Los Arcos, Animas and Quimixto Snorkel Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

Los Arcos is the star of this day on the water. The rock formations are striking, and the cruise gives you a quick look at Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast before settling at Las Animas or Quimixto for beach time. Snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and an open bar make this a full-day outing rather than a simple boat transfer.

I like the easy all-inclusive setup, especially the breakfast, lunch, soft drinks, and national open bar on the catamaran. I also like the choice at the beach: you can stay by the shore or head toward the Quimixto waterfall. Whale sightings, stingrays, friendly crew members, and good coastal views have all added to strong days on this trip.

The main caution is that this is not a reliable choice if snorkeling is your top goal. The water can be murky, the snorkel period may last only 15 to 30 minutes, and equipment or kayaks have not always been available when needed. The day can also run late.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos is the scenic highlight: You get a close look at Puerto Vallarta’s famous rock formations, though the stop can feel rushed.
• Snorkeling time is short and weather dependent: Plan on roughly 15 to 40 minutes, with visibility ranging from pleasant to nearly unusable.
• The beach stop takes several hours: Las Animas or the Quimixto area offers swimming, food, and optional waterfall access, but much of the time is unstructured.
• Food and drinks are included in specific places: Breakfast and lunch are included, and the open bar operates on the boat. Drinks at the beach generally cost extra.
• Kayaks and paddle boards require planning: They are listed as included with prior reservation, yet availability can be limited when the water is rough.
• The boat atmosphere is lively: Music, dancing, karaoke, and flowing alcohol suit a party-minded crowd more than a quiet nature cruise.

What this Puerto Vallarta cruise actually feels like

At $75.93 per person, this is priced as a value-oriented group excursion. You are paying for a long day on the water, meals, drinks, basic gear, and several coastal stops in one booking. That can be a fair deal if you want a social outing with plenty packed into the day.

You are not buying a carefully paced wildlife expedition or a private sailing trip. The experience is built around a large catamaran, set departure times, group activities, and a festive return ride. I would approach it as a boat party with a short nature stop and a beach afternoon, not as a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

The advertised group limit is 40 people. Some accounts describe boats that felt much larger, with crowded seating and crowded water during the snorkel stop. That difference matters, so I would confirm the expected boat size before paying, especially if personal space or quiet surroundings are important to you.

The start time is 9:15 a.m. at Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, in the northern hotel zone. Ground transportation is not included, so you must arrange your own way to the dock. The cruise returns to the same meeting point, although several outings have returned later than planned.

Boarding at Puerto Magico and breakfast on the catamaran

The morning begins with boarding at Puerto Magico, followed by a cruise in a catamaran. The boat provides life jackets, on-board insurance, bilingual guides, music, and a national open bar with tequila, rum, vodka, brandy, beer, soft drinks, juice, and water.

Breakfast is listed with hotcakes, coffee, eggs, fruit, and juice. The description also uses the term continental breakfast, while other details refer to a hot breakfast. I would expect a simple meal rather than a hotel-style spread. Bring extra water if you tend to get thirsty, since the day is humid and includes long periods of waiting around.

The boat atmosphere is one of the most important parts of the experience. Some crew members have been praised for being friendly, attentive, and energetic. Music, dancing, and karaoke turn the return ride into a party, which suits groups of friends and families with older children.

The same setup can be tiring if you want calm conversation or a quiet ride. Music may be loud, much of the commentary may be in Spanish, and English instructions can be brief. The open bar also means some passengers may become quite intoxicated during the day.

Los Arcos: beautiful rocks, limited time in the water

Los Arcos National Marine Park is the most compelling stop. Its tall rock formations, arches, coves, and sea channels create the classic Puerto Vallarta view. The cruise lets you see this area from the water, and some outings have included sightings of whales and stingrays along the route.

The snorkeling takes place near Los Arcos, but you should keep your expectations modest. The planned time may be about 40 minutes, yet actual water time has often been closer to 15 to 30 minutes. Delayed departure, loading and unloading, group instructions, and the boat’s schedule can all reduce the time available.

Water visibility is the biggest variable. Some days produce a pleasant swim with fish and clear water. Other days are affected by algae, murky conditions, or seasonal water changes. Several accounts describe visibility so poor that it was hard to see an arm in front of the face. This is not something the crew can fully control, but it changes the value of the excursion if you booked mainly for underwater sights.

The water can also become crowded. A large group entering the same small area makes it difficult to swim freely, and strong currents near rock openings require care. You receive a life jacket and snorkeling equipment, but equipment shortages have also been reported. That is a serious practical concern on a snorkeling cruise.

The national park dock tax is listed separately at MX$32 per person. It is a small charge, but budget for it at the start of the day.

Las Animas and Quimixto: a beach stop with a long pause

After Los Arcos, the cruise heads toward the southern beach area around Las Animas and Quimixto. The coast is attractive, and the beach can be a pleasant place to swim, sit under an umbrella, or watch small boats move along the shore.

This is also where the tour’s pacing can become frustrating. You may spend three to four hours in the area, with long stretches before lunch or before the return transfer. If only a small number of people choose the waterfall walk, everyone else may still need to wait for the group schedule.

Access from the catamaran to shore can involve a smaller boat. Loading and unloading may take time, and high waves can make the transfer awkward. You may need to step or jump from the boat toward the beach, so take care with children and anyone who has difficulty with balance. The provided life jacket is useful during water transfers.

The beach itself is not a private all-inclusive resort. Local restaurants and vendors operate there, and chairs, drinks, appetizers, and some activities may carry separate charges. The tour company states that outside vendors are independent of the cruise. In practical terms, keep your booking ticket for lunch and carry cash for anything else you choose to buy.

Some descriptions say you can visit the waterfall without an entrance charge, while access through a restaurant may involve buying a drink or ordering something. The safest approach is to ask your guide exactly where the included activity begins and what the local restaurant expects before handing over money.

The Quimixto waterfall option

The waterfall walk is the most active part of the shore visit. It can be reached on foot, by horse, or by an additional local ride, depending on what is operating that day. One account describes the ride to the waterfall area as taking about 10 minutes, with horseback travel taking longer and walking requiring considerably more effort.

The route can be hard going uphill, but the waterfall pool gives you a change from sitting on the boat. If you want to make the most of this excursion, I would consider this walk the better use of your beach time, provided conditions and access are suitable.

Do not assume every advertised shore activity will be operating. Kayaks and paddle boards are listed as available with prior reservation, but rough water has prevented their use. Some people have found only one kayak or no usable paddle boards at the beach. Banana boat rides are listed at MX$500 per person, and other water activities may also cost extra.

If you prefer not to hike, you can stay at the beach or near the restaurant. Just understand that this may leave you with a long wait before the group returns to the catamaran. Bring something to read, use sun protection, and keep water with you.

Meals, drinks, and what all-inclusive really means

The food plan covers breakfast, lunch, and drinks on the boat. Lunch options are described as fish fillet, chicken fajitas, roast beef quesadillas, hamburgers, rice, beans, salad, tortillas, and related sides. Another description calls lunch a strong à la carte dish at a restaurant rather than a buffet.

That inconsistency is worth noting. Some days, the meals have been considered better than expected and filling enough for an active outing. Other days, the food has been described as small, basic, cold, or disappointing. I would see it as functional tour food, not a reason to book the cruise.

Lunch may be served at a restaurant near the beach or waterfall, and you should keep the meal ticket given to you. Drinks at the beach are generally not covered by the boat’s open bar, so carry cash. The remote setting may mean credit cards are not accepted.

The open bar is included while you are on the catamaran. That is a real part of the value, but it also shapes the mood. If you want a relaxed family day, watch the alcohol level around you. If you want a lively social outing, the music and drinks may be exactly what you are seeking.

Communication, safety, and comfort

The guides are described as bilingual, and some crew members have been praised for being helpful and attentive. Still, English instructions may be less complete than Spanish announcements. On the return ride, some people have found that most commentary, jokes, and directions were in Spanish.

Ask questions early, especially about the snorkel briefing, equipment deposits, kayak reservations, waterfall access, and the meeting time for the return boat. A motel key, identification, or a MX$500 deposit has reportedly been requested for gear on some departures, although this requirement was not clearly communicated to everyone.

Comfort is another mixed point. The catamaran can feel crowded, with fixed lawn-style seating and limited room to move. Bathrooms have also caused problems when they became unavailable during the day. If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously: an eight-hour boat trip with open water, alcohol, and long transfers can be a rough combination.

Wear a swimsuit under light clothing, bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat, cash, and a small backpack. Extra water is sensible even though water and juice are supplied. Keep valuables secure during the beach transfer and ask where you may leave belongings before entering the water.

Timing problems and the risk of a very long day

The stated duration is about eight hours, beginning at 9:15 a.m. In practice, the day may run longer. Delayed departure, slow boarding, shore transfers, and waiting for other people have resulted in late returns, with some accounts describing a return around 8 p.m. or several hours beyond the planned schedule.

That makes this a poor choice if you have an evening reservation, airport transfer, or show. The cruise ends back at Puerto Magico, but you should leave your evening open. Group tours move at the pace of the slowest return to the boat, and the beach stop is not fully under your control.

The cruise is booked, on average, 16 days ahead, so advance planning can help during busy periods. It also accepts mobile tickets, and confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refundable, while poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this cruise?

I would consider this trip for friends, couples, and families with older children who want a social day at sea for one bundled price. You get a scenic cruise, Los Arcos, a beach, food, drinks, music, and the option of a waterfall outing without arranging separate boats and meals.

It works best for people who enjoy flexible beach time and do not mind a crowd. The strongest parts are the coastal views, the crew’s energy, the open bar, and the chance to see whales or stingrays when nature cooperates.

I would not book it for a serious snorkeling holiday. The stop is short, water visibility can be poor, gear may be limited, and the water can become crowded. I would also choose another operator if you need dependable English commentary, quiet transport, polished meals, or a firm eight-hour schedule.

Should you book the Los Arcos, Las Animas, and Quimixto cruise?

Book this excursion if you want a budget-friendly party boat with several Puerto Vallarta sights, included meals, and drinks. Treat snorkeling as a bonus rather than the main event, reserve kayaking or paddle boarding in advance, and bring cash for the beach.

Skip it if your priority is clear water, generous time in the sea, personal space, or a carefully guided nature experience. For those needs, a smaller snorkeling trip may offer better value even if it costs more. At $75.93, this cruise can be a good deal for a lively full day, but only when you understand that the beach stop and boat atmosphere matter as much as the advertised activities.

FAQ

Where does the Los Arcos and Quimixto cruise start?

The cruise starts at Puerto Magico, on Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta’s northern hotel zone. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 9:15 a.m. The activity lasts approximately eight hours, although the return may be later because of boarding, transfers, or group delays.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast includes items such as hotcakes, coffee, eggs, fruit, and juice. Lunch includes choices such as chicken, fish, beef, hamburgers, rice, beans, salad, and tortillas. The exact presentation may be a buffet or an à la carte restaurant meal.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The national open bar on the boat includes rum, beer, tequila, brandy, vodka, soft drinks, juice, and water. Drinks at the beach are not generally included and require cash.

Are kayaking and paddle boarding included?

Kayaks and paddle boards are listed as included with prior reservation. Availability can depend on conditions, and rough water may prevent their use. Banana boat rides cost MX$500 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund.