That first hidden shoreline shows up fast.

This full-day coast-and-jungle route is interesting because you’re not doing a sit-and-sun beach day; you’re earning the views with a guided trail and then cooling off in the sea. I love the small group feel (max 14) and the chance to reach quieter beaches off the main strip. I also like that snorkeling equipment is included, even though the water decides how much you actually see. One drawback to plan for: this is not a flat walk, and the snorkeling portion can fail when the tide and surf get rough.

You start in old-town Puerto Vallarta, take local-style transport to the fisher area near Boca de Tomatlán, then hike along riverbank paths into tropical forest. The day is paced with real breaks at beaches, plus time to swim—especially around Colomitos Beach, the first major stop. If you’re counting on six separate full beach hangs, keep your expectations flexible.

Guides like Diego, Juan, Victor, and Alex show up in reports, and they tend to run the day with humor and practical trail coaching. Expect rocky footing, wet stretches, and the kind of coastal scenery that makes you slow down for photos even when you’re trying to move. If you want guaranteed calm water and easy ground, this probably won’t match your idea of relaxing.

Quick hits before you lace up

• Zona Romántica start + local transport: you ride into the area like people who live there do.
• Colomitos Beach first: a big payoff after a moderate jungle climb.
• Snorkel gear included, conditions control the results: waves and murk can limit what you see.
• You’re hiking more than beach-hopping: some beaches are short stops, not long lounging.
• Small group (max 14): easier pace and less traffic crowding the trail.
• Return by boat then bus: you get a different angle on the bay at the end.

Price and what you truly get for $38 in Puerto Vallarta

At $38 per person, the value is strong for what you’re buying: a full-guided day (about 6 hours 30 minutes) plus snorkeling gear and logistics handled. You’re also getting a route that most visitors won’t patch together on their own, because the fun is partly the trail and partly the timing of when you reach each shoreline.

The trade-off is that lunch isn’t included. At the main beach stops, you can buy food and drinks, and Playa Las Ánimas is known for local dining—often with seafood, but the meal cost is on you. So budget for snacks, water, and at least one paid meal or stop.

If you want a day that mixes hiking, swimming, and nature sights, you’re paying mostly for access and guidance. If your priority is a long, calm beach day with guaranteed snorkeling, you may feel slightly “hiked-through” rather than “beached-up.”

Zona Romántica start and the local transport to Boca de Tomatlán

Your meeting point is C. Constitución 363, Zona Romántica. From there, you’ll take an urban transport ride about 25 minutes along the coast. This matters more than it sounds: you’re not just being carried to a trailhead. You’re also getting a quick, real look at the Puerto Vallarta coastline and how people move around locally.

After that ride, you get off in a fisher town area (Boca de Tomatlán). This is where the day shifts from city rhythm to riverbank trail and jungle ascent. The tour ends back at the meeting point, and the return plan typically includes a short boat segment followed by bus travel.

Because your day is built around public-transport style movement, plan for crowds and normal city timing, especially if you’re coming from a cruise ship. Use the local time rules the tour notes, so you’re not accidentally chasing your return to the ship.

The jungle climb to Colomitos Beach: first views and first swim

The hike begins along a riverbank, then you start ascending into tropical forest. The trail includes views that get better as you gain elevation, and you’ll feel the change from coastal air to greener, cooler shade. A short hike brings you to the first big payoff: Playa Colomitos.

Expect the first section to be the most demanding. Reports describe steep inclines and rocky footing early on, including sections that can feel like climbing stairs or stepping over bigger rocks. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it—many people do—but it does mean you should treat the first part of the day as your warm-up workout.

Colomitos Beach is described as the smallest beach in Mexico, which helps explain why it feels like a tucked-away stop. It also tends to be the best moment to swim if conditions allow, because you’re fresh, the group is together, and the day hasn’t turned into a long stretch of walking.

Colomitos Beach and snorkeling gear: what’s included vs what’s guaranteed

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, and that’s a real plus at this price. The guide may also take you toward a secret snorkeling spot after you’ve had time to settle at the beaches.

Here’s the honest part: snorkeling is not guaranteed in practice. Multiple reports note that water conditions can be rough, swells can stir things up, and visibility can turn murky. That means you might get a great fish show one day and mostly surface splashing another day.

Snorkeling, when it’s working, can be rewarding. Reports include sightings like stingrays, pufferfish, moray eels, and other fish near Colomitos. You might also hear about local animal life up on the trail—iguanas are specifically mentioned in reports—so even if the water isn’t perfect, the day can still deliver.

My advice: treat snorkeling as a bonus, not the main plot. If you’re okay with that mindset, the included gear is a great insurance policy.

Hidden beaches after the crowds: swimming, quiet stops, and sea views

After Colomitos, you continue along the route with the goal of leaving more of the tourist crowd behind. The tour description frames this as a Beach/Jungle trail, and that mix is exactly why it feels special: you’re not just walking beside water the whole time, and you’re not just doing forest sightseeing with no beach payoff.

Between stops, you’ll get chances to swim in quieter stretches. Some days are calm enough for a secret snorkeling area, but even when snorkeling gets limited, swimming can still be a highlight. Several reports mention that the beaches can feel peaceful—especially once you move past the first shoreline that draws more day visitors.

Also note that the tour is marketed as a path through multiple hidden beaches, but in real life you may not spend equal time at each one. Some stops are more like quick stretches to regroup, take photos, and keep momentum. If you want long beach time at just one or two places, plan to lean into the stops that your guide seems to make the priority, then keep walking for the rest.

Playa Las Ánimas: final beach, seafood meal options, and the pace wrap-up

The last beach destination is Playa Las Ánimas. This is where the day often feels like it loosens up a bit, because you’re finishing the hike and moving toward the end-of-day meal and return.

The tour description calls out an incredible local seafood plate at Las Ánimas, but it also clearly states lunch is not included. In other words: you’re paying for the hiking and the access; you’re paying for the food separately.

Reports vary on the dining pace. One account describes food service as slow and would rather have stayed in the sand longer. So if you’re the type who hates waiting around after a workout, don’t treat the meal as a guaranteed fast grab. You may choose a drink or snack sooner, then decide when to settle for a full plate.

The upside: Las Ánimas is described as having restaurants and a more lively beach scene than the truly tiny stops. That can feel good after earlier quiet beaches—like shifting from hidden-cove mode to a normal beach finish line.

Boat return and the Bay of Banderas from a new angle

After you reach the end of the hike area, you return by boat back toward where you started the walking route. Then you continue with the overland return that gets you back to your meeting point.

This is one of those “small detail, big payoff” moments. You get a new perspective on the Bay of Banderas after spending hours looking at it from trail height. Several reports say the boat ride adds a fun ending and breaks up the day so it doesn’t feel like one long slog.

In at least one report, there’s also mention of an optional water taxi shortcut for groups willing to coordinate and pay an extra per-person amount. That’s not the standard plan in the tour overview, so only treat it as a possibility if your guide brings it up during the day.

Footwear, pace, and who should take this trail seriously

The tour says it’s for moderate physical fitness, and the minimum age is 10 with a maximum of 60. That said, the hiking style reads more intermediate than beginner in practice. Multiple reports describe rocky terrain, steep up-and-down sections, and a full-day effort.

One review specifically mentions roughly 3.5 to 4 miles of hiking and notes high stepping over bigger rocks or steps during steeper parts. Another calls out steep declines and rugged ground. So my rule of thumb: if you can handle uneven ground and short steep stretches, you’ll likely be fine. If you’re dealing with mobility issues, bad knees, or you hate slipping on wet rocks, skip this and find an easier coastal option.

Footwear is not a suggestion. Reviews repeatedly recommend sturdy shoes with traction, and also mention that parts of the hike can be wet, including beach sections where you’ll likely get your shoes soaked. Some people hike barefoot or in sandals, but that’s personal comfort, not a guarantee of safety.

As for pace, guides like Juan, Diego, Victor, and Alex show up in reports as attentive and patient. Some groups describe a challenging early push that gets easier later, and others describe pace as “fast” with steep work both up and down. Plan for the possibility that you’ll feel the trail more than the photos suggest.

Packing list that keeps you comfortable on wet rocks and sea air

If you want a smooth day, pack for the parts nobody advertises: wet shoes, sandy steps, and sun.

Here’s what helps most, based on practical notes from the experience:

• Sturdy shoes with traction (and expect some wet feet)
• A small pack so your hands stay free while you scramble
• Water and a simple protein snack
• Sunscreen
• A hand towel or quick-dry cloth to dry off after swimming
• Pesos for drinks and food at Colomitos and Playa Las Ánimas (lunch is not included)

Also consider a lightweight way to keep things dry when you head to the water. Even if you’re not snorkeling, you’ll likely swim at one beach or another, and the coast can be damp everywhere.

Should you book this hidden-beach hiking tour?

Book it if you want an active, local-flavor day in Puerto Vallarta: jungle trail hiking, quiet beaches away from the road, included snorkeling gear, and a boat return that ends the day with a payoff.

Skip it if your top goal is guaranteed clear water and long, laid-back beach lounging. The snorkeling portion depends on tide and surf, and some beach stops may be shorter than you’d hope.

I think this is a great fit for people who like scenery, can handle uneven ground, and enjoy learning from a guide. You’ll get a real sense of how the coast works—trail, shoreline, and sea—without needing to figure out every transport step on your own.

FAQ

How long is the full-day hike to hidden beaches including Colomitos and snorkeling?

It runs about 6 hours 30 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, but actual snorkeling time can depend on sea conditions.

Where is the meeting point in Puerto Vallarta?

The tour meets at C. Constitución 363, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, though there are places to buy food at the beaches, including Playa Las Ánimas.

How challenging is the hike?

It requires moderate physical fitness, and it includes steep inclines/declines and rugged terrain. It is not flat walking.

Can cruise ship passengers join the tour?

Yes, but you should plan using local time versus boat time, since return timing matters.

How many people are in the group, and what’s the age range?

The group is capped at 14 travelers. The minimum age is 10 and the maximum age is 60.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.