Where is Quimixto?
Quimixto is a village of about 500 people on the southern shore of Banderas Bay, south of Puerto Vallarta. It has no road. No cars. The only way in is by water, in a small boat that crosses the bay in about fifteen minutes. To some it sounds complicated; to us, it is the moment the disconnection begins.
It is part of Puerto Vallarta, yet it feels a world away from the malecón and the hotel zones. Semi-virgin beach, jungle that runs down to the sand, a river, waterfalls, and a small village where life moves to a different rhythm.
The starting point: Boca de Tomatlán
Everything starts in Boca de Tomatlán, a fishing village about 25 to 35 minutes by car from Puerto Vallarta's airport. That is where the road ends and the sea begins.
From the airport (PVR), an official taxi to Boca de Tomatlán costs approximately $776 MXN by sedan (1 to 3 people) and between $1,430 and $1,716 MXN by van for larger groups. The ride takes about half an hour depending on traffic.
If you are driving, Boca de Tomatlán has small lots open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, costing between $200 and $500 MXN per day. If your arrival or departure is outside those hours, it is best to coordinate directly with the parking lot.
The boat crossing
This is where the journey becomes part of the experience.
From Boca de Tomatlán, the trip to Quimixto takes about fifteen minutes across Banderas Bay. From December to March it is common to spot humpback whales along the way. The rest of the year, the view of tropical coastline and turquoise water speaks for itself.
At Amaca we coordinate your transfer. Our included boat runs from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, round trip, at no extra cost. We just need your arrival time so we can meet you at the exact meeting point, which we send in advance with all the details.
What if I arrive after 4:30 pm?
Not a problem. If your flight arrives in the afternoon or evening, we can arrange a private boat for an additional charge. Just write to us ahead of time so we can coordinate it.
Is it complicated to get there?
Not at all, and that is often our guests' most pleasant surprise. We send you the meeting point, schedule, and everything you need to know in advance. Upon arrival, we take care of your luggage and carry it up for you. All you have to do is step onto the boat and let the bay do its work.
Arriving by sea is not the hard part of the trip. It is the first part of the vacation.
What at first seems like an obstacle, the fact that there is no road, is exactly what keeps Quimixto as it is: quiet, intimate, uncrowded.
What to bring
Since you arrive by sea and you are surrounded by nature, it is best to pack light and practical: comfortable clothes, swimwear, walking and water shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen, and cash. There is no ATM in Quimixto, so that detail matters. Everything else is up to you.
