Head south from downtown Puerto Vallarta and the road starts hugging the hills, with jungle tumbling straight down to the sea. Along this stretch, between Conchas Chinas and Mismaloya, you'll find hotels perched on the slopes or tucked into small coves, all facing the wide sweep of Banderas Bay. If your idea of a vacation is waking up to the Pacific, away from the bustle but still minutes from town, this guide covers what makes each hotel special, plus the history and nature of the coast they share.
Why stay on Puerto Vallarta's South Shore
The south shore brings together three things that rarely come in one package: small beaches framed by rocks, green mountains behind you and sunsets straight ahead. Conchas Chinas is a hillside residential neighborhood just south of the Romantic Zone, with homes and condos looking out over the bay. Its beach is a cove with shallow pools that form behind a rocky reef, a favorite with families. Farther south, roughly 6–7 miles (10–12 km) from downtown, is Mismaloya, the cove where The Night of the Iguana was filmed, with the Los Arcos rocks right offshore.
Puerto Vallarta sits on a narrow coastal strip at the foot of the Cuale and San Sebastián ranges, offshoots of the Sierra Madre Occidental, and on the south side the mountains reach almost to the water. That's why hotels here are stacked up the slope, nearly all of them facing the sea.
Conchas Chinas Beach, just south of the Romantic Zone.
South Shore history: from fishing coves to the bay's balcony
Puerto Vallarta began in 1851 as Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe, a hamlet that supplied salt to the silver mines up in the sierra. South of town, coves like Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán lived quietly off fishing and farming, reachable only on foot, by canoe or on horseback.
The name Mismaloya comes from the Nahuatl michmaloyan, usually translated as "the place where fish are caught by hand," a hint of the cove's life long before tourism. In 1937, a decree under President Lázaro Cárdenas created the Boca de Tomatlán and Mismaloya ejido, a communal landholding of roughly 3,000 acres for local families.
Everything changed in September 1963, when director John Huston arrived in Mismaloya to film The Night of the Iguana with Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr and Sue Lyon. The production built a small village of about 25 houses on the hill on the south side of the cove. Elizabeth Taylor came along with Burton, and the press corps that followed them ended up writing about Puerto Vallarta itself. The shoot also brought jobs and income to the community. Huston stayed on in the region and spent his later years at Las Caletas, a beach farther south reachable only by sea. Get the whole story in our article on The Night of the Iguana in Puerto Vallarta.
Conchas Chinas, the hillside just south of Los Muertos Beach, followed a different path: the slope filled with homes and condos overlooking the bay, earning it the tongue-in-cheek local nickname "The Hills," as in Beverly Hills. The neighborhood's name refers to the curled shells found on its beach.
South Shore timeline
- 1851: Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe, today's Puerto Vallarta, is founded.
- 1937: the Boca de Tomatlán and Mismaloya ejido is created.
- 1963: John Huston films The Night of the Iguana in Mismaloya (released in 1964).
- 1968: federal funds are earmarked for the coastal highway and the airport; the same year Puerto Vallarta officially becomes a city.
- 1970: according to local accounts, the international airport opens, and the El Salado wharf starts operating.
- 1975: Los Arcos is declared a refuge for marine flora and fauna.
- 2004–2005: the Vallarta Botanical Garden is founded at km 24 of Highway 200.
- 2008: Garza Blanca opens as the first resort of its brand.
- 2026: Garza Blanca opens Sanctuary, its newest tower.
South Shore nature: jungle, rocks and whales
Here the jungle and the sea sit side by side. Los Arcos, the islets off Mismaloya, were once hills of the Sierra Madre Occidental; the ocean wore them down until only their granite cores remained. Today they're a nesting area for pelicans, cormorants, ospreys and blue-footed boobies, and snorkelers explore the waters around them among tropical fish.
Among the rocks at Conchas Chinas Beach, small pools of warm seawater hold crabs, colorful fish and tiny mollusks. Look, but leave them where they are.
From December through March, humpback whales come to the bay to mate and give birth, and from August through December sea turtles nest along Banderas Bay. To learn more, read our guide to whale watching in Puerto Vallarta.
The best South Shore hotels in Puerto Vallarta
Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa
Set on the coastal highway south of town (km 7.5), Garza Blanca is an oceanfront resort surrounded by jungle-covered hills. It opened in 2008 as the first Garza Blanca resort, now part of TAFER Hotels & Resorts, built around the idea that nature should be central to the guest experience. It sits within a natural preserve of about 400 acres, with the Sierra Madre as a backdrop.
What makes it stand out is space, with suite options running from honeymoon suites to three-bedroom panoramic penthouses. Infinity pools look out over the Pacific, Spa Imagine offers hydrotherapy, and dining includes Blanca Blue and the Bocados steakhouse. Within the same complex, Sanctuary, the newest tower (opened in 2026), has oceanfront suites, butler service and its own restaurant, Hiroshi. The neighboring beach is named for the white herons (garzas blancas) that come to fish in its calm water, sheltered by a rocky barrier.
Best for: families and groups who want room to spread out, a kids' club and everything on site, without giving up the ocean view.
Hotel Mousai Puerto Vallarta
High above the bay within the Garza Blanca complex, Mousai is an adults-only hotel (18 and over) with 74 suites. Its signature is the rooftop infinity pool, paired with rooftop dining and sweeping bay views. It also has three restaurants with global menus: DAO (Chinese), NOI (Italian) and Misika (Peruvian), and shares Spa Imagine. It's included in the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection.
The design is what surprises people. The hotel says its suites are inspired by nature's "muses," and the MICHELIN Guide describes a sleek, modern look that feels more urban than you'd expect in a rainforest, with giant chess-piece sculptures at the entrance. Some suites add gold-tiled tubs, plunge pools or butler service.
Best for: couples, honeymooners and travelers who want a design-forward, quiet, kid-free stay.
Grand Miramar Resort & Spa
Sitting at the highest point of Conchas Chinas, the Grand Miramar is built into the cliffside and takes in panoramic views of Banderas Bay. According to the hotel, its rooftop sits about 500 feet above sea level. Its rooftop infinity pool is one of its most photographed spots.
The food scene is led by Eugenia, the flagship restaurant serving contemporary Mexican haute cuisine with Pacific ingredients, plus an adults-only rooftop bar with 360° views. There's also The View Spa, two- and three-bedroom family suites, and wedding venues ranging from intimate terraces to ballrooms.
Best for: couples celebrating something special, weddings, and anyone who wants to watch the sunset from up high.
Barceló Puerto Vallarta (Mismaloya)
Right on Mismaloya Beach (km 11.5 of the southern hotel zone), this all-inclusive resort has 316 suites, every one with a terrace or balcony. There are four pools, including a family pool, an adults-only pool and a semi-Olympic pool, plus a kids' club for ages 5 to 12. The big draw: Los Arcos is only about half a mile away.
Staying here puts you inside movie history. This is the beach where Huston filmed in 1963, and on its small boardwalk residents raised a mast topped with an iguana in tribute to the film. For dining, the resort has a grill, four à la carte restaurants and a buffet, covering Mexican, international, Spanish, Italian and Japanese cuisine, plus a spa for guests 18 and over.
Best for: families who want all-inclusive convenience, direct beach access and ocean activities.
Mismaloya Beach, with beachfront hotels and the jungle behind.
Xinalani
Farther south, on a beach reachable only by boat, Xinalani is an adults-only yoga and wellness retreat. Its 33 rooms are open-air, palm-thatched cabins, and it has several yoga studios set in the jungle, along with a spa and a traditional sweat lodge (temazcal). It's one of the most acclaimed hotels in the region: the MICHELIN Guide awarded it three Keys, its highest distinction, which it describes as "an extraordinary stay."
According to the hotel, its name comes from Nahuatl and means "seeds," an idea at the heart of its philosophy of personal transformation. It's built with organic, locally sourced materials, uses alternatives to air conditioning, and supports the local community with scholarships, hospitality training and jobs. Rooms have three walls and a curtain open to the jungle; one yoga studio is a treehouse, and the sweat lodge is built into the rocks by the beach. There's no road: boats leave from the Terminal Marítima in Marina Vallarta for a ride of about 45 minutes, and they don't run after dark. Per MICHELIN, there's no TV.
Best for: travelers looking to unplug, practice yoga and enjoy the jungle by the sea.
We recommend confirming hours and availability directly with each property.
South Shore beaches, north to south
- Conchas Chinas: according to the official tourism office, the southernmost Puerto Vallarta beach you can reach on foot, with about 2,700 feet of golden sand, rocks and tide pools.
- Las Gemelas: two small "twin" beaches split by a rocky point, with views of Los Arcos; no facilities, and the steps down can be slippery.
- Mismaloya: a cove of about 1,000 feet with seafood palapas, boats to Los Arcos and the Mismaloya River at one end. See our Mismaloya Beach guide.
- Boca de Tomatlán: the fishing village where the road ends for beaches you can only reach by sea, like Las Ánimas, Quimixto and Yelapa. More in our south shore beaches guide.
Things to do near the South Shore hotels
The Los Arcos rocks, off Mismaloya.
- The Romantic Zone. Conchas Chinas is a short hop from the restaurants, galleries and pier at Los Muertos Beach. Read our Romantic Zone guide.
- Downtown and the Malecón. A few minutes away by taxi for a sunset stroll. More ideas in things to do in Puerto Vallarta.
- Vallarta Botanical Garden. At km 24 of Highway 200, with orchids, trails and a river. See our Vallarta Botanical Garden guide.
- Yelapa. Boats leave from Boca de Tomatlán for this road-free village. Read our Yelapa guide.
Weather and the best time to visit
November through May is the dry season, with clear skies and calm seas. The rains arrive from June through October, usually as afternoon or evening storms; September tends to be the wettest month, but it's also when the jungle is at its greenest. Sea temperatures range from about 73°F in winter to about 86°F in late summer.
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30. If you travel then, check the forecast: Highway 200 is sometimes closed after heavy rain.
Suggested itinerary: one day from your South Shore hotel
- Morning: an early boat from Mismaloya to Los Arcos.
- Midday: find the Night of the Iguana tribute and have seafood at a beach palapa.
- Afternoon: Boca de Tomatlán, the Botanical Garden or the Conchas Chinas tide pools.
- Sunset: watch it from your hotel or head to the Romantic Zone for dinner.
Explore downtown Vallarta with Riviera Tours & Transfers
Our tours don't visit these hotels, but if you're staying on the south shore and want to get to know the city with a guide, you can also join our Vallarta City Tour. It runs daily, lasts about 7 hours and is offered in English and Spanish. It includes:
- Guided walk through downtown Puerto Vallarta
- Visit to a traditional jewelry workshop
- Free time for shopping
- A tequila stop
- Visit to a regional cuisine restaurant (meal not included)
If you'd rather have lunch included, the Vallarta Plus City Tour adds a distillery tour, a tequila tasting and a meal at a regional cuisine restaurant. Ask us about pickup points if you're staying in Conchas Chinas or Mismaloya.
See dates and book the Vallarta City Tour →
Tips for choosing a South Shore hotel
- Think about the hillside. Many properties sit on the slope: the views are stunning, but expect stairs and inclines.
- Pick your vibe: spacious and family-friendly (Garza Blanca, Barceló), adults-only (Mousai, Xinalani) or romantic views from up high (Grand Miramar).
- Plan your transportation. Downtown is a short drive or taxi ride from the south shore; local buses heading south leave from Constitución and Basilio Badillo streets in the Romantic Zone. Xinalani requires a boat transfer.
- Traveling with minors? Bring documents proving your relationship to them; some hotels ask for them at check-in.
- What to pack: water shoes or sandals for the rocks, reef-friendly sunscreen, insect repellent for jungle evenings, a dry bag for boat rides and some pesos for palapas and boat captains.
- Budget: options run from family all-inclusives to high-end boutique retreats; factor in taxis and boat trips when you compare.
- Be a good guest: ask before photographing people, don't touch coral or tide-pool creatures, and follow the beach safety flags.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as Puerto Vallarta's South Shore? It's the stretch of Federal Highway 200 heading south from the Romantic Zone, past Conchas Chinas, Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán. Farther along are beaches you can only reach by sea.
Are there adults-only hotels on the South Shore? Yes. Hotel Mousai only accepts guests 18 and over, and Xinalani is also adults-only. For more options, see our guide to adults-only resorts in Puerto Vallarta.
Which South Shore hotel is closest to Los Arcos? Barceló Puerto Vallarta, on Mismaloya Beach, is about half a mile from Los Arcos.
How far is Mismaloya from downtown Puerto Vallarta? About 6–7 miles (10–12 km) south, or 15 to 20 minutes by car without traffic.
Can you walk from downtown to the South Shore? As far as Conchas Chinas Beach, yes, starting from the Romantic Zone. Beyond that, the highway isn't pleasant on foot; take a taxi or bus.
When is the best time to stay on the South Shore? December through March combines the dry season and whale season. The rainy months bring greener jungle and fewer crowds, but keep an eye on hurricane forecasts.
Why is Mismaloya famous? It's where John Huston filmed The Night of the Iguana in 1963, the movie that drew international attention to Puerto Vallarta. The ruins of the set still stand on the hillside.
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