Just south of Puerto Vallarta, the bustling fishing village of Boca de Tomatlán, or Boca, is an easy and worthwhile day trip. Located at the mouth of the Horcones River where the river empties into the sea, the town is part of a unique river canyon ecosystem that supports rare flora and fauna such as jaguars, river otters, langoustine, and orchids. Where the river meets the ocean, fishing pangas moor along the short malecón, water taxis dart in and out of the bay, families gather on the sandbar, and the scent of grilled seafood drifts through town. Here’s how to make the most of a day trip from to Boca from nearby Puerto Vallarta.

To get to Boca, hop on one of the public busses that regularly run the 40 minute route from Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlán at a cost of only $10 pesos. From the Zona Romantica in Puerto Vallarta, board the orange and white bus on the corner of Basilio Badillo and Constitution (by the OXXO convenience store). Bus route CO1 north to south will stop at Conchas Chinas, Dreams Resort, Presidente Intercontinental, Garza Blanca, Mismaloya, and finally Boca de Tomatlán. The bus will drop you off on the highway, where a short jaunt down the steep Calle Pelicanos will take you directly into town.

To fuel up for your day of adventure, your first stop should be Tacos Ana on the corner of Calle Pelicanos and Calle de las Garzas for bite to eat. This tiny taco stand dishes out a variety of seafood and meat tacos, empanadas, arrieros, and tortas. This place sells out early, so hit them up early in the day. Eat at the taco stand, or grab some to go food for the beach.

From Ana’s follow Calle Pelicanos all the way to the Malecón that runs along the Horcones River. To the right, the Malecón will take you down to Playa Boca where you’ll find kids playing in the shallow water where the river empties into the bay as well as several beachside restaurant options. While you can swim here, this is not best swimming beach, so you’ll want to continue on to Playa Colomitos. If you are at the mouth of the river facing the ocean, you will see a dock on the far right side of the beach. From this dock, you can catch a cheap water taxi to one of several beautiful beaches to the south.

The closest beach that you can reach by water taxi is Playa Colomitos, a small but beautiful beach tucked away in a cove of brilliant turquoise water. Here you will find a calm cove great for swimming and snorkeling, and a small stand selling cold drinks including beer and coco frios. If you’d prefer a larger beach with more amenities, take a water taxi a little further to Playa Las Animas, where you will find a long stretch of beautiful sand beach dotted with restaurants. The general rule of thumb with Mexican beachside restaurants is that you can stay and enjoy a table by the water all day long if you’d like, as long as you order a couple of drinks or something to eat. So, kick back, order a couple of margaritas and enjoy the view and beach.

If you’re feeling adventurous and/or thrifty, I recommend skipping the water taxi and hiking the jungle trail from Boca to the nearby Colomitos, or even all the way to Las Animas. On the far left side of the beach (the opposite side of the water taxis), there is a trail that winds along ocean side cliffs to several different beaches. Depending on the time of the day, you may be able to cross the shallows of the river where it empties into the ocean. Otherwise, follow the malecón upstream until you reach a footbridge over the river, then follow the river back downstream to the trail. Keep an eye out for the Colomitos signs. Initially you will pass in front of houses and small hotels before the trail winds uphill into the jungle. It will take around 30-40 minutes to hike to Colomitos. The hike is moderately strenuous with some good uphill climbs. While I saw people in sandals, I recommend wearing tennis shoes for the trek. Even if you’re not up for a hike, taking the trail just to the end of the bay provides sweeping views of Boca.

As you approach Colomitos you will be greeted with stunning views of the cove’s turquoise waters. You can choose to throw down your towel and hang out here, or continue on toward Las Animas, roughly another mile and half. Because Colomitos is a small cove and the closest to Boca, it can get a bit crowded. If you continue along the trail, before long you will come to Playa Escondido, a more secluded cove with no amenities and less people. Your hiking journey can end here, or you can continue on toward Playa Las Animas, passing along some small beaches and resorts along the way. If hiking all the way to Las Animas, plan for it to take at least two hours one way. While it is less than three miles, the hike is strenuous at times, and you will want to take your time to enjoy the views and secluded coves along the way. By the time you arrive, you’ll definitely be thirsty, so treat yourself to a margarita or coco frio on the beach! When you it’s time to head back to Boca, if you’re not up for the return trek on foot, catch a water taxi from the dock back to Boca.

Back in Boca, stroll along the malecón, then kick back at one of the beachside restaurants. I recommend pulling up a chair at Restaurante Bar Mi Ranchita, and lazily enjoying a mojito and shrimp empanada in the late afternoon sun. This is a great spot to enjoy views of the bay and the bustle of boats coming in and out of the river and dock. When it’s time to head out, on your way back up the hill to the bus stop, make sure to stop into the Panadería y Pastelería to grab some of their amazing carrot cake for dessert as well as some banana bread or sweet breads for tomorrow’s breakfast.

If just one day in Boca is not enough, this is a relaxing place to chill for a couple of days and enjoy nature. Other than the malecón and. restaurants lining Playa Boca, there is not a whole lot to the village, but there is everything you need, including a handful of small restaurants, a coffee shop, a couple of small markets with staple food items, liquor and beer, and a laundry mat. There are a few small and affordable hotels, villas and Airbnbs in the village, mostly along the river. Additional good dining options include Ramada de Don Julio, where you can dine on grilled catch of the day, Tacos de Carnitas, and Restaurante Esperanza.