Boca de Tomatlan

Has anyone gone to Boca while in PV? We will be in port 8am-5pm (NCL).

Did you go with an excursion (what company?), did you just grab a taxi/water taxi?

Any other suggestions for a peaceful beach day? I know the ship excursions go to Las Caletas, so we would like to avoid that. :cool:

If ya just gotta Boca... We would Taxi...

We would prefer to lounge at los muertos beach, as there are plenty of varied appeal "beach day" sandy locations (lively to not so), and lots to see and do within a short walk. If you can walk a bit, have a cab drop you at the Malecon, and then stroll the 1/2 mile south to Los Muertos, and see many of PV highlights along the stroll

If ya just gotta Boca... We would Taxi...

 

We would prefer to lounge at los muertos beach, as there are plenty of varied appeal "beach day" sandy locations (lively to not so), and lots to see and do within a short walk. If you can walk a bit, have a cab drop you at the Malecon, and then stroll the 1/2 mile south to Los Muertos, and see many of PV highlights along the stroll

Thanks! I'll have to Google!

Have been watching this thread with some interest. We have lived in PV for the past 10 years (about 2 months a year) and have never, ever, felt any desire to leave the Southside (which is where Los Muertos is outside our door) to go to Boca for the beach. For us, Boca is a place we would go to either catch the boat over to a nearby restaurant (only accessible by boat) or perhaps to catch a boat over to Yelapa.

Hank

Restaurant \ bar recs? Low key, toes in the sand type of place. 😀

Restaurant \ bar recs? Low key, toes in the sand type of place. 😀

So, not sure why you have this thing about Boca, but we can suggest where you can get very accurate info. Go on Tripadvisor and bring up Puerto Vallarta. Then click on "More" along the top bar and click on "Travel Forum" which will bring up their bulletin board/forum for Puerto Vallarta. There are many folks on that board who live in PV year round and can give you the latest very accurate info on Boca.

Hank

So, not sure why you have this thing about Boca, but we can suggest where you can get very accurate info. Go on Tripadvisor and bring up Puerto Vallarta. Then click on "More" along the top bar and click on "Travel Forum" which will bring up their bulletin board/forum for Puerto Vallarta. There are many folks on that board who live in PV year round and can give you the latest very accurate info on Boca.

 

Hank

Thanks for the kind reply Hank..... I was actually asking for recs of places to go at Los Muertos?

However maybe I'll get more info at Tripadvisor... ;)

Thanks for the kind reply Hank..... I was actually asking for recs of places to go at Los Muertos?

 

However maybe I'll get more info at Tripadvisor... ;)

Well, when it comes to Los Muertos we are truly experts since we spend about 50 days a year on that beach :). So, if you pull up a map of PV I will try to give you some guidance. There is a tiny river (the Rio Cujale) which separates Centro (the main downtown area) from the southside called Old Town, Viejo Vallarta, Romantic Zone, Zona Romantica, etc (all the same part of town). Once you cross the pedestrian bridge to the South Side you will immediately see Playa Muertos (translates to beach of the dead) on your right. If you are interested in swimming in the sea, you should keep walking and find a spot to the south of the pier...which is the best and safest swimming area. There are many cafes/restaurants that line the beach and its fun to just walk along, read the menus, talk to the staff (they all speak some English) and see where you can get the best deal. Of course the best deal is that your chairs/umbrella are free as long as you buy drinks and some food. You might also want to be aware that as you move to the most southern places you are going to see a lot of gays (mostly men). If you have no personal hang-ups these places are quite fine and they will be happy to have your business.

Many cruisers are not interested in swimming, so that opens up the entire beach area for use. One very popular place (under where we live) is called the "Sea Monkey" (this is only 100 meters past the pedestrian bridge). The Sea Monkey (owned by the same man who owns the famous Cheeky Monkey) has lots of tables (with umbrellas) on the beach (and a large restaurant a few feet away across the Malecon) and its first come first serve. Once you have a table it is yours as long as you please, but they do expect you to drink and hopefully eat (food and drink at all the restaurants is very safe as is the ice). But the Sea Monkey is famous for $1 Margaritas, and $1 beer (bottles off both Corona and Pacifico). We do recommend their beer (I love Pacifico) but the Margaritas are made with a mix and not great. You can also get better drinks if you are willing to spend more (like $2).

Moving south from the Sea Monkey there are wall to wall restaurants/cafes...all with posted menus and most with tables on the beach or beach chairs. The norm in PV is not to pay for chairs other then to give the places your drink/food business. There are a few exceptions where they will want to charge you to use their chairs/facilities (like the Hotel Los Arcos). Most of us who live in PV are very friendly :). So if you have a question, doubts, etc. feel free to just ask anyone (hopefully they are not fellow cruisers) for advice or recommendations. Everyone has their favorite place. Expats and tourists who live in PV are a strange group in that we all seem to love the city/region and want everyone else to share those same feelings so you will usually get very good advice. If you happen to be in PV in Jan-Feb, you will find DW and moi in our own beach chairs not far from the Sea Monkey.

Hank