Catamaran Yelapa Beach Tour with Snorkeling, Food and Open Bar

Yelapa rewards a long day at sea. This Puerto Vallarta catamaran trip combines snorkeling at Majahuitas, a beach stop in Yelapa, breakfast, lunch, and an open bar for $94.45 per person. I like the full-day format and the chance to reach Yelapa by boat, since the journey itself is part of the fun. I also like the friendly crew, water toys, and lively ride home. The main concern is timing: delays can stretch the day well past the advertised seven to eight hours.

You should check in at 9:10 a.m. at Puerto Magico for a 10 a.m. departure. I would arrive early, especially since the port charges a separate MX$33 tax and the terminal can be slow. The trip suits active adults, families with older children, and anyone who enjoys music and group games. It is less suitable for people with mobility limits, young children who tire easily, or anyone hoping for a quiet sailing.

Six things to know before booking

• Majahuitas offers beautiful water, but usually limited activity time: You may get about 45 minutes for snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding, and you may need to choose only one.
• Yelapa is the main event: You get roughly three and a half hours for the beach, village, waterfall route, lunch, and optional local activities.
• The waterfall can change with the season: In dry conditions, there may be little or no falling water, so ask about its current condition before paying for a horse or ATV.
• The shore transfer takes effort: You leave the large catamaran by a smaller boat and may need to step or jump into shallow surf at the beach.
• The return ride is party time: Expect an open bar, music, contests, and games during roughly two hours at sea.
• This is a large-group outing: The boat can carry up to 99 people, which helps explain the social energy and occasional disorganization.

From Puerto Magico to Banderas Bay

The tour begins at Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, in Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone. Check-in is listed for 9:10 a.m., with departure at 10 a.m. You will register, pass through the security checkpoint, and board the catamaran.

The terminal process deserves a little planning. A separate Puerto Magico port tax of MX$33 per person is not included, and the payment line can take time. I would arrive before 9:10 rather than cutting it close. The tour is offered in English, uses mobile tickets, and returns to the same meeting point.

Once underway, the boat heads across Banderas Bay. Breakfast is served while you look out over the bay. The listed choices are yogurt, fruit, and pancakes, or chilaquiles with egg, along with juice. Food quality can vary, and one account described the eggs as cold, so I would treat breakfast as a useful included meal rather than a reason to book the outing.

The catamaran is not a high-speed transfer. That matters because a large part of the day takes place on the water. You get sea views and time with the crew, but the ride can feel long if you want constant activity. Music is part of the atmosphere, and it has been described as loud. You can ask the crew to lower it, but this is not a quiet yacht cruise.

Majahuitas: pretty water and a short activity window

Majahuitas is the first major stop, with about two hours allocated in the itinerary. The actual water activity is described as about 45 minutes, and the available choices include snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, an inflatable float, and an extreme inflatable attraction.

This is an important detail. The equipment list can make the stop sound like a full water-sports session, but you may have time for only one main activity. Previous participants also reported that the equipment area is near the boat rather than close to a sandy beach. You will likely remain in the water around the catamaran.

The snorkeling can be the highlight of this section. The water is described as clear, with tropical fish and a chance of seeing a sea turtle. Snorkeling equipment is included, but fins are not necessarily provided. Bring your own if you prefer to swim with them, and inspect your mask and life jacket before entering the water. If something is faulty, ask the crew for a replacement immediately.

I like that Majahuitas gives you a chance to see the bay from the water rather than simply riding past it. Still, you should set reasonable expectations. This is an introductory snorkel stop, not a dedicated reef excursion. If you want long snorkeling time, the short activity period may disappoint.

Yelapa by tender boat, surf, and sandy beach

After Majahuitas, the catamaran continues to Yelapa. The large boat cannot pull directly onto the beach, so you transfer to a smaller boat for the final approach. This is one of the most important practical details of the entire trip.

The transfer can be awkward. You may need to step into the small boat without conventional stairs, then get out near the beach while waves move the boat. Crew members help, but the process requires balance and confidence. At the shore, you can get wet and may need to move quickly. I would not choose this tour for anyone with serious mobility difficulties, balance problems, or anxiety about boat transfers.

Once ashore, you go to the restaurant to leave belongings and organize the Yelapa portion of the day. The schedule allows about three and a half hours, giving you time for the waterfall route, lunch, and the beach. The exact balance depends on what you choose.

Yelapa itself is the strongest reason to book this outing. The village and surrounding hills offer a change from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone, and the beach gives you time to swim or relax after the boat ride. You can also browse local goods, though sellers may approach you directly. If you prefer a quiet beach day, be ready to politely decline offers.

The Horsetail waterfall walk, horse, or ATV

The route to the Horsetail waterfall is the most changeable part of the day. You can go on foot, rent a horse, or pay extra for an ATV. A local guide accompanies the paid options and shares information about the village.

Walking is the least expensive choice, but it is not effortless. The route includes stones and steep sections. Wear shoes with good grip, not smooth sandals. The walk is described as taking about 40 minutes, while horses or ATVs are described as taking around 15 minutes, though the actual timing can vary by route and pace.

You should ask about water conditions before deciding. During dry periods, the waterfall may have little flow or no meaningful cascade. One poor experience came from paying for transport to see a waterfall that was barely present. The operator should be clearer about seasonal conditions, but you can protect yourself by asking at the restaurant before committing to an optional ride.

Even with low water, the route may still appeal if you want to see more of Yelapa and the hills around the village. But if your main reason for booking is a dramatic swimming hole, this tour carries some risk. Do not assume the waterfall will look the same year-round, and do not assume swimming is always advisable.

When you reach the falls, you have time for photographs and, when conditions allow, a cool dip. The pool area can be small, so the stop is more about the walk and setting than a large natural swimming area. If you skip the waterfall, you can stay on the beach, swim, eat, or take part in optional activities offered by local operators.

Lunch, beach time, and extra charges

Lunch is served on the beach, with five listed choices: shrimp cocktail, chicken fajitas, beef fajitas, fish fillet, hamburger, and cheese quesadillas. Portions have been described as generous, and the food is one of the tour’s better-value features.

The included lunch does not cover extra restaurant food or drinks. Optional beach activities also cost more. Ask for the price before agreeing to an ATV, horse ride, souvenir photograph, or other local service. This is especially useful in a busy beach setting, where an activity can begin before you have fully understood the charge.

The beach portion is not purely scheduled entertainment. You can order lunch, walk the sand, swim, rest, or spend more time exploring the village. I like having that choice, but three and a half hours can feel short if you want both the waterfall and a relaxed beach afternoon.

The atmosphere is informal rather than polished. You are not visiting a private resort beach with a silent service staff. You are entering a working village setting with local vendors, small restaurants, uneven access, and active boat traffic. That gives the stop more character, but it also requires patience and a willingness to handle sales approaches and basic facilities.

The two-hour return ride and open bar

After Yelapa, you return to the catamaran by small boat. The crew organizes passengers for the transfer, then the return trip begins. This final stretch takes about two hours and is often the most enjoyable part for people who like a party atmosphere.

The open bar includes beer, margaritas, rum, vodka, tequila, and whiskey. Games, contests, and music continue until Puerto Vallarta. Guides such as Alberto and Brown Sugar have been praised for keeping the mood friendly and helping the group enjoy the ride.

The open bar adds value if you plan to have a few drinks and enjoy meeting people. It matters less if you do not drink, though nonalcoholic refreshments and the scenery still give you something to enjoy. Drink carefully, especially after a hot beach day and a boat transfer.

The music can be very loud. That is part of the appeal for some people and a major nuisance for others. You can ask the crew to reduce the volume, but you should not expect a peaceful sunset sail. This is a social excursion with a party finish.

Is $94.45 a fair price?

At $94.45 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the included meals, water activity, open bar, and beach transfer. A separate boat ride to Yelapa, breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and drinks could cost more when arranged independently. The tour also removes the need to coordinate transportation between Puerto Vallarta, Majahuitas, and Yelapa.

The value drops if you miss the first part of the day, dislike loud music, or do not want to pay for optional activities. One cruise passenger missed breakfast and the Majahuitas stop after a time-zone mix-up, arriving after the boat had left. If you are arriving by ship, confirm the local Puerto Vallarta time carefully. Puerto Vallarta uses GMT-6, and ship time may differ.

The advertised duration is seven to eight hours, but delays can make the day longer. Departures have run late, and returns have occurred after 7:30 p.m. Keep your evening open. This is not a tour to book before a tightly timed dinner reservation or evening flight.

The group limit is 99 people. That size keeps the price within reach and creates a lively social scene, but it can also mean lines, crowded transfers, and less personal attention. The tour works best when you view it as a full-day group adventure rather than a carefully paced private outing.

Who should book this Yelapa catamaran tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want several Puerto Vallarta highlights in one booking: a boat ride, snorkeling, a beach village, lunch, drinks, and a party cruise home. Families with older children can enjoy the water activities and beach time, while couples and solo visitors can easily join the social atmosphere.

You should think twice if you have mobility limits or feel unsteady stepping between boats. The beach landing is difficult, and the waterfall route includes stones and steep sections. The tour is also a poor fit if you want quiet, precise schedules, or long, uninterrupted snorkeling.

Bring sturdy footwear, swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, and a dry bag for valuables. Keep your phone protected during the shore transfer. Ask about the waterfall’s condition and the cost of optional rides before leaving the restaurant.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you value variety more than refinement. The strongest features are the beautiful Majahuitas water, the chance to reach Yelapa by sea, the included food and drinks, and the lively return ride. The beach village and helpful crew can make this a memorable day.

Skip it if a dry waterfall would ruin the outing, if you need easy shore access, or if loud music and a large group sound tiring. For the right person, $94.45 buys a busy and entertaining day. For someone seeking calm sailing and careful timing, it may feel like too much boat, too much music, and not enough time at each stop.

FAQ

Where does the Yelapa catamaran tour begin?

It begins at Puerto Magico, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, in Puerto Vallarta. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in is at 9:10 a.m., and departure is scheduled for 10 a.m. Arriving early is wise because you must register, pass through security, and pay the separate MX$33 Puerto Magico port tax.

What meals are included?

Breakfast includes a choice of yogurt, fruit, and pancakes, or chilaquiles with egg, plus juice. Beach lunch includes a choice of shrimp cocktail, chicken fajitas, beef fajitas, fish fillet, hamburger, or cheese quesadillas.

Are drinks included?

Alcoholic drinks are included, including beer, margaritas, rum, vodka, tequila, and whiskey. Extra food and drinks at the restaurant are not included.

Is the waterfall visit required?

No. You can walk, pay for a horse or ATV, or stay at the beach instead. The waterfall route has stones and steep sections, and water levels can vary.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.