We discovered Playa Conchas Chinas on our third day in Puerto Vallarta.
My partner and I had been exploring the busier beaches, but we wanted something more intimate. Something just for us.
This beach changed everything about our trip.
Why Conchas Chinas Is Different
Conchas Chinas sits south of Old Town, tucked away from the tourist crowds at Playa los Muertos. It's the southernmost beach you can reach on foot in Puerto Vallarta.
That location matters.
While everyone else heads to the main beaches, we walked ten minutes past them and found our own slice of paradise. The beach stretches about 2,700 feet along the coast, with golden sand and the most incredible turquoise water I've ever seen.
The best part? It stays quiet. Even on weekends, it doesn't get packed like other beaches. Go on a weekday, and you might share the beach with only a handful of other couples.
Planning Our Sunset Picnic
We started planning our picnic around lunchtime. I grabbed a blanket from our apartments for rent in puerto vallarta and we headed to the local market in Old Town.
Here's what we packed:
Fresh mango and papaya from the market. Local cheese and crackers. A bottle of wine (plastic cups because glass isn't allowed on beaches). Chips and guacamole. Dark chocolate for dessert.
We kept it simple. The point wasn't fancy food: it was about being together in a beautiful place.
My partner grabbed our small cooler bag and filled it with ice. We packed everything in a backpack and set out around 4:30 PM.
Pro tip: Bring a large beach blanket or sarong. The sand at Conchas Chinas is soft but you'll want something comfortable to sit on for a few hours.
The Walk Down
Getting to Conchas Chinas is an easy walk from most rental condos in the Zona Romántica area. We followed the coastal road south, passing gorgeous homes and small boutique hotels.
The views started amazing us before we even reached the beach.
You can see the Sierra Madre Mountains meeting the Pacific Ocean. The whole walk down, we kept stopping to take photos. It took us about fifteen minutes, but we weren't in a hurry.
There's a small stairway that leads down to the beach. Watch your step: it can be a bit steep, but totally manageable.
Finding Our Perfect Spot
When we arrived around 5 PM, the beach had maybe six other people scattered along its length. We walked toward the southern end where natural rock formations create little coves.
These rocks are AMAZING.
They form shallow pools when the tide goes out. Crystal-clear water sits in these natural pools, warming in the sun. We found a spot near one of these pools, spread our blanket, and just sat there for a moment.
The water right off the beach shows every color you can imagine. Turquoise near shore. Deep blue-green further out. The clarity is unreal: you can see straight to the bottom.
We set up our picnic facing the water, with the rocks creating a semi-private space around us. It felt like our own little world.
The Sunset Experience
Puerto Vallarta sunsets are legendary, but experiencing one at Conchas Chinas takes it to another level.
Around 6 PM, the light started changing. Golden hour hit differently here. The sun turned the water into liquid gold. The mountains in the distance went from green to purple.
We opened our wine and just watched.
My partner squeezed my hand and said this was the most romantic moment of our entire vacation. I agreed completely. No restaurant dinner, no fancy tour: just us, good food, and nature doing its thing.
The sun dipped lower. Orange turned to pink. Pink turned to purple. The whole sky lit up like someone had painted it just for us.
Other couples nearby were doing the same thing. Everyone was quiet, respectful, soaking it all in. There's something about sunset that makes everyone slow down and appreciate the moment.
Exploring the Tidal Pools
After the sun fully set, we still had about thirty minutes of good light. We decided to explore the tidal pools we'd set up near.
These pools are like natural aquariums.
We spotted small colorful fish darting between rocks. Tiny crabs scuttling along the edges. Even some starfish clinging to the rocks. The water was warm from sitting in the sun all day.
My partner loves marine life, so this was a bonus experience we hadn't even planned for. We spent almost an hour just wandering the rocks, peeking into pools, discovering new creatures.
If you're into snorkeling, bring your gear. The rocks and clear water make for excellent snorkeling conditions. We didn't have ours that day, but we're planning to come back specifically for that.
What Makes This Perfect for Active Couples
My partner and I consider ourselves active travelers. We need more than just lying on a beach. We want experiences, exploration, a bit of adventure.
Conchas Chinas delivers all of that.
The walk there and back gives you exercise. The rock formations let you scramble and explore. The swimming is excellent. The snorkeling opportunities are fantastic.
But it also gives you that peaceful, romantic downtime that couples need. It's the perfect balance.
If you're looking for more active couple experiences in Puerto Vallarta, check out our guide on Trail Running to Tequila Tasting: The Active Couple's Guide to PV Rentals. We've done most of those activities and they're all incredible.
Stay Close to the Beach
One reason we could do this spontaneous picnic was our location. We stayed in a puerto vallarta condo for rent that was walking distance to Conchas Chinas.
Being close to the beach meant we could go multiple times during our stay. Morning swim. Afternoon exploration. Sunset picnics.
The Zona Romántica area puts you within easy reach of Conchas Chinas and all the other hidden beaches along the coast. We could walk everywhere, which we loved.
Having a condo with a kitchen also meant we could prepare our picnic food ourselves. Fresh ingredients from the market, assembled in our own space, packed exactly how we wanted.
Best Times to Visit
We went on a Wednesday evening and had the beach mostly to ourselves. Based on our experience and talking to locals, here's what I recommend:
Weekdays are quieter than weekends. Sunset time (around 6-7 PM depending on season) is obviously prime time for romance, but the beach is beautiful any time of day.
Morning visits are great for tide pool exploration. Low tide exposes more of the rock formations and pools. We went back one morning around 8 AM and had an entirely different but equally beautiful experience.
Avoid going during peak tourist season if you want maximum solitude. Though honestly, even during busy times, this beach stays relatively peaceful compared to others.
What to Bring
Learn from our experience. Here's the complete packing list:
Large beach blanket or multiple towels. Small cooler or insulated bag. Water (stay hydrated!). Snacks and picnic food. Sunscreen (reapply before sunset). Light jacket (evenings can get breezy). Waterproof bag for phones and valuables. Headlamp or phone flashlight (the walk back is darker). Beach shoes or water shoes (helpful for rock exploration).
We forgot the headlamp our first visit and used our phone lights on the walk back. Not ideal but manageable.
Connect the Day
After our sunset picnic, we walked back to Old Town and grabbed dinner at one of the amazing local restaurants. The whole day flowed perfectly.
Active morning exploring the town. Relaxing afternoon at our condo. Sunset picnic adventure. Late dinner in town. Exactly the kind of day we love.
For more romantic evening ideas in Puerto Vallarta, check out Sunset and Salsa: A Romantic Evening in Puerto Vallarta. Salsa dancing after a beach picnic? Amazing combination.
Why This Beats Tourist Beaches
I'm not saying the popular beaches aren't great. Playa los Muertos has its charm and energy. But Conchas Chinas offers something different.
Privacy. Natural beauty. That feeling of discovering something special together.
Tourist beaches are fun for people-watching and getting that classic beach experience. But when you want romance and intimacy, you need a place like Conchas Chinas.
The rock formations alone make it unique. They create natural privacy screens between different groups of people. You're not sitting elbow-to-elbow with strangers.
Plus, the water quality is noticeably better. Clearer, cleaner, more inviting.
Our Verdict
Highly recommended for any couple visiting Puerto Vallarta.
This picnic became our favorite memory from the entire trip. We've traveled all over Mexico, tried countless beaches, and Conchas Chinas ranks in our top three.
The combination of natural beauty, accessibility, and relative solitude is hard to beat. Add a sunset and good wine, and you've got a perfect evening.
We're already planning our next trip back to Puerto Vallarta, and Conchas Chinas is first on our list of places to revisit. Maybe next time we'll bring snorkeling gear and explore those rocks properly.
Follow us on X for more Puerto Vallarta travel tips and hidden gems. We share regular updates about the best spots for couples in PV.
If you're planning your own romantic sunset picnic at Conchas Chinas, you won't regret it. Pack your favorite foods, bring your favorite person, and let Puerto Vallarta work its magic.
Trust me: this is one experience you'll be talking about for years.
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