Las Ánimas Beach from the Puerto Vallarta cruise port

Beach15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then about 25 by water taxi4-5 hours including transfersFits a typical call

A roadless beach on the south shore of Banderas Bay with soft sand, calm, shallow water and a row of seafood restaurants. It also offers parasailing, banana boats and a zip-line adventure park. Many cruise-port boat tours make it their first stop.

Getting there from the ship

From
Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal
Travel time
15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then about 25 by water taxi
Allow about 20 minutes to get off the ship first. Puerto Vallarta taxi fares.
Cost
Free beach. Water taxi fare not confirmed, but Los Muertos to Yelapa is 350 pesos one way, so Las Ánimas should cost no more. Lounger rentals are cheap or come with a food minimum.
Time to allow
4-5 hours including transfers

Will you be back for all aboard?

Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm Puerto Vallarta call you have up to 6 h 20 min at Las Ánimas Beach, enough for a visit (allow 4-5 hours including transfers), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.
  1. 1
    8:00 am · Ship docks
    Allow about 20 minutes to get off and through the terminal.
  2. 2
    8:45 am · At Las Ánimas Beach
    15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then about 25 by water taxi from Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal.
  3. 3
    3:05 pm · Leave Las Ánimas Beach by
    That gets you back to the ship an hour before all aboard.
  4. 4
    4:30 pm · All aboard
    Typical for Puerto Vallarta; your ship's time may differ. Check ship time vs local time

Tip

Water taxis from the Los Muertos pier are infrequent (11:00 and 11:45 in one schedule), so confirm a return boat before you leave. Boats from Boca de Tomatlán run more often. Tour boats arrive around midday, so come early if you can. A coastal trail from Boca de Tomatlán (just under 2 miles to the viewpoints) is an alternative, but it is moderately strenuous.

Puerto Vallarta cruise port: Las Ánimas Beach FAQ

How far is Las Ánimas Beach from the Puerto Vallarta cruise port?

From Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal it is 15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then about 25 by water taxi.

How much does it cost to visit Las Ánimas Beach?

Free beach. Water taxi fare not confirmed, but Los Muertos to Yelapa is 350 pesos one way, so Las Ánimas should cost no more. Lounger rentals are cheap or come with a food minimum.

How much time do you need at Las Ánimas Beach?

Allow 4-5 hours including transfers. Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm Puerto Vallarta call you have up to 6 h 20 min at Las Ánimas Beach, enough for a visit (allow 4-5 hours including transfers), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.

Can you visit Las Ánimas Beach on your own from a cruise ship?

Yes, it is easy to do on your own: it is 15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then about 25 by water taxi from Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal. Water taxis from the Los Muertos pier are infrequent (11:00 and 11:45 in one schedule), so confirm a return boat before you leave. Boats from Boca de Tomatlán run more often. Tour boats arrive around midday, so come early if you can. A coastal trail from Boca de Tomatlán (just under 2 miles to the viewpoints) is an alternative, but it is moderately strenuous.

Tours that go to Las Ánimas Beach

Checked against a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm call with an hour's margin.

All tours

More things to do near Las Ánimas Beach

All 12 places
  • Mismaloya · Beach · 30-40 minutes by taxi from the pier · 6.1 km from Las Ánimas Beach
  • Los Arcos Marine Park · Snorkeling · by tour boat, or 30-40 by car to the Mismaloya departure beach from the pier · 7.3 km from Las Ánimas Beach
  • Vallarta Botanical Garden · Nature · 50-70 minutes by taxi from the pier · 7.3 km from Las Ánimas Beach
  • Yelapa · Town & walking · 15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then 45-60 by water taxi from the pier · 11 km from Las Ánimas Beach