One of the most surprising treasures we discovered when we moved to Puerto Vallarta was the numerous hiking trails woven in and around the Sierra Madre mountains that frame the city’s eastern edges. There are endless trails for people of all skill levels and distances. So, if hiking is one of your favorite activities, Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay are the places to visit.
There are so many different trails to write about that it would be too much for one article, so I have narrowed it down to my top 5.
1. Quimixto
This is my favorite waterfall destination to hike to because it offers a ‘taste’ of everything: a panga ride, a peaceful beach, and a medium-skilled hiking trail to a waterfall. There are no roads directly to Quimixto, so you have a few options.
How To Get There:
First go to Boca De Tomaltan –
- Take a bus, taxi, or Uber to Boca De Tomaltan, and then take a water taxi (Called a panga).
- From here, take a 15-minute water taxi ride directly to Quimixto Beach.
- From here, take a 10-minute water taxi to Las Animas and add on a 30-minute hike along the coastline to Quimixto Beach.
- From here, hike for two hours along the shoreline to Quimixto.
Alternatively, go via water taxi from Los Muertos Pier to Quimixto.
If you arrive at Quimixto Beach by water taxi (panga), you can walk along the pier through the little village and follow signs leading to the waterfall. (Cascade in Spanish).
If you choose to hike from Boca de Tomatlan, you cross the river on the east end of the village and follow the coastline and the posted signs to Las Animas. This hike is about 1 ½ hours to Las Animas, then another 30 minutes to Quimixto.
If you take a panga to Las Animas, you must walk southwest along the beach to the trail along the coastline to Quimixto Beach. Upon arriving on foot at Quimixto Beach, continue going south to the trail that takes you through part of the village, following the signs to the waterfall (cascade).
Once you leave the village of Quimixto, you will begin my favorite hike. You will cross the La Puerta River a few times, but the trail follows this river inland for about a mile. If you’re unsure, ask residents on your way because they are more than willing to offer directions. This waterfall hike is a 30-minute shaded hike through the jungle, passing by numerous ranches with horses, chickens, roosters, and dogs.
These falls have an outdoor restaurant where you can sit and enjoy the view while having lunch or a cold drink. There are stairs made to step down along the cliff’s edge to get into the deep, flowing waterfall pool for a swim. It’s very invigorating and refreshing.
The Quimixto trail to the waterfalls has gone through significant changes in the past few years. Although it’s a nature trail through the jungle, the pathway has been widened and concrete poured, allowing ATVs to travel more easily.
So, hikers now share the pathway with horses, dogs, chickens, and ATVs. It’s become a busier trail in more ways than one, but it remains at the top of my list this year because we love to return to the peaceful beach and enjoy lunch and drinks at one of the family-run beach clubs. It’s a fantastic way to wrap up a hike before taking a panga back to Boca or Los Muertos.
2. Nogalito
This lovely natural trail is unique in that you hike through and along the river. Yes, this means you will get your feet wet. The water depth of the Nogalito River depends on the time of year you are hiking and how much rain falls during the rainy season. There are also swimming holes to enjoy along the way. I recommend hiking the Nogalito River in the drier season, from January until the summer rains begin.
How To Get There:
- The Nogalito hike can begin from Highway 200. A large sign on the side of the road identifies the Nogalito Ecopark. The walk from the highway takes approximately 30 minutes, taking you through the town of Nogalito. Then, follow the signs leading you to Nogalito Ecopark, where the river hike begins.
- Take a taxi or Uber to the Nogalito Ecopark and start your hike along the river.
The Nogalito River hike is well known for its peaceful adventure through lush tropical forests, over large boulders, past an endless variety of flora and fauna, and wading through the cool river water. It’s an amazing opportunity to immerse yourself in the region’s natural beauty – – no ATVs, no horses, only the natural sounds of regional birds singing above and the river flowing over the boulders. This hike takes about 1 ½ hours one way.
There are endless opportunities to stop along the trail to sit and enjoy a swim or a bite (packing a lunch to take along with you is recommended.) This hike is longer, so taking snacks and water bottles is a good idea. We love to sit and enjoy a light lunch and a cold drink by the waterfall. Another option is to return to the restaurant located in Nogalito Ecopark, where the hike began, to enjoy delicious homemade food. Nogalito has a unique waterfall protected by large boulders, which you need to crawl over to get into the waterfall cave.
3. El Salto
The El Salto hike is famous for its challenging trail leading up the side of the mountain. It begins at the Rio Cuale, which flows through Puerto Vallarta into Banderas Bay. NOTE: This hike is tricky and should only be attempted by people who have gone several times before. There are no signs and no villages where people can offer directions. It’s just you and a beautiful, natural trail through the jungle.
How To Get There:
- You must take Highway 200 to the east side of town and turn east at the lights leading you through the small, colorful pueblos of Paso Ancho, Paso del Guayabo, and Los Almacenes.
- You can take a bus, taxi, Uber, or drive to this location. Once you reach the river, you will begin the hiking portion of the trip; when you get to a concrete bridge (without side rails), there is a small path on the right, taking you along the river’s edge. (A short walk down this trail will be where you first cross the river to start the hike)
- You will see a dirt trail leading to the river.
This location is known for the sights and sounds of macaws, iguanas, and freshwater trout swimming downstream. In mere minutes, you will cross the river on foot and continue up the edge of the Rio Cuale, then cross back to the side from which you began. Then you start the infamous trek up “La Herradura.” You need to focus on where you are stepping because you will be navigating over and around roots, rocks, and loose sections of soil. You should take advantage of the view once you get to the top of the mountainside. A benefit of this challenging trail is that the thick vegetation shades you along the way, protecting you from the hot sun.
This hike can take approximately 1 ½ hours to reach El Salto waterfall. You will be hiking along the ridgeline of the Sierra Madre mountain range for almost 10 kilometers. El Salto is one of the region’s largest and most spectacular waterfalls. This destination never disappoints. Here, you can cliff jump, swim, or merely bask in the warm Mexican sun on the large boulders or sandy shoreline framing the swimming hole. It is a bucket list experience for the adventurous hiker who enjoys a challenge. Due to the length of this hike, I recommend snacks or a small lunch and plenty of water. You can enjoy a lovely picnic at El Salto – no need to rush off once you reach this destination.
4. Palo Maria
One of the best waterfall hikes in Puerto Vallarta is Palo Maria because it is easily accessible from the city center, only about a 30-minute hike to the falls, and no significant hills or strenuous climbing is involved. This is a great trail for beginner level hikers or those who do not want to have an overly strenuous experience.
How To Get There:
- To reach this hiking trail, you can take a bus or an Uber or drive to the Palo Maria bridge. Parking is challenging.
- The trail entrance is across the street from Hacienda Palo Maria, next to the outer edge of the Garza Blanca resort.
- A distinct path along the Garza Blanca resort fence line makes it easy for anyone to follow.
This path stretches along the river— all the way to the Palo Maria Falls. You will be led to cross the river at one point, and depending on the water depth, you may need to cross twice. This is another natural pathway requiring constant attention to where you step. Plenty of vegetation also keeps you shaded along most of the hike. It takes less than an hour to reach the first waterfall, a fantastic swimming hole year-round. A rocky cliff’s edge surrounds this crystal-clear swimming hole. The small fish gather to welcome you into the swimming hole.
In the dry season, you won’t see much water pouring down the fall’s edge, but it’s still a great place to cool off from the heat. You can climb up one side to reach a lip and jump into the swimming hole. This ledge is only 10 feet high, so a lot of fun can be had climbing up to it and jumping off. The large boulders at the swimming hole’s edge offer plenty of space to sit and relax or even have lunch. It is a good family adventure
5. Yelapa
Another lovely place to go hiking near Puerto Vallarta is Yelapa, a quaint beach town only accessible by boat. This location offers two distinctly different hiking options. One is a relaxing walk through the concrete streets of the village with a gradual slope up to a waterfall 15 min away, and the other offers an approximately 1-hour hike into the jungle and slope-y trails to a fantastic waterfall/swimming area. Yelapa has such a laid-back, relaxing vibe that spending an entire day or even a week or two is easy.
How to Get There:
- Leave early in the morning and take a water taxi from Los Muertos Pier. (It’s about an hour to an hour from Los Muertos .)
- Take a bus, taxi, or Uber to Boca de Tomaltan. It’s about a 25-minute ride south, and from there, it’s a 30-minute water taxi ride.
The shorter hiking trail makes for a nice walk through the colorful town. Along the way, you will pass local vendors selling their wares on tables along the roadside and small tiendas selling water, snacks, and drinks. In the dry season (Jan – Apr), there isn’t much water to see at the falls, but there is a nice view of the cliff and a lovely place to have a drink or even a meal to relax and enjoy the view.
The longer hike is similar to the Quimixto hike in that you hike inland from the beach on a trail through the jungle. The difference lies in the distance and topography leading to the falls. This hike is longer and more challenging, with several ascending and descending trails.
It has also remained in its natural form without concrete improvements. This trail is not well-marked, so if you choose to go out alone, you will need a guide or a good and experienced hiker’s sense of direction.
You will be crossing the river twice along the way, so you can decide to have footwear made for walking through water, or you can remove your hiking shoes and walk barefoot to the other side and put them on again.
The river is never more than knee-deep and barely over your ankles in the dry season, so walking across is not risky. There is one spot on the trail where you will turn left, off the well worn path, into the jungle through an opening in a fence, and continue through the lush foliage. The journey is considered an intermediate hike, and, luckily, it is mostly in the shade of the foliage, so you can take this hike in the afternoon because you won’t be walking in full sun for any length of time.
Usually, you can be lucky and see several varieties of wildlife along the way, such as colorful butterflies, birds, and lizards. Our favorite is when the macaws and Mexican Green Conures (parakeets) come down from the mountains and flutter above us all along the trail. Or you can hear the noisy call of the Chachalacas flying around all year long. The beauty of this destination is that the falls have been left in their natural state, and the water flow is heavier, providing a picturesque swimming hole with cool, fresh water.
Note:
One must be careful in the fall because the river is more vigorously flowing, and deeper waters have a powerful current that can move you down the river over boulders, etc., without warning.
The safest time to swim at this waterfall location is from January to May, but many people who know the falls or are strong swimmers enjoy this paradise in the rainy season. Unlike the Quimixto Falls, the Yelapa Falls has no restaurants or provisions for food and drink. It is Mother Nature at her finest, so I recommend you take some snacks and beverages. Bring a picnic lunch and plan to spend some time swimming, relaxing, and having lunch on the shore of Yelapa Falls. It is an experience you won’t forget.
Puerto Vallarta and the Sierra Madres surrounding us provide a wonderful opportunity to enjoy all Mother Nature offers. The natural beauty of the jungle during your hiking adventures and the breathtaking views at each destination reward you beyond description. You can experience all this for free or at a minimal cost if you know where to go. Most tour companies offer excellent guided packages if you’re new to Puerto Vallarta and eager to explore the trails. So, take some time away from the sun-kissed beaches of our city and discover the treasures of nature beyond the city limits. You won’t regret it.
