The best day trips from Yelapa are the small beaches and villages along the south shore between Boca de Tomatlán and Yelapa: Las Ánimas, Quimixto with its waterfall, and the snorkeling cove at Majahuitas. None of them has a road, so you go by boat, and Casa Gratitud guests can ask our host family about a private boat excursion that strings several together.
Plan every boat leg in daylight. An early start gives you time to swim, snorkel, and eat lunch on the sand, with a relaxed ride home well before sunset.
Where are Las Ánimas, Quimixto, and Majahuitas?
Here's the shoreline in order, heading from Boca de Tomatlán toward Yelapa:
| Stop | What it's like | How people get there |
|---|---|---|
| Colomitos | A tiny cove with no facilities | About five minutes by panga from Boca, or about 40 minutes on the coastal trail |
| Las Ánimas | A larger beach with a few restaurants; Playa El Caballo is just around the bend | Boat, or the coastal trail from Boca |
| Quimixto | A small fishing village with a waterfall up the river | About 20 minutes by boat from Boca |
| Majahuitas | A rocky snorkeling cove | Boat, less than 2 miles west of Quimixto |
| Yelapa | Our village | About 30 minutes by water taxi from Boca |
How do water taxis stop at these beaches?
Public water taxis from Boca de Tomatlán serve the south-shore beaches, and Las Ánimas is usually the first stop heading south. The tourism board also lists panga and water taxi access to Majahuitas from Boca or the Los Muertos Pier in Puerto Vallarta. Before you board, tell the crew where you want to get off, and confirm how and when you'll get back. For public water taxi times, see go2yelapa transport and our guide on how to get to Yelapa by boat.
From Yelapa, the simplest plan is a private boat. Our host family arranges snorkeling and other boat excursions for Casa Gratitud guests; just ask in your WhatsApp group and they'll quote the trip. You choose the beaches and the pace, and you're home in daylight.
What is each beach like?
Colomitos
Mexico News Daily calls Colomitos one of the smallest and loveliest beaches in Jalisco. It has no vendors, chairs, or facilities, so bring what you need and pack out what you bring.
Las Ánimas and Playa El Caballo
Las Ánimas is bigger than the coves around it and has a few beach restaurants, which makes it a natural lunch stop. Playa El Caballo sits just around the bend, and you can walk over from Las Ánimas. It now has a beach club, though Mexico News Daily says it still feels off the radar.
Quimixto and its waterfall
Quimixto is a small fishing village with an amber-sand beach lined with palm trees and fishing boats, and no cars, only cobblestone and sandy paths. The tourism board describes two ways to reach the waterfall: walk through the village and upstream along the La Puerta River, or go on horseback. Its blog puts the walk at about 20 minutes. Bring a swimsuit, because the pool at the base is the reward.
Majahuitas
Majahuitas is a cove of clear water, rocky coves, and reefs with colorful fish, according to the tourism board. Vallarta Adventures calls it some of the calmest water in Banderas Bay. Mexico News Daily describes two moods: on weekdays it's a mellow spot for snorkeling, paddleboarding, and hammocks, and on weekends the beach club adds DJs and cocktails. Day tours also come from the Puerto Vallarta cruise port, so a weekday visit is the quiet choice.
Where's the best snorkeling between Boca and Yelapa?
These three get the most mentions:
- Majahuitas: clear, calm water with small coves and underwater canyons.
- Quimixto: the tourism board calls its beach ideal for snorkeling, with gentle to moderate waves.
- Colomitos: Vámonos to Mexico suggests bringing snorkel gear to see angelfish and pufferfish, and arriving early because the cove is small.
Conditions change with swell and season, so check with your boat crew before you jump in. For Yelapa's own beaches and tides, see our Yelapa beaches, swimming, and tides guide.
Can you hike from Boca de Tomatlán to Las Ánimas?
Yes. A coastal trail runs from Boca de Tomatlán through the jungle to Las Ánimas, passing Colomitos about 40 minutes in. Out and About PV reports about an hour to Las Ánimas with short stops, and Live the World puts it at about two hours one way, so plan on one to two hours depending on your pace. Past Las Ánimas, a trail continues to Quimixto, partly along the beach and partly paved, with stretches that can be tricky to follow.
You can take a water taxi back to Boca from Las Ánimas or Quimixto. Start early, carry water, and give yourself plenty of daylight; Out and About PV suggests heading back by 4 PM, when the tide starts to rise. The trail starts in Boca, so it suits a day when you're already in Puerto Vallarta. Our guide to day trips from Puerto Vallarta has more ideas for that end of the trip.
FAQ
Can you visit Quimixto from Yelapa?
Yes, by boat. Casa Gratitud guests can ask our host family about a private daylight excursion, which can also stop at Majahuitas and Las Ánimas.
Is there a waterfall at Quimixto?
Yes. It's up the river from the village, about a 20-minute walk according to the tourism board, or you can ride horseback.
Can you swim and snorkel at Majahuitas?
Yes. It's known for clear, calm water, and weekdays are quieter than weekends.
Should I plan my return before sunset?
Yes. Build the day around daylight boat rides. If your plans run long, stay the night in Yelapa or Puerto Vallarta rather than heading out late.
Checked October 14, 2026. Details change, so confirm with the sources below before you go.
Sources
- Visit Puerto Vallarta (official tourism board), Majahuitas beach
- Visit Puerto Vallarta (official tourism board), Quimixto beach
- Visit Puerto Vallarta (official tourism board), live a tropical experience in Quimixto
- Mexico News Daily, 8 secret beaches to find along the Bay of Banderas
- Vallarta Adventures, public beaches in Puerto Vallarta
- Live the World, hiking in Puerto Vallarta
- Out and About PV, hiking the beaches from Boca de Tomatlán
- Vámonos to Mexico, Boca de Tomatlán and Colomitos
More in our Yelapa visitor guide.
Plan your stay
Casa Gratitud is our home on the hillside above Yelapa's bay, a good base for daylight boat days along the south shore. See the house at yelapacasagratitud.com and check rates and availability.