Selva y Playas Exóticas, Senderismo en Puerto Vallarta

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the change of pace: you trade city streets for a local bus, a small fishing village, and a rough coastal trail through jungle. Along the way, you reach Colomitos Beach, Madagascar Beach, and Las Ánimas, with time for swimming, food, and a boat ride back.

I like the small group size, capped at 10, and the guides’ personal touch. Moisés is praised for his local history and easy humor, while Alejandro and Alex add plenty of detail about plants, animals, and local life. The traditional candies, fresh fruit, guacamole, and sometimes ceviche make the walk feel more personal than a simple beach transfer.

The catch is the trail. This is not a flat seaside stroll. Expect uphill sections, steep climbs, uneven ground, and some boulder scrambling where you may need both hands. If you want a soft adventure with little effort, this is the wrong pick.

Key points at a glance

• A local bus begins the adventure: You ride from Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone toward Boca de Tomatlán, with the bus fare included.
• Three coastal beaches shape the route: Colomitos, Madagascar, and Las Ánimas offer different stopping points along the jungle shore.
• The hiking is genuinely physical: The route can include steep, rocky, and boulder-covered sections, so good hiking shoes matter.
• Guides add real local context: Moisés, Alejandro, and Alex have been praised for explaining Puerto Vallarta’s plants, animals, culture, and history.
• The return by lancha saves your legs: A boat ride brings you back after the beach stop, with the advertised tour details listing it as included.
• The $55 price covers useful extras: Bus, boat, guide, and traditional Mexican candies are included, but lunch is not.

From Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlán by local bus

Your morning starts at 9:30 am at the new El Tuito bus stop on Aguacate Street in the Zona Romántica. The first leg uses public transportation, not a private air-conditioned vehicle. That matters because you get a small taste of ordinary Puerto Vallarta life before the hike begins.

The bus carries you south to Boca de Tomatlán, a fishing village and a useful gateway to the coast. The ride is part of the experience, not just a transfer. You see how local residents move around the bay and begin to leave the resort side of Puerto Vallarta behind.

The bus fare is included. Still, arrive ready to move at the scheduled time, since the group has a full route ahead and the activity lasts about six and a half hours from start to finish.

The meeting point is in the Romantic Zone, so give yourself time to find the exact stop. The activity ends back at the meeting point according to the tour details, although the coastal boat return may use a different drop-off arrangement depending on the plan for the day. Confirm the final return point with the guide.

Boca de Tomatlán starts the real walk

Once you reach Boca de Tomatlán, the city portion is over. The route turns into a coastal hike through trees and along rougher stretches of shore. Your guide pauses along the way to explain local plants, small creatures, birds, and the area’s culture.

This is where the guide makes a major difference. Moisés has been singled out for his stories about Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding region. Alejandro has been praised for pointing out plant and animal life that is easy to miss, while Alex has helped keep groups comfortable and moving at a sensible pace.

The route is described as moderate, but that label needs some explanation. Some people complete the shorter sections in about 20 minutes, while the full walk to the farther beach can take around an hour or more, especially with photo stops. Several accounts describe steep uphill stretches and large rocks that require scrambling.

You should wear secure hiking shoes with good grip. Lightweight clothing is sensible, and you should expect heat and sun during the drier months. The trail is lush and shaded from July through January, while February through June is generally drier and sunnier. Conditions can change the feel of the walk, so pack water, sun protection, and a swimsuit.

Colomitos Beach rewards the first effort

Colomitos is the first major beach stop and one of the main reasons to book this outing. It is a small cove with clear water, and the tour allows time to swim and cool off after the first section of trail.

The beach is at its best as a reward for the walk. You get a quiet pause, a chance to enter the water, and a good setting for photos from the trail above. Bring your own towel if you want one. Beach towels are not included.

Do not expect a large beach complex or a full menu of activities here. The appeal is the setting and the swim, not water sports or organized beach entertainment. The shore can also feel less inviting if the sea is rough, and conditions vary with the season.

Traditional Mexican candies are included during the outing. They are a modest extra, but a pleasant one, especially on a warm hike. Some guides have also offered fruit during the walk, though you should not treat that as a guaranteed part of the listed inclusions.

Madagascar Beach adds a quieter coastal stop

The route continues toward Madagascar Beach, another stretch of the bay reached by foot. The exact amount of time spent here depends on the group, pace, weather, and the guide’s route for the day.

The value of this section is not a checklist of beach names. It is the chance to see how quickly Puerto Vallarta changes once you leave the main city. The trail links coves and jungle rather than delivering you to one polished resort beach.

The walk between stops can be more demanding than the names suggest. You may climb, descend, step across uneven stones, and use your hands over larger boulders. If you have knee, balance, or mobility concerns, ask about the route before booking. The activity calls for a moderate level of physical fitness.

The small group limit helps here. With no more than 10 people, the guide can usually adjust the pace and pause for explanations or photographs. It also keeps the experience more personal than a large coach excursion.

Las Ánimas is the long stop and lunch option

Las Ánimas Beach is the final main stop and the place where you can settle in for food and a longer break. A local restaurant offers regional seafood, but lunch is not included in the $55 price.

This is an important value point. The tour price covers the bus, guide, lancha-style boat, and Mexican candy, but you need extra money for food and drinks. Some guide-led outings have included homemade guacamole, ceviche, tostadas, fruit, or chips, and several people have especially enjoyed those touches. They are not listed as guaranteed inclusions, so ask what your particular departure provides.

Las Ánimas is also where you decide how much beach time you want. You can eat, swim, rest, and enjoy the coast before heading back. One useful detail from the tour experience is that the return boat can make a major difference after the hike. The ride is short, reportedly around seven minutes in one account, and gives you a final view of the bay without retracing the rocky trail.

The beach itself may not satisfy someone searching for a fully equipped beach day. One account specifically notes that water sports are not available there. Think of Las Ánimas as a practical stopping point with restaurants and access by boat, not as a day resort.

The boat ride back is more than a convenience

The return lancha is one of the smartest parts of the plan. After several hours on an uneven trail, you avoid walking the entire route back. The boat also gives you a fresh view of the coastline and can turn a tiring finish into a relaxing one.

The published details state that the boat is included at no extra cost. However, one family reported paying a separate water-taxi charge and another added driver cost, while another account described a paid water taxi. Because arrangements can vary, confirm exactly what is covered before departure, especially if the boat returns you to a pier rather than the original bus meeting point.

During winter, from roughly the whale-watching season, you might spot whales from the coast or boat. Wildlife sightings are never promised, but birds and iguanas are also possible along the route. Keep your eyes open, since the guides may notice small animals before you do.

What the guides add to the day

The strongest part of this experience is the human element. Moisés is a good fit if you want stories about Puerto Vallarta, local history, and the region’s culture mixed with a lively manner. Alejandro is a strong choice for anyone who enjoys learning about trees, plants, creatures, and food. Alex has also been described as friendly, patient, and attentive to group safety.

The guide names may depend on the date and availability, so you may not receive the same person. That is worth knowing if you are booking specifically for one guide.

The food stops can also feel personal. Homemade guacamole, ceviche, fresh fruit, and chips have appeared during some outings, but lunch remains officially excluded. Ask before you set out if you need to plan around allergies, dietary needs, or a fixed meal budget.

The experience has a high 4.9 rating from 64 reviews and a 98 percent recommendation rate. Those figures suggest a strong record, but they do not change the physical demands of the trail. The best feedback consistently centers on the guides, the scenery, the local explanations, and the satisfying workout.

Season, weather, and what to pack

The trail changes with the calendar. From July through January, the jungle is described as lush and shaded. That can make the walk more pleasant under the trees, but wet-season conditions may affect the trail.

From February through June, expect a drier and sunnier setting. Heat becomes a bigger concern, especially on exposed climbs. This tour requires good weather, and a poor-weather cancellation can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Pack light, but bring the basics:

• Good hiking shoes, not smooth-soled beach sandals
• Lightweight clothes
• Swimwear and a towel
• Water and sun protection
• Money for lunch, drinks, and any local transport charge not covered by the operator
• A phone or camera with a secure strap

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation. The tour is not presented as accessible for people who cannot manage uneven trails, steep sections, or boulder scrambling.

Is $55 a good value?

At $55 per person, the tour is fairly priced for a six-and-a-half-hour outing that includes a local bus, guide, coastal hike, boat ride, and traditional sweets. You are paying for access to several beaches and for interpretation along the trail, not just transportation to a beach.

The value is strongest if you want a small-group nature outing and would rather learn about the area than spend the day in town. The bus and boat also make the route feel more varied than a standard out-and-back hike.

The value drops if you want a relaxed beach day. Lunch costs extra, towels are not provided, and the route can be tougher than the word moderate suggests. You may also encounter additional local costs depending on the boat or driver arrangement, so confirm those details before booking.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refundable, and the activity can be moved or refunded if bad weather or an insufficient number of bookings cancels the departure.

Who should book this hike?

I would choose this tour for couples, active families, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want a guided outing with room for questions. It suits you if you enjoy a workout, coastal views, local food, and nature notes more than a polished sightseeing bus.

Families should judge the trail carefully. One group included ages 11 through 66, but described the hike as intense and recommended strong footwear. That gives you a useful picture: age alone is not the issue, but balance, stamina, and comfort on uneven ground are.

You should skip it if you need a flat route, dislike scrambling, or want guaranteed time for water sports. You should also ask about the exact route if your main goal is Colomitos only, since the full outing may continue farther toward Madagascar and Las Ánimas.

Should you book Selva y Playas Exóticas?

Book it if you want Puerto Vallarta beyond the city and resort strip. The combination of local bus, fishing village, jungle trail, small coves, Mexican snacks, and boat return gives you a real sense of the bay’s more rugged side.

I would book during a period when you are comfortable with heat and uneven ground, then confirm the guide, return point, food arrangements, and any possible water-taxi charge. Choose sturdy shoes, carry a swimsuit, and leave room in the schedule for the trail to take longer than expected.

Skip it for an easy excursion. Choose it for a half-day adventure where the walking is the point, the beaches are the reward, and a good guide turns the route into a lesson about Puerto Vallarta.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the new El Tuito bus stop at Aguacate 341 in the Zona Romántica area of Puerto Vallarta.

What transportation is included?

The city bus to Boca de Tomatlán and a lancha-style boat are included in the tour details.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can buy regional seafood at a local restaurant at Las Ánimas Beach.

How difficult is the hike?

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The route may include steep climbs, uneven ground, and scrambling over large boulders.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.