Playa Los Muertos
The city's most popular beach, and the social heart of Old Town. Come for the atmosphere, not the solitude.
Playa Los Muertos is the main beach of Zona Romántica — a lively stretch of golden sand fringed with beach clubs, restaurants and vendors, anchored by the distinctive Los Muertos pier. It's where the city comes to swim, eat and watch the sunset.
What it's like
Busy and sociable. Beach clubs rent loungers and umbrellas and serve food and drinks to your seat; vendors walk the sand selling everything from grilled fish to hammocks. It's narrower and far livelier than the wide resort beaches of the Hotel Zone — that's the appeal, or the drawback, depending on what you want.
The pier
The modern Los Muertos pier is both a landmark and the departure point for water taxis to the south-shore villages like Yelapa and Las Caletas. Even if you're not catching a boat, it's the spot for sunset photos.
Safety and practicalities
- Rip currents — the Pacific can be strong. Watch the flags and don't swim after drinking.
- Petty theft — don't leave phones and bags unattended on the sand.
- You don't need to book a club; you can lay a towel on the public sand, but buying a drink usually gets you a lounger.