How to Hike From Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas

Last Updated on December 5, 2023

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If you’re visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, going on the hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas is a must-do. 

It’s a beautiful coastal hike that takes you from Boca de Tomatlan, a picturesque fishing village, along the ocean, to various beautiful beaches. The hike ends at Playa Las Animas, where you can have lunch, some drinks, and go for a swim!

The hike is easily accessible from Puerto Vallarta, and it’s a wonderful way to see some of the region beyond the city. 

About the Playa Las Animas Hike 

This trail near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico takes you from the small fishing village Boca de Tomatlan, along the coast, to a beautiful beach called Playa Las Animas. 

Hiking this trail is a fantastic day trip to take while spending just a few days, or 1 week in Puerto Vallarta. Not only will you get to explore this region of Mexico’s beautiful coastline, but you’ll get to enjoy secluded beaches and swimming. 

At this time, there aren’t any tours or guides that can be booked to go on this hike. You’ll do it independently. While this trail is very safe, it’s recommended to do it in a group of at least two,  just in case.

If going on a day trip without a tour isn’t your jam, I’ve included a section at the bottom of this blog covering a well-reviewed guided tour you can book which includes snorkeling, secluded beaches, and a short hike!

Playa Las Animas Hike From Puerto Vallarta Tips

You’ll want to dedicate a full day to the Playa Las Animas hike. 

Although the hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Playa Las Animas is about 2 hours if you don’t stop, once you factor in pauses at various beaches as well as the heat of the sun, it can end up taking 4–6 hours. 

Another thing to consider when planning your Las Animas trail hike is whether you want to hike the Playa Las Animas and back, or hike one way. 

Once you arrive in Playa Las Animas, you’re two options for returning to Puerto Vallarta are: 

• Hike the trail back to Boca de Tomatlan (2 hours), and catch a taxi from Boca de Tomatlan to take you back to Puerto Vallarta.
  
• Take a water taxi from Playa Las Animas to Boca de Tomatlan (20 minutes), and catch a taxi from Boca de Tomatlan to take you back to Puerto Vallarta.
  
• Hire a water taxi to take you all the way back to Puerto Vallarta. 

While the hike isn’t too long, keep in mind that it will likely be very hot. Taking a water taxi back to Boca de Tomatlan is recommended versus hiking back, to avoid heat sickness. 

Going by water taxi is also a great way to support the local economy while on this day trip. 

How to Hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Playa Las Animas

Begin Your Day Early

It’s best to start your day early. This way you can take your time without any worries about getting a boat or cab back to Puerto Vallarta. 

To begin your day, you’ll need to get to Boca de Tomatlan. The easiest way to do this is to grab a taxi or Uber from Puerto Vallarta, to take you to Boca de Tomatlan. The drive takes 20-30 minutes and costs just a few dollars. 

You can also take the water taxi from the Los Muertos Pier to the village. This takes about the same amount of time, but is a bit more expensive.

Your third option is to grab the local bus from the corner of Basilio Badillo and Calle Constitucion, in front of the OXXO. It’s an orange and white bus that runs every 20 minutes, and it costs just a few dollars. This is the most economic way to get to Boca de Tomatlan, but usually takes the longest.

Start in Boca de Tomatlan

The taxi will drop you off on the main road into the village of Boca de Tomatlan. To get to the trail head, walk down to the road called Calle Pelicanos and follow it toward Camino a Colomitos (this location appears on Google Maps). 

Along the way there is a public bathroom (it costs a few pesos to use) and some stands where you can buy water and snacks. When you reach Camino a Colomitos you’ll notice a small river that you can cross using a little bridge of planks. 

When you get to the other side of the river, follow the path to your right. This is the start of the trail! It will take you past various little guesthouses and hotels, before the coastal hike begins. 

Stop at Colomitos Beach

The first bit of the trail is the most challenging. There are elevation gains and declines, particularly at the start. But luckily, much of the trail is paved, and the hilly parts have stairs. 

Other portions of the trail are dirt, and at other times you’re walking on the beach. Overall, I’d say this is a moderate hike.  

About 45 minutes into the hike, you’ll come to Colomitos Beach. This small, secluded beach is in a little cove and surrounded by jungle. It’s an absolutely gorgeous spot with perfect swimming conditions. Typically, there’s a small stand there where you can purchase drinks. 

Sometimes Colomitos Beach can be quite busy with locals and small groups of tourists that come by boat. If this is the case and you’d like a more quiet beach, continue hiking about 10 or 15 minutes onward. 

You’ll come across a few more small beaches that are typically way less busy and perfect for swimming. 

Finish at Playa Las Animas

You’ll end your hike at Playa Las Animas. This is a long, sandy beach where you’ll see a pier, plenty of restaurants, and beachgoers. 

Playa Las Animas is the perfect spot to rest after your walk. Enjoy a meal and a drink, hang out on the beach, or go for a swim. The beach has most amenities, including public bathrooms. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can go parasailing from Playa Las Animas! It’s possible to book it and go for your sail, right there on the beach. 

How to Get Back to Puerto Vallarta

There are a couple ways to get back to Puerto Vallarta from Playa Las Animas. Option one is to hike back to Boca de Tomatlan, and grab a taxi or bus back to Puerto Vallarta. 

While hiking back is the cheapest option, I wouldn’t recommend it. While the trail isn’t all that long, it can be very hot and so it’s easy to become exhausted. 

Your best option is to wait for a water taxi on the pier at Playa Las Animas that is going to Boca de Tomatlan. From there, grab the bus or a taxi back to Puerto Vallarta.  

Or, you can take a water taxi all the way back to Puerto Vallarta. This is a bit more expensive, but is a fun and easy way to get back to the city. 

What to Bring on the Las Animas Hiking Trail

Other than of course, your camera, here are some of the essential things you should pack for hiking the Las Animas trail. 

Proper footwear

While the trail isn’t particularly challenging, you won’t want to walk it in flip flops. Proper footwear is recommended to protect your feet and keep you comfortable. Basic trainers or hiking sandals (that have enough support) will work for this day trip.   

Lots of water 

At the start of the hike in Boca de Tomatlan you’ll have an opportunity to buy water. After that, water won’t be available until you reach Playa Las Animas. You’ll get quite hot on this trail, so be sure to pack enough water to keep you hydrated (at least 1L). 

Packed lunch and snacks

You’ll be on the hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas for 2 to 4 hours. Definitely eat breakfast before you hit the trail, but I recommend packing some snacks to tide you over until you reach Playa Las Animas. You can get lunch on the beach, or eat a packed lunch. 

Swimsuit and towel 

There will be lots of beautiful swimming spots along the Playa Las Animas trail, so be sure to pack your swimsuit and towel. 

Cash

You will need cash to pay for your taxi, water taxi, and food or water that you buy. Be sure to bring enough for the day because there won’t be ATMs. 

Guided Day Trip From Puerto Vallarta 

The hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Playa Las Animas can’t be done with a tour. If you’d like to go on a guided experience, you can book this Yelapa Waterfall & Majahuitas Snorkel Adventure.

This all-day tour brings you from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa and Majahuitas. You’ll get to explore sandy secluded beaches, coves that are only accessible by boat, and go swimming and snorkeling. 

You’ll also stop by a small fishing village, and then go on a short hike to Cola de Caballo waterfalls. There, you can jump into the water and swim. 

This Yelapa Waterfall & Majahuitas Snorkel Adventure includes:

• Deli-style lunch
• Open bar on board
• Snorkeling and kayaking equipment

BOOK: Yelapa Waterfall & Majahuitas Snorkel Adventure

Responsible Travel Tips For Hiking to Playa Las Animas

Everyone loves a good beach day, especially when exploring Mexico! To keep Jalisco, Mexico’s coastline protected, here are some tips to reme which will help you enjoy this beautiful region responsibly. 

Pack in and pack out.

Make sure you leave no garbage or food waste behind. Use disposal facilities on the beach, and if there aren’t any, bring any waste back to where you’re staying so you can dispose of it properly.  

Bring a filtration water bottle instead of plastic.

Tap water in most parts of Mexico isn’t safe to drink, which means most visitors end up buying bottled water. Instead, bring a water filtration bottle. This way you can filter tap and river water to drink, without generating plastic waste. 

Don’t disturb the local wildlife.

It’s tempting to feed or interact with other creatures you find on the hike from Boca do Tomatlan to Las Animas, but it’s best to leave them alone. When humans interact with wildlife, it can disrupt their natural habitat and change how those animals view humans. .

Use eco-friendly sunscreen.

Sunscreen is important to wear, but it often ends up in the ocean and other waterways after you go for a swim. This can be harmful to the environment and animals because most sunscreens contain harmful chemicals like octinoxate. Instead, choose sunscreens that contain non-nano zinc oxide, which are generally considered safe for the environment. 

Final Thoughts on Hiking From Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas

This day trip was a highlight of my trip to Puerto Vallarta. I loved it because it involved a mix of experiences. 

Seeing a small fishing village, walking through the jungle, and swimming on quiet beaches was a nice change of pace from how busy Puerto Vallarta can be. 

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