Playa Nuevo Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta | Top 100 Bikini Destinations
NUEVO VALLARTA, RIVIERA NAYARIT / MEXICO
Along the bay,
Playa Nuevo Vallarta.
Walk the open sand, use the public beach access, and leave time for the light over Banderas Bay.
Plan your beach day ↘TOP 100 BIKINI DESTINATIONS / RIVIERA NAYARIT
A long shore,
a day at your pace.
Playa Nuevo Vallarta runs along the resort coast of Banderas Bay, north of Puerto Vallarta in Nayarit.
Use the central FIBBA access as your reference point. Walk on the open sand, choose your water time according to the flags, and make a separate plan for a meal or a regional outing. Official tourism pages now call the destination Nuevo Nayarit; this guide retains the Nuevo Vallarta name requested for the collection.
ON THE WORLD MAP
On Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Playa Nuevo Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit
01 / GETTING THERE
Start north of Puerto Vallarta.
At the marina
A red navigation light on rocks beside the Nuevo Vallarta marina.
Photo: Ferfive ↗ · CC BY 4.0 ↗ · Display cropGet around Nuevo Vallarta
Use the established public approach from Boulevard Nuevo Vallarta and Paseo de los Cocoteros. Follow local signs for permitted parking and keep access ramps clear. Arrange a separate vehicle journey for the regional hotels and restaurants listed farther around the bay.
On the beach
The municipality identifies FIBBA as an accessible public beach approach with ramps, special beach chairs, restrooms, and showers. Check current staffing and sea conditions at the access point before entering the water. Beach status ↗
02 / BEACH ESSENTIALS
Know before you go.
An open resort-coast beach with a public access point at FIBBA; private hotel facilities have separate conditions.
01 / HOW TO GET THERE
Follow the public FIBBA approach
From Paseo de los Cocoteros, use the signed FIBBA entrance rather than a private hotel gate. Ask locally about current parking and any service charges; no fixed parking fee or bus timetable is assumed here.
Municipal public-access information ↗02 / BEACH ACCESS
A ramp reaches the sand
The municipality lists universal-access ramps and special beach chairs at FIBBA. Arrange assistance in advance; ordinary wheels can be difficult to use on loose sand beyond the ramp. Confirm the equipment and usable route for your visit.
03 / THE SAND
Golden sand and open water
The municipal beach description identifies a long stretch of golden sand. Wear footwear on the approach and check the waterline before entering. Move away from a strong shore break instead of assuming that the bay is calm every day.
04 / FOOD & WATER
Plan the meal separately
The surrounding resort corridor has restaurants, but access and opening vary by business. Take drinking water and a snack for the public beach. Check the current menu, access rules, and payment method before relying on a hotel restaurant.
05 / CHAIRS & UMBRELLAS
Bring portable shade
A standalone public chair-and-umbrella rental price is not verified. Bring manageable shade, or reserve a private beach-club service directly. Do not treat hotel loungers or palapas as included with public beach entry.
06 / RESTROOMS & SHOWERS
Use the FIBBA facilities
The municipality lists public restrooms and showers at FIBBA. Check operation, any charge, and the staffed swimming zone when you arrive. Separate changing-room, first-aid, and year-round lifeguard schedules are not confirmed here.
03 / THE BEACH
A day at Playa Nuevo Vallarta.
Read the water
Waves breaking across the beach at Nuevo Vallarta.
Photo: Harpqueen ↗ · Public domain ↗ · Display crop01 / PUBLIC APPROACH
Start at FIBBA
Use the established entrance and check the posted beach conditions before choosing a place on the sand.
02 / WATER CONDITIONS
Read the flags
Ask local staff which area is suitable for your group. Avoid closed water and keep a conservative distance from boats.
03 / SHORE WALK
Keep a clear route
Walk where conditions allow, leaving space for other visitors and any working access route. Turn back before a marina or river mouth.
04 / RETURN
Leave time to change
Have a dry layer ready and return by the same public approach. Confirm the pickup point before the end of your beach visit.
Start with a walk near the access point, then decide whether the posted conditions suit a swim. Keep clear of boats, marina entrances, and river mouths. If weather rules out a beach day, choose a reserved meal or a supervised indoor stop instead of continuing into exposed water.
NEARBY BEACHES
Four nearby shore visits.
These are adjoining coast segments and separate bay shores, not promises of similar swimming conditions. Distances are approximate straight-line measurements from the central beach pin; roads and access routes are longer.
Playa Flamingos
The northern resort section continues the long sandy coast. Choose an established public approach rather than walking through a private hotel garden. The photograph looks toward this coast from beachfront resort seating.
- Best for
- A separate walk on the northern shore
- Facilities
- Resort services have their own entry and purchase conditions
- Good to know
- Beach conditions and public approaches differ from those at central FIBBA.
Playa Marina de La Cruz
A shore visit beside the La Cruz marina gives you a different view of boats and the bay. The photograph’s coordinates place it beside the marina, despite the uploader’s broader Bucerías title. Treat the harbor edge as a place to look around, not a swimming recommendation.
- Best for
- A harbor-side shore visit
- Facilities
- Use town businesses with permission; confirm current facilities
- Good to know
- Keep clear of boat channels and respect working marina areas.
Playa Boca de Tomates
This shore is beside the Ameca River mouth on the Jalisco side of the bay. Choose it for a land-based meal or a look along the coast. Keep well away from the river mouth and do not treat it as a swimming alternative.
- Best for
- A shore-side meal and coastal view
- Facilities
- Individual ramada restaurants; ask about their restrooms and access
- Good to know
- River mouths and wildlife require distance; obey all posted restrictions.
Playa Vidanta / southern Nuevo Vallarta shore
This is the southern part of the same wider Nuevo Vallarta coast, adjoining the resort complex. It offers a different shore view without implying that hotel facilities are public. Use an established legal approach and ask locally about current conditions.
- Best for
- Exploring another part of the long coast
- Facilities
- Resort services are separate from public beach access
- Good to know
- Stay clear of the marina and river entrances; do not cross a private complex without permission.
Distances are straight-line from Playa Nuevo Vallarta. Facilities change by season, so check on the day.
04 / MUST-SEE PLACES
Three outings beyond the sand.
01 / BUCERÍAS / WETLAND EDGE
Santuario de Cocodrilos El Cora
A supervised sanctuary visit introduces crocodiles and other local wildlife. The owner publishes adult admission at MXN 250 and a guided tour at MXN 350, with separate children’s prices. Follow the guide’s instructions and keep away from enclosures and wild animals outside the sanctuary.
Official visitor information and prices ↗02 / CAMPO VERDE / PUERTO VALLARTA
Mariposario Jardín Mágico
The butterfly sanctuary offers a guided garden and museum visit for USD 20 per person on its published tour page. A private guided option is quoted separately. Reserve directly and check the route and access needs before traveling from the beach.
Official visitor information and prices ↗03 / NUEVO VALLARTA / EL TIGRE
El Tigre Golf Club
Choose a golf outing if you want a planned activity away from the shore. The owner publishes 18-hole fees of MXN 4,640–5,330 by season, with a shared cart and stated inclusions. Check the current conditions, equipment needs, and reservation before committing to the trip.
Official visitor information and prices ↗EXPLORE THE AREA
Playa Nuevo Vallarta and the northern bay coast.
The pin marks the central Nuevo Vallarta beach. Follow the public FIBBA approach from Paseo de los Cocoteros. Nearby beaches are separate shore visits; quoted distances are approximate straight-line distances, with longer journeys by road.
Open the interactive map ↗BEYOND THE BEACH
Waterways and the resort coast.
These photographs show named parts of Nuevo Vallarta and the surrounding region. A hotel photograph documents the location; it does not imply public access or a reservation.
A resort walkway
A raised wooden walkway through trees at the Mayan Palace resort in Nuevo Vallarta; a regional view.
Photo: Ferfive ↗ · CC BY 4.0 ↗ · Display crop
Water among the buildings
A lagoon, trees, and resort buildings at the Mayan Palace complex in Nuevo Vallarta; a regional view.
Photo: Ferfive ↗ · CC BY 4.0 ↗ · Display crop
The marina district
The gated entrance to Grand Marina Villas at Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta; a regional street view.
Photo: Coolcaesar at English Wikipedia ↗ · CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗ · Display crop
On the road
A highway with hills and clouds on the approach to Nuevo Vallarta.
Photo: Sofía Guzmán ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · Display crop05 / SIX HOTELS
Find your base.
JARRETADERAS / HIGHWAY CORRIDOR
Hampton Inn by Hilton Nuevo Vallarta
$ Budget · Published starting-rate example: MXN 1,338 per room/night, with the displayed Hilton Honors conditions; confirm the final total.
A highway-corridor base with breakfast, parking, and a pool. The beach is a separate trip, about 4 km west in a straight line. Use the owner’s room quote for your dates rather than assuming an airport shuttle is included.
Hampton Inn by Hilton Nuevo Vallarta official site ↗PUERTO VALLARTA / CUALE-CENTRO
Hotel Encino
$ Budget · Owner’s published room starting prices: about MXN 818–1,109 per room/night, depending on category and availability.
An urban base near the Cuale River in Puerto Vallarta, about 13 km southeast of the beach in a straight line. Choose a room category carefully; some have no view. Allow a separate road journey into Nayarit for each beach visit.
Hotel Encino official site ↗NUEVO VALLARTA / MARINA SOUTH
Hotel Villa Varadero
$$ Mid-Range · Published starting-room examples: MXN 2,231–3,048 per night across the displayed categories; check the plan, taxes, and occupancy.
A family-oriented hotel near the marina end of the shore, about 2.5 km southeast of the central beach pin. Some accommodation is across the street from the principal building. Confirm the tower and meal plan before booking.
Hotel Villa Varadero official site ↗PUERTO VALLARTA / AMAPAS
Hotel Tropicana Vallarta
$$ Mid-Range · Owner’s booking-engine example: MXN 2,050 per room/night for a Standard room, including taxes; dates and availability vary.
A south-city beachfront hotel in Amapas, about 14 km southeast of the guide’s pin in a straight line. It suits a trip combining the city and Nuevo Vallarta, with independent road transport between them. The room view is subject to the selected category and availability.
Hotel Tropicana Vallarta official site ↗FLAMINGOS / NORTHERN RESORT COAST
Krystal Grand Nuevo Vallarta
$$$ Upscale · Owner’s displayed promotional starting price: MXN 5,263 per night including taxes; occupancy, inventory, and offer conditions apply.
An all-inclusive option on the northern resort coast, about 5 km northwest of the central pin. Its beach is a different part of the long coast. Check the room type and the promotion’s travel conditions directly with the hotel.
Krystal Grand Nuevo Vallarta official site ↗NUEVO VALLARTA / CENTRAL COCOTEROS
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
$$$$ Luxury · Owner’s advertised starting rate: USD 568 per adult/night in double occupancy, or USD 1,136 for two adults; confirm current inclusions and dates.
An all-inclusive suite resort on the central coast, roughly 1 km northwest of the guide’s pin. The owner publishes a per-adult rate, so compare the total for your whole party. Resort facilities remain subject to your reservation’s terms.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit official site ↗
WHEN TO GO
Choose the day you want.
Use the national weather service’s Nayarit climate records when planning your season. Check its current warnings before each beach day, particularly during the wetter summer and fall period. The guide does not promise a staffed swimming area on a fixed calendar. Climate normals ↗
06 / FOOD, LANGUAGE & LOCAL LIFE
From sand to table.
A coastal fish preparation
Pescado zarandeado served at a ramada restaurant at Boca de Tomates.
Photo: Virota99 ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · Display cropWhat to order
Look for pescado zarandeado, a grilled fish preparation associated with the Nayarit coast, or choose a cooked seafood dish from the current menu. Ask which dishes are suitable for your dietary needs and whether a salsa is hot before adding it. Order drinking water for the table as well as any other drinks.
Local habits
Greet the staff before ordering and ask for the bill when you are ready. Keep beach clothing for the shore and arrive dry for a reserved restaurant meal. Ask before photographing people, and take your litter back to a proper bin.
A LITTLE SPANISH
Useful on the beach and in town.
- Buenos días
- Good morning
- Agua, por favor
- Water, please
- ¿Dónde está el acceso público?
- Where is the public access?
- La cuenta, por favor
- The bill, please
SIX RESTAURANTS
Where to eat.
NUEVO VALLARTA / BOULEVARD NAYARIT
Guicho’s Sports Bar
$ Budget · Selected simple-meal examples: about MXN 150–260 per person before drinks; the owner lists a hot dog, wings, and a chicken burger in this band.
A casual family-oriented stop on Boulevard Nayarit, with sports screens and a children’s menu. Choose a simple meal from the published menu rather than treating a shared snack as a full dinner. Ask which game is being shown before setting out.
Guicho’s Sports Bar official site ↗VIDANTA / MAYAN RESORT SECTOR
Si Snack
$ Budget · Owner’s published selected mains: MXN 235–365 per person before drinks, including a fish sandwich, vegetable wrap, and burger.
A casual resort dining option for a sandwich or a wrap rather than a long dinner. Confirm outside-guest entry and the payment procedure with Vidanta before traveling. Public beach access does not provide access to the resort’s restaurants.
Si Snack official site ↗LA CRUZ DE HUANACAXTLE / CALLE MARLIN
Black Forest Restaurant
$$ Mid-Range · Selected starter-and-main combinations: about MXN 340–660 per person before drinks, from the owner’s seasonal menu.
A German restaurant on Calle Marlin with schnitzel, bratwurst, and fish preparations. Make it a separate La Cruz dinner outing and confirm service before the drive. The owner’s seasonal menu states that prices and dishes can change.
Black Forest Restaurant official site ↗BUCERÍAS / MORELOS–LÁZARO CÁRDENAS
La Postal Bucerías
$$ Mid-Range · Owner-listed dining band: MXN 310–500 per person; the published menu includes pastas, pizzas, and gelato.
An open-air Italian meal stop in Bucerías, separate from the Nuevo Vallarta resort corridor. Its owner-maintained booking page publishes the menu and payment options. Reserve or check the table arrangement before making the regional trip.
La Postal Bucerías official site ↗NUEVO VALLARTA / RESIDENCES PLAZA
Nicksan
$$$ Upscale · Selected starter-and-main combinations: about MXN 510–745 per person before drinks, calculated from the owner’s priced menu.
A Japanese-Mexican menu at Residences Plaza offers vegetable rolls, cooked dishes, and seafood preparations. Tell the staff about dietary needs before ordering. The linked menu identifies portions, which makes it easier to decide what to share.
Nicksan official site ↗PUERTO VALLARTA / EMILIANO ZAPATA
Tintoque
$$$$ Luxury · Owner’s published festive tasting experience: MXN 1,300 per person; a seasonal example, with current availability and menu confirmed when reserving.
A separate city dinner on the Cuale River with contemporary cooking based on regional ingredients. The owner links directly to the booking page that publishes the seasonal price. Allow a road transfer from Nuevo Vallarta and confirm the return ride.
Tintoque official site ↗RIVIERA NAYARIT AFTER DARK
Three bars.
Vallarta Beer Garden
The owner lists Mexican and craft beer, food, and changing entertainment. A published happy-hour margarita example is MXN 70; food examples include birria egg rolls at MXN 169. Ask about the current promotion and choose a nonalcoholic drink if you prefer. Official menu and access ↗
La Cantina
The owner’s cocktail list includes selected drinks at about MXN 210–355, with nonalcoholic options listed separately. Confirm resort admission, family seating, and cashless payment arrangements before traveling. Keep the visit separate from a public-beach access plan. Official menu and access ↗
Bistro Bleu
For a seated evening drink with food available, the owner publishes cocktails at about MXN 255–365 and separate soft-drink prices. This is a resort restaurant setting rather than a public beach bar. Confirm outside-guest admission and a reservation directly with Vidanta. Official menu and access ↗
Choose a venue close to your accommodation or arrange the return ride before leaving. Resort restaurants and bars have their own admission and payment rules; confirm outside-guest access before traveling. Ask for a nonalcoholic option if you prefer one.
NUEVO VALLARTA EVENT CALENDAR & MONEY
Plan around the celebrations.
Festival Gourmet International · fall
Guest-chef dinners and culinary events take place across Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Tepic. Choose the exact venue before booking and plan the journey separately from your beach day. The organizer publishes individual event prices; reserve each experience separately and confirm dietary and family-access needs.
Festival Gourmet International · fall official site ↗GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup · late spring
The GKA organizer lists Nuevo Nayarit as the Mexican stop for freestyle kiteboarding. Watch from the marked spectator areas and keep clear of launching and landing zones. Check the next official program before arranging a trip around the competition.
GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup · late spring ↗Currency / Mexican peso
Prices in pesos use MXN or the $ symbol. Keep some cash for small local purchases and a backup card, and check the final total before paying. Published owner prices are examples, not a guarantee for your travel dates; USD quotes are left in the owner’s currency.
Banco de México exchange-rate information ↗07 / WHAT TO WEAR
Dress for the sand and the walk back.
BAY-COAST KIT
Swim.
Walk.
Stay out.
On the sand
Wear the Playa Banderas Palapa bikini with a sun shirt and a light cover-up. Carry drinking water for time away from the access point, and keep a dry layer ready for your return.
On the walk back
Use sandals or shoes for the paved approach and hot sand. Keep your route clear of vehicle entrances, and return to the established public access instead of crossing a private hotel garden.
In town
Change into a dry shirt, shorts, a skirt, or loose pants before heading to a restaurant. Confirm the dress rules for a reserved dinner, especially if you are traveling to Puerto Vallarta.
SIZE GUIDE
Measure before choosing a size.
The bandeau set is offered in XS, S, M, L, XL, and 2XL. Take bust, waist, and hip measurements before choosing. Review the product’s current fit information and ask Fog & Foundry about any measurement you cannot confirm.
Bust
Measure around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape level.
Waist
Measure around your natural waist without pulling the tape tight.
Hips
Measure around the fullest part of your hips with your feet together.
Compare your measurements
Use the garment-specific measurements when choosing your size. A letter size alone does not establish fit.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Good to know.
Which airport should I use?
Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) is the regional gateway. Use its official ground-transport information and confirm your beach or hotel drop-off directly.
Is it good for swimming?
Choose according to the posted conditions and local staff’s advice on the day. A bay setting does not guarantee calm water, and river mouths and boat channels are unsuitable alternatives.
Is the beach step-free?
The municipality lists accessible ramps and special beach chairs at FIBBA. Confirm equipment and assistance before traveling; loose sand beyond the ramp can still be difficult for ordinary wheels.
Is Nuevo Nayarit the same destination?
The municipality now uses Nuevo Nayarit for the destination previously known as Nuevo Vallarta. This guide uses the requested Nuevo Vallarta name and focuses on the central beach.
Can I use a resort’s chairs or restaurants?
Public beach entry does not include a resort’s facilities. Confirm outside-guest admission, reservations, any day-pass requirement, and the payment rules directly with the business.
FOG & FOUNDRY / SWIM
Palapas, palms, and turquoise.
A strapless bandeau top and matching bottoms carry a turquoise print with palms, palapas, and small ripples. Check the product page for fit, fabric, and care details.
Explore the bikini ↗
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