This post shares everything you need to know about visiting the small beach town of Quimixto on the Pacific Coast of Jalisco, Mexico. A true hidden gem, we’ll share how to get there, and where to eat, stay, and play in Quimixto.
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About Quimixto
Welcome to unplugged paradise.
Quimixto (pronounced key-mix-toe) is a hidden gem located a short distance from Puerto Vallarta, in the Cabo Corrientes region of Jalisco, Mexico.
With just a handful of hotels and local restaurants, this is one of the last undiscovered beaches in the area.
Although not an island per se, Quimixto is impassable by land, and can only be accessed by boat. There are no cars here.
Puerto Vallarta is a well-established resort city and one of the busiest tourist destinations in Mexico. Even the smaller surf town of Sayulita in neighbouring Nayarit has become overrun (although the town of San Pancho offers a more Quimixto vibe, which we loved!).
If the hustle and bustle is too much for you, like it was for us, Quimixto is the perfect antidote.
Quimixto has retained its low-key, laidback feel for now. It won’t please those looking for luxury or a busy buzz. This is a place to come to unwind and soak up the beachside vibes. And if you’re anything like us – you’ll never want to leave!
Quimixto isn’t totally unknown to those visiting Puerto Vallarta, and it is a popular day trip for visitors to hike to the small waterfall behind the town.
But for some reason, people don’t ever consider staying longer than a day.
Maybe because finding any information about Quimixto online in advance is very difficult. Or because accommodation options are limited and not well advertised.
But we highly highly recommend staying at least a night (or more!) here, to experience the magic of this place.
In this guide, we share everything we know about this tiny beach town, so you can get off the beaten track and have your own Quimixto adventure!
Our experience in Quimixto
We absolutely adored Quimixto.
It was a highlight of our six-month travels around Mexico and is up there as one of the most magical beach towns we visited.
We were some of the only tourists in the whole town, and glamping on the beach under the palm trees was an experience we will never forget.
After arriving in Puerto Vallarta from the concrete jungle of Guadalajara, we were craving some beach time.
Whilst Puerto Vallarta is on the coast, this busy tourist hub wasn’t exactly what we had in mind.
We spent a few days exploring the city, but we were itching to get out and find somewhere quieter, with fewer people and less development.
We had heard so much about Yelapa, a similar beach town near PV. But after chatting with some locals, we quickly realised that Yelapa doesn’t have the same charm it used to, having been overrun by visitors.
We heard over and over how busy Yelapa had become, full of tourists, and even expats living in this tiny, off-grid town.
It wasn’t until someone suggested Quimixto that we found out about this magical beach town. We spent three nights here but could have stayed for weeks!
A blissful place with virtually nothing to do, it felt like we were the only tourists in this tiny village of less than 500.
We fell in love with the gorgeous street dogs playing every day on the beach (we named the cutie below Lucy, and she barely left our side for 3 days!). We loved wandering the quiet, cobblestone streets of the town, and chatting to the locals as we waited for the boat. It is quiet, peaceful, beautiful and natural.
Quimixto is truly a special place.
Welcome to paradise
Getting to Quimixto
The most straightforward way to get to Quimixto is starting from Puerto Vallarta. It’s likely Quimixto is part of other travels around the Jalisco and Nayarit area, so first get yourself to PV, and then you can make your way to paradise!
- 1️⃣ Puerto Vallarta – Boca de Tomatlan: from PV, you need to get yourself to Boca de Tomatlan. You can jump in a taxi or Uber, which should take less than an hour. For a cheaper option, jump on the local bus. Buses depart from Zona Romantica in PV from the corner of Calle Constitución & Basilio Badillo out the front of the OXXO. We paid 10 pesos per person for the bus.
- 2️⃣ Getting to the pier: once you arrive in Boca, follow the signs to the pier. There will be plenty of people trying to sell you a ticket for the boat. In our experience, it actually doesn’t matter who you go with, it seems like they are all part of some collective and the prices should be the same. Just tell them you want to go to Quimixto and they should write you out a little ticket and direct you to the pier. We paid 120 pesos per person for a one-way trip from Boca to Quimixto.
- 3️⃣ Waiting for the boat: wait on the pier until someone shouts out Quimixto. It can get a bit hectic down there, and there is no set schedule. Just keep listening out every time a new boat pulls in, and ask if they are heading to Quimixto. Any boat going to Yelapa will pass by Quimixto, but if they already have a full load they might not let you on.
- 4️⃣ Boat ride to Quimixto: the boat ride will take 20 – 30 minutes, and you will be dropped at the pier in Quimixto. From there, you’re in the town and it’s on foot to your accommodation unless otherwise organised.
Getting around Quimixto
Easy – walk!
There are no cars in Quimixto and the town itself is a handful of small streets.
Most things revolve around the beach, so wandering up and down the sand will get you to most places you want to go.
You will see locals offering horses to take you to the waterfall. Please say no.
It is hot, the trail is narrow and the horses don’t look very well treated. It is not a long or difficult hike. Animals don’t exist for our convenience!
If you’re leaving Quimixto, or want to spend the day at another beach, simply head down to the pier and wave down any boat heading in the right direction.
Boats go back and forth from Boca de Tomatlan to Yelapa all day, so you shouldn’t have to wait too long. We even got the boat with the kids heading off to school for the day!
5 Things to do in Quimixto
1. Hike to the Quimixto Waterfall
This is the most popular activity in Quimixto and is what has put the tiny town on the map for visitors to Puerto Vallarta.
Many people visit Quimixto as a day trip to hike to the waterfall.
It takes around 30 – 45 minutes to reach the falls from the town. You’ll see colourful signs pointing to the cascada and it’s an easy trail to follow.
Besides a few small inclines and a bit of loose dirt, the hike isn’t too strenuous.
Please don’t take up the horse ride. Most of them are mules, not full-size horses and it looks so cruel and uncomfortable for them to carry tourists. We didn’t see any food or water for them over the three days we were in Quimixto, and it looked like a very sad and unhappy life.
When you arrive at the falls, you will see there is a restaurant built on a sort of platform above the falls.
As is typical in Mexico, nature has been commodified, and basically, the only access to the pool is via the stairs built by the restaurant.
The waterfall itself is natural and free, but unless you’re up for some scary climbing or a big jump, you’ll need to access it via the restaurant. From there, you can walk down some stairs to swim at the base of the falls.
Of course, if you want to use these facilities you are expected to purchase something. Generally, one drink per person will keep them happy, but it can be a good spot to have some lunch if you’re hungry after the walk.
The strength of the falls will depend on the season, but even when we visited in the dry season there was still a decent drop and a full pool to swim in. The water was cold but so refreshing in the heat.
2. Relax and do NOTHING
The best thing to do in Quimixto is to chill out, relax and do nothing.
Swing on a hammock, read a book, meditate, do some yoga, swim in the ocean and stroll along the beach.
Life moves slowly here, so take the opportunity to unplug and unwind.
Your accommodation will likely have some hammocks or lounges. Most of the restaurants along the beach also have lounges and umbrellas, which in our experience were free to use if you purchased something.
So find a good spot to set up and while the day away in the sunshine under the palms.
3. Go surfing
Puerto Vallarta itself is not really a great spot for surfing, with most visitors heading further north into the neighbouring state of Nayarit.
However, Quimixto does occasionally have a good break, usually in winter. Depending on the tides, swell and weather.
The end of the main beach (the furthest away from the pier) has a small break that is great for surfing when the conditions are right.
El Volador is a restaurant right on the beach in front of the break, which rents boards. You can grab a board by the hour, and walk straight in.
4. Hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas
Most tourists will come from Puerto Vallarta to do this hike, but you can just as easily go to the trailhead from Quimixto. It’s actually closer.
Just wave down a boat on the pier heading towards Boca de Tomatlan, where the trail starts.
Known as the ‘Jungle Trail’, the trail winds around the coast from Boca de Tomatlan through the jungle, passing a number of beautiful and almost deserted beaches before ending at the busier Playa Las Animas, where there are a ton of restaurants and some accommodations.
AllTrails lists the hike as a 7.5 km (4.5 miles) return, but I suspect it was a little more than that.
Most people (us included) just walk one way on the trail to Playa Las Animas and then catch a boat back to Boca de Tomatlan, or directly to Quimixto.
It took us about two hours to complete the hike, including plenty of stops.
You’ll pass by beaches such as Playa Colomitos (which seems to be undergoing some development and probably won’t feel so deserted soon), many empty unnamed beaches, and Playa Caballo which has some stunning accommodation options like Casitas Maraika and Hotelito Mio. Before finishing on the busy Playa Las Animas.
Wear swimmers and bring a towel as there are plenty of opportunities for a swim along the way! We had lunch on the sand at Las Animas and then found a water taxi heading to Quimixto.
Snaps from the Jungle Hike
5. Chill out at Wikari Beach Club
🔔 UPDATE DECEMBER 2023: sadly Wikari Beach Club closed in 2023. I’m not sure what happened or why, and it’s disappointing as this was such a great part of Quimixto! I’m leaving this suggestion here, as I suspect someone else will take over the bar in the future. Their location and facilities were fantastic, so I’m sure it will re-open in some capacity.
This funky establishment has brought the boho beach club vibes to Quimixto. Serving up crafty cocktails from their gorgeous bar, and a range of snacks and meals it’s the perfect spot to spend an afternoon in the sun.
The space is beautiful, with macrame hammocks, swings at the bar, fairy lights and plenty of sun loungers, you could easily spend the whole day relaxing.
Wikari is open every day except Mondays from 12 pm – 6 pm.
Where to eat in Quimixto
Quimixto is a very remote area with limited food options. Opening hours can be seasonal and inconsistent.
The restaurants all offer similar food, with a focus on seafood and traditional Mexican dishes. But there is enough here to keep you well-fed, and that is all part of the charm!
Food in Quimixto is a little on the pricey side, being mostly seafood at beachfront restaurants, and considering all ingredients need to be boated in.
But the food was good, and many meals were big enough to share. Forget any set opening hours, it’s a case of wandering along the beach to see what is open.
Here are our favourite spots:
- El Volador: A laidback spot in the sand, serving up a range of seafood dishes, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is where you can rent surfboards, and it’s located further up the beach. This was the spot we found to be open earliest in the morning for coffee (around 8 am). The pinned location on Google is wrong, head towards the end of the beach near Charly’s Bar.
- Charly’s Bar: The furthest end of the beach to the pier, this spot tends to stay open a bit later than some of the other options. It offers standard seafood and Mexican options, and plenty of drinks.
- Los Cocos: A diverse menu, with more than just seafood. Los Cocos sits closer to the pier and has plenty of tables and umbrellas right out on the sand. But it also has a cool deck where you can sit over the tidal inlet.
- Wikari Beach Club (CLOSED): The coolest place in Quimixto, with creative cocktails and food that’s a little bit fancier. Open only for lunch/early dinner, this is a good place to spend the afternoon.
Where to stay in Quimixto
We turned up in Quimixto with no accommodation booking.
There was barely any information online, the more established hotels were out of our price range, and what little luck we had contacting local rentals or Airbnbs were all booked out.
But we winged it, and it turned out for the best!
Because of our challenge, I took plenty of notes about the different accommodation options, and I will share them all here.
Word of advice – book in advance! Quimixto is well-known by the locals and with the limited affordable options, it can be booked out.
HOTELS/RESORTS IN QUIMIXTO
- Xinalani Retreat: The biggest, most established resort in Quimixto. Predominantly a yoga retreat, Xinalani is all-inclusive offering three healthy meals a day, yoga classes, wellness activities and excursions. It is completely eco-focused, and the property and rooms are just stunning. It comes with a high price tag though! The retreat is tucked away in its own little cove, behind a rocky point at the end of the main beach, so unless you go looking you won’t actually see it.
- El Grullo Naturista: Another wellness-style retreat, El Grullo Naturista is a little more affordable than Xinalani but still offers similar experiences. Guests can choose room-only packages, or opt for meal inclusions and even a detox package. The hotel is situated on the main beach, furthest from the pier next to a few restaurants.
- Amaca Beach Hotel: This is a bit of a strange one as it is the same physical hotel as El Grullo Naturista, but it is listed under this name on certain booking platforms. As far as I’m aware, there are two businesses running out of the same hotel, maybe because El Grullo Naturista has a more yoga focus. Either way, this is a great option.
- Mixto Beach Villa: We saw this establishment getting built when we visited, and it has turned out to be SO beautiful. It is managed by the same people as Xinalani, so you know it’s going to be quality! It was designed to be a smaller, villa-style option. There are 6 rooms, that can be booked individually, or as an entire house for groups or retreats. Three fresh, healthy meals daily are included in the rate.
AIRBNB/HOLIDAY RENTALS IN QUIMIXTO
There are a number of small beach cabañas and holiday rentals scattered along the beach. Some are listed on Airbnb, and I have linked those below.
Often it is better to contact the host directly via WhatsApp, which you should be able to find on Google Maps.
Locals know about these spots so if you are looking at visiting on a weekend or during peak periods, organise these rentals way in advance.
If we had our time again, we would try to book one of these little cabañas, allowing us to cook our own meals but still be beachfront for an affordable (ish) price.
CAMPING/GLAMPING IN QUIMIXTO
This is the option we went with, and it was absolutely magic!
🔔 UPDATE DECEMBER 2023: the beach club and its camping options are closed as of 2023. Again, I wanted to leave this option here as I really hope that someone will take over the property and offer this opportunity again.
- Wikari Beach Club: as already mentioned, Wikari is a funky spot in Quimixto, and in addition to their beach club they also offer camping and glamping.
If you’ve got your own gear, you can ask to set up a tent here. But for the full experience, do glamping in one of their teepee tents. Set up amongst their palm grove just a few metres from the beach, we had an incredible experience here.
We were the only people staying, and in addition to setting up our tent, the staff also strung up festoon lights and helped us build a makeshift firepit. We used the toilets at the beach club and the outdoor showers. We didn’t have any kitchen facilities which was the only thing missing, but for this remote, off-grid experience it is totally worth it!
Reach out via WhatsApp to organise glamping, they need a bit of notice to get everything set up for you.
Glamping at Wikari
Tips for visiting Quimixto
Because Quimixto is quite remote and very small, there are a few things you’ll want to consider before you visit.
It’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, but if your idea of paradise is a quiet, back-to-nature experience in a stunning location – you’ll happily sacrifice some of the comforts of the city!
- 💰 Stock up on cash: there are no ATMs here, and the restaurants and smaller accommodation options don’t accept credit card. Bring more than you think you’ll need.
- 🍽️ Check if you can self-cater: food options are limited in Quimixto, especially late at night and early morning. There are restaurants, and you won’t go hungry, but if your accommodation happens to have the facilities to self-cater, that will give you a lot more flexibility with food. If you can cook, come stocked with ingredients. There are a few small stores around town for basic supplies and top-ups, but I’d bring the bulk of what you need with you.
- 🍎 Bring snacks: if you can’t self-cater and don’t have a fridge, I would suggest at least bringing some non-perishable snacks. We loaded up on chips and avocados for snacks. And some fruit and muesli for breakfast, topped with yoghurt we were able to buy on the day from a small store. It wasn’t fine dining, but it saved on a costly meal three times per day.
- 📱 Be prepared for no Wifi: the wifi was weak and dropped out frequently at Wikari Beach Club where we stayed. The nicer hotels might be different but don’t expect lightning-fast speeds. Our local SIM cards worked well enough to check emails, but take the opportunity to go off-grid for a few days!
- 🧳 Leave some bags in Puerto Vallarta: you will likely be coming from and returning to Puerto Vallarta. If this is the case, leave some of your luggage behind and bring only what you need for Quimixto. You will have to walk from the pier to your accommodation, and if you’re glamping there isn’t a ton of space, so offload any extra baggage.
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Final thoughts on Quimixto
Whether you are looking for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of Puerto Vallarta, to connect with nature in a beautiful setting, or simply to hang out on a beautiful beach and do absolutely nothing, Quimixto is the place for you!
Life moves slower in this tiny town, and I guarantee this will be one of your highlights in this part of Mexico. (We also loved San Pancho, just across the border in Nayarit for a blissed out beach town).
I hope this post has provided some more information about Quimixto. I know it’s hard to find stuff online, so hopefully this guide has come in handy in helping you plan a few days here. You won’t regret it!
MORE JALISCO & NAYARIT POSTS
The Comments
Sally Bassett
Love your overview of Quimixto!! Just booked site-inspection to Xinlani resort this December so that I can start bringing yoga groups beginning winter 2026. My foundation offers yoga, adventure and service around the world. Your hiking recommendations are a big help. Do you have any knowledge of local school or if they can use help in any area regarding children or mothers? In Costa Rica we have an after school Girls for Success program we started 19 years ago. Hope to establish a program and bring groups back for years to come.
I look forward to hearing from you. From one Sally to another 🙂
PS Good luck with your travels!! I’ve led groups to over 120 countries and it gets into your blood.
Sally Rodrick
Sally BassettHi Sally, I’m so happy it was helpful! Quimixto and Xinlani are perfect for retreats, it feels like it’s hidden away from the world a little bit 🙂 I don’t have any info on schools, kids, local needs etc. I know there is a small school in Quimixto, but Xinlani will know more. They’re a huge part of the community, so I think they will be able to point you in the right direction. It sounds like a fantastic initiative that will hopefully be helpful for Quimixto 🙂 Enjoy it. Sally x