want to order Al a Carta but I would go to Dreams.....vacation are meant for splurging a little!

To gomexico- I watch the Semernat website often- no different readings than California or Galveston, Texas, if anything, better.

Did you know there is like 20 sewer rats in Chicago for every person that lives there? Do you have that on your Chitown tourism website? :)

Thanking you very much for your imput. We are definately going to Dreams Resort & Spa now.

Once again, Many thanks.

Regards Bob & Chris.:)

Dreams is so nice :) We were there this time last year and just loved it.

Lindo Mar resort is a little cautionous walk up the busy highway, we walked up there one day to look around, I would LOVE to stay here for a week or month but for the day Dreams can't be beat.

I would taxi into the Malecon walk around to explore abit then cab it to Dreams and spend the rest of the day being spoiled by the Dreams staff :)

Wouldn't be a CC thread if gomexico didn't show up spewing his ...ummm....two cents......er...1/2 cent :rolleyes:

Water off of Victoria is disgusting compared to Puerto Vallarta.

Our group has decided to go to Dreams Resort & Spa for a 6 hour half day pass. We are really excited about doing this as we have only been to Puerto Vallarta once about 2 years ago and all we did was walk around the Malecon looking at shops ect and visiting the beautiful old church.

Just wondering if we decide to change from Dreams ( which we probably won't do ) is there a tour you can advise us on that does about 6 hours and takes you to the best beaches for a swim and also shows you some of the local culture and places of interest??????

Thanks in anticipation.

Bob & Chris:)

We are cruising in 2 weeks to PV and planning on going to the Dreams resort. Has anyone ever experienced jelly fish or stingrays there? How is the water there in March? Is there any areas around there to snorkel?

I had also hoped to go to the dreams resort but them have not replied to my emails. I don't know how much it is or if we have to purchase ahead or time or just show up. Do you happen to know ?

Yes, My wife and I are doing a 6 hour day pass which costs $58.00 U.S. per person, children half price. You just turn up at the Concierge's Office on the day and pay. Looks really great. This includes drinks, food & other activities around the resort.

Enjoy.

Bob & Chris.:)

We were thinking about going to PV, but heard a few things about safety. Does anyone have personal experience they can share about this. How are the beaches in PV? We normally cruise to the Caribbean and love the beaches there. How do they compare?

Have visited PV quite often and never have had an issue. I'm usually with Mom and Sis. A few times late at night. PV has a huge ExPat population. Just keep your wits about you, like in any city.

We usually walk around port though the first time their we did one of the overview tours.

Can take a taxi or city bus to the city center and walk around. Visit the church, Rio Cuale and walking along Malecon.

Other times we just go to the Mercado bhehind the Sam's Club across from the port.

The Pacific Ocean and the waters off of the coast are nothing like the Caribbean. Can be rough and cold, not tranquil and warm.

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We were thinking about going to PV, but heard a few things about safety. Does anyone have personal experience they can share about this. How are the beaches in PV? We normally cruise to the Caribbean and love the beaches there. How do they compare?

Safety is no issue in Puerto Vallarta as long as you donot drink too much, donot carry valubales etc. More or less like you would do in any other place.

Some beaches are nicer then others, not as white as in the caribean. In summer the water might not be as clear as in winter due due the rain and rivers ending in the ocean.

Some beaches are nicer then others, not as white as in the caribean. In summer the water might not be as clear as in winter due due the rain and rivers ending in the ocean.

So the dirty water in Banderas Bay isn't "dirty" .

It's safe to assume that murkiness is runoff from the river, and wave action?

It is important to remember that Puerto Vallarta sits inside of Banderas Bay, and bays tend to be a little bit dirtier since the trash and runoff water is more contained. However, with that being said, I was in Puerto Vallarta in June at a beach resort and we really enjoyed Playa Animas. The waves can be a little rough, but not any rougher than the beaches spanning the East Coast of the US. We got there using a tour company in Vallarta called "Vallarta Adventures". Puerto Vallarta ended up becoming one of my favorite sunny destinations, you will likely enjoy it if you go with a good attitude :)