Puerto Vallarta: Yelapa, Majahuitas, Lunch, Open Bar Onboard

Leave the resort strip behind. This eight-hour boat trip pairs Yelapa’s car-free village and waterfall walk with snorkeling, kayaking, beach time, and meals at sea. I like the mix of active outings and unhurried beach hours, and I also like that lunch offers six choices instead of forcing everyone into the same plate. The main consideration is Majahuitas snorkeling: visibility can be limited, as one recent booking noted, so you should choose this trip for the full day rather than for snorkeling alone.

Yelapa is the star here. Donkeys still carry goods through the village, roosters help set the morning clock, and the route toward Cola de Caballo waterfall passes local handicrafts and simple village life. You will also pay a small marina entrance fee of 30 pesos per person, about $1.50, and the excursion may feel long if you want nothing but a quiet beach day.

Key details to know before booking

• Yelapa provides the day’s strongest sense of place: Walk through a small, car-free fishing village toward Cola de Caballo waterfall, or stay near the beach and river mouth.
• Majahuitas is the water-sports stop: Snorkeling, single and double kayaks, and paddleboards are included.
• Six lunch choices reduce guesswork: Pick from fish filet, chicken fajitas, hamburger, beef fajitas, shrimp quesadillas, or fish ceviche.
• The open bar starts after snorkeling: National drinks are served onboard after the water activity, not from the beginning of the trip.
• The price covers more than a boat ride: At $118 per person, you get breakfast, lunch, equipment, onboard insurance, and a guide in English or Spanish.
• Bring cash for the marina fee and tips: The 30-peso entrance charge is separate, and extra cash is useful for tips, photos, and purchases.

Why Yelapa gives this excursion its character

Yelapa is not simply another beach stop. It is a tiny village where cars do not run, and that changes the pace immediately. Donkeys still work as cargo carriers, while the combination of sunshine and roosters provides a more old-fashioned morning rhythm than you will find in Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone.

I like this stop because it gives you a little more than sand and water. You can walk through the village, look at native artisan handicrafts, and follow the route toward Cola de Caballo waterfall. The walk adds a small sense of adventure without turning the day into a serious trek.

The waterfall visit is flexible. You can stroll to the cascading water, take a refreshing swim, or sit nearby and enjoy the setting. If you prefer not to hike, Yelapa’s broad beach is ready for sun, swimming, cocktails, and lunch. That choice matters because the excursion does not force every person into the same kind of day.

The river reaches the ocean near the beach, with green mountain scenery around the shore. That meeting of fresh water, sand, and sea gives Yelapa its appeal. I would plan to spend at least some time walking inland before settling down. The village is the part of this outing that you cannot easily reproduce at a standard resort beach.

You may also encounter local homes, artisans, or other cultural elements as you explore, but these should be treated as possible parts of the experience rather than fixed stops. Horseback riding is also mentioned among possible activities, yet it is not listed among the included services, so do not book this excursion specifically expecting a horse ride.

Majahuitas: good equipment, uncertain snorkeling

Majahuitas Cove is the more active water stop. The package includes snorkel equipment, kayaks, and paddleboards, so you can choose how much effort you want to put into the water portion. Snorkel among fish, paddle a single or double kayak over sandy-bottomed water, or use a paddleboard for a slower look around the cove.

The snorkeling may be pleasant, but keep your expectations sensible. One recent booking described Yelapa as the strongest part of the day and said little could be seen while snorkeling at Majahuitas. Water conditions, light, and marine activity can change, but the practical lesson is clear: do not choose this outing only because you expect spectacular underwater viewing.

I still like having several water options. If the fish are difficult to see, kayaking or paddleboarding gives you another way to enjoy the cove. You are not left with just a mask and a disappointing view.

The double kayak option is useful for couples, friends, or anyone who would rather share the work. A single kayak provides more independence. Paddleboards suit people who want a quieter activity, though the information provided does not specify how long each equipment session lasts or how much instruction is offered.

The open bar begins after snorkeling. This is a sensible arrangement, since the active water portion should come before cocktails. Once you return to the boat, national drinks are available as you relax. Drink responsibly, especially if you plan more swimming or paddling later.

What the eight-hour day feels like

The tour lasts eight hours, long enough to include several different stops without making each one feel like a rushed photo break. Exact departure times depend on availability, so check the schedule when booking.

A typical rhythm includes a morning boat outing, continental breakfast, the Majahuitas water activities, lunch, time at Yelapa, and the return ride. The supplied details do not confirm the exact order of every stop, so think of this as the shape of the day rather than a minute-by-minute schedule.

Breakfast includes bread, coffee, seasonal fruit, yogurt, and granola. It is a modest continental meal, not a full cooked breakfast, but it is useful if you arrive hungry or have an early start. Coffee, fruit, and yogurt also make a practical beginning before snorkeling and paddling.

Lunch gives you six main choices:

• Fish filet
• Chicken fajitas
• Hamburger
• Beef fajitas
• Shrimp quesadillas
• Fish ceviche

That range is one of the better details in the package. It covers seafood, meat, and a familiar hamburger, while ceviche gives you a local coastal option. If you are particular about food, the choice is worth more than a generic buffet because you can select something that fits your appetite.

Lunch can be enjoyed during the Yelapa beach portion, according to the experience description. You can then use your free time for sun, swimming, cocktails, or a walk toward the waterfall. The best approach is to avoid trying to do everything at full speed. Yelapa rewards a split plan: one person can hike while another stays at the beach, then you can reunite for food or a swim.

The boat experience and what is included

This is an organized boat day rather than an independent water taxi and beach visit. That makes the $118 price easier to assess. Your fee includes the boat program, breakfast, lunch, equipment, onboard insurance, and an English or Spanish-speaking guide.

A recent booking praised the staff and the boat, which is useful because the crew shapes the experience on a full-day excursion. You are spending many hours onboard, not just using the boat as transportation. Friendly service, clear directions, and a comfortable boat can make the difference between a pleasant day and a tiring one.

The open bar is also part of the value, but it should not be misunderstood. National drinks are included after snorkeling, rather than throughout the full outing. If you do not drink alcohol, the food, water activities, and beach time still provide the main value.

Snorkel equipment, kayaks, and paddleboards are included, which saves you from arranging separate rentals at the coast. The insurance onboard is another practical inclusion. Still, equipment availability can depend on the day and conditions, so it is wise to treat each activity as an option rather than a guarantee that you will spend a set amount of time using every item.

The tour is guided in English and Spanish. That makes it suitable for mixed-language groups and gives you a better chance of understanding safety instructions and meeting-point information.

Is $118 per person a fair price?

For an eight-hour outing, $118 per person is a reasonable price if you plan to use the included meals and equipment. You are paying for a full boat program with two destinations, breakfast, a selected lunch, drinks after snorkeling, water gear, and insurance.

The value is strongest for people who want variety. Booking separate transport to Yelapa, arranging a waterfall visit, finding food, and renting snorkel or paddle equipment could add cost and effort. This package combines those pieces into one day.

The value is weaker if you only want to sit on a beach. Yelapa’s free time is part of the appeal, but a large part of the day is also spent on the boat or taking part in organized activities. Someone seeking a silent, private beach escape may prefer a simpler transfer and more independent time.

The recent overall score is 4.4 out of 5 from six ratings. Two especially positive comments praised the trip, with one simply calling it highly recommendable and another praising Yelapa, the staff, and the boat. The same feedback also points to the key limitation: Majahuitas snorkeling may not offer much to see on a given day.

That balance makes the pricing easier to understand. You are not buying a guaranteed underwater show. You are buying a broad coastal day with Yelapa as the main cultural and scenic reward.

What to bring for a smoother day

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and a camera or video camera. Extra cash is useful for tips, photos, purchases, and the 30-peso marina entrance fee.

Apply sunscreen before boarding and bring enough for a later application. You will be exposed to sun on the boat, at the beach, and during water activities. A hat and sunglasses are especially useful during the open-water portions.

Wear something comfortable for walking in Yelapa. The waterfall route is not described as a demanding hike, but you will want footwear that handles a village walk and uneven surfaces better than slippery beach sandals.

Do not forget the towel. It sounds obvious, but a towel becomes important after snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, or sitting near the waterfall. If you use a camera, protect it from splashes and keep track of it during the water activities.

The 30-peso marina fee is small, but it is easy to overlook because it is separate from the tour price. Keep a few pesos ready so the payment does not become a last-minute nuisance.

Who should book this Yelapa day?

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want several experiences in one day. It suits active couples, families with older children, friends, and visitors who want beach time with a little village culture and a waterfall walk mixed in.

It is also a good fit if you like having choices. You can snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, hike, swim, browse handicrafts, or simply relax. That flexibility helps mixed groups where one person wants movement and another wants a lounge chair or a patch of sand.

I would be more cautious if you are expecting clear, exceptional snorkeling. Majahuitas may be attractive, but the available feedback shows that visibility is not guaranteed. Choose this trip for Yelapa, the boat day, and the range of activities, with snorkeling as a welcome extra.

The activity is not suitable for expecting mothers or people with heart, back, or neck problems. If that applies to you, skip this outing rather than trying to work around the restriction.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if your plans are still moving, but the larger decision is whether you want an active eight-hour day rather than a short beach transfer.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Yelapa’s village, waterfall, and beach sound more appealing than spending the whole day at a resort. The combination of a car-free fishing village, Cola de Caballo waterfall, lunch choices, and included water equipment gives you a fuller picture of the coast around Puerto Vallarta.

Skip it if you want guaranteed top-quality snorkeling, a private outing, or complete control over your schedule. Majahuitas may be the weaker stop on some days, and the full program can feel busy for anyone who prefers a slow, quiet beach visit.

For most people, the best reason to book is simple: Yelapa carries the day. Treat Majahuitas as an active bonus, use the equipment if conditions suit you, and save time for the waterfall and village walk. That approach gives you the most distinctive parts of the excursion without relying on perfect underwater visibility.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa and Majahuitas tour last?

The excursion lasts eight hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

What languages are available?

A live guide is available in English and Spanish.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You can choose from fish filet, chicken fajitas, hamburger, beef fajitas, shrimp quesadillas, or fish ceviche.

What breakfast is provided?

Breakfast includes bread, coffee, seasonal fruit, yogurt, and granola.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, kayaks, and paddleboards are included.

Is there an extra fee at the marina?

Yes. The marina entrance fee is 30 pesos per person, about $1.50. Extra cash is also useful for tips, photos, and other purchases.