A day on this catamaran feels like a private beach weekend with better drinks. I love the all-inclusiveness (open bar plus meals) and the mix of choices at Playa Chica Locca—pool, ocean time, and water toys. One thing to consider: it’s a high-energy, party-leaning cruise, so if you want quiet, you may not love the constant music.

You’ll start in Puerto Vallarta, cruise to remote beach areas by boat, and spend real chunks of time in the water and at the Quimixto side trip. It’s built for people who want maximum fun per hour without a car line, but it’s also the kind of outing where your comfort depends on sun, walking readiness, and how you feel about loud vibes.

Key Points You Should Know Before You Go

• Open bar all day plus meals and snacks, so you can stop doing mental math halfway through your trip
• Playa Chica Locca beach club offers an infinity pool, loungers, and an oceanfront swim-up bar feel
• Water toys included: snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and other beach water fun
• Quimixto waterfalls are the main adventure with a guided hike option, plus cash-only ATV/horse add-ons
• Wildlife sightings are a real bonus on the cruise back (seasonal whales are possible)
• Music and atmosphere skew lively, with people dancing on the ride back and some noting it can be loud

What This Catamaran Day Really Delivers

This is not one of those tours where you spend most of the day listening to instructions and waiting in line. It’s a tight, all-day water plan built around three different “modes” of fun: onboard cruising, remote beach club time, and a Quimixto adventure stop.

The best part for me is how quickly the day turns from travel time into vacation time. You’re greeted early with food and drinks, and once you’re at the remote beach, you’re handed options instead of a forced schedule: relax, play in the ocean, float and swim, paddle around, or snorkel when conditions are right.

The vibe is where you should be honest with yourself. This can feel like a beach party with loud music and an upbeat crew. Most people love that energy; a few will want more quiet space. If you’re the type who needs silence to recharge, plan for headphones and a few “go slower” moments in shaded seating.

Price and Value: Why $135 Can Make Sense

At $135 per person for about 6.5 hours, the value depends on what you would normally spend once you’re in Puerto Vallarta. Here’s the math this tour leans on:

• You get meals and snacks, not just a bag of chips and a drink
• Alcoholic drinks are included via an open bar
• Water gear is included, which saves real money if you don’t want to rent
• You’re paying for boat access to remote places that aren’t easy to reach on your own

The open bar is broad: water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, and mixed drinks like piña coladas and margaritas, plus beer, wine, tequila, and champagne. If you like to drink casually, you’ll probably feel like you got your money back fast. If you’re a strict “top shelf only” person, the bar can feel like standard brands rather than ultra-premium pours. Either way, you’re not stuck without a drink.

Also, notice what’s included before you start adding extras. Snacks, guacamole and chips, breakfast items, plus lunch with chicken, beef, rice, beans, and tortillas (with vegetarian/vegan options) means you don’t have to hunt for food mid-day.

Getting On Board at Puerto Vallarta: What to Expect

The tour uses a mobile ticket, and you’ll need to choose your meeting place before submitting your reservation. There’s also no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you’ll want to be ready to handle your own way to the port area.

Here’s a practical detail that can save stress: this departs from the Puerto Magico / Cruise Terminal area, which is a federal maritime port with security checks. Expect screening and possible searches, and there’s a strict no-drug policy. That includes electronic cigarettes and vapes, as well as any liquids you bring.

If you see talk about port passes during check-in, don’t panic. On this experience, the tour provides port-related access so you typically don’t need to buy anything extra just to board.

Playa Chica Locca: The Remote Beach Club Moment

This is the main “wow” stop, and it’s why a lot of people book this in the first place. Playa Chica Locca is remote—accessible only by boat—and it feels like a private island setup with a beach club layout designed for hanging out for hours.

When you arrive, you’re met with chips and fresh guacamole and you can start with the open bar right away. The space is set up for both active and chill time:

• Swim-up bar energy if you want to stay in the water
• Infinity pool for a more relaxed swim
• Plenty of shade and lounge seating, so you’re not stuck baking
• Beach access for floating, swimming, and hanging with your group

This is also where the included water toys shine. You can use snorkel equipment, kayaks, and paddleboards without extra rental fees. One tip I’d follow: if you’re the kind of swimmer who needs calm water to enjoy snorkeling, don’t assume the ocean will always be glassy. Conditions can vary, and sometimes the water can be rough or rocky.

If you want a guided nature option, there’s a guided hike toward the Quimixto Waterfalls. That’s optional, but it’s a good match if you want more than just lounging.

A few practical comfort notes from real day-to-day experience:

• Bring sunscreen—this is a full sun day, even if you can duck into shade
• Wear shoes that can handle wet surfaces, especially if you end up doing ATV transfers or any trail sections
• If you’re sensitive to facility upkeep, it’s worth a quick visual check when you arrive, since beach club conditions can vary day to day

Quimixto Waterfalls: Guided Hike vs. ATV Adventure

Quimixto is the “action” layer of the day. The destination is also boat-access only, which keeps it feeling more removed from the main city traffic. At this stage, you typically get a combination of guided time and free time—so you can choose how much you want to move.

The guided hike option

If you hike, expect a trek that rewards you with the waterfall area and a chance to see more of the Quimixto vibe. One clear lesson I’d carry: if you don’t have good walking shoes, you’ll feel every step. This is not a flip-flop trail.

The hike is also a social experience. Your guide can point out local birds and help the walk feel more like a journey than a chore. Once you reach the waterfall area, you can swim and cool off—some people find the water refreshing even when it feels cold at first.

The ATV option (cash only)

If you want a faster route and less trail time, the add-on is an ATV ride to the waterfall area—and it’s cash only. I’d plan this as an optional upgrade you decide on once you understand your walking comfort.

ATV rides come with their own “day-of” reality: it can get wet during the ride, and there can be some steep sections to handle depending on your pickup point. The upside is that you spend more time enjoying the waterfall swim instead of climbing your way there.

Horse rides?

The data says horseback rides are an option with cash. But based on real on-the-ground experiences, it’s smart to assume availability can change. If horseback is important to you, confirm when you arrive that it’s operating that day.

Snorkeling, Kayaks, and Paddleboards: When Included Gear Is Actually Worth It

It’s easy for tours to advertise “water toys included.” What matters is whether you can use them without feeling rushed or shoved aside.

On this day, you do get meaningful access to the water toys during your beach club time. Kayaks and paddleboards are a great choice when you want something more active than just lying on a lounger. Snorkeling is the wildcard: some days the water clarity and conditions are better than others, and rocks can affect what you see.

My rule for this stop:

• If snorkeling is your priority, go early and be flexible
• If kayaking and paddleboarding are your thing, you’ll still have a great time even if snorkeling visibility isn’t perfect

The Return Cruise to Puerto Vallarta: Music, Drinks, and Wildlife

On the way back, you shift from beach club energy to cruise energy. There’s more open bar, plus dancing on some departures. This is also when wildlife sightings can happen.

From seasonal patterns:

• December to April: humpback whales are possible
• All year: turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and sea birds can appear

You don’t have to be a birder to enjoy it. Often the best views happen when you look out near the surface and keep your eyes up during the cruising stretch.

If you’re going on this as a couples day or a group day, this is the part where people usually turn from “let’s do the activities” into “let’s just enjoy the party mood.” That can be great, or it can be too much loud music for some people.

Who This Tour Is Best For (And Who Might Want Something Else)

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• Want an all-inclusive day with meals, drinks, and water gear
• Prefer a remote beach club over a busy public beach
• Like a mix of lounging plus one real adventure (waterfalls)
• Enjoy a lively atmosphere with staff that keeps the energy moving

It might be a less perfect match if you:

• Want quiet, no-loud-music time to read or nap
• Have limited walking tolerance and aren’t interested in the ATV option
• Are very picky about the condition of beach facilities and want everything pristine
• Care only about top-tier snorkeling visibility (the ocean can be hit-or-miss)

Family fit is mixed too. It can work for families, and I’ve seen teens and even younger participants enjoy the day. Still, loud music can affect some kids, and the day runs on outdoor time and sun.

What to Bring for a Smoother Day

You’ll have a far better day if you arrive ready for sun and water.

Bring:

• Sunscreen (and reapply)
• A hat or sunglasses
• A swimsuit plus a lightweight cover-up
• Water-ready shoes if you plan to hike or might need to walk on uneven or wet areas
• A small day bag or dry bag for your essentials
• Cash for ATV (and any other cash-only add-ons)

One more practical note: packing a small snack can rescue you if you get hungry before lunch. Lunch is included, but in a full-day plan, hunger timing can still catch you off guard.

Also, since the port is a security checkpoint, travel with common sense: don’t bring anything that triggers restrictions (including prohibited items or restricted liquids).

Should You Book This Mega Catamarans All Inclusive Remote Paradise Beach Adventure?

Yes, if you want a remote beach club day with real included value and a lively crew that keeps things moving. This is the kind of tour where the open bar and included water toys feel like part of a bigger experience, not random add-ons.

I’d hesitate only if you’re chasing quiet, calm water-based serenity, or if you’re expecting premium-level facility conditions every second. Also be honest about your footwear and walking comfort: the waterfalls adventure is the heart of the day, and it can be trail-heavy for the hike option.

If you match the vibe—fun, sun, water play, and a waterfall swim—this is a top choice for a Puerto Vallarta day trip.

FAQ

What’s included in the all-inclusive package?

You’ll get breakfast items (fruit, muffins, coffee, and juices), snacks like fresh guacamole and blue corn chips, and lunch (traditional fajita lunch with vegan and vegetarian options available). The tour also includes an open bar with drinks like beer, wine, tequila, champagne, and mixed drinks, plus soft drinks and juices. Water gear is included too, including snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, and other water toys.

Do I need cash for the ATV or waterfall rides?

Yes. The ATV or horseback ride to the waterfall is cash only.

Are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options available?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available—just advise at booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is there a minimum age for drinking?

Yes. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What should I know about security at the port?

This departs from Puerto Magico / Cruise Terminal, which has federal maritime port security. You may be subject to searches, and there’s a strict no-drug policy, including electronic cigarettes and vapes. The port can also involve checks related to liquids.

Is there a photo package included?

Photo services are not included, but the photo team captures candid and action photos. If you want them, you can purchase after the tour, and a digital photo album is shared within 24 hours.