We're considering an extended family vacation in mexico and are looking for beach recommendations that will accomodate
- calm beach for kids
- nearby snorkeling and diving
- nearby surf
last time we were in PV we checked out mismaloya beach, and I didn't find it all that enticing.
Any suggestions of areas we're missing?
Beaches in PV
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I found that the beaches were not as calm in PV compared to say some in the Caribbean. However, I went in August and a hurricane had passed offshore a couple of days before. by the end of our trip the water was "calmer". WE stayed at the Westin with our kids and like the location, you could walk to the Marina or tacke a 15 min ride into the Malecon. The beach was small but pleasant and not as crowded with vendors as other's we visited. I did not like Mismaloya. It was too small and boats were contantly going in and out on snorkeling trips for children to play safely in it. It was also a longer ride to the MAlecon and so remote that you could not really walk anywhere from it.
For snorkeling we took the trip to Caletas, (one hour? boat ride) which we all enjoyed. However, there may be other better or closer places that we did not explore. However, with kids, this one seemed the safest and most convenient to me.
Have you considered the Caribbean coast? Cancun/Playa del Carmen/Cozumel?
Since you asked about areas you may have overlooked, I'd suggest you think about that side of Mexico.
Two beautiful beaches to the north are Destiladeras and El Anclote (heading out toward Punta Mita). These wouldn't be places to stay, but day trips. Further north Sayulita/Rincon area has surf. The snorkeling and diving just plain isn't that good around PV (don't get me wrong I LOVE that area and vacation there often).
Again as much as I personally enjoy the west coast, for what you are asking after I have to agree looking into the Caribbean side might work out better for you.
I also agree with the posts suggesting the Carribbean side. We were in San Francisco, north of Sayulita, a few years ago. The surf was way too large to play in with a HUGE undertow. We did go to Sayulita which was much better. Pretty easy surfing. But no snorkling. We took the boat trip to Caletas to snorkel also. It was fine, but not like the Carribbean. If you don't care about the snorkeling, I would look into Sayulita.