Yelapa Waterfall, BBQ at Exclusive Majahuitas Beach & Open bar

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta day trip is the change of scenery. You leave the city by boat, pass the coast and Banderas Bay, walk through a remote fishing village, then finish at a palm-lined beach with water activities and a BBQ lunch. It gives you a full day outside town without arranging separate transport.

I like the short walk through Yelapa because it adds local life to what could otherwise be just a beach excursion. I also like the hard-working boat crew, with guides such as Danny and Poncho helping with drinks, activities, and lively entertainment. The main drawback is time: with a large boat and several scheduled stops, Majahuitas can feel rushed, and rough seas may affect docking, snorkeling, or the waterfall visit.

Key points to know before booking

• Yelapa combines village life, beach time, and a waterfall walk, but the falls may be only a trickle outside the rainy season.
• Majahuitas is the prettiest swimming stop, with snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and a BBQ lunch.
• The crew is a major part of the experience, providing drinks, music, activity help, and a comedy-style closing show.
• Snorkeling depends heavily on sea conditions, with visibility ranging from colorful fish and pufferfish to murky water and few fish.
• The day is active and tightly scheduled, so you should expect frequent transitions rather than long, quiet stretches on one beach.
• Bring photo ID, sunscreen, a towel, and sturdy shoes, and budget for MX$40 in port fees plus a MX$20 check-in access fee.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta by boat at 8:00 a.m.

The tour begins at 8:00 a.m. at Vallarta Adventures in Puerto Mágico, near the Maritime Terminal on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. The boat ride is part of the attraction, not simply a transfer. You get broad views of the coast, open water, and the southern side of Banderas Bay as the city fades behind you.

The trip usually includes a light breakfast or morning snack, fruit, sweet bread, and drinks aboard the boat. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are served on the vessel, though the exact beach drink selection can be more limited. One account describes beer, water, and pineapple juice at Majahuitas, so do not assume that every drink available on the boat will be served at the beach.

The crew keeps the boat lively with music, jokes, and announcements. Danny receives repeated praise for explaining the stages of the day clearly, while Poncho and other crew members are noted for their friendly service. The entertainment is not background decoration. It is a central part of the tour, especially on the return ride, when the crew puts on a surprise musical or comedy performance.

The boat can carry up to 200 people. That number matters. On a full departure, you should expect a social, organized excursion rather than a small private cruise. The crew works hard to keep everyone supplied and moving, but instructions can sometimes feel hurried when several groups are heading toward different activities.

To reach the port, you must pay a MX$40 port fee in cash. There is also a MX$20 access fee at check-in. Those charges are separate from the advertised $99 price, so include them when comparing this trip with smaller boat charters.

Yelapa: a fishing village with an uneven path to the falls

Yelapa sits about an hour from Puerto Vallarta and can only be reached by boat. That sense of separation is the reason to come. You are not arriving at a polished resort. You are visiting a working coastal village with sandy stretches, rough paths, irregular pavement, and a slower rhythm.

The usual plan gives you about two hours in Yelapa. You may walk through the village toward Cola de Caballo waterfall, spend time on the beach, or arrange a horse ride for an additional charge. The village walk is an important part of the stop because it shows how the community is arranged away from the main tourist areas.

The walk to the waterfall is short, but it is not an easy paved stroll. Expect uneven paths, wet cobblestones, uphill sections, and rough sand near the shore. Hiking shoes or secure walking shoes are a much better choice than flip-flops. If you have limited mobility, balance concerns, or trouble with hills, this stop may be uncomfortable.

The waterfall itself changes with the season. During wetter months, it can be a rewarding natural stop. In dry periods, it may be reduced to a thin trickle, and the guide may suggest a village walk or beach time instead. That is worth understanding before you book. The tour is called a waterfall excursion, but the falls are not guaranteed to be flowing.

Yelapa also has independent vendors, including sellers on the beach. You may be offered drinks, souvenirs, or other items. Some people enjoy the informal atmosphere, while others find the approach tiring. Drinks purchased at Yelapa are not included.

The amount of supervision can also vary with the size of the group. Stay aware of the meeting instructions and return time. One serious complaint involved a person becoming confused and separated in Yelapa, while other accounts describe a guided walk and a well-managed visit. The practical lesson is simple: do not wander off without knowing where and when you need to return to the boat.

Snorkeling in Banderas Bay

Snorkeling usually takes place before or around the beach stops, depending on the water and the captain’s decision. The coast near Los Arcos may be visible during the journey, and some departures stop at more than one location if jellyfish or poor visibility affect the first site.

In good conditions, the snorkeling can be the strongest part of the day. Fish may include colorful reef species and even pufferfish. Dolphins and humpback whales have also been spotted from the boat, particularly during the winter whale season, though wildlife sightings are never promised.

Conditions can change quickly. Rough water makes it harder to see below the surface and less comfortable to stay in the water. Jellyfish may also affect the chosen location. On one departure, the crew moved the snorkeling stop because of the annual jellyfish presence. That shows useful flexibility, but it also means the exact location and duration are not fixed.

You receive snorkeling equipment, and the tour also provides kayaks and paddle boards. Some departures include additional water activities such as a banana boat ride. Ask the crew how the activity schedule works when you arrive, since the group may be divided among several options.

I would treat snorkeling as a bonus rather than the sole reason to book. The bay can be full of sea life, but another day may bring murky water and very few fish. If your priority is serious snorkeling, a dedicated small-group snorkel trip may offer more time and better site selection.

Majahuitas Beach: the payoff, with a fast clock

Majahuitas is a secluded beach reached by boat, with palm trees, turquoise water, and a beach club setup. Chairs, restrooms, food, and water activities make this the easiest stop of the day. After Yelapa’s uneven paths, Majahuitas feels more comfortable and organized.

The BBQ lunch is included. The food is generally described as fresh, flavorful, and generous enough to suit different tastes. Some departures serve a buffet-style meal, and the menu offers several choices. Drinks and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages are included at the beach, while alcohol availability may be narrower than on the boat.

The catch is the schedule. The listed visit is about one hour, though some accounts describe closer to an hour and a half. That time must cover lunch, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and any other beach activities. If you want to sit quietly in the shade, eat slowly, and then swim, you may feel hurried.

Several parts of the day compete for your attention. Snorkeling may take longer than expected, and the group may be moved along to keep the schedule on track. Some people would gladly trade part of the snorkeling period for extra beach time. Others prefer having a full menu of activities, even if each one is brief.

For me, the value of Majahuitas is the variety. You can eat, swim, paddle, and relax without arranging each activity separately. But you should not picture an unstructured afternoon at a private beach. This is an organized stop with a timetable.

The crew, music, and surprise finale

The crew receives the strongest praise across the experience. They serve drinks, explain activities, help with equipment, and keep the mood upbeat. Names such as Danny and Poncho appear repeatedly in positive comments, along with general praise for attentive and entertaining service.

The return boat ride usually includes a musical performance or comic show. The exact content is kept as a surprise, but it may involve familiar rock music and playful stage work. Some people consider it the highlight of the ride home. If you want a quiet return, this may be too loud, especially on a crowded boat.

Music can also affect conversation during lunch or on board. One account found the band loud enough to make talking difficult. That is not a problem for everyone, but it is part of the atmosphere you are choosing. This excursion is built around energy and group entertainment, not silence.

Is the $99 price good value?

At $99 per person, the tour bundles several costs into one day: boat transportation, a light breakfast, drinks aboard, access to Yelapa, the Majahuitas beach club, snorkeling equipment, kayaking equipment, and BBQ lunch. You also get the crew’s activity support and entertainment.

That is solid value if you want an easy, full-day outing and would otherwise need to book transport, food, and water sports separately. The boat ride alone covers a large stretch of coast, and the two destinations offer very different settings.

The value is weaker if you mainly want long beach time or a quiet, private boat. A large group means the cost is spread across many people, and the schedule must serve everyone. You may spend more time boarding, switching activities, and following group instructions than you would on a smaller charter.

Remember the extra MX$40 port charge and MX$20 check-in access fee. Gratuity is optional. Horse rentals and drinks bought at Yelapa cost extra.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta day trip?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want to see several coastal attractions in one day. It suits active people who like a little walking, swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and music. It is also a good fit if you want a social boat atmosphere and do not want to plan the day yourself.

You should think twice if you dislike crowds, loud entertainment, strict schedules, or uneven paths. People with limited mobility may struggle in Yelapa, where the route includes sand, uphill sections, and irregular surfaces. The tour is also not available to cruise ship passengers.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, photo ID, and secure shoes. Bathrooms are on the lower deck of the boat. Do not bring drugs, vapes, or electronic cigarettes, since federal port security enforces a strict no-drug policy and may deny boarding without a refund.

The trip requires good weather. Rough seas can prevent the boat from docking at Yelapa, reduce snorkeling visibility, and make the ride uncomfortable. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour?

Book this tour if you want a lively, all-in-one day with a scenic boat ride, a taste of Yelapa, a waterfall possibility, water activities, lunch, and a memorable crew. The strongest reasons to go are the coastal views, the contrast between Yelapa and Majahuitas, and the friendly service from people such as Danny and Poncho.

Skip it if your dream day means a quiet cove, guaranteed waterfall flow, or several relaxed hours on one beach. For everyone else, $99 is a fair price for the amount included, as long as you accept the large-group format, changing sea conditions, and brisk schedule.

FAQ

How long does the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. It starts at 8:00 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point at Vallarta Adventures in Puerto Mágico.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat trip, a light breakfast or morning snack, lunch at Majahuitas, drinks aboard the boat, snorkeling equipment, and kayaking equipment. Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages are included at the Majahuitas beach club.

Are port fees included?

No. You must pay a MX$40 port fee in cash and a separate MX$20 access fee at check-in. Gratuity, horse rentals, and drinks purchased at Yelapa are also separate.

Is the waterfall guaranteed to be flowing?

No. The waterfall may be a small trickle during dry periods. Depending on conditions, you may instead spend time walking through Yelapa or relaxing on the beach.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

It is not recommended. Yelapa includes sandy, uphill, uneven, and irregular paths, along with wet cobblestones in places. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

Can cruise ship passengers book this activity?

No. Passengers arriving on a cruise ship cannot book this tour.