Swell Beach Bar image

Swell Beach Bar

Bar and grill

🫤 So so so bummed that the owner went this direction. We have loved Swell a long time and love the waiters too (Speedy etc etc). The owner has decided that the prices should be very close to the US. We were there for a couple hours and the bill was $150 US. 2 well Margie’s each and a couple tacos and... People often mention beach, good, service, staff, drinks, great, Swell, prices, pesos, menu,


Address

Amapas 182, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (249 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 10 am to 6:30 pm
  • Wednesday: 10 am to 6:30 pm
  • Thursday: 10 am to 6:30 pm
  • Friday: 10 am to 6:30 pm
  • Saturday: 10 am to 6:30 pm
  • Sunday: 10 am to 6:30 pm
  • Monday: (New Year's Day), 10 am to 6:30 pm, Hours might differ

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: beach (21) good (16) service (13) staff (10) drinks (8) great (8) Swell (6) prices (6) pesos (6) menu (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 2/5 Todd Asevedo, S. 2 years ago on Google
    So so so bummed that the owner went this direction. We have loved Swell a long time and love the waiters too (Speedy etc etc). The owner has decided that the prices should be very close to the US. We were there for a couple hours and the bill was $150 US. 2 well Margie’s each and a couple tacos and Guacamole. It pains we to write this but I could eat fine dining with a sunset view in the rest of PV for the same prices. $14 well margaritas (with tip). The place is still crowded (it takes people a while to find out the new reality) and if you are on vacation it’s no big deal. The issue is that you can do much better other places and eventually it will be known what strategy he has taken. He used to cater to the expat crowd and now it’s about the short term payoff. Too bad. We will have an amazing dinner/show/and drinks tonight for the same price as our short stop at the beach at Swell… Hard review to write but I am loyal to businesses that are loyal to me and don’t get me wrong I am not on a fixed income and prices are up everywhere but I hate tourist traps. .
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Mike L. 6 months ago on Google
    RIPOFF NEW First of all been coming to Swells for about 9 year. Living here now and last year. Come about once a week. Best coconut shrimp in town. Tell everyone and tag on Facebook. Came by today for breakfast. The first time Adrian waited on us. He speaks pretty good English. We speak a little Spanish so I don’t think there’s any misunderstanding. We told him we wanted to order one plate with one egg and one plate with two egg’s. He said do you want rice and beans with that I said no just the eggs then we order two green juice, one coffee and two fruit plates, and one water or two glasses of ice. The eggs were supposed to be over easy and they were barely cooked super runny. And there was just a little bit of fruit on the plate so then Speedy came over to help us. I said we had fruit plates and he said he must’ve misunderstood so he brought us one fruit plate. The bill came back at 580 pesos. There’s no way this is correct speedy was very helpful and felt bad. Sent the bill back two times to you and he said no correction and I said this is ridiculous. We live here and we won’t be back. Speed he said sorry, but you could not adjust this. I’m hoping it was not the owner. And that we be can offer us some type of a credit. It’s not the amount of the money. It’s the principle we like your restaurant and your servers but we will not be back if there’s no compensation. 1 egg side 30 2 eggs side 60 2 green juice 100 estimated Coffee 40 1 water 2 glasses 40 estimated Fruit plate 85 355 total, should of been They charged 580 almost double Mike and Sue Lopez This is what it should of been, give or take a few pesos but was overcharged around $12 US. Took right off menu. Be careful! Owner just argued with me multiple time with no adjustment Felt like I have been overcharged in past because they scribble on note pad that you can’t read and in the afternoon after a couple drinks I just let it go. Wasn’t drinking this time so I was sure
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Kassie E. 2 years ago on Google
    This used to be my fav beach hang out. But it’s changed. Not sure if it’s new owners or new cooks but the food is no longer good. My turkey cranberry sandwich was served on a rock hard bun when it used to be served on nice bread. The turkey itself was so dry I couldn’t even swallow it. Their onion rings are horrible giant things not good at all. Prices are high and was told need to have a min bill of $500 pesos to lay down. Not to mention you are getting bombarded every 30 secs from vendors it’s not relaxing it’s not enjoyable. Luckily I found a new spot on the other end with better food/prices/atmosphere
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Mor G. 1 year ago on Google
    They will steal your money. The manager charged us more than they used to few days ago for the same thing. We will never go back. Be careful about your bills.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ken Y. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is a hidden gem, the staff is friendly and on top of it. Locals know this is the place to go. Tipping the staff extra goes a long way. My favorite food there is the fresh seared Tuna, but there are many good food items on the menu.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael E. 6 months ago on Google
    Order breakfast from here and rent a set of beach chairs, umbrella, and table on the beach for free all day! Breakfast is as low as 145 pesos!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Nathan E. 4 months ago on Google
    Excellent locarion, but steer clear if you have any kind of food allergies. Took forever for them to bring out first the drinks, then the food, and when they did, turned out they ignored all my requests and clarificarions: the food was made WITH the allergen I asked to leave out (and even selected the dish because waiter said it did not contain said allergen), the drink was made with a ton of sugar despite me asking to leave it out. Then they took the food back, I said fine, just replace the part you added with an easy no-cooking-required substitute, and it still took them 15-20 more minites to replace it. When they brought it out, everyone else was done eating, and the wait was really not worth it: they way overcooked the cheese, so the whole dish tasted burnt. And it was way too greasy. I struggled with it, never finished. It was one of the worst expensive meals of my life, I think. Not going back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nicole R. 1 year ago on Google
    We are so glad we found this place while on vacation! Best service hands down and the shrimp and steak tacos were delicious! If speedy is there than try to get seated with him, otherwise everyone else was great too!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Rahul D. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice friendly beach front bar. Small, and easy to miss with its larger neighbors on either side. Actually, they all seemed the same, offering the same level of hospitality, food and lounge chairs and umbrellas. Also a small towel. You ask the waiter for a place to sit or lie down. No charge for the lounger, but they would like you to eventually order something. No pressure, though. Prices are very reasonable. Bathrooms are clean. I think there were 4, all single person. The beach is fine. Sandy without seaweed or rocks. The waves carry a punch, though.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Barry P. 4 years ago on Google
    Looking for a place to sit back and relax on a gorgeous beach while enjoying a meal and beverages, Swell Beach bar on Playa Los Muertos, Puerto Vallarta, is the place for you. The bar has numerous tables and umbrellas set up on the sandy beach for your enjoyment.. steps away from the water, the food was tasty and hot, while the drinks where ice cold, service was good and the staff were super friendly, prices were reasonable. Recommended. Barry 🇨🇦
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Chelsea D. 2 years ago on Google
    First come first serve beach chairs, 50 pesos per person, which is hard to find as most places are reservation only or at least $60 USD per person. However bathrooms are a little walk away depending on where you are sitting, wifi is also spotty. Quick service for drinks though. EDIT: as previously stated, Salvador certainly did most charge us 100 pesos for chairs, and then further charged us appropriately for our beverages. Maybe ask the guys running the bar/restaurant close to the bathrooms for assistance so you don’t get charged!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J T. 1 year ago on Google
    The food was great and the service was unbelievable at their beach area. Cesar is the nest of the best when it comes to hospitality and customer service. We will continue to go there just because of him, and I suppose because of the food as well, but mostly because of him and his service mentality.

  • 5/5 Reinventing C. 2 years ago on Google
    My favorite spot on the beach, the food is actually good and the staff is amazing!!

  • 5/5 sophie m. 4 months ago on Google
    Great place to sit on the beach, there is no deposit or minimum charge here you are just expected to order food and drinks whilst you use the sun loungers. The staff were amazing, very attentive and kept checking we were OK. Would definitely recommend this place!

  • 4/5 Zachary D. 4 months ago on Google
    I wanted a reasonably priced beach spot with good food and drink, not attached to a hotel. This place was perfect, we got hotdogs which were surprisingly good (though the portions of fries were a bit small). Service was generally good but on a few occasions we asked staff for something and they never came back. Thankfully there was nearly always a staff member in eyesight. Seats were comfortable and umbrellas were great, with a good spot to watch the pier. I would recommend it on price and service, especially as the other customers were all very friendly and chatty, they clearly go there often which was a good sign for us!

  • 1/5 Murrell R. 9 months ago on Google
    Overcharged for two hibiscus and tequila. 350.mxn x 2 Always loved this place since it opened many years ago, as I am usually in Puerto Vallarta. I paid without agrument, with tip. Will never return to Swell. It previously had such a good reputation... Sad.

  • 1/5 El S. 9 months ago on Google
    Came in just to get a couple beers and relax. They put me in the very back, farthest from the beach even though there were plenty of open seats/tables closer to the ocean. I ordered a beer from the menu which they were out of so I ended up with a Corona. Fast forward one hour and no one has checked on me, moved the umbrella to keep the sun off me or even acknowledged my existence. I left $60 on the table and walked out. If I'd had exact change I would've just left the $55. Terrible place with awful service. I'll stick to the other beach clubs.

  • 1/5 Lynn & Vicki C. 1 year ago on Google
    Spent time here yesterday. Seemed like a big bill but paid and left. Went back today, added up everything according to menu. Bill should have been 910 but was 1110 plus added 20% tip. Check their addition. Won’t be going back there

  • 5/5 Cooper H. 1 year ago on Google
    the best staff ever! took care of our entire group so good all week and always checked in to make sure we were doing okay. the best customer service and great food and drinks!!

  • 4/5 Christine G. 1 year ago on Google
    Ordered a stuffed avocado salad and it was lovely. We packed for the beach and grabbed a palapa, in the sand served by Swell restaurant. They came around and offered nice cold beer, cocktails and had a menu with a good selection. Prices are not the lowest but but not high. The location on the beach is worth a little extra.

  • 5/5 chris w. 2 years ago on Google
    We love swell. Private beach, buckets of beer, workers are fast. Coconut shrimp is awesome!

  • 5/5 J D S. 1 year ago on Google
    On the beach with good food and good service. What else do you want? A great place to eat a meal or hang out all day. We both had fresh and tasty salads. Prices are pretty reasonable for Los Muertos Beach too and they take credit cards.

  • 5/5 Christian C. 1 year ago on Google
    great service the staff was always there when you need them, the food was also nice and the location is great just by the water

  • 5/5 Mahalia S. 3 years ago on Google
    Swell is the best Beach bar at Los Muertos. The drinks, the food and service are exceptional. All staff is amazing Special kudos to "Speedy" 😊

  • 5/5 Ted G. 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome place, great service food and prices. Best on the beach!

  • 4/5 Mike M. 4 years ago on Google
    Enjoyed the beach, no rocks and not crowded. No chair rental fee as long as you order something from the menu. Lots of vendors weaving among the chairs but everybody has to make a buck.

  • 5/5 K 2 years ago on Google
    Service is excellent. Jimmy is magnificent! Ordered chicken quesadilla, margaritas and beers. Delicious! Can’t beat the view.


Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Food
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Food at bar
    • ✓️ Small plates
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Bar and grills nearby

PKDO Bar Vallarta image
1
PKDO Bar Vallarta
Bar & grill
😐 Located near my friend Shelly's home in Versalles. I walked in on New Year's day with my dog Snowball. I was hungry and was surprised it was open. It is an outdoor restaurant with live music daily. You can order off the menu or take the buffet, which l did. The typical local cost for a reasonab...
$$ $$
4.40 (3K reviews)
Restaurant Café Lukumbé image
2
Restaurant Café Lukumbé
Family restaurant
Low-key choice offering breakfast, salads & sandwiches, plus shared plates & cocktails.
$$ $$
4.50 (2.9K reviews)
El Andariego - Restaurante & Bar PV image
3
El Andariego - Restaurante & Bar PV
Bar & grill
Hearty portions of homestyle Mexican food dished up in an airy, upbeat space with vintage photos.
$$ $$
4.50 (2.6K reviews)
La Traviata image
4
La Traviata
Restaurant
Lively rooftop restaurant turning out Italian classics like pizza & pasta with sweeping bay views.
$$ $$
4.60 (2.5K reviews)
Chili´s image
5
Chili´s
Restaurant
Family-friendly chain serving classic Tex-Mex & American fare in a Southwestern-style setting.
$$ $$
4.10 (2.2K reviews)
Last updated:
()