Vallarta: Yelapa Waterfall & Majahuitas Snorkel Adventure

Yelapa and Majahuitas make a fine pair: one is a small, road-free fishing village with a waterfall walk, the other a quiet cove for swimming and snorkeling. The trip gets you to both by catamaran, with coastal views and possible whale sightings along the way.

I like the easy mix of activity and downtime. You can snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, hike, shop for crafts, or simply sit on the beach. I also like the crew’s energy, especially on the return ride, when music, dancing, drinks, and a short show turn the boat into a floating party.

The main catch is pace. This is a large, organized boat excursion, not a quiet private sail. Yelapa can feel crowded when the group moves through the village, and the waterfall walk may be hot, steep, slippery, or treacherous for anyone with limited mobility.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different coastal stops: Majahuitas is for water activities and beach time, while Yelapa offers village life, crafts, and a waterfall walk.
• A full seven-hour outing: Plan on roughly three hours of catamaran travel, with the rest split between guided visits, snorkeling, lunch, and free time.
• The crew is part of the attraction: Expect music, dancing, a show, and a friendly bilingual team, with crew members such as Chi, Omar, Alejandro, Emberto, and Chewey named by past guests.
• Snorkeling is included, but conditions vary: Equipment is supplied, though visibility can be reduced and jellyfish have been reported in the water.
• The advertised price is not the final cash cost: Add the MXN$40 port fee, a USD$20 access fee, and gratuities.
• Best for active families and social groups: It suits people who want several activities in one day, but not travelers seeking a small boat or a slow, private escape.

Why this trip works as a two-stop day

Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast is best understood from the water. The shoreline quickly changes from city beaches to rocky coves, forested hills, and small settlements reached by boat. Yelapa and Majahuitas are appealing partly because you cannot simply drive there from town.

This seven-hour outing gives you a broad taste of the coast in one day. The catamaran ride takes about an hour and a half each way, with another short 15-minute crossing between the two stops. That is a lot of time aboard, but the boat is not just transportation. The crew serves drinks, points out coastal sights, plays music, and keeps the ride lively.

You should expect a social atmosphere. One departure had more than 100 people aboard, so you will not get the intimacy of a small sailing charter. In exchange, you get a well-organized schedule, several included activities, a meal, and entertainment without having to arrange separate transport between beaches.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta by catamaran

You can check in at either Vallarta Adventures Nuevo Vallarta or Puerto Magico. Hotel transportation is not included, and you must redeem your reservation at the Vallarta Adventures desk before boarding.

Allow extra time to find the correct port area. The terminal can be confusing, especially if you are traveling with a large group. Arriving before 8 a.m. was useful advice for one family, though you should confirm your exact start time when booking.

Before you board, prepare cash for the MXN$40 port fee and the separate USD$20 access fee per person. These are easy to overlook because the advertised price is $99. The total remains reasonable for a full-day coastal outing with lunch, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, and entertainment, but you should calculate the added fees before deciding.

Once aboard, the crew sets the tone quickly. Depending on the departure, you may get juice and coffee in the morning, though the early food service is not a full continental breakfast. If you need a substantial breakfast, eat before arriving. The catamaran ride is long enough that starting hungry will make the first stop less enjoyable.

Keep your eyes on the water during the cruise. Dolphins are possible, and humpback whales are commonly seen in winter. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and conditions affect visibility, but the ride itself gives you a pleasant introduction to the coast.

Yelapa: village lanes and the Cola de Caballo waterfall

The supplied schedule places Yelapa first, with about 80 minutes for the visit. The exact order of walking, waterfall time, and beach time can feel brisk, so listen carefully to the guide when you leave the boat.

Yelapa is a small community without roads, surrounded by steep green hills and reached from the beach by foot. The short walk through the village gives you a look at local homes, small businesses, and native artisan handicrafts. This is not a formal old town with grand buildings. Its appeal is simpler: a compact fishing community where the river runs toward the sea and daily life follows the shape of the cove.

The main outing is the walk to Cola de Caballo, a cascading waterfall in the hills above the beach. The path can be hot and uneven, and one description called the walk treacherous. Another person found it tiring but felt the cool waterfall pool made the effort worthwhile.

Take the walk seriously. Good walking shoes are sensible, although flip-flops were considered workable in dry conditions. The trail may be slippery, and the experience changes with the weather. In a dry period, the waterfall may have little or no water. That does not erase the value of the village and scenery, but you should not book this trip solely for a guaranteed dramatic cascade.

The waterfall pool can be cold after the warm walk. If you enjoy a quick swim, this is a welcome reward. If you prefer not to hike, you can spend more time around Yelapa Beach, but the tour’s schedule may not give you a long, unstructured visit.

There is also a practical cultural point. A large group moving through a tiny village can feel awkward. You are seeing a special place, but you are also part of a stream of day visitors. Be polite, buy crafts only if you want them, and follow your guide’s directions so you do not get separated. Some people found the village visit memorable; others felt it was too much like being moved through a queue.

Majahuitas: snorkeling, paddling, and beach time

After Yelapa, the boat makes the short run to Playa Majahuitas. This cove is accessible only by sea, which gives it a more secluded feel than the beaches near Puerto Vallarta. The water is clear on good days, and the cove is protected from the city’s noise and traffic.

The schedule allows about 25 minutes for snorkeling, followed by roughly two hours and 40 minutes for lunch and free time. That distinction matters. Snorkeling itself may feel rushed if you want a long time in the water, but you still have a generous block to relax, paddle, kayak, or enjoy the beach.

Snorkel equipment is included, and an expert guide is available. You may see different kinds of fish, though underwater visibility depends on weather and sea conditions. One outing had poor visibility at times, while another had excellent fish sightings. Jellyfish have also been present on some days, so ask the crew about current conditions before entering the water.

You are not required to snorkel. This is one of the tour’s strengths for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can use the equipment, while others can sit on the sand, kayak, paddleboard, or simply enjoy the cove. Families can split up without arranging separate excursions.

The beach and water are the real draw here, not a long list of sights. Majahuitas gives you time to slow down after the guided walk through Yelapa. Still, do not assume every advertised water activity will be available for a long period. Sea conditions, crowd size, and the day’s schedule may limit your time with the kayaks, paddleboards, or other equipment.

Lunch, drinks, and the return-boat fiesta

A deli-style lunch is included, generally built around sandwiches, salads, and fruit. It is practical rather than fancy, and it works well after swimming or walking. If you have dietary restrictions, confirm what is available before booking because the supplied information does not list special meal options.

The open bar is available aboard the catamaran. This can be pleasant on the ride home, but it also changes the mood from sightseeing to party. Music and dancing become a major part of the final leg, and the crew may put on a show.

This entertainment receives some of the strongest praise. Crew members such as Chi, Omar, Alejandro, Emberto, and Chewey have been singled out for being attentive, funny, and involved. Names and crew lineups can change, but the general style is clear: you are booking an outgoing group excursion, not a quiet sunset cruise.

The crew also helps with practical matters. Guides give directions at Yelapa, assist with activities, and keep the large group moving. Their friendliness matters because the day includes several transitions: boarding, disembarking, walking through the village, reaching the waterfall, returning to the beach, and getting back aboard.

Tips are not included. Given how much direct service the crew provides, bring cash if you want to recognize good work. Photography may also be offered for purchase, and the cost can feel high compared with the tour itself, so decide in advance how interested you are in professional souvenir photos.

Price, group size, and what you really receive

At $99 per person, the experience offers a lot in one package. You get catamaran transport from Puerto Vallarta, two coastal destinations, a guided Yelapa visit, waterfall access, snorkeling equipment, kayaking access, lunch, an open bar, bilingual guides, and onboard entertainment.

The value is strongest if you intend to use several parts of the day. A person who snorkels, hikes, enjoys the beach, eats lunch aboard, and likes live music will get much more from the price than someone who only wants a quiet beach afternoon.

The value is less clear once you add the USD$20 access fee, the MXN$40 port fee, and gratuities. Transportation from your hotel is also extra. Bring pesos and some U.S. dollars in cash because the required fees are specified as cash payments, and you may want money for crafts or other purchases in Yelapa.

The group size is the key tradeoff. A boat carrying 100 or more people can feel crowded at first, especially during boarding and snorkeling. Yet a large crew can also provide good coverage, clear instructions, and plenty of energy. If you are comfortable meeting other people and joining a shared party, the scale is part of the fun. If you prefer personal attention and silence, choose a smaller sailing trip.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would recommend it to families with different interests, couples who enjoy active sightseeing, and groups that want a ready-made day rather than several separate bookings. Grandparents can relax on the beach while younger family members snorkel or kayak. Social guests will enjoy the music and dancing on the way back.

It also suits first-time visitors to Puerto Vallarta who want to see more than the city without spending several days arranging coastal transport. You get a taste of a remote village, a waterfall, a protected cove, and the bay itself in one outing.

I would hesitate if you have a mobility impairment. The tour is specifically not suitable for people with mobility limitations, and the Yelapa route can be difficult. I would also hesitate if your main goal is serious snorkeling. The water can be clear, but the snorkeling period may be short, and visibility is not dependable.

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, sun protection, a towel, sturdy footwear, and cash. Keep your belongings compact because you will move between boat, beach, village, trail, and water. A towel is especially easy to forget and useful after either snorkeling or the waterfall.

Should you book the Yelapa and Majahuitas adventure?

Book it if you want a busy, cheerful day that combines scenery, swimming, a village walk, a waterfall, lunch, and a party boat home. The crew is the heart of the experience, and the combination of included activities gives the $99 price solid value after you account for the extra fees.

Skip it if you want a private-feeling cruise, a long uninterrupted snorkeling session, or a slow visit to Yelapa. The day can feel rushed, the boat can be crowded, and nature may not cooperate with your plans.

For most active visitors who enjoy a shared excursion, I would book it, arrive early, eat breakfast first, bring cash, and treat the schedule as a lively overview of Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast rather than a secluded beach escape.

FAQ

How long does the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour last?

The experience lasts seven hours. About one and a half hours are spent cruising from Puerto Vallarta to the first stop, followed by a short 15-minute catamaran ride between the destinations and another one and a half hours cruising back.

What activities are included?

The day includes a guided visit to Yelapa, a walk toward the Cola de Caballo waterfall, snorkeling at Majahuitas, access to snorkeling and kayaking equipment, beach time, lunch, and an onboard open bar. Paddleboarding is also mentioned as an available activity, though water activities can depend on conditions and timing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A deli-style lunch is included. It generally consists of sandwiches, salads, and fruit.

Are drinks included?

An open bar is included aboard the catamaran. Morning service may include juice and coffee, but you should eat breakfast beforehand if you need a substantial meal.

What extra fees must I pay?

You must pay a MXN$40 port fee in cash before boarding and a USD$20 access fee per person in cash at check-in. Gratuities and transportation from your hotel are not included.

Can I book if I do not want to snorkel?

Yes. You can spend time on the beach, kayak, paddleboard, or relax while other people snorkel. Yelapa also offers a waterfall walk, village visit, crafts, and beach time.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The Yelapa walk can be hot, uneven, slippery, and difficult, especially on the route toward the waterfall.