Playa Platanitos Surf & Travel Guide
Playa Platanitos is one of the many, many beach towns that makes Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit such a cracker. It’s not really a surf town like you get further south in the region – places like Sayulita and San Pancho are better suited for a full-on surf trip.
However, it does have waves. They’re mainly beginner friendly bumps that work around the rocks and into the sandy bay; fantastic for kids and learners when they do happen to work.
The selling point for surfers is twofold: There’s good closeness to Playa las Tortugas, a spot with nice long rivermouth right handers, and you can escape the crowds that now plague Sayulita and Punta Mita.
It’s super chill and the main people about are local holidaying Mexicans. Villas, not hotels, are the place to stay.
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Check out our full guide to surfing in Mexico
Where is Playa Platanitos?
Playa Platanitos is a particularly sleepy cove up on the northern end of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, roughly two hours north of Puerto Vallarta International Airport.
The drive from the arrival hall takes you along Highway 200, twisting through coconut groves and jungle before dropping down to a small, wave-lapped bay fronted by golden sand and palapa shacks.
Surfing in Playa Platanitos
Playa Platanitos itself isn’t a major surf destination – it’s more of a mellow playground for novices or for those days when other spots along the Nayarit coast are totally maxed out.
Most of the time, the surf is small (often too small) and manageable, breaking over soft sand in shallow water.
On the odd bigger swell, you might get waist-high peelers running softly along the bay, but this is more about splash-around sessions than serious wave riding.
The main lure for surfers staying here is its proximity to Playa las Tortugas, which hosts one of Nayarit’s most beautiful and consistent point breaks…
Playa las Tortugas
A 10-minute walk to the south of Platanitos, Playa Las Tortugas begins its big arc of 10km of untouched sand where sea turtles nest and gentle A-frames roll in almost daily.
The main beach offers friendly peaks for longboarders and intermediates, while the headland at Punta Custodio (close to the Platanitos end) can deliver more challenging rights that peel for 100 metres or more when the sandbars align.
It’s rarely crowded – expect just a handful of surfers and a whole lot of empty ocean to yourself. Although some local surf schools have now started doing strike missions up here from Punta Mita and Sayulita. If you come solo, bring everything you need, as there are no surf shops or rentals nearby.
>> We have a complete guide to surfing in Playa las Tortugas too (coming soon)!
Other surf breaks in the region
The thing about Playa Platanitos is that yes, it’s in Nayarit, and technically on the Riviera Nayarit. However, it’s so far north that you’ll be a hefty drive/taxi out from most of the main surf breaks and surf towns, uber-famous Sayulita among them.
The good news is that you won’t have to deal with crowds so much. The bad news is that the spots further south do tend to be better.
- Chacala (1 hr 15 min drive) – A scenic right-hand point that can offer long, fun walls when north swells pulse here, but it’s a boat drive out of the town. Chacala itself is lovely. Mega chill and great hotels/restaurants.
- Los Ayala (1 hr 20 min) – Small, sheltered beach break with mellow reforms perfect for beginners. Another very charming beach town with cobbled streets.
- San Pancho (1 hr 45 min) – Punchy, hollow peaks for experienced surfers, often powerful when the swell’s up. Lively spot these days. Epic sunsets.
- Punta Mita (2 hrs) – The heart of the Riviera Nayarit surf, with multiple breaks like La Lancha and El Anclote for all levels. I’d go here if you’re keen to surf every day and want some of the best spots of Nayarit.
Where to stay in Playa Platanitos?
There aren’t all that many hotels on Playa Platanitos. If you want that, then head south to San Pancho or Chacala even, which both have some very nice boutique stays.
Up here, you’re mainly looking at private villa rentals.
And here’s the thing. Personally, I’d reccomend staying just south of town in Playa las Tortugas if you’re anything above a beginner grom surfer – and I’m assuming you are.
There are some really nice villas there that sit right in front of the waves, either on the main headland or alongside the easier beach breaks.
I particularly like Casa de Colores, which has walking access to the beachfront there, plus its own pool. La Villa Bella is closer to Platanitos beach itself.
What to do in Playa Platanitos when there’s no surf?
- Laze on the beach – Soft sand, calm water, and beachside palapas make this the number one activity. Actually, Platinos is a really beach, backed by wooded headlands and well protected from the biggest swells. That means it’s not ideal for surf (see above) but is great for chilling and whatnot.
- Watch turtle releases – Visit nearby Playa Las Tortugas during nesting season to see baby turtles return to the sea.
- Boat tours in the estuary – Hire a local panga to explore the lush mangrove estuaries behind the beach. It’s a nice ride out there, esp at sunset.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
