Yelapa Waterfall, BBQ at Exclusive Majahuitas Beach & Open bar

Two beaches, one waterfall, plenty of boat time. This Puerto Vallarta day trip pairs the remote fishing village of Yelapa with a secluded stop at Majahuitas Beach, and I like the mix of village walking, waterfall scenery, snorkeling, kayaking, and a fresh BBQ lunch. I also like the crew’s lively service, with hosts such as Danny and Poncho often praised for keeping the ride organized and fun.

The main drawback is time. Yelapa’s paths can be rough, and Majahuitas may feel rushed once lunch and water activities are fitted into the schedule. Sea conditions also matter: rough waves can spoil the boat ride, reduce snorkeling visibility, or prevent the boat from docking at Yelapa.

At $99 per person for about seven hours, the price is fair if you want a full day on the water with food, equipment, and entertainment included. You should still budget cash for the MX$40 port fee and MX$20 check-in access fee, and bring a towel, sunscreen, photo ID, and shoes that can handle wet, uneven paths.

Key points at a glance

• Yelapa combines a fishing village and waterfall walk: You can follow a short route through the village to Cola de Caballo waterfall, or spend your time on the beach if the path or water conditions make the walk less appealing.
• Majahuitas is the calmer beach stop: Palm trees, clear water, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and a BBQ lunch make this the most activity-packed part of the day.
• The crew is a major strength: Danny, Poncho, and the wider boat team receive repeated praise for friendly service, music, humor, and a closing performance.
• The schedule moves quickly: Snorkeling, lunch, beach time, and water sports compete for your attention, so you may need to choose what matters most.
• Nature controls the day: Seasonal drought can reduce the waterfall to a trickle, while jellyfish, rough seas, or murky water can change the snorkeling stop.
• The trip suits active visitors best: Sandy paths, wet cobblestones, uphill sections, and boat boarding make this a poor fit for anyone with limited mobility.

Why this Puerto Vallarta boat trip works

This is not simply a ride to a beach. It gives you three different views of Banderas Bay in one day: open water from the boat, village life in Yelapa, and a beach-club setting at Majahuitas.

That variety is the reason I see value in the $99 price. Your fare covers the boat trip, a light breakfast, lunch, beverages aboard, snorkeling gear, and kayaking equipment. You are not paying separate admission at each stop, though the port and access charges are extra.

The day also has a social feel. Music, drinks, crew jokes, and a surprise performance on the return ride are part of the package. If you prefer quiet nature time, the entertainment may feel like too much. If you enjoy an upbeat group outing, it adds energy during the long stretches on the boat.

The vessel can accommodate up to 200 people. That is useful to know before booking. A large boat offers plenty of company and a broad range of activities, but it can also mean lines, noise, and less personal guidance. One poor experience involved a traveler feeling left alone in Yelapa, so pay attention to meeting instructions and stay aware of the agreed return point.

Starting at Puerto Mágico around 8:00 a.m.

You meet at the Vallarta Adventures terminal at Puerto Mágico, near the Hotel Zone, at about 8:00 a.m. The address is Terminal Marítima N Puerto Mágico, Heroica Escuela Naval, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 30-G1.

Give yourself time to find the correct entrance. Confusion over the departure point has caused people to miss the first meeting, and the port can feel busy in the morning. Bring your booking confirmation and photo ID. Cruise ship passengers cannot book this activity, so this departure is intended for people already staying in Puerto Vallarta.

A light breakfast, fruit, sweet bread, and drinks are served aboard according to the available details and trip accounts. This is helpful, since lunch comes later at Majahuitas. Toilets are located on the lower deck, a small point that matters on a seven-hour boat outing.

The boat ride is part of the attraction. You may pass coastal sights such as Los Arcos near Mismaloya, and the crew may adjust the route for wildlife or sea conditions. Dolphins and humpback whales have been spotted during some trips, but these sightings are never guaranteed.

Yelapa: village paths and Cola de Caballo waterfall

Yelapa is about an hour from Puerto Vallarta and feels different from the city. It is a remote fishing village reached by boat, with sandy sections, uneven paths, wet cobblestones, and uphill walking.

The usual plan gives you roughly two hours in the area. A guided walk can lead through the village toward Cola de Caballo waterfall. The walk itself is short but scenic, and it lets you see more than a beach landing. You get a glimpse of local homes, narrow paths, and the way the village sits between the coast and the hills.

Wear shoes with grip. Flip-flops are a poor choice for slick stones, rough sand, and uneven ground. One useful detail from the trip feedback is that hiking shoes made the waterfall route much easier.

Do not assume the waterfall will be roaring. In dry periods, Cola de Caballo may be little more than a trickle. In especially dry conditions, the guide may suggest skipping the walk and choosing a village stroll or beach time instead. That can be disappointing if the waterfall is your main reason for booking, but it is better than treating a dry cascade as a major sight.

Yelapa’s beach also comes with a practical tradeoff. Local sellers may approach you with souvenirs and other items, and some people find the attention distracting. The route back to the pickup point can involve a long cobblestone stretch and rough sand. That is manageable for active walkers, but it can be genuinely difficult if you have back, knee, balance, or foot problems.

The best approach is to enjoy Yelapa as a place, not just as a waterfall photo stop. Look around the village, follow the guide, and allow extra care on the return route. Keep your group in sight, since the paths are not always obvious.

Snorkeling in Banderas Bay

The boat stops for snorkeling before or around the beach portions of the day. Equipment is provided, so you do not need to rent a mask or fins separately.

The quality of the snorkeling can change sharply. On a calm day, you might see colorful fish, pufferfish, and a good variety of marine life. Some outings have included excellent snorkeling in a sheltered cove. On another day, jellyfish led the crew to shift between snorkeling locations.

Rough water can make the activity uncomfortable. Waves may bounce you around, and murky visibility can leave you seeing very little. That is not a sign that the crew has ignored the problem. Sea conditions can change the plan quickly, and safety comes first. Still, you should book this as a boat-and-beach day with snorkeling included, not as a dedicated marine wildlife excursion.

If snorkeling matters most to you, listen carefully to the crew’s instructions and use the available time well. If you are more interested in relaxing, you may wish the snorkeling stop were shorter. Time is one of the recurring tradeoffs on this itinerary.

Majahuitas Beach, lunch, and water sports

Majahuitas is the visual prize of the trip. The beach is secluded, framed by palms, and backed by turquoise water. After the rougher paths at Yelapa, the beach club feels easy and comfortable, with chairs, food, restrooms, and organized water activities.

Lunch is a BBQ buffet with fresh, flavorful food. The menu is described as suitable for a range of tastes, and the meal receives strong praise. Refreshing drinks are served with lunch, while unlimited non-alcoholic drinks are included at the beach club. Beverages are also available aboard the boat, with some trips offering beer, pineapple juice, water, fruit, and sweet bread.

The word open bar deserves a little care. The supplied details confirm beverage service aboard and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks at Majahuitas, but they do not clearly promise unlimited alcoholic drinks at every stage. If alcohol is important to you, confirm exactly what is included before booking.

You can snorkel, kayak, and paddle board at Majahuitas. Some trips also include banana boat rides and beach volleyball. These activities help explain the tour’s value, especially for families and couples who want more than a chair and a view.

The catch is limited time. The beach stop is listed at about one hour, while some people report around 1.5 hours in practice. That leaves a tight window for eating, changing, swimming, using the equipment, and simply sitting under a palm tree. If Majahuitas is your main reason for booking, you may wish the schedule gave it more space.

I would decide in advance what matters most. Eat promptly if you want to kayak. Head for the water before lunch if swimming is your priority. If you try to do everything, the stop can feel like a series of quick turns rather than a relaxed beach afternoon.

The crew, music, and final show

The crew is the strongest part of this outing. Danny is repeatedly singled out as an engaging host, and Poncho and his team also receive high marks for being attentive, welcoming, and entertaining.

That service matters on a large boat. The crew keeps drinks moving, explains the stages of the day, helps with activities, and tries to keep everyone on schedule. Some people describe the team as the reason the day felt special, even when snorkeling or waterfall conditions were less than ideal.

The return ride usually includes music and a surprise closing performance. The details are intentionally kept under wraps, but expect a comic, high-energy finale rather than a quiet sunset cruise. It may be the part of the day your family remembers most. It can also be loud, so this is not the right boat trip if you want a peaceful ride in silence.

Communication has room to improve. Ask how long you have at each stop, where to meet, and when you must return to the boat. On a large excursion, a few minutes of confusion can turn into real stress.

Is $99 a good value?

At $99, I consider this a solid package for a seven-hour outing if you plan to use the included activities. The price covers transportation by boat, a light breakfast, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling and kayaking equipment. You also get access to Majahuitas and the guided Yelapa portion.

The value drops if you mainly want a quiet beach day. The schedule is active, the boat may be crowded, and much of your time is organized around moving between stops. You may spend less time relaxing than you expect.

Remember the extra charges. The port fee is MX$40 per person, paid in cash at the port, and the check-in access fee is MX$20 per person. Horse rentals in Yelapa cost extra, and drinks on the Yelapa beach are not included. Gratuity is optional.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this day out?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and active visitors who want several Puerto Vallarta highlights in one outing. It works especially well if you like boat rides, group entertainment, short walks, swimming, and trying several water activities without arranging each part yourself.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility. The Yelapa route includes sand, uphill sections, uneven paths, wet cobblestones, and a rough approach to the pickup area. The tour specifically advises against booking if mobility is limited.

It is also a poor match for anyone seeking a small, quiet group. With a maximum capacity of 200 people, the atmosphere can be busy. The crew works hard, but personal guidance may be limited at peak moments.

My booking advice

Bring photo ID, sunscreen, a towel, sturdy shoes, and cash for the two required fees. Keep your belongings simple, and do not bring electronic cigarettes, vapes, or drugs. Federal maritime ports enforce a strict no-drug policy, and security can deny boarding without a refund or date change.

Check the forecast, but remember that calm conditions are never guaranteed. If you want the waterfall at full strength, ask about the season before booking. If you mainly want Majahuitas, ask how much time is currently allocated there.

I would book this tour for the mix of Yelapa, snorkeling, BBQ, and crew entertainment. I would skip it if I needed a slow beach day, a small group, or guaranteed waterfall water. For the right person, it is a lively and well-priced way to see the coast beyond Puerto Vallarta.

FAQ

How long does the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and begins at about 8:00 a.m. It ends back at the Puerto Mágico meeting point.

Where does the tour depart?

The departure point is Vallarta Adventures at Terminal Marítima N Puerto Mágico, on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 30-G1 in Puerto Vallarta’s North Hotel Zone.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch at Majahuitas is included, along with refreshing drinks.

Are snorkeling and kayaking equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling and kayaking equipment are included in the tour price.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Beverages are served aboard the boat, and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages are included at Majahuitas. The supplied details do not clearly confirm unlimited alcoholic drinks throughout the day, so check the current drink policy before booking.

Do I need to pay extra fees?

Yes. You must pay a MX$40 port fee per person in cash at the port and a MX$20 access fee per person at check-in. Horse rentals and drinks on Yelapa’s beach cost extra. Gratuity is optional.

Is the waterfall guaranteed to be flowing?

No. Dry conditions can reduce Cola de Caballo waterfall to a trickle. The guide may suggest a village walk or beach time instead.

Is this activity suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. The experience includes sandy, uphill, uneven, and sometimes wet paths in Yelapa. It is not recommended for people with limited mobility.

Can cruise ship passengers book this tour?

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