Playa Mismaloya
A small fishing-village beach on the southern bay, the filming location of the 1964 film Night of the Iguana and the departure point for boats to Los Arcos.
Mismaloya is about 12 km south of the city center, in a small bay enclosed by jungle-covered hillsides with calm waters. John Huston shot Night of the Iguana here, starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner, and the film set’s remains can still be seen on the hillside at the southern end. The beach has seafood bars, and you can rent a boat to snorkel at Los Arcos, or follow the river valley inland for horseback riding or zip-lining. A coastal bus heading south from the city takes about 30 minutes. The Vallarta Zoo is also nearby.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Vallarta Zoo
- Los Arcos National Marine Park
- Boca de Tomatlán to Las Ánimas Trail
- Vallarta Botanical Garden
- Playa Conchas Chinas
- Playa Los Muertos
- Zona Romántica
- Isla Cuale