I've been traveling solo for years now, and I can tell you the best part of my Puerto Vallarta mornings. It's not the coffee. It's not the sunrise tacos. It's those quiet moments on the beach with my yoga mat and the sound of waves.
There's something about doing yoga by the ocean that hits different. The salt air. The cool sand under your feet. The rhythm of the water matching your breath.
I used to think I needed a fancy studio or a guided class. Nope. Just you, the beach, and the willingness to show up.
Why Beach Yoga Changes Everything
Most solo travelers I meet are running from something or running toward something. Either way, we're running.
Beach yoga forces you to stop.
The sand is uneven so your balance poses become real challenges. The wind pushes you around during tree pose. The waves crash during savasana and suddenly you're not thinking about your inbox or your ex or your next destination.
You're just there.
I start my mornings at Los Muertos Beach around 6:30 AM. The fishermen are coming in. The beach vendors are setting up. The sky is doing that pink-orange thing that makes you believe in magic again.
I roll out my mat near the water but not too close. Getting soaked during downward dog is a lesson you only need once.
My Simple Beach Yoga Routine
I'm not a yoga instructor. I'm just someone who found something that works.
I do about 20 minutes most mornings. Sometimes more if I'm feeling it. Sometimes less if the waves are calling me in for a swim.
Here's what I do:
Start seated. Cross your legs. Close your eyes. Listen to the ocean. Count ten breaths. That's it. Just ten breaths where you're not thinking about anything else.
Sun salutations. Three to five rounds. The sand makes them harder which means they work better. Your legs and core fire up just trying to stay stable.
Balance poses. Tree pose. Warrior III. Anything that makes you focus. The uneven surface is actually perfect because you HAVE to be present.
Seated stretches. Fold forward. Twist. Open your hips. The sand supports your body in ways studio floors don't.
Savasana. Lie flat on your back. Arms out. Let the sound of waves wash over you. This is the part where magic happens.
Some mornings I add in my own moves. Some mornings I skip things. The point isn't perfection. The point is showing up.
Finding Your Spot
Puerto Vallarta has beaches for every vibe.
Los Muertos is where I go most often. It's central. It's beautiful. It's got that local energy in the morning before tourists arrive.
Playa Conchas Chinas is quieter. Rockier. More private. Good if you want total solitude.
Playa Camarones up north is long and wide. Lots of space to spread out.
The best spot is whatever beach you can walk to from where you're staying. I've found that when I have to make it complicated, I don't do it. When it's a five-minute walk from my puerto vallarta apartment rentals, I actually show up.
What You Actually Need
I've seen people show up to beach yoga with full gear bags. Blocks. Straps. Fancy mat carriers. Water bottles with motivational quotes.
Here's what I bring:
A yoga mat. Mine is old and thin and cost $15. It works.
A small towel. For wiping sand off your feet after.
Water. That's it.
I leave my phone in my condo. This is important. The whole point is to disconnect. If you bring your phone, you'll check it. I promise you will.
Some people don't even use a mat. They practice right on the sand. I tried it once and spent the whole time brushing sand off myself. But if that's your thing, go for it.
The Mental Shift
I used to travel and fill every second with activities. Museums. Tours. Restaurants. Beach clubs. Excursions.
Now I protect my morning yoga time like it's a flight I can't miss.
Because here's what I figured out: the activities don't make the trip memorable. The way you FEEL makes the trip memorable.
And I feel better when I start my day with yoga by the ocean.
I'm calmer. I'm more present. I enjoy my breakfast more. I notice details I would have missed. I talk to locals instead of scrolling my phone.
The yoga doesn't just change the morning. It changes the whole day.
Beyond the Mat
After yoga, I usually walk down the beach for a bit. Sometimes I wade into the water. Sometimes I sit and watch pelicans dive.
I've met some of my favorite people during these post-yoga walks. Other solo travelers doing the same thing. Locals out for their morning routine. We nod. We smile. Sometimes we chat.
There's a woman who brings her dogs to Los Muertos every morning around 7:15. We don't know each other's names but we wave. She's part of my Puerto Vallarta morning now.
That's the thing about solo travel that surprises people. You're alone but you're not lonely. You're part of something.
Making It a Habit
The first few mornings are the hardest. Your body wants to sleep in. Your brain says you're on vacation and you should relax.
But after a week, your body starts craving it. You wake up before your alarm. You're excited to get to the beach.
That's when you know it's working.
I try to go at the same time every day. Around 6:30 or 7:00 AM. This creates a routine even when everything else about travel is unpredictable.
If I'm working remotely that day, the yoga makes my laptop time so much more productive. My mind is clear. I'm not fighting the urge to be outside because I already was.
When You Need More
Some mornings you want guidance. I get it.
There are beach yoga classes that happen at various spots around Puerto Vallarta. Check the yoga page for schedules and locations. Going to a class once or twice can give you new ideas for your solo practice.
I also found that mixing yoga with other solo activities makes sense. After my practice, I might hike up into the foothills. The Sierra Madre trails are right there and hiking after yoga feels incredible.
Your legs are warm. Your mind is quiet. You notice things on the trail you would have walked right past.
The Real Benefits
People ask me why I keep doing this every morning.
Here's why:
My sleep is better. My digestion is better. My mood is more stable. I handle travel stress easier. I'm more flexible physically and mentally.
But the biggest thing? I feel connected to the place I'm in.
When you do yoga on a beach every morning, you notice the tides changing. You see the weather patterns. You watch the sun shift positions as the season changes. You become part of the rhythm instead of just a tourist passing through.
Your Space Matters
Where you stay makes a difference for keeping up a morning practice.
I prefer places in Old Town because I can walk to the beach in minutes. The proximity matters. If you have to take a bus or a taxi, you probably won't go.
My favorite puerto vallarta rental condos are the ones with good natural light in the morning. I wake up gradually instead of jarring awake to an alarm. This makes the whole getting-to-the-beach thing feel easier.
Some travelers like having a balcony where they can do a few stretches before heading down to the sand. It's a nice way to ease into the full practice.
Just Start
You don't need to be flexible. You don't need to know a lot of poses. You don't need special clothes or expensive equipment.
You just need to show up.
Tomorrow morning, walk to the beach. Bring a mat if you have one. Sit down. Take ten breaths. Move your body however feels good. Lie down for a few minutes. Done.
That's beach yoga.
The serenity comes from the consistency. From showing up day after day. From giving yourself that gift of quiet morning time before the world gets loud.
Try it for a week. I promise you'll feel different.
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