Wondering about visiting Quimixto Puerto Vallarta? Let me help you! I live in Puerto Vallarta, and Quimixto is one of my favorite day trips. I’ve done it multiple times with and without a tour!
If you’re planning a trip to Quimixto, this guide has everything you need to know about how to get there (with or without a tour) and the best things to do in Quimixto.
Quimixto is a small coastal village south of Puerto Vallarta, between Las Animas and Majahuitas. The usual way to arrive is by panga from Boca de Tomatlán.
I come for the waterfall hike and a slow afternoon on the beach. You can do both in a day, but sort out your return boat before heading inland.
Below are the two tour options, the DIY route, and the practical details that make a difference once you’re there: cash, trail conditions, and how much time to leave for the boat home.
Quimixto Tours
If you’re visiting Puerto Vallarta for the first time, the easiest way to get to Quimixto is on a guided tour.
A guide can handle the bus and boat connections and lead the waterfall walk. Check the meeting point, fitness requirements, and extra costs before booking; the hike is still on uneven ground.
Quimixto waterfall hike and boat ride
Check current itinerary | 🕟 6 hours | ✔️ Book it here
This guided waterfall trip currently meets outside the OXXO at Constitución 383 in downtown Puerto Vallarta. The listing includes the bus and water-taxi journey to Quimixto and asks for moderate fitness. Allow roughly six hours and check the current start time and meal costs.
“The Waterfall and the hike to the falls was the best part of the trip. The path was nice to trek, it was not difficult to walk. A total distance of 1.5 miles. Our guide Rocco was very informative and helpful.” – Dilli (read more reviews here)
Once you arrive in Quimixto, you’ll walk through the village and follow the trail inland to the waterfall. Allow about 30–60 minutes each way, depending on where you land, the route, and the day’s conditions.
Swimming is a conditions-on-the-day decision, not a guaranteed part of the hike. Heavy rain upstream can change the river quickly. Skip the pool if the water is high or fast, check a safe way in and out, and don’t jump into water of unknown depth.
Los Arcos, Animas and Quimixto Snorkel Cruise
Check current itinerary | 🕟 8 hours | ✔️ Book it here
This full-day boat tour is sold as a Los Arcos, Las Animas, and Quimixto cruise. Before booking, confirm how the day divides time between Los Arcos Marine Park, Las Animas, and the Quimixto waterfall. The title alone doesn’t tell you how long you’ll have ashore.
This is a longer cruise from Puerto Mágico, not the small-panga trip from Boca. The current listing includes breakfast, lunch, and an open bar, but its meal descriptions differ between sections, so confirm the menu and any dock or activity fees. Save alcoholic drinks until you’ve finished swimming.
The listing says kayaks and paddleboards need advance reservation. Water activities also depend on sea conditions. Compare this with other Puerto Vallarta snorkeling tours if snorkeling is your main priority.
How to get to Quimixto from Puerto Vallarta (without a tour)
Quimixto Puerto Vallarta is a small, laid-back fishing village on the south shore. It’s a lovely place to get off the beaten path near Puerto Vallarta.
Most visitors arrive by boat; there is no through-road from Puerto Vallarta. Don’t treat the coastal hike beyond Las Animas as a casual extension of the shorter Boca trail—ask locally about access and allow enough daylight. This TikTok shows one of my earlier day trips to Quimixto!
@explorewithlora Love this Puerto Vallarta day trip. Thanks @theairguitarguy for the vids! #puertovallarta #quimixto #visitpuertovallarta #visitmexico2021 #waterfallin ♬ Kiss Me More (feat. SZA) – Doja Cat
You can get a boat to Quimixto from Boca de Tomatlán, a small fishing village south of Puerto Vallarta. Driving time depends on where you start and traffic along the coastal road.
To reach Boca, take the southbound bus from Zona Romantica or a taxi/app car. A ride out doesn’t guarantee an app car will be waiting for your return, so keep the bus or a local taxi as a backup.
The bus leaves from the corner of Constitucion and Basilio Badillo in front of the Oxxo — ask for Boca de Tomatlán and confirm the fare before boarding. Puerto Vallarta’s urban fare rose to 11 pesos in April 2026, but regional routes can cost more. Carry small change and leave time for traffic and waiting.
Once you arrive in Boca, walk down the hill towards the water and turn right to the pier, where you will see water taxis.
At the pier, ask which panga is serving Quimixto, where it will drop you off, and the fare. Confirm whether the quote is one-way or return; not every departure serves every beach.
Shared boats may wait for more passengers or make other stops, so don’t plan a tight connection.
Along the way, you’ll pass by many other scenic beaches along Banderas Bay, including Playa Colomitos and Las Animas. Allow roughly 20 minutes on the water, longer with stops or rougher seas. Dolphins are a possibility, and whales are seasonal winter visitors, but this is transport—not a dedicated wildlife trip.
Before leaving Boca, agree on your return time and exact pickup beach or pier. Ask for the last available service that day and leave a buffer. Don’t rely on an assumed 5 pm boat or expect a sunset departure.
Budget at least 1½ hours from central Puerto Vallarta using public transport, and more if traffic or the boat wait is slow. Start early enough to enjoy the hike without rushing back to the beach.
Things to do in Quimixto Mexico
The waterfall and beach make a good day-trip combination. Here’s how I plan the time between them.
Quimixto Waterfall Puerto Vallarta
Quimixto Waterfall is one of the best waterfall hikes around Puerto Vallarta.
From the village, ask for the current route to the cascada. Use the bridge to cross the river; don’t wade across the mouth or a fast-flowing channel.
Follow the signed waterfall route where available. Paths and crossings can change after storms, so ask locally if signs or the bridge route aren’t clear.
You can also find directions to the Quimixto waterfall hike here.
Allow about 30–60 minutes each way for the waterfall walk. Expect uphill sections, uneven or slippery footing, heat, and some shared trail traffic—not a paved, universally easy stroll.
At unfamiliar forks, stop and check the route instead of assuming every path meets up again. Retrace your steps or go with a local guide if you’re unsure. And watch out for horse poop!
The last time I did the Quimixto waterfall hike in June 2023, they were doing construction along the trail. It looked like they were building a paved pathway to the waterfall, That is an older visit note, not a current trail update—check the route locally before setting off.
Horseback rides have been offered here, but I choose to walk. On my visits, I wasn’t comfortable with the condition of the horses. If you’re considering a ride, look carefully at the animal’s welfare and the equipment.
I’ve only hiked to Quimixto waterfall during May and June when the weather was extremely humid, so I was a sweaty mess when we reached the waterfall. Thankfully, the water is so refreshing to get in!
The flow was low on those visits, and I enjoyed the swim. May is a transition month and June is the start of the usual June–October rainy season, so that isn’t a promise of low water. After heavy rain, skip unsafe crossings and swimming in fast or murky water.
On my visits, the waterfall restaurant asked us to buy something to use its route and seating by the falls. Check the current access arrangement and minimum spend before ordering; don’t assume the pool or a table is free.
I found the food tasty but pricey. Check the menu and minimum spend first if you’re visiting on a budget. I liked having a shaded place to sit with friends, but keep valuables secure and choose water before swimming. Quimixto is an enjoyable place to hang out with friends for the day!
Quimixto Beach Puerto Vallarta
I love Puerto Vallarta’s southern beaches, and Quimixto is one of my favorites for getting out of the city.
Playa Quimixto is one of the most beautiful beaches near Puerto Vallarta, and personally I’d choose its beach over Yelapa or San Pancho. That’s my preference, not a promise that it will be quiet on your visit.
Beachfront restaurants are handy for lunch after the hike. Look at the current menu before sitting down; seafood and ceviche prices vary, and boat arrivals can make service busier.
It has felt more relaxed to me than some of the busy city beaches, with room to spread out along the sand. Tour groups still arrive, especially on weekends and holidays, so don’t count on having it to yourself.
Quimixto Surf
I was surprised to see someone surfing in Quimixto the last time I was there! The waves aren’t as reliable as surfing in Sayulita, but it is possible with the right weather conditions.
Quimixto Restaurants
There are places to eat along the beach and in the village, but opening hours can be limited. Carry water and a snack so you aren’t depending on a particular restaurant being open.
On an earlier visit, we ate at Restaurante El Volador, which had great Mexican food and a spot right on the beach. I haven’t independently confirmed its October 2026 service, so check locally before making it your lunch plan.
If you want a cocktail or a few cervezas, save them until you’ve finished hiking, swimming, and surfing. Take your cans and other rubbish back out with you.
Quimixto Puerto Vallarta Itinerary
I’d leave Zona Romantica in the morning, arrange the return panga on arrival, and hike before the afternoon heat. Allow 30–60 minutes each way plus time at the waterfall; bus and boat waits can shift the whole schedule.
Then come back to the beach for lunch and a relaxed afternoon. Keep water, a snack, and enough cash for the return trip separate from your restaurant budget.
Be at the agreed pickup spot before your confirmed return boat, with time to spare. Plan to get back in daylight—not on an assumed last boat at sunset.
Quimixto Hotels
Maybe you want to spend more time in Quimixto. I don’t blame you! There are a few wellness retreats here that are ideal if you want to spend a few days relaxing.
Amaca Beach Retreat (formerly listed as El Grullo Naturista) is the beachfront property linked here under its older name. Its current official site describes rooms and villas reached by sea. Confirm the room, transfers, meals, and any wellness sessions in your chosen package; the old name doesn’t establish today’s inclusions.
Xinalani Retreat Mexico is a beachfront yoga retreat center in Puerto Vallarta. It offers yoga, spa services, and several retreat and getaway packages. Meals, classes, treatments, and boat transfers depend on the rate you book, so check the package details. Arrange arrival with the property in advance; there is no road to the retreat.
Quimixto vs. Yelapa
Quimixto and Yelapa are two picturesque coastal villages near Puerto Vallarta that you can visit by panga from Boca. Which one I’d choose depends on how much walking and village exploring I want to do.
For Quimixto, I’d build the day around the waterfall hike, lunch, and the beach. It’s a compact outing, but the trail and boat landing still need suitable footwear and some flexibility.
Yelapa gives you more village lanes to wander, a town waterfall, and a separate inland waterfall hike. Don’t squeeze all of those into a short beach stop.
Quimixto’s beach can have surf and currents. Check the conditions where you plan to enter, keep away from boat approaches, and skip swimming or snorkeling if it looks rough. Clear water isn’t guaranteed.
Yelapa sits in a cove with hills behind the village and different waterfall walks to plan. The town waterfall and longer inland walk are different outings; river crossings and swimming depend on the day’s conditions.
Both villages are reached by water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán. Quimixto is roughly 20 minutes away by boat and Yelapa around 30, with extra time for stops or sea conditions. Confirm the return arrangement separately for whichever village you choose.
FAQ: Visiting Quimixto from Puerto Vallarta
Is Quimixto Safe?
I’ve had no problems on my visits, but that isn’t a safety guarantee. Keep valuables secure, use ordinary precautions, and pay attention to boat landings, trail footing, river levels, and sea conditions.
What’s the best way to see Quimixto?
Choose a guided waterfall trip if you want help with transport and the trail, or arrange a water taxi from Boca for an independent day. Either way, confirm the return boat before heading to the waterfall.
Do you need to book in advance to visit Quimixto?
Reserve organized tours and overnight stays ahead, especially for holidays. For an independent day trip, confirm the boat schedule and fare locally; don’t assume a particular departure or restaurant will be available.
How to get to Quimixto from Puerto Vallarta?
Take a southbound bus or a taxi from Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlán, then a panga to Quimixto. Allow time for road traffic, waiting, and roughly 20 minutes on the water, sometimes longer with stops or rough seas.
How much is a water taxi from Boca to Quimixto?
Ask at Boca’s pier for the current fare and whether it covers one way or a return. Agree on the pickup spot, last service, and return time before paying; old online prices aren’t a current quote.
Can you swim at playa Quimixto?
Only when conditions are suitable. Quimixto can have surf and currents, and visibility varies. Keep clear of boat approaches, check a safe entry and exit, and stay out if the water is rough or you aren’t confident.
How long is the Quimixto waterfall hike?
Allow about 30–60 minutes each way from the village, depending on your landing point, route, fitness, and conditions. Wear grippy shoes, carry water, and avoid unsafe river crossings after heavy rain.
Where is Quimixto?
Quimixto is on the southern shore of Banderas Bay, between Las Animas and Majahuitas, south of Puerto Vallarta. Most visitors arrive by boat from Boca de Tomatlán.
Final thoughts: Quimixto Puerto Vallarta
Quimixto is still one of my favorite day trips from Puerto Vallarta: a waterfall walk, beach time, and lunch with friends.
Bring cash, plenty of water, shoes with grip, and a return-boat plan. Those little details leave you more time to enjoy the day.
Looking for more day trips from Puerto Vallarta? Check out these posts!
