REVIEW · PUERTO VALLARTA
Puerto Vallarta : Snorkeling at Playa Escondida & Canopy Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Las Animas Adventure Park · Bookable on Viator
This is a fast-moving Puerto Vallarta day: water time, then adrenaline. You’ll start with Pacific Ocean views on the bus, then head into Las Ánimas Adventure Park for a big menu of activities built around safety. Snorkeling happens at Playa Colomitos, a small, clear-water stop that makes the day feel extra special.
Two things I really like are the snorkeling at Playa Colomitos and the way the park runs with clear guidance. In particular, I’ve seen how guides like Edwin (professional, upbeat, and encouraging) and Arturo (informative and flexible with timing) can make a high-energy day feel manageable. If you want a day that moves, but doesn’t feel chaotic, this fits.
One thing to consider: this experience depends on good weather, and some extras cost extra once you’re there (drinks, photos, and lunch). That doesn’t ruin the value, but it’s smart to budget so you don’t get surprised.
In This Review
- Quick hits before you go
- Puerto Vallarta’s Las Ánimas day trip: beach time and canopy thrills
- Meeting point and timing from Zona Romántica (and why it matters)
- Stop 1: Playa Las Ánimas and the park vibe shift
- Stop 2: Snorkeling at Playa Colomitos (what you’ll notice)
- Stop 3: Boca de Tomatlán and your wind-down time
- The park portion: suspension bridges, zip lines, and wall networks
- Food, drinks, and the smart way to budget the extras
- Price and value: why $44.80 can make sense
- Who this tour fits best (and who should think twice)
- What to bring so the day feels easy
- Should you book this snorkeling and canopy day?
- FAQ
- How long is the tour?
- What time does it start, and where do I meet?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- What’s included in the price?
- What is not included?
- How many people are in the group?
- Does weather affect the experience?
Quick hits before you go

- Playa Colomitos snorkeling: clear water with a chance to spot marine life in a small beach setting
- Las Ánimas park activities: cross suspension bridges, zip lines, and climbing-style networks
- Built for safety: the program runs with 20+ extreme activities in complete safety
- Food included: you’re not scrambling for lunch between water and obstacles
- Small-group feel: capped at 25 people, which keeps the day from getting too big
- Extra costs likely: drinks, bottled water, photos, and lunch (about $20 USD) are not included
Puerto Vallarta’s Las Ánimas day trip: beach time and canopy thrills
This is the kind of tour that makes sense when you’re visiting Puerto Vallarta and you want more than just sitting by the ocean. You get a full day structure: a park portion with serious gear-and-safety energy, then a coast portion where you can slow down and snorkel at Playa Colomitos.
What really makes the combo work is that it’s not just two random activities glued together. The day is designed so you can burn adrenaline, then use the water break to cool off and reset. If you like a plan with variety, this one hits.
If you’re the type who enjoys taking photos, you’ll have plenty of opportunities with ocean views from the bus and scenic viewpoints around the park and beaches. And if you’d rather mix action with a little relaxation, this tour gives you both, instead of forcing you to choose.
You can also read our reviews of more snorkeling tours in Puerto Vallarta
Meeting point and timing from Zona Romántica (and why it matters)

You start at Constitución y Calle Basilio Badillo, Zona Romántica (Emiliano Zapata), right around where many people stay when they’re exploring on foot. The timing is also straightforward: 10:00 am start, and the tour returns to the same meeting point.
A big practical plus: you’ll get a mobile ticket, and the meeting area is near public transportation. So if you want to avoid complicated logistics, you can plan your arrival without a lot of stress.
This is also a small-group experience with a max of 25 people. Smaller groups generally mean you spend less time waiting around and more time actually doing the day’s activities. That matters on a tour clocked at about 6 hours 30 minutes.
One more reality check: this is a popular experience, and it’s commonly booked about 24 days in advance. If you’re traveling in high season or on a tight schedule, don’t treat this like a last-minute idea.
Stop 1: Playa Las Ánimas and the park vibe shift

The day kicks off at Playa Las Ánimas. This is where you transition from “getting to the beach” to “doing the stuff.” Expect the first part of the day to feel like your setup stage: you arrive, get organized, and get on the park rhythm.
What makes this stop important is the order. By the time you reach the snorkel beach later, you’ll already have worked up appetite and energy. You’re also likely to feel mentally ready for the water time after the park portion, because you’ve had guidance and a clear sequence.
The park itself is run by a provider called Las Animas Adventure Park, and the overall experience is built around a long list of activities (20+ extreme options). The best part is that the program is described as complete safety, not “figure it out” adventure.
Stop 2: Snorkeling at Playa Colomitos (what you’ll notice)

Playa Colomitos is the star coastal stop. It’s known in the region as the smallest and most charming beach, and the water is described as blue and crystal clear. In real terms, that usually means better visibility than you’d get at rougher or muddier spots.
The snorkeling portion is the payoff moment. You get a chance to float, watch what’s moving under the surface, and take in the contrast between open ocean and a calmer-looking beach cove.
Now, here’s the honest note: you might see a lot of fish, or you might see fewer. One guide-driven review vibe I picked up from the experience is that the water experience can still feel worth it even when the fish are shy. Clear water and the setting itself can carry a lot of the magic.
Also, you don’t need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy it—this tour says most people can participate. If you’re nervous, the park setup plus guide support is exactly the kind of reassurance that helps.
Stop 3: Boca de Tomatlán and your wind-down time

After Playa Colomitos, the day continues to Boca de Tomatlán. This is where the tour shifts from focused activity to more breathing room.
You should expect the transport between coastal areas to be part of the fun. The tour includes a water taxi, which helps make the travel feel like part of the scenery, not just a transfer.
This stop is also where you may find time that feels more relaxed. The experience description mentions the chance to enjoy a cold tropical drink with the sound of the sea. Drinks aren’t listed as included, so plan on paying if you want one, but the overall idea fits: this is your coast break before the day wraps.
The park portion: suspension bridges, zip lines, and wall networks

Las Ánimas Adventure Park is the engine of the day. You’re looking at a long menu: cross suspension bridges, slide on zip lines, and scale walls and networks. The day is described as having 20+ extreme activities with full safety.
This matters because “extreme” can mean different things. Here, the point is that the activities are built into a controlled system, so you’re not improvising your way through heights. That’s a big deal if you’re excited but not trying to “tough guy” your way across gear.
The guides are a real reason the experience scores so high. I’ve seen how Edwin can keep the energy high while still being professional and safety-focused. I’ve also seen Arturo handle the day with a calm, informative approach and flex timing when it helps the group feel comfortable. Either way, you’re not just getting rules; you’re getting coaching that makes you more confident as you go.
And there’s another practical benefit: the day structure keeps you moving, so you don’t spend hours watching other people. Once you’re suited up and guided, the activities come in a sequence that keeps momentum.
Food, drinks, and the smart way to budget the extras

One of the easiest ways to judge value on an adventure day is to look at what you don’t have to pay for. This tour includes food (nice), plus the logistics that are often annoying on your own: bus fee, water taxi, and Adventure Park entrance.
What’s not included is where you need a small amount of planning:
- Soda/pop: about $50 pesos
- Bottled water: about $25 pesos
- Lunch: about $20 USD
- Pictures (extra)
So the real question is: will you spend more than the difference between this and a DIY plan? Often, yes, because drinks, snacks, and photos add up fast. But you’ll likely spend less stress, and that’s hard to price.
Tip for your budget: decide in advance whether you want photos. If you’re not a photo-person, skip the extras and put that money toward a nicer meal later in town.
Price and value: why $44.80 can make sense

At $44.80 per person, this tour is priced like an efficient day pack, not like a la carte adventure shopping. You’re paying for the park entry and transportation pieces that are otherwise the annoying bits: getting to the right place, plus the water taxi between coastal points.
Then there’s snorkeling. You’re not bringing gear from scratch (at least, the experience is set up as a guided day), and the schedule includes a dedicated snorkel beach time at Playa Colomitos. For many people, that’s the part that feels most “vacation.”
Here’s the balanced take: you will still spend on drinks, possibly on lunch, and maybe on bottled water and photos. But if you include those “extras” in your mental math, you can still see the value in the package: park access, guide-led activity sequence, and a full day plan.
Who this tour fits best (and who should think twice)
This is a strong fit if you want:
- Action plus water time in one day
- A guided plan with a clear sequence: park activities, then snorkel, then coast time
- Comfort with heights being part of the fun (zip lines and suspension bridges are central)
It may not be the best choice if:
- You’re only interested in pure beach lounging and nothing else
- You get overwhelmed by an active day schedule
- You don’t want to pay for extras like drinks and photos
Because the tour says most people can participate, it’s welcoming for a wide range of fitness levels. Still, the park activities involve gear and movement, so you should be comfortable with that style of adventure.
What to bring so the day feels easy
Even with guides handling the main parts, a few basics make a big difference on a beach-and-park itinerary like this.
Bring:
- A swimsuit you’re comfortable wearing under gear
- Sunscreen and sunglasses (water glare can be real)
- A light cover-up for the park-to-beach transitions
- Something for wet gear afterward (even a small bag helps)
- Cash or a card for drinks, bottled water, photos, and lunch
Do a quick mental checklist before you leave the meeting point. Once you start moving, it’s hard to stop and run around.
Also, keep in mind the weather requirement. If it looks iffy, your best move is to stay flexible and trust the plan to adjust.
Should you book this snorkeling and canopy day?
I’d book it if you want one of those rare Puerto Vallarta days where you get real variety: park thrills, guided safety, and snorkel time at Playa Colomitos. The park structure and the guide quality stand out, especially with how Edwin and Arturo are described as professional, encouraging, and able to keep timing feeling comfortable.
I’d pause if you’re expecting a slow beach day, or if you really hate spending extra once you’re on-site. And since good weather is required, you’ll want to be the kind of traveler who can handle a schedule shift if conditions aren’t right.
If you’re trying to maximize your time in Puerto Vallarta, this is a solid value choice because it bundles the hard-to-organize parts: entrance, transport, and a full itinerary that keeps you busy without feeling like chaos.
FAQ
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts about 6 hours 30 minutes.
What time does it start, and where do I meet?
It starts at 10:00 am at Constitución y Calle Basilio Badillo, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. It ends back at the same meeting point.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, this experience is offered in English.
What’s included in the price?
Included items are the bus fee, water taxi, and Adventure Park entrance.
What is not included?
Not included are soda/pop (about $50 pesos), pictures, bottled water (about $25 pesos), and lunch (about $20 USD).
How many people are in the group?
The tour has a maximum of 25 travelers.
Does weather affect the experience?
Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
































