Playa Las Animas
Playa Las Animas
4.5
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If you are looking for isolation, try this beach to the south of Puerto Vallarta, only accessible by boat.
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Top ways to experience Playa Las Animas
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
28 within 5 kms
Attractions
19 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
760 reviews
Excellent
435
Very good
228
Average
72
Poor
14
Terrible
11
Liliana S
2 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
We went to a Restaurant called EL Coral, we sat down in a table and got 2 sun Chairs too, after 1 hour of having drinks, the waiter comes and tell us that we have to pay for the sun chairs, 200 pesos each, so we took our towels off the chairs, we ordered food and got a fish witch he told me it was 1.5 kilos and got changed for 2.5 kilos . After noon all this big boats full of people started getting there, it got so packed it wasn't enjoyable anymore. We got the check and he put a tax off 250 pesos, witch I asked in town later if it was legal and they told me I got ripped off. Any way as Mexican citizen I feel that all this beach places are a tourist trap and they totally ripped you off. I would stay away from this places, I totally don't recommend to go.
Written 21 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mxpaolo
Wolverton, UK271 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Pleasant beach to visit during your trip to PV.
We took a water taxi from Los Muertos Pier in the morning and walked the beach which is sandy. We then sat at a beach front cafe.
Prices are more than you would expect and take cash as they add on another % fee for credit or debit card use.
After lunch 3 large boards arrived and ferried all the people to the beach which kind of ruined the seclusion but this comes with increased tourism in the area i suppose.
A nice beach to get away for the day
We took a water taxi from Los Muertos Pier in the morning and walked the beach which is sandy. We then sat at a beach front cafe.
Prices are more than you would expect and take cash as they add on another % fee for credit or debit card use.
After lunch 3 large boards arrived and ferried all the people to the beach which kind of ruined the seclusion but this comes with increased tourism in the area i suppose.
A nice beach to get away for the day
Written 22 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CaptainLarsP
Newport Beach, CA53 contributions
Jun 2022
You have to take a taxi to Boca then a water taxi to Animas.
The water taxi should be about $5 USD per person one way.
We paid $240 pesos for round trip.
Off the pier, go to the resteraunt to the far right, as you face the mountains coming off the pier. Cheap margies and coronas and the gauc is excellent. We stayed here and swam all day. $60USD all day for 4 coronas, 4 margies, gauc. Cheap!
The water taxi should be about $5 USD per person one way.
We paid $240 pesos for round trip.
Off the pier, go to the resteraunt to the far right, as you face the mountains coming off the pier. Cheap margies and coronas and the gauc is excellent. We stayed here and swam all day. $60USD all day for 4 coronas, 4 margies, gauc. Cheap!
Written 23 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
expat326
San Francisco, CA1,547 contributions
Apr 2021
Busy beach at spring break. Like other travelers, a short water taxi ride or you can make solo arrangements with one of the boat operators at Boca de Tomitlan. We stopped first at Colomitos but it was really crowded. Next time I would opt for one of the other small beaches nearby, I think Madagascar. Not much shade but enjoyed our swim at Colomitos. Our boat operator returned for us and took us to Las Animas. We really enjoyed our lunch at El Caracol restaurant. There are many places to choose from, but our waiters were really friendly and took good care of us. Compared to Mismaloya or Boca, the food here tasted super fresh, was served hot, nicely seasoned rice and beans and salad as accompaniments to our fish and shrimp dishes. Also the pollo a la plancha was very good and not over-cooked. We were going fishing the next day and hoped to come back and have our fresh catch cooked for as as we saw at one table. But our catch the following day was too small.
Written 11 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa
Napa, CA9 contributions
Mar 2022
The restaurants here are worth a boat trip. El Caracol is amazing especially the view from upstairs tables. Delicious spicy margs and wonderful pineapple shrimp boat. Take a ponga from the marina, your resort, or Boca de Tomatlan. We went to Quimixto and hiked to a waterfall then stopped at Las Animas for lunch. Such a great trip out on the bay with great captain and staff. Will go again and again!
Written 20 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DESTINY
Austin, TX10 contributions
Jan 2021
This a good beach to visit while in puerto vallarta. You need to book a water taxi. I booked my own, which was $600 pesos. I did have to worry about missing the boat as I pre-arranged a time to be picked up. This a perfect place to chill out and relax. Great photo opportunities as well
Written 1 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luke J
7 contributions
Mar 2021
We took a boat whale watching, snorkeling at Los Arcos and then to Las Animas beach for lunch and swimming. This little gem was the highlight of our trip. The water and beach are stunning. The restaurant was great and we loved the secluded feel. Highly recommend a day trip here from Puerto Vallarta.
Written 13 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rico Suave
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico9 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
A friend and I took the Boca to Playa Animas hike today. We caught the 10am orange bus. Following directions from another post here, we were looking for a concrete footbridge. It was easy to see. Take a right immediately, and the path begins. It was a challenging hike, make no mistake about it. We got to Playa Colomita, and I was a bit tired. Getting in the softly waving water made the effort worth it. We were happy to find a boat ride back to Boca. A hike to remember, and a lot of it was a challenge. Sí se puede. Note that being in the jungle with spectacular views, makes me call this my most important PV hike.
Written 22 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire
Houston, TX12 contributions
Jun 2022
This beach was beautiful! It was a great place for Adults and kids. there can be a lot going on with jet skis, kayakers, and parasailing, but it is sort of a part of the experience. It didn't last the entire time I was there, maybe for a couple of hours. The water is beautiful, of course. Literally saw all the sparkles from the sand and other sediments. There's a lot of pelicans and other birds flying around (not too many, just cool to swim so closely to them). You can also see little schools of fish while you're in the water. I am not 100% certain, but I think the only way you can get here is by boat... could be totally wrong though. I did not see anything that looked like there was a place for a road to access.
Written 6 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben
Miami, FL37 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We rented a Panga to take us to Yelalpa, Las Animas and snorkeling at Los Arcos. This in my opinion was the best way to get to all these locations. The beach was great here at Las Animas, much bigger than at Yelalpa and with way less boat traffic on the actual beach. It has more restaurants including live bands if you go on the right day. Plenty of water activities to do from Jet Skies, Para-Sailing, or Banana boat rides. All and all it was a nice little spot! We rented. A Panga for the whole day from Thelma at the pier at Los Muertos Beach. Ask for her at the pier she is pretty well known. I also included a picture of her number.
Written 5 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do the restaurants that have beach chairs charge you to use them even if you're eating and drinking at their restaurant?
Written 12 January 2024
Mike B
Xalapa, Mexico
Hola, de casualidad ¿saben cuanto cuesta la lanchita-taxi que te lleva de Puerto boca a la playa-Las animas?
Written 10 June 2019
El Coral Restaurant
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Buenas tardes, en el restaurante El Coral la lancha va incluida, es decir gratis ida y vuelta solo consumiendo en el restaurante.
Written 23 February 2021
We thought there was a small hotel or room for rent near the pier at Playa Las Aminas in 2016 but I can't find any information about it online. Is there any way to spend the night?
Written 18 February 2019
Off to the far right side of the pier is a beach bar restaurant called El Fundador. The owner Danny told me he is almost done making 2 small rooms for rent. I was just there in February but didn’t ask him if the 2 rooms were done. Also, on the right side of his place is a multi story yellow building. Not sure if they have rooms there or not. Phone service to Las Animas is very poor and mostly nonexistent; not quite sure how you’d book a room without physically being there.
Written 28 February 2019
Do any of the restaurants have fresh water showers?
Written 6 January 2019
From what I saw, all of the restaurants are just that; a place to eat and drink only. However, some restaurants have attached dwellings. Perhaps if you were a sailing yacht cruiser and anchored off shore, you might be able to talk one of the places to let you use their shower.
Written 6 January 2019
I only saw a few restaurants and water sports stands at Las Animas. There are places to stay (very beautiful scenic route to Boca) on the way to Boca.
Written 2 April 2018
Hello all - where did you purchase your tickets for the water taxi (roundtrip from Los Muertos pier to Las Animas)?
Thank you!
Written 26 February 2018
Hi! we actually took a sail boat ride from the marina vallarta but you can purchase tickets near the pier by daquiri Dicks in the downtown/old town area.
Written 26 February 2018
Hi Tamara, Just want to point out to readers that the bus from town to Boca is actually heading South, not North...
Written 6 February 2018
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