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Family-Friendly Beaches Around Puerto Vallarta
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items Our favorite beach spots for families living in or visiting Puerto Vallarta. These are the places we actually go back to — wide sands, warm waves, and kid-friendly vibes. Some are quiet escapes, others have vendors, rentals, or nearby restaurants. If...
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Beaches North of Puerto Vallarta
Family Favorites: Beach Gear That Works
Southern Beaches & Day Trips | Local Adventures Outside Vallarta
Beaches North of Puerto Vallarta
Just a short drive north of town, these beaches offer a more laid-back atmosphere and bigger stretches of sand. Great for families who want space to play, calmer surf, and a bit of a day trip adventure. Some of these have hidden food gems or local pi...
A favorite of ours just north of Puerto Vallarta — wide, open sands, warm water, and plenty of space for kids to roam or build shelters. This is one of those spots that’s easy to love for a laid-back family beach day. Bring your own shade if you can....
Playa Las Destiladeras | Wide Sands & Chill Vibes for Families
This wasn’t a big guide day — just chasing waves, soaking in the last few hours with visiting family, and letting the kids run wild before school kicks back in. La Lancha always delivers when you want space, nature, and a moment to breathe. It’s a qu...https://www.instagram.com/p/DDV5uHFua_v/?img_index=1
La Lancha Beach — Family, Waves & Just Being There
When we first moved to Mexico, we approached beach days with strict schedules and cooler checklists. But Carayeros — like many Sunday beaches here — taught us to let go. Now we arrive in the afternoon, watch the crowds thin, and settle into the rhyth...https://www.instagram.com/p/DCxyE6UOyJf/?img_index=1
Playa Carayeros — The Art of a Slow Mexican Beach Day
Family Favorites: Beach Gear That Works
These are our tried-and-true beach items — the ones we pack every time because they make beach days easier, comfier, or just more fun. Not influencer fluff — real gear we use with two kids in tow.
This is our go-to beach umbrella and it’s seriously the best we’ve found. Lightweight, easy to carry, and the anchor screw really does hold it down — even with the ocean breeze in Vallarta. The shade coverage is wide enough for all of us to get a bre...
Tommy Bahama Umbrella
These are the water bottles we bring every time. Durable, eco-friendly, and the perfect size for our kids (10 and 13). They keep water cold for hours even in the Vallarta heat, and the spout is easy for younger kids too. We bought ours at Costco — an...
ThermoFlask 16 oz Stainless Steel Bottle
We swear by these quick-dry towels for every beach outing. They're lightweight, fold down small, dry super fast, and shake off sand easily. Plus, the bright colors make it easy to keep track of everyone’s towel. Durable enough for travel, pool, or ev...
Dock & Bay Quick-Dry Beach Towel
Southern Beaches & Day Trips | Local Adventures Outside Vallarta
These beaches and villages just south of Puerto Vallarta are perfect for half-day escapes. From Mismaloya’s fishing boats to Boca’s riverside cafes, these are the low-key gems where locals go to slow down, eat well, and explore by boat.
Mismaloya is a hidden gem just south of Puerto Vallarta, perfect for boat tours, snorkeling, or simply enjoying lunch with your toes in the sand. We always recommend Captain Adrian Peña with REEL Adventures — he offers custom tours for fishing, whale...https://www.instagram.com/p/DF9jgofOpfA/?img_index=1
Mismaloya: Fishing, Snorkeling & a Beach Lunch You’ll Remember
Yelapa is a hidden gem just south of Puerto Vallarta, accessible only by boat. It's perfect for a day trip filled with beach lounging, delicious food, and a hike to a beautiful waterfall. For a personalized experience, consider booking a private boat...https://www.instagram.com/p/DF1zNuKuAJz/?img_index=1
Yelapa: No Roads, Just Vibes (and Lobster)
This beach spot near Fiesta Americana Grand was the perfect combo of magic and mayhem — morning stingrays, baby whale sightings, and sandy pizza for the kids. The grown-up boys? Fully occupied trying to toss rocks into a can. Peak beach day energy. W...https://www.instagram.com/p/DFoghkcuPiT/?img_index=1
Day Pass in Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All ...