Two beaches, one waterfall, and a real party day.

This Puerto Vallarta tour pairs the Yelapa village hike with time at the Majahuitas Beach Club, plus snorkeling, kayaking, and plenty of drinks on the water. It is the kind of day that moves, but in a fun, well-fed way.

I especially like the mix of active and relaxed time. You get water time with included snorkeling and kayaking gear, then you can switch gears at Yelapa, either hike toward the natural falls or just hang out by the village and beach. The other big win is the on-board crew energy. In particular, Danny (and also Poncho and the team, in the feedback I saw) are frequently praised for keeping the day flowing, with entertaining hosting and a surprise performance at the end.

One drawback to plan for: this is not a quiet, slow sightseeing day. The schedule can feel tight, and some walking paths are uneven and sandy, so you will want to come ready for steps, cobblestones, and a bit of hustle between spots.

Quick takes before you go

• Yelapa flexibility: You can choose between a village walk toward the waterfall area or beach downtime while you are there.
• Beach club water toys included: Snorkeling and kayaking equipment are part of the package, and Majahuitas is where the water action is concentrated.
• Crew entertainment is a feature: Expect hosted fun on the boat and a closing show at the end of the day.
• Watch the footing: Yelapa involves uneven, uphill, sandy and cobbled sections, so proper shoes matter.
• Water conditions can change plans: Rough seas or dry-season waterfall conditions can limit what you see on the day.
• Budget for add-ons: Port fees (MX$40 cash) and an access fee (listed as $20 per person) add to the headline price.

Getting to the fun part fast: Puerto Mágico and your 8:00 am start

This tour runs out of Puerto Vallarta starting at 8:00 am at Vallarta Adventures, Terminal Marítima in Puerto Mágico. The meeting point address is Heroica Escuela Naval, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 30-G1, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico.

You are looking at about 7 hours total. The early start matters because it gives you time on the water, plus enough daylight for the Yelapa walk and a solid beach-block at Majahuitas. Also, this is a popular outing, with many people booking it about a month in advance, so showing up on time helps you avoid the start-of-day scramble.

If you are coming from a cruise area, there is an important restriction: cruise ship passengers cannot book this tour. If you are not on a cruise, you are good to go.

The boat ride across Banderas Bay: snacks, drinks, and possible wildlife

The first real “experience moment” is the boat portion. This day centers on Banderas Bay, with time built in for scenery and water stops. You will also likely get that classic Vallarta feel early in the day, when the coast looks clean and the boat ride is still comfortable.

What I like about this segment is how it sets the tone. The tour includes beverages aboard the boat, and the day’s food plan starts with a light breakfast plus the later BBQ lunch. In the feedback I reviewed, people often called out the boat crew as a highlight, including drinks being handled often rather than only at one slow interval.

Wildlife sightings are also part of the story when conditions allow. I saw multiple mentions of dolphins and whales, including humpbacks. Of course, nature is not on a timetable, but if you enjoy looking out at the water, this is the part where you start doing that immediately.

Practical note: the toilets are on the lower deck, so if nature calls, plan for that location rather than assuming you can just step up top.

Yelapa Waterfalls: a real village walk with flexible payoff

Yelapa is about an hour from Puerto Vallarta and feels remote in the best way: it is a fishing village, not a resort bubble. You get a dedicated stop for about 2 hours with the admission ticket included.

Here is the key choice you will have at Yelapa:

You can hike toward the waterfall area, or you can stay closer to beach and village time. That flexibility is practical. If you are feeling energetic, go for the walk. If you want a slower pace, you can still enjoy the place.

The hike is short by some standards, but it is not an easy flat stroll. Expect uneven, uphill, sandy, and irregular paths, and you will see wet cobblestones in parts. One of the most consistent pieces of advice from the details you provided is simple: wear shoes you trust. Guests described rough footing, and I would rather you avoid having to test your balance on day one.

What about the waterfall itself? The outing is built around the natural waterfall idea, and the bigger highlight is the experience of getting there, not just the photo. Still, conditions can matter. Some people mentioned the waterfall being a trickle or not flowing due to dry conditions. So if you are booking expecting a full rain-season cascade, keep your expectations adaptable. The village walk and views are still the point.

One more thing: if you go the waterfall route, go with the group and keep track of instructions. A few people reported being left alone when the group dynamic broke down, which is exactly the kind of day you do not want to manage stressfully. You will have the best time if you treat it like a guided day, even though Yelapa gives you some personal freedom.

Majahuitas Beach Club: snorkeling and kayaking, then BBQ on repeat

Majahuitas is where the tour shifts into beach mode. You get a stop for about 1 hour in the schedule, but in practice, the beach block is built around lunch plus included water activities, so it can feel like a longer, busier chunk than the official line suggests.

Majahuitas Beach Club access includes:

• BBQ lunch
• Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages at the beach club
• Snorkeling and kayaking equipment

This is the part I think most people come for. It is a controlled, comfortable setting after Yelapa’s walking, and it is easy to jump right into water time. People also described beach chairs, food options, and restrooms being available at the beaches, which makes a big difference when you are away from town.

Snorkeling has a few moving parts. Some guests said snorkeling was good, with colorful fish and a fun cove experience. Others said visibility was murky or that the ocean tossed them around. That often comes down to conditions, not to your preparation.

One detail I found especially helpful: multiple snorkel stops may happen. I saw mentions of pausing snorkeling in spots during jellyfish season, so the team can avoid an unpleasant surface situation. In other words, if the first water stop feels less perfect, that does not automatically mean the day is a loss. The crew is trying to manage comfort and safety.

Kayaking is included, and it is a great fit for mixed groups, since not everyone has to be a swimmer. If you like active water time but do not want another long hike, this is your sweet spot.

And yes, you also get beach recreation. People mentioned paddleboard, beach volleyball, and generally “play-first” energy at the beach club. If you want an afternoon where you can actually feel the sand and water time, this stop delivers.

Timing reality check: what 7 hours actually feels like

On paper, it is simple: boat ride, Yelapa waterfall time, Majahuitas beach time, then return. In real life, it can feel like you are always transitioning.

Some people loved it as a full, packed day. Others wished they had more time at Majahuitas, saying lunch and beach time felt a bit rushed. That makes sense because the tour has multiple priorities in one day: the waterfall walk, snorkeling, lunch, and several activities.

My advice is to decide early what you want most:

• If you want the most beach recovery time, treat Majahuitas like your main “stay and soak” period.
• If you want the waterfall payoff, prioritize the Yelapa walk portion and do not wait until you are short on time.
• If snorkeling is your #1, be ready to get in quickly when the crew sets up, since ocean conditions can affect how long you want to spend in the water.

This is also where your tolerance for a larger group matters. The tour max is 200 travelers, and while that can work, some people felt the boat was crowded and that guidance was light when there were too many people moving at once. If you are the type who gets overwhelmed by big groups, go with a calm mindset: listen for the meeting points, stay with your crew, and keep your own schedule simple.

Price and logistics: what $99 covers, plus the add-ons

The listed price is $99 per person for a roughly 7-hour day trip. On its face, that can look like a lot for a single day, but when you break it down, you are paying for transportation, beach club entry, meals, and included equipment.

Here is what you should factor in so there are no surprises:

• Included: BBQ lunch at Majahuitas, snorkeling and kayaking equipment, and beverages aboard the boat. The tour also mentions light breakfast and beverages served.
• Not included: gratuity (optional), horse rentals (additional fees), and drinks on the beach at Yelapa (additional fees).
• Extra fees to budget:
• Port fees: MX$40 per person, paid in cash at the port
• Access fee: $20 per person at check-in

If you like having most of the big items handled, this can be good value. If you are trying to keep costs ultra-tight, those add-ons are where the real total comes from.

One more logistics point worth knowing: the tour is offered in English, so you are not stuck guessing. That matters when you are dealing with meeting points and group coordination.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

This tour is a strong match for:

• People who want a packed day with both land and water moments
• Travelers who enjoy snorkeling and kayaking enough to make them a priority
• Anyone who likes a guide-driven structure, especially with the crew entertainment built in

It is not a great match for:

• Guests with limited mobility. Yelapa involves sandy, uphill, irregular paths, and the terrain is not designed for easy navigation.
• People who need a very quiet pace. This is a moving, active day, not a lounge-by-the-water plan.

If you are someone who gets seasick easily, you should take weather seriously. One guest described issues when the ocean was rough, including trouble docking in Yelapa and poorer snorkeling conditions. The tour requires good weather, and if conditions are poor, plans can shift.

Also, this is not a cruise excursion. If you are on a ship, you need a different option.

Tips that make the day smoother (and safer)

Based on the details you shared, a few small prep steps will pay off quickly.

Bring:

• Your own towel(s). At least one guest explicitly recommended bringing towels.
• A photo ID for check-in. Another guest noted needing ID for check-in.
• Good footwear. Yelapa’s surfaces can be uneven, wet, and rough. Hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers are the practical move.

Manage expectations:

• The waterfall may be less dramatic depending on season and conditions. That does not mean Yelapa is a waste. The village walk and the overall feel of the place are still meaningful.
• Snorkeling quality depends on water visibility and swell. If you are flexible, you will have more fun.

Behavior and rules:

• Mexico federal maritime ports have a strict no-drug policy, including electronic cigarettes, vapers, and all kinds of drugs. Security can deny access, and there is no refund or day change if that happens.

This last point sounds heavy, but it is a straightforward “don’t risk it” rule. Pack accordingly.

Should you book it?

If you want a full, social day with boat fun, a real village stop, and a beach club that actually feeds you, I think you will be happy with this tour. The best parts here are the combination of included water activities, BBQ lunch at Majahuitas, and a crew that keeps things entertaining, including a surprise performance at the end. That is a lot of value for one day.

Skip it if you:

• Struggle with uneven walking surfaces and uphill, sandy paths
• Want a long, slow, stress-free beach day
• Are strongly dependent on the waterfall being in peak form, because conditions can limit what you see

My final advice is simple: book if you like movement and water time. Pack for the walking, bring a towel and ID, and be ready to follow the group plan. When the day runs smoothly, it is exactly the kind of Puerto Vallarta excursion that feels like you squeezed the best parts of the coast into one afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Puerto Vallarta?

The tour is about 7 hours in total.

Where do I meet the tour in Puerto Vallarta?

You meet at Vallarta Adventures, Terminal Marítima N Puerto Mágico, Heroica Escuela Naval, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 30-G1, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico.

What time does the tour start?

The start time listed is 8:00 am.

What is included in the price?

Lunch BBQ at Majahuitas, snorkeling and kayaking equipment, and beverages aboard the boat are included. The tour also mentions light breakfast and beverages served.

What extra fees should I expect?

Port fees are MX$40.00 per person paid in cash at the port, and there is also an access fee of $20.00 per person paid at check-in. Gratuity is optional, and horse rentals and drinks on the beach at Yelapa cost extra.

Is this tour okay if I have limited mobility?

It is not recommended for guests with limited mobility because the experience takes place in a fishing village with sandy, uphill, and irregular paths.

Are cruise ship passengers able to book this tour?

No, passengers arriving on a cruise ship cannot book this tour.

What if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.