Getting here
Reachable only by sea. That's the point.
No road reaches this coast. You arrive by boat, along an hour of jungle cliffs and open Pacific — and the challenge of getting here is exactly what keeps it the way it is.
Closer than it looks
Rarely is such remoteness so easily accessible. Door to sand is one flight, one short drive and one boat — and the boat is the best part of the journey.
The journey
Five steps, and one of them is the vacation starting
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01
Fly into Puerto Vallarta
Four and a half hours direct from most major North American cities. Puerto Vallarta is where the journey really begins — almost nobody comes straight from the airport to the boat.
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02
Spend the night, buy your provisions
The water taxi leaves Boca de Tomatlán at 8am sharp, so flying in and crossing on the same day rarely works. Use the evening to shop and relax the night in PV. If you do land early enough and get the shopping done, a private boat can still bring you over the same day.
- There are no shops at Los Chonchos — everything you want to eat and drink comes with you
- Pack perishables in a cooler or cooler bags for the crossing
- There are no ATMs at Los Chonchos or in Chimo, and cards are not accepted — bring enough pesos
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03
The crossing — about an hour
Boca de Tomatlán is about thirty minutes by taxi or Uber from central Puerto Vallarta. From there, seasoned local captains run the route daily — an hour along jungle cliffs and open coastline, calling at Yelapa and then Pizota before Los Chonchos. Soft bags travel better than hard cases.
- Carry-on backpack with you, larger bags stowed on the boat
- Captains assess the sea before every departure
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04
A wet landing on the sand
There is no dock and no pier at Los Chonchos. The boat noses into the shallows, you step off into ankle-deep water and walk up the beach. Wear something you do not mind getting wet.
- Phones, cameras and documents in a dry bag
- This is the moment most guests remember
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05
Someone meets the boat
Staff are on the property from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. They meet the boats, carry what needs carrying and show you where you are going.
- Check-in is 1pm. Check-out is 9am, to align with the water taxi’s departure time
- A later check-out, however, can usually be arranged
When the water is rough
The captain decides on the day. If the swell is too high to land, the boat goes to Chimo and you come over the mountain on foot — about fifty minutes, with mules carrying the luggage.
Some guests walk in over the mountain by choice.
The questions people ask about the crossing
What happens if the water is too rough to land? +
Sometimes the swell is too high to land on the sand. The water taxi captain makes that call on the day — nobody can forecast it for you in advance. When it happens the boat runs to Chimo instead, and you come over the mountain on foot: about fifty minutes, with mules carrying the luggage. Coming or going, leave room in your plans for it so a rough morning does not cost you a flight.
Can I get there any other way? +
Yes. Instead of the water taxi you can take a taxi or Uber from Puerto Vallarta all the way to Chimo — about a three-hour drive — and walk in over the mountain trail from there, with mules carrying the luggage. It is about fifty minutes on foot and moderately strenuous. This is also the route guests take when the sea is too rough to land. A private boat can be arranged instead, from Boca de Tomatlán or the Puerto Vallarta marina with notice, which is useful for larger groups or if the 8am departure does not suit you.
What should I bring, and what can I buy there? +
Nothing is sold at Los Chonchos. Provision in Puerto Vallarta before you cross. Chimo, the next village along, has two restaurants and two small shops, and anything from there — groceries, ice, cold beer — can be brought over by boat and delivered to your bungalow. A local cook can also come and cook in your kitchen. Bring pesos: there are no ATMs and cards are not accepted in Chimo or Los Chonchos.
What kind of luggage works best? +
Soft-sided bags. They travel better than hard cases on a beach landing, and if the boat reroutes to Chimo they go on a mule. A carry-on backpack for the things you want with you, and a larger bag for provisions, is the usual arrangement. Bring a headlamp or flashlight for each person — the paths are not lit.
Where do I leave a car? +
There is parking near the waterfront at Boca de Tomatlán. Most guests skip it and take a one-way transfer from Puerto Vallarta instead.
Is the boat safe? +
The captains are local mariners who have run this stretch of coast for years. They will delay or reroute rather than take an unsafe crossing. That is also why the decision is theirs and not ours.
Tell us when, and who's coming.
There is no instant booking here, on purpose. Send us your dates and we reply within two days. If the fit is right, we send a secure payment link and tell you everything worth knowing before you get on the boat.