Playa Las Ánimas, Pacific beach in Jalisco, Mexico.
Playa Las Ánimas is a sandy beach on the Pacific coast where the water is warm and good for swimming, bordered by forested hills that rise steeply from the shore. The cove faces open ocean while jungle slopes frame both sides, creating a natural basin.
This beach served as a key meeting point for coastal trade along Mexico's Pacific shore since early maritime times. Its natural cove made it a useful landing spot for boats and traders moving between settlements.
Fishermen work the waters here using methods passed down for generations, and their daily catches end up in the kitchens of nearby restaurants serving traditional regional food.
You can reach this beach by water taxi from Puerto Vallarta's Los Muertos pier or by hiking along the coast from Boca de Tomatlán. Travel time varies depending on which route you choose, so it helps to check conditions before you go.
The waters here support a variety of sea life that fishermen encounter regularly, making it a spot where you can actually see marine activity from the shore. The meeting point of ocean, jungle, and mountain terrain creates an ecosystem mix that feels different from most other beaches nearby.
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