THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Leave the tourist sands behind and hike a jungle-to-sea trail south of Puerto Vallarta. This guided route links six hidden beaches—including Colomitos and Madagascar—finishing with seafood and a water taxi from Playa Las Ánimas.
Leave the tourist sands behind and hike a jungle-to-sea trail south of Puerto Vallarta. This guided route links six hidden beaches—including Colomitos and Madagascar—finishing with seafood and a water taxi from Playa Las Ánimas.
The morning bus peels away from Puerto Vallarta, the humid jungle pressing close as the road drops toward Boca de Tomatlan. A guide checks fins and smiles; ahead lies a jagged coastline that keeps its best beaches off the beaten path. Footsteps salt the trail as the jungle opens to cliffside views where the Pacific dares you to look over the edge.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Las Animas Adventure Park · Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
The morning bus peels away from Puerto Vallarta, the humid jungle pressing close as the road drops toward Boca de Tomatlan. A guide checks fins and smiles; ahead lies a jagged coastline that keeps its best beaches off the beaten path. Footsteps salt the trail as the jungle opens to cliffside views where the Pacific dares you to look over the edge.
This route follows a long-lived corridor between river mouths and volcanic shoreline. Small coves like Colomitos formed where hardened lava and eroding cliffs create sheltered pockets of sand; local fishing families have trekked these spots for generations, and Playa Las Ánimas grew as a market for fresh catch and seaside cooking.
Expect forested singletrack, short rock scrambles and sandy approaches between six small beaches—Colomitos for snorkeling, Madagascar for the famous jump rock, and a sequence of quieter coves before Las Ánimas’ bay. The sea is both invitation and measure: currents and visibility change with tides and swell.
Practically, come prepared for 6–7 hours that blend hiking and easy-swim snorkeling. Wear grippy shoes that can get wet, bring reef-safe sunscreen and a light daypack with water, snacks and a dry bag for electronics. Guides typically provide snorkel gear and handle the water taxi back to Boca. Time your visit for morning or late afternoon to avoid the hottest sun and busier boats; carry cash for seafood and fruit stalls. With a little preparation this coastal day delivers a tidy mix of exercise, exploration and the kind of quiet beaches that reward effort.
moderate.
6–7 hours.
Be comfortable walking 2–4 miles on uneven coastal trails, able to scramble short rocky sections and swim/snorkel in calm open water.
The guided coastal hike runs about 1 hour 40 minutes one-way along varied terrain, embedded within a 6–7 hour full-day experience including bus and water taxi transfers.
Yes—Colomitos is shallow with clear water and is suitable for basic snorkelers; guides provide equipment and brief safety instruction.
The tour often includes water taxi transfers and snorkel equipment, but beach restaurants and fresh seafood in Las Ánimas are typically optional purchases in cash.
Many operators rate the hike as suitable for varied fitness levels, but children should be comfortable with uneven paths and basic swimming; those with spinal, heart or pregnancy concerns should avoid it.
Boca de Tomatlan has long been a fishing village and supply point; its beaches were shaped by volcanic flows and centuries of coastal fishing culture.
Visitors are encouraged to use reef-safe products, avoid touching coral or disturbing nesting areas, and follow Leave No Trace: pack out waste and minimize single-use plastics.
Las Animas Adventure Park operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The morning bus peels away from Puerto Vallarta, the humid jungle pressing close as the road drops toward Boca de Tomatlan. A guide checks fins and smiles; ahead lies a jagged coastline that keeps its best beaches off the beaten path. Footsteps salt the trail as the jungle opens to cliffside views where the Pacific dares you to look over the edge.
The morning bus peels away from Puerto Vallarta, the humid jungle pressing close as the road drops toward Boca de Tomatlan. A guide checks fins and smiles; ahead lies a jagged coastline that keeps its best beaches off the beaten path. Footsteps salt the trail as the jungle opens to cliffside views where the Pacific dares you to look over the edge.
This route follows a long-lived corridor between river mouths and volcanic shoreline. Small coves like Colomitos formed where hardened lava and eroding cliffs create sheltered pockets of sand; local fishing families have trekked these spots for generations, and Playa Las Ánimas grew as a market for fresh catch and seaside cooking.
Expect forested singletrack, short rock scrambles and sandy approaches between six small beaches—Colomitos for snorkeling, Madagascar for the famous jump rock, and a sequence of quieter coves before Las Ánimas’ bay. The sea is both invitation and measure: currents and visibility change with tides and swell.
Practically, come prepared for 6–7 hours that blend hiking and easy-swim snorkeling. Wear grippy shoes that can get wet, bring reef-safe sunscreen and a light daypack with water, snacks and a dry bag for electronics. Guides typically provide snorkel gear and handle the water taxi back to Boca. Time your visit for morning or late afternoon to avoid the hottest sun and busier boats; carry cash for seafood and fruit stalls. With a little preparation this coastal day delivers a tidy mix of exercise, exploration and the kind of quiet beaches that reward effort.