Yelapa Waterfall, BBQ at Exclusive Majahuitas Beach & Open bar

Yelapa gives this Puerto Vallarta boat trip its best sense of place. You leave the city behind, pass the green shores of Banderas Bay, walk through a remote fishing village, and reach a small waterfall before lunch on the quieter shore of Majahuitas. Danny and Poncho are two crew names to watch for, both praised for keeping the day lively and organized.

I like the mix of village walking and water activities, since you are not trapped on a beach all day. I also like that the $99 price includes breakfast snacks, lunch, drinks aboard, snorkeling gear, and kayaks. The catch is time: this is a full, busy boat day, and Majahuitas beach time can feel rushed, especially with up to 200 people aboard.

Key points to know before booking

• Yelapa is the cultural stop: Walk through a remote fishing village toward Cola de Caballo waterfall, or spend your time on the beach.
• Majahuitas supplies the postcard setting: Palm trees, turquoise water, lunch, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding are all part of the stop.
• The crew drives the mood: Danny, Poncho, and the wider team provide commentary, drinks, music, games, and a surprise closing performance.
• Weather controls the quality: Rough seas can prevent docking at Yelapa and make snorkeling murky or uncomfortable.
• The terrain is real: Expect sand, uphill sections, uneven paths, wet cobblestones, and a rough walk back to the pier.
• Bring the basics: Pack a towel, sunscreen, photo ID, and cash for the MX$40 port fee and MX$20 check-in access fee.

A full day from Puerto Mágico to the southern bay

The tour begins at 8:00 a.m. at Vallarta Adventures in Puerto Mágico, the maritime terminal on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. Allow time to find the correct departure area. Confusion at the terminal has caused people to miss the first meeting point, so arriving early is smart.

The port charges MX$40 per person in cash, and there is also a MX$20 access fee at check-in. Those charges are not included in the advertised $99 price. You will need photo ID, and Mexico’s federal maritime ports enforce a strict no-drug rule that includes electronic cigarettes and vapes.

Once aboard, expect a large excursion boat rather than a small private charter. The maximum is listed as 200 people. That size helps keep the price reasonable and supports a broad menu of activities, but it also means more movement, more waiting, and less quiet time than you would get on a small boat.

The trip includes beverages aboard, plus light food such as fruit, sweet bread, and breakfast snacks. People also describe steady service from the crew, with drinks offered during the cruise. The boat ride itself is a major part of the experience, with views across Banderas Bay and possible sightings of dolphins or humpback whales.

Those animals are never guaranteed. Sea conditions and the season matter. Still, the ride gives you a chance to watch for them while the crew explains the day’s stops and keeps the mood festive with music.

Yelapa, a village walk with an uncertain waterfall

Yelapa is about an hour from Puerto Vallarta and feels far removed from the city. It is a remote fishing village reached by water, with sandy stretches, rough paths, and uphill routes leading inland.

The usual plan is a walk through the village toward Cola de Caballo waterfall. The hike is short, but do not confuse short with effortless. You may encounter wet cobblestones, uneven ground, sandy paths, and uphill sections. Hiking shoes or sturdy walking sandals are a much better choice than smooth-soled flip-flops.

The village walk is part of the value here. You see how people live in a place that is not connected to Puerto Vallarta by road, rather than simply stepping off a boat onto a resort beach. The route also gives you a look at Yelapa beyond the first strip of sand. If you have limited mobility, this is the difficult section of the day. The tour is not recommended for anyone who struggles with irregular paths, hills, or sand.

The waterfall can be beautiful, but its flow changes sharply with rainfall. During dry periods it may be only a trickle, or dry enough that the guide suggests skipping the walk. That is not a small detail. If the waterfall is the main reason you are booking, check seasonal conditions and keep your expectations flexible.

When the cascade is not running, you can choose a village stroll or beach time. The beach is pleasant, but it is not a private retreat. Local vendors may approach you with drinks, horses, or other items, and some people find the sales activity tiresome. Horse rentals cost extra, and drinks at Yelapa are not included.

Yelapa is also where the schedule can feel tight. The official stop is about two hours, and that time must cover getting off the boat, walking, visiting the waterfall, exploring, and returning to the pier. Follow the guide’s directions and keep track of the meeting time. One serious complaint involved someone being left behind in the village, though the boat returned for that person. The lesson is simple: do not wander off without knowing exactly where and when to meet.

Majahuitas Beach, the day’s best swimming stop

After Yelapa, the boat heads to Majahuitas Beach. This secluded beach has palm trees and clear-looking turquoise water, and it is the part of the day many people picture when booking the tour.

Majahuitas offers a useful mix of activity and rest. You can snorkel, kayak, paddle board, swim, or sit near the beach club. Equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange separate rentals. Some outings also include beach volleyball or a banana boat ride, but availability and timing can vary with the day’s operation.

The water is not always perfect for snorkeling. On good days, you might see colorful fish, pufferfish, and other marine life in a sheltered cove. On rough or murky days, visibility can be poor, and waves can make staying in the water tiring. Jellyfish conditions have also caused the crew to shift the snorkeling stop to another location.

That flexibility is useful for safety, but it can change the feel of the itinerary. You might snorkel at a different cove, or spend more time moving between spots than expected. If snorkeling is your priority, sea conditions will matter more than the brochure description.

The biggest issue at Majahuitas is time. The stop is listed at about one hour, though some outings provide closer to 90 minutes. That clock includes lunch, getting equipment, swimming, and finding your way around the beach club. I would not book this expecting a lazy afternoon with hours to read under a palm tree.

The upside is efficiency. You can sample several activities without paying separate fees, and the crew works to keep the boat on schedule. The downside is that you may feel pushed from lunch to the water and back again. If you prefer long, unhurried beach time, a slower beach excursion may suit you better.

BBQ lunch and drinks included in the price

Lunch at Majahuitas is one of the stronger parts of the package. It is a BBQ buffet with options that have been described as fresh, flavorful, and broad enough for different tastes. For a $99 day trip, including lunch helps the price make sense, especially since snorkeling equipment and kayaks are also covered.

The listed inclusions specify refreshing drinks with lunch and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages at the beach club. Drinks aboard the boat are included too. Keep in mind that descriptions of the beach drink selection have varied, with water, pineapple juice, and beer specifically noted on one outing. If you want something more specific, ask the crew what is available that day.

Food service can feel confusing at first because the boat unloads a large group into an active beach-club setting. Listen for instructions and watch where your group is directed. The crew generally works hard to serve people, but the scale of the operation can make the first few minutes feel less relaxed.

There is no need to pay for a separate lunch, but gratuity is optional and not included. Bringing a little cash is useful for tips and any purchases at Yelapa.

The crew, entertainment, and the large-boat tradeoff

The crew is a major part of this experience. Danny receives repeated praise for explaining each stage, entertaining the group, and keeping the boat’s energy high. Poncho and his team are also associated with attentive service and strong musical entertainment.

Expect more than a quiet ferry ride. The crew may lead games, play music, serve drinks, point out sights, and provide a comic performance on the return trip. The final show is deliberately kept as a surprise, but it is part of the tour’s identity. Some people love the lively atmosphere. Others find the music too loud for conversation, especially around lunch.

This is not a tour built around silence or solitude. The crew has to manage many people moving between the boat, village, snorkeling water, beach, and lunch area. That can result in brisk instructions and a sense that you are always being moved to the next activity.

The tradeoff is clear. You get transportation, meals, equipment, entertainment, and a structured route for one price. You give up some independence and quiet. I would choose this trip if I wanted a social day with plenty happening. I would avoid it if I wanted a private boat, a slow pace, or long stretches without music.

How much value do you get for $99?

At $99 per person, the package is fairly strong if you use several inclusions. A comparable day would require paying separately for a boat transfer, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, kayak access, and beach facilities. Here, those pieces are bundled into roughly seven hours.

The price works best for someone who wants variety. You can visit two coastal areas, walk in Yelapa, look for a waterfall, snorkel, kayak, paddle board, eat a BBQ lunch, and enjoy a staffed boat ride without arranging each part yourself.

It is less compelling if you only want Yelapa’s waterfall or only want a quiet beach. The waterfall may be dry, Majahuitas time can be short, and the group can be large. You are paying for the entire production, not just a single activity.

Remember the extra cash costs: MX$40 for port fees and MX$20 for the check-in access fee. Horse rentals, Yelapa drinks, and gratuity are also separate. The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. If bad weather cancels the trip, you can receive another date or a full refund.

Practical preparation for the boat and village

Wear a swimsuit under light clothing and bring your own towel. Sunscreen is essential, though you should apply it before boarding and follow any rules the crew gives you around the water.

For footwear, choose something that handles wet cobblestones and sand. The route to the waterfall is not suitable for delicate sandals, and the walk back across the beach can be uncomfortable if you are barefoot or carrying too much.

Bring photo ID and cash. Keep valuables limited, since you will be moving between a boat, beach, village, and water activities. Toilets are located on the lower deck of the boat.

The experience is offered in English. It ends back at the Puerto Mágico meeting point after about seven hours. Cruise ship passengers cannot book this excursion, and the departure point is not designed for people with limited mobility.

Who should book this Yelapa and Majahuitas tour?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and friends who enjoy a full schedule and a friendly, high-energy crew. It works especially well if you want to combine sightseeing, swimming, lunch, and entertainment in one day.

Families should like the variety, but adults need to keep an eye on timing and terrain. The village path is not smooth, and young children or anyone unsteady on their feet may need extra help.

Snorkeling fans should see this as a chance to try several water activities, not as a dedicated marine-life expedition. Visibility changes, jellyfish may affect the route, and the water can be rough. You might see colorful fish, dolphins, or whales, but none are guaranteed.

People who dislike crowds, loud music, vendor attention, or a tightly managed schedule should think twice. The maximum group size of 200 is the clearest warning. You will get a lot in one day, but you will not have the coast to yourself.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an active Puerto Vallarta day with Yelapa’s village and waterfall route, Majahuitas water sports, lunch, drinks, and a crew-led show. The strongest parts are the scenery, the range of activities, the BBQ, and the hardworking staff, especially guides such as Danny and Poncho.

Skip it if your main goal is a guaranteed waterfall, extended quiet beach time, or a small-group sailing experience. For the best chance of enjoying it, wear sturdy shoes, bring a towel and sunscreen, carry cash and ID, stay close to the group in Yelapa, and accept that the sea and waterfall may not cooperate.

FAQ

How long does the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours and starts at 8:00 a.m. It ends back at the Puerto Mágico meeting point.

What is included in the $99 price?

The price includes a BBQ lunch at Majahuitas, refreshing drinks, beverages aboard the boat, snorkeling equipment, and kayaking equipment. Paddle boarding and other activities may be available at the beach stop.

Is the waterfall in Yelapa always flowing?

No. Water levels change with rainfall and the season. During dry periods, the waterfall may be a small trickle or dry, and the guide may suggest a village walk or beach time instead.

Are port and check-in fees included?

No. You must pay an MX$40 per-person port fee in cash and an MX$20 per-person access fee at check-in.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. The route includes sandy, uphill, and irregular paths in the fishing village. Wet cobblestones and rough beach areas can also make walking difficult.

Can cruise ship passengers book this experience?

No. Passengers arriving on a cruise ship cannot book this tour.