Palladium beach

Getting to this beach can be quite challenging unless you're staying at the luxurious Grand Palladium Resort. To reach the beach, you have to take the public access path through the jungle and then walk along the rocky coastline in knee-high tide water. While Mexico doesn't allow complete privatization of beaches, the private resorts can make them quite inaccessible. However, the "alberca del mar" was quite impressive and the beach had calm, clear blue waters, making the trek worth it. Will I be returning? Probably not. The "bourgeois" beach was stunning, but there are "people's beaches" that are almost as nice, much easier to reach, and offer good food for sale to the public! Here, only resort guests with wristbands have access to food and drinks. If you still want to visit: When you enter the resort area, stay to the left and merge onto the dirt road. Park as far down the road as possible, then get out and walk down the dirt road until you spot some abandoned concrete buildings. Descend a set of stone stairs and take a right onto the jungle path. Eventually, you will reach a rocky beach. Turn right and follow the coastline for a few hundred yards. If you're fortunate, it will be low tide; otherwise, you'll have to wade through knee to waist-high water over slippery rocks. Make sure to wear sturdy footwear that can get wet. Congratulations, you've made it! The total time from the car to the beach is around 12-15 minutes, but it could take much longer during the rainy season. I'm giving it three stars due to the challenging access and the lack of food and beverages available for sale to the general public. However, if you're fortunate enough to be a guest at the Grand Palladium, it's likely a five-star experience for you.

The pool is lovely and it's a nice option if you're staying at the hotel and prefer not to deal with the beach crowds. The water at the beach was also nice.

I came across this beach while searching on Google Maps. Unfortunately, it is blocked off by the resort, but there is a path that the locals use. The path may seem a bit sketchy, but it's definitely worth the short walk. Just keep in mind that it's not the easiest path as it runs alongside a stream or some sort of runoff water (I couldn't determine its source). It can get muddy, especially after rain. Additionally, there aren't many secluded spots to change, so make sure you come prepared. The waves here seemed calmer compared to other areas, and the natural pool was incredibly relaxing. It was the most peaceful experience I had during my stay in Vallarta. It's unfortunate that the resort has taken control of this beautiful area.

The beach is absolutely stunning, with both areas of powerful waves and peaceful spots. Getting there can be a bit tricky as you have to navigate a somewhat muddy path. It's a good idea to bring your own food and drinks since the only option available is overpriced coconuts. During our visit, the tide was low, resulting in a still pool.

I absolutely adored this beach and the entire experience. I particularly enjoyed the unique entrance through a river that leads to the sea. The water is incredibly pristine and the beach was pleasantly uncrowded.