Yelapa Waterfall, BBQ at Exclusive Majahuitas Beach & Open bar

Yelapa and Majahuitas give you two very different tastes of Puerto Vallarta’s coast in one busy day. First comes a boat ride across Banderas Bay to Yelapa, a fishing village reached by sea, where you can walk through town toward a waterfall. Then you settle in at Majahuitas Beach for a BBQ lunch and water activities.

I like the mix of village life and easy beach fun. I also like the crew’s role in keeping the day lively, with guides such as Danny, Dani, and Poncho often singled out for their humor and care. The main drawback is time: Majahuitas can feel rushed, and rough seas or dry-season conditions may shorten or change parts of the route.

Key points to know before booking

• Yelapa combines a short waterfall hike with a real coastal village, but the path is uneven, wet, sandy, and sometimes steep.
• Majahuitas has the better swimming and relaxation setting, with snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, lunch, and beach facilities.
• The crew is a major part of the experience, serving drinks, explaining the route, helping with activities, and staging a surprise show on the return trip.
• Snorkeling conditions vary widely, from colorful fish and pufferfish to murky water, jellyfish concerns, or rough waves.
• The $99 price covers a lot, including the boat ride, light breakfast, lunch, equipment, and beverages, but port fees and an access fee are extra.
• Bring photo ID, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, and your own towel, and expect a large group of up to 200 people.

A full day on Banderas Bay from Puerto Vallarta

The tour begins at 8:00 a.m. at Vallarta Adventures in Puerto Mágico, the maritime terminal on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. Allow time to find the correct departure point. The terminal can be confusing, and a missed departure is a poor way to start a beach day.

You will pay two small fees in cash at check-in or the port: MX$40 per person for port fees and MX$20 per person for access. Those charges are not included in the advertised $99 price, so bring pesos and do not treat the headline price as the final total.

The boat ride is not just transportation. You cross Banderas Bay with views of Puerto Vallarta’s coast, and the crew serves beverages along the way. Some departures include a light breakfast snack such as fruit and sweet bread. Depending on conditions and the season, you might also spot dolphins or humpback whales.

The boat may pass sights near Los Arcos and Mismaloya, although the exact route can change. The sea also sets the mood for the day. On calm mornings, the ride can be smooth and comfortable. When the water is rough, expect rolling waves, a bumpy ride, and changes to the swimming or docking plan.

There are toilets on the lower deck. Since the outing lasts about seven hours, that simple detail matters.

Yelapa village and the walk to Cola de Caballo

Yelapa is the first major stop, roughly an hour from Puerto Vallarta by boat. This is not a polished resort strip. It is a small fishing village where the appeal comes from the setting, the narrow route through town, and the chance to see a quieter side of the coast.

The walk toward Cola de Caballo waterfall is short for many people, but it is not a flat, paved stroll. You may encounter uneven paths, wet cobblestones, sandy sections, uphill stretches, and irregular footing. Hiking shoes or sturdy sandals with a good grip are a much better choice than smooth flip-flops.

The route gives you a look at how Yelapa works as a lived-in village, not simply a photo stop. You pass through the town before reaching the more wooded path toward the falls. The walk itself is often as worthwhile as the waterfall, especially when the cascade is small.

Water flow depends heavily on rainfall. During a dry period, the waterfall may be only a trickle, or the guide may advise you to skip the walk. In that case, you can spend your time on the beach or take a village stroll instead. If seeing a strong waterfall is your main reason for booking, check the season and set modest expectations.

Yelapa also has local vendors, including sellers on the beach. Drinks at the Yelapa stop cost extra, and you may be approached to buy refreshments or other items. That is part of the character of a working beach village, but it can interrupt the quiet beach time you may have pictured.

The stop is scheduled for about two hours. That sounds generous until you account for getting off the boat, walking through town, reaching the falls, taking photos, and returning to the pier. Pay close attention to the meeting instructions. The route back to the pickup point can be confusing, especially across rough sand and uneven paths.

This is the part of the tour where a moderate fitness level matters most. The experience is not recommended for people with limited mobility. If you are unsure about your footing, ask the crew for clear directions before walking away from the landing area.

Majahuitas Beach, water sports, and the BBQ

Majahuitas is the payoff for many people. The beach is secluded, framed by palms, and backed by clear turquoise water. Compared with Yelapa, it feels more arranged for recreation and relaxation, with chairs, food service, restrooms, and equipment available.

The stop includes snorkeling and kayaking equipment, with paddle boarding also available. Some departures have additional water activities such as a banana boat ride. Beach volleyball has also been part of the fun. The exact order depends on the group and sea conditions, so you may be moved from one activity to the next to keep the schedule running.

Snorkeling is the most changeable part of the day. In good conditions, you might see colorful fish, a wide range of marine life, and even pufferfish. In poor conditions, visibility can turn murky, waves can make it hard to stay comfortable, and jellyfish may lead the crew to shift the snorkeling location.

That uncertainty is normal for an ocean outing, but it is worth understanding before you book. This is not an aquarium with guaranteed wildlife. If the sea is rough, the crew may shorten the swim or make safety-based changes. You should be comfortable in open water and listen closely to instructions.

The Majahuitas stop is listed as about one hour, though the total beach portion may feel closer to an hour and a half depending on the day’s timing. This is the tour’s most common pressure point. Lunch, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, changing, and quiet beach time all compete for the same small block of time.

I would plan to choose your priorities before arriving. If you want to snorkel, get in the water early. If you care more about relaxing under a palm tree, do not feel obliged to try every activity. The schedule favors variety over lingering.

The BBQ lunch is one of the stronger parts of the package. It is served at Majahuitas and includes refreshing drinks. Food options suit a range of tastes, and the meal has been described as fresh, flavorful, and generous. Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages are available at the Majahuitas beach club. Drinks served aboard the boat are included, while specific beach drinks beyond the included offerings may cost extra.

The title includes an open bar, but you should read that promise carefully. Alcoholic beverages may be served aboard the boat, and beer has been available on some outings, but the beach-club inclusion is specifically described as unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. If a full alcohol package is important to you, confirm exactly what is covered before paying.

The crew can make or break the boat ride

The staff does more than direct you from one stop to another. They serve drinks, explain the schedule, help with equipment, and keep a large group moving. Danny, Dani, and Poncho are names associated with especially energetic departures, and the crew’s entertainment is a major reason this tour feels more like a hosted party than a quiet sightseeing cruise.

The return trip often includes music and a comedy or musical performance. The finale is kept as a surprise, and it is best enjoyed with a sense of humor. Some performances have included rock-themed numbers, including AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses. If you prefer calm conversation and silence, this may not be your ideal boat excursion.

Music can also be loud. At times, it may be difficult to talk while the band or onboard entertainment is underway. Service can vary on a boat carrying a large crowd, too. The maximum group size is 200 people, which means this is not an intimate sailing trip.

That size has practical effects. You may wait briefly for equipment, receive instructions in a group, or be shifted between activities so everyone gets a turn. A few crew members are managing many people, so stay alert and keep track of the group’s meeting times.

Clear communication is important. Ask how long you have at each stop, where to return, and when you need to be back aboard. The tour is tightly timed, and getting separated from the group at Yelapa can create a serious problem.

What the $99 price really buys you

At $99 per person, this is a strong value if you want a packaged day on the water rather than arranging separate transportation, food, and equipment. Your price includes the boat trip, a breakfast snack, beverages aboard, the Yelapa visit, snorkeling and kayaking equipment, the Majahuitas beach stop, BBQ lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks at the beach club.

The price also buys convenience. You do not need to negotiate separate boat transfers to Yelapa or rent snorkeling gear on your own. Lunch is waiting at the second beach, and the crew handles the broad schedule.

The tradeoff is that you are buying a group excursion, not independent coastal travel. You cannot decide to spend three hours in Yelapa or stay at Majahuitas until sunset. The day is built around a set route, shared meals, group activities, and a scheduled return to Puerto Mágico.

Add the MX$40 port fee and MX$20 access fee per person. Gratuity is optional. Horse rentals in Yelapa and drinks at the village beach cost extra. If you want a private boat, more time in one place, or a quieter meal, the package may feel less appealing despite its inclusions.

For an active family or couple who wants to see several places in one day, the value is clear. For a solo visitor seeking solitude, the large boat and constant movement may feel expensive for what is essentially a busy group day.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Vallarta excursion?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want variety. In one morning and afternoon, you get a scenic boat ride, a working coastal village, a waterfall walk, snorkeling, beach time, water sports, a BBQ, and onboard entertainment.

Families can make good use of the range of activities. One person can snorkel while another chooses kayaking or paddle boarding. The beach facilities, food service, and restrooms also make Majahuitas easier than a completely undeveloped beach.

Couples who enjoy an active day will find plenty to do, though this is not a romantic, private escape. The music, group movement, and large boat create a social atmosphere. You should be happy sharing the beach club and joining a schedule.

The tour is less suitable for you if you have limited mobility, dislike uneven ground, or need long, unhurried breaks. Yelapa’s paths can be hard on ankles and knees, and reaching the pier may require walking over rough sand. It is also a poor fit if you expect the waterfall to be full year-round or want guaranteed clear snorkeling.

Passengers arriving on a cruise ship cannot book this experience. The tour departs from Puerto Mágico and ends at the same meeting point, so you need to be staying in Puerto Vallarta or have a suitable local plan for reaching the terminal.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book. Bring your photo ID, sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, cash for the extra fees, and footwear that can handle wet stone and sand. Do not bring drugs, electronic cigarettes, or vapes. Mexico’s federal maritime ports enforce a strict no-drug policy, and security can deny access without a refund or date change.

Weather matters more than the brochure suggests

This is an ocean tour, so weather can reshape the day. Rough water may prevent the boat from docking at Yelapa, make snorkeling unpleasant, or force the crew to move the swim stop. Poor visibility is also possible.

The operator requires good weather and may cancel if conditions are unsafe. In that case, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you need to do so at least 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that window are not accepted.

I would avoid booking this as the one activity you cannot miss during a very short stay. Give yourself room for weather changes, and remember that a dry waterfall or altered snorkeling stop is possible even when the tour runs.

Should you book the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour?

Book it if you want a full, active day with many inclusions and you enjoy the energy of a large boat. The strongest reasons are the beautiful coastal scenery, the chance to walk through Yelapa, the excellent setting at Majahuitas, the BBQ lunch, and a crew that works hard to keep the mood fun.

Think twice if your main goal is quiet beach time. Majahuitas can feel rushed, and the schedule may leave less time to relax than you hoped. Also think twice if you are unsteady on rough paths, dislike loud entertainment, or need guaranteed calm water and clear snorkeling.

For most reasonably fit visitors who accept those limits, $99 is fair value. Pack well, stay aware of the timing, and treat the waterfall and marine life as conditions-based bonuses rather than promises. That mindset lets you enjoy what this tour does best: showing you several sides of Puerto Vallarta’s coast in one lively day.

FAQ

How long does the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours, beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending back at the Puerto Mágico meeting point.

Where does the tour depart from?

The departure point is Vallarta Adventures at Terminal Marítima in Puerto Mágico, located at Heroica Escuela Naval, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 30-G1, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch at Majahuitas is included, along with refreshing drinks and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages at the beach club.

Are snorkeling and kayaking equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling and kayaking equipment are included. Paddle boarding and other activities may also be available at Majahuitas.

Is the waterfall hike difficult?

The walk is generally short, but the route includes uneven, sandy, uphill, and irregular paths. Wet cobblestones may also be present, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

Are extra fees required?

Yes. You must pay a MX$40 port fee per person in cash and a MX$20 access fee per person at check-in. Gratuity, horse rentals, and drinks at Yelapa are not included.

Can cruise ship passengers book this tour?

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