Two beaches and a waterfall beat the city pace. This Puerto Vallarta day trip blends the Yelapa waterfall hike with time at Majahuitas Beach Club, plus snorkeling and kayaking gear and drinks on board, so you get water time without the stress of planning it yourself.

The schedule is tight, and time at each stop can feel short, especially if you’re hoping to linger in Yelapa or soak longer after lunch.

Quick highlights to know before you go

• Yelapa waterfall access with a walk through the village, not just a viewpoint
• Snorkeling and kayaking gear provided, so you spend your money on fun, not rentals
• Majahuitas Beach Club with a BBQ lunch and plentiful non-alcoholic drinks
• Boat ride entertainment and a final on-board show that many people remember long after the beach
• Weather and sea conditions matter, because docking and snorkeling depend on the ocean

Yelapa Waterfall and Majahuitas: the day in plain English

This is a full-day coastal mix: you start in Puerto Vallarta, head toward Yelapa for the waterfall area, then finish at Majahuitas Beach for lunch and water activities. The big idea is simple: you get views, moving through a real village, and then a beach club setup where everything feels closer to a vacation mode.

It’s also a tour with momentum. You’re going to change locations several times, and you’ll want to keep your pace up, especially at the Yelapa stop. If you like days where you’re always doing something, you’ll be in your comfort zone.

Getting to Puerto Vallarta’s departure point (and why it matters)

This tour leaves from Vallarta Adventures | Terminal Marítima N Puerto Mágico with a start time of 8:00 am. The meeting point can be easy to miss if you arrive late or wander around without a plan, so I suggest getting there early and using the exact address for Puerto Mágico.

On the boat, there are toilets on the lower deck, which is useful to know before you assume you’ll find one up top. The tour caps at 200 travelers, so it won’t feel like a tiny charter, but it’s still designed to keep the day organized.

Also read the fine print about the federal port rules: there’s a strict no-drug policy, including electronic cigarettes and vapers. If federal security doesn’t let you in, the tour company can’t refund or change your day. It’s one of those rules that sounds annoying until you realize it’s the difference between going home on day one vs. actually starting your day trip.

The boat ride: drinks, views, and crew energy

Once you’re underway, the vibe usually shifts into vacation mode. The tour includes beverages aboard the boat, and you’ll get that classic coastal day feel as you travel around Banderas Bay.

In multiple experiences people talk about seeing wildlife from the water—things like dolphins and even whales when conditions line up. That’s not something you can schedule, but if the captain’s got a good sighting, you may get a bonus nature moment.

You should also pay attention to who’s hosting you. Reviews name guides like Danny and crews led by Dani and Poncho, and the recurring theme is that the crew keeps the energy up with hosting and entertainment. If you like a more social, talk-with-your-host kind of day, this is a plus.

Stop 2: Yelapa Waterfalls—village walk, waterfall time, and real terrain

Yelapa is a remote-feeling fishing village about an hour from Puerto Vallarta. You’ll get about 2 hours at the waterfall area, and the time is intentionally flexible: you can hike toward the natural falls or simply unwind in the village/beach area while others move up the path.

Here’s the practical side: the ground is uneven and irregular, with sandy, uphill, and cobblestone sections. One of the most repeated tips is to wear shoes that grip well. Wet cobblestones and rough beach sand can turn into the kind of footing you don’t want on vacation. If you have limited mobility, this stop is not recommended because of the walking.

If you were hoping the waterfall is always dramatic, manage expectations. The falls can be smaller at certain times (drought is a real factor), so you might get a trickle or a less powerful cascade. In those cases, the value shifts from waterfall spectacle to the hike itself and the way Yelapa feels when you’re walking through it.

There’s also a safety and logistics detail: if you choose to ride horses (optional), it’s an extra fee. Some people love that option, but it’s not part of the included package.

Stop 3: snorkeling around Banderas Bay (and what to expect)

Between Yelapa and Majahuitas, you’ll spend time in the water with snorkeling and kayaking equipment provided. This is one of the best parts of the day because it mixes motion with real marine life without you having to manage gear.

That said, snorkeling quality can vary. Some people describe lots of colorful fish. Others report fewer fish or murky visibility depending on conditions. The tour structure helps, though: you may make more than one snorkeling stop during the day, and sometimes stops happen due to seasonal conditions like jellyfish presence.

If the ocean is active, expect a bit of bouncing in the water—part of the day on the Pacific side. When the sea is calm, snorkeling feels easier and safer. If the sea is rough, it can affect docking and clarity.

Majahuitas Beach Club: BBQ lunch, non-alcoholic drinks, and water sports

This is where the day relaxes. Majahuitas is a beach club-style stop with palm shade, turquoise water vibes, and a setup that includes lunch BBQ plus unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. You’ll also have time for water activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding (what’s available can depend on the day’s flow).

The major value of Majahuitas is that it’s built for a cruise-day feeling: there are chairs, a place to grab food, and restrooms available at the beaches. You’re not scrambling to find a spot or hunt down basic services.

The one common complaint is not about the beach—it’s about timing. People sometimes feel rushed after lunch or wish they had more water time once the BBQ is done. If you’re the type who wants a long, slow beach afternoon, try to go in knowing this stop gets less time than a full beach day.

Still, most people leave happy because the beach itself is a standout: water sports are fun, the BBQ is described as tasty, and the atmosphere feels like a well-managed break in the middle of the itinerary.

The included BBQ and drinks: what you’re really paying for

The lunch is a BBQ at Majahuitas, and it comes with refreshing drinks as part of the package. On the boat, you also get beverages included during the ride.

That matters because it reduces the annoying math of a beach day. You don’t have to stop for snacks between activities. And compared to splitting a bunch of separate tours (private boat, separate snorkeling rental, then a beach club), the bundled meal and provided equipment can be good value.

One more note: drinks at Yelapa aren’t included. If you want something on that village/beach time, budget for it.

The crew and entertainment: why people talk about the staff

A lot of the best energy comes from the crew. Names like Danny show up in glowing reviews, and the general pattern is that the hosts keep things moving, explain what’s next, and keep the mood playful.

A memorable detail: there’s often a closing show on the way back, and some people mention music-themed performances like AC/DC and Guns N Roses. It’s not the kind of thing you’d plan for, but it becomes part of the day’s memory.

There’s also a practical reason this crew energy matters. When you’re handling multiple stops, uneven paths, and water activities, good guidance is what keeps everyone safe and on schedule. The downside is that on crowded days, you have to pay attention to meeting points and instructions so you don’t get separated. If you’re the type who likes to wander, stay close to your group when it counts.

Price and value: is $99 worth it after fees?

The listed price is $99 per person, and that’s the “start number.” Then you factor in the extra fees that you’ll pay on the day:

• Port fees: MX$40 per person, paid in cash at the port
• Access fee: $20 per person at check-in
• Optional: gratuity (optional), and horse rentals (extra)

So you should treat the tour as a deal only if you’re excited to get the whole package: boat time + Yelapa hike + snorkeling/kayaking gear + Majahuitas BBQ. If you only want one piece—just waterfall views, or just beach time—you’d likely get more value doing that part separately.

Also, weather can change parts of the plan. One low-star experience described rough ocean conditions affecting docking and snorkeling. That doesn’t happen every day, but it’s a reality in the Pacific. If the sea turns ugly, the tour may adapt.

What to bring (and what to avoid)

This day works best if you pack like you’re doing water plus walking.

Bring:

• Good grip shoes for cobblestones and sand
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Towel (one review specifically advises bringing your own)
• A photo ID for check-in (also called out in reviews)

Avoid:

• Anything that counts as contraband at federal ports, including vape/e-cigarettes, because security rules are strict.

Also, the tour involves a moderate fitness level. Not a mountain climb, but you’ll be walking on uneven paths. If you’re comfortable with that, you’ll enjoy the hike portion more instead of thinking about it constantly.

Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)

This works well for:

• Couples and families who want a structured day with built-in food and activities
• People who like snorkeling and want gear provided
• Anyone who’s comfortable with a bit of walking and uneven ground

It’s not a great match for:

• Guests with limited mobility, because Yelapa includes sandy, uphill, irregular paths
• People who want an unstructured “wander all day” plan with no schedule pressure
• Anyone who needs a guaranteed huge waterfall display, since timing and seasons can change what you see

If you’re between travel styles—like you want a day trip but still want a real sense of place—this is a solid compromise: you get village time, then beach time, and you don’t spend your vacation fussing with logistics.

Should you book the Yelapa Waterfall and Majahuitas tour?

I think you should book it if you want one ticket that covers a full slice of the Puerto Vallarta coast: Yelapa waterfall area, snorkeling/kayaking, and a proper beach BBQ at Majahuitas Beach Club. The tour is popular for a reason: when it runs smoothly, you get a lot of variety in about seven hours without managing a complicated day.

Skip it if you hate crowds, dislike time constraints, or you’re expecting waterfall fireworks every time. It’s also not the best fit if walking on uneven terrain is difficult for you.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and where do I meet?

It starts at 8:00 am. Meet at Vallarta Adventures | Terminal Marítima N Puerto Mágico, at Heroica Escuela Naval, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 30-G1, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The tour includes lunch BBQ at Majahuitas, snorkeling and kayaking equipment, and beverages aboard the boat. It also includes access at Yelapa and Majahuitas as part of the stops.

What extra fees do I need to budget for?

You’ll need to pay MX$40 per person in cash at the port for port fees. There’s also an access fee of $20 per person paid at check-in. Gratuity is optional, and horse rentals cost extra if you choose them.

Are towels and ID required?

Bring your own towel (advised in reviews) and plan to have photo ID for check-in.

Is this tour suitable for limited mobility?

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

What happens if weather is bad?

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.