Puerto Vallarta: Yelapa, Majahuitas, Lunch, Open Bar Onboard

Yelapa is the star of this day on the water. The car-free fishing village feels wonderfully removed from Puerto Vallarta, with donkeys carrying cargo, roosters marking the morning, and a trail leading from town toward the Cola de Caballo waterfalls. I like the mix of beach and village life, rather than spending all day on a boat or at one resort.

I also like the practical package: lunch, snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and a national open bar are included in the $118 price. The main caution is Majahuitas snorkeling. Visibility can be limited, so you should book this for the full combination of Yelapa, beach time, and water activities, not for snorkeling alone.

Key points to know before booking

• Yelapa brings the strongest sense of place: Walk through a car-free fishing village, browse local handicrafts, and choose between the beach or the Cola de Caballo waterfall trail.
• Majahuitas is the water-activity stop: Snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding are included, though underwater visibility may vary.
• The day lasts eight hours: You get a full outing, not a quick coastal stop.
• Meals are covered: Breakfast includes bread, coffee, seasonal fruit, yogurt, and granola. Lunch offers six choices.
• The open bar begins after snorkeling: National drinks are served onboard after the snorkeling portion.
• Budget for the marina fee: A $30 peso entrance fee per person is separate from the tour price.

Why Yelapa is the heart of the day

Yelapa works because it is not simply another strip of sand. This small village has no cars, and that changes the pace at once. Donkeys still carry goods through town, while the sounds of sunshine and roosters set a slower rhythm than the busy streets of Puerto Vallarta.

You can spend your time in Yelapa in several ways. If you want movement, walk through the village toward the Cola de Caballo waterfalls. If you prefer an easy afternoon, stay near the broad beach where the river meets the sea. You can swim, sit in the sun, sip a drink, or browse native artisan handicrafts along the way.

The waterfall walk gives this excursion its best sense of discovery. You follow a route through the village and toward cascading water, then have the option to cool off in the pool below the falls. The supplied information does not give a precise walking time or trail difficulty, so I would treat it as a casual nature walk rather than assume it is a demanding hike.

That distinction matters. The path may suit you if you enjoy a bit of walking between beach stops, but the tour does not promise a long guided trek or a wilderness expedition. You can also skip the waterfall walk and use your time for swimming and sand.

Yelapa’s setting is especially appealing because the river, beach, and green mountain slopes come together in one view. You get a more varied experience than a standard beach excursion, with local life close at hand and enough free time to set your own pace.

Majahuitas snorkeling and the limits of the water stop

Majahuitas Cove is the first major activity stop. The plan is to snorkel among fish, then use the included kayaks or paddleboards around the sandy-bottomed water. You may choose a single or double kayak, and the guide is expected to point out marine life as you paddle.

This is a useful setup for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can kayak, and someone else can stay on board or take a slower swim. The equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange separate rentals for the main activities.

I would keep expectations measured. Majahuitas can offer fish and marine life, but underwater visibility is not guaranteed. One passenger specifically found the snorkeling hard to see and preferred Yelapa enough to return there alone on a future visit. That is a valuable warning, not a reason to cancel the whole day.

Water conditions can affect any snorkeling stop, and the experience gives you other options if the underwater view is less impressive than hoped. Kayaking and paddleboarding let you enjoy the cove from above, while Yelapa supplies the stronger land-based portion.

The open bar begins after snorkeling, which is also worth noting for pacing and safety. You should expect the active water portion to come before the drinks, with cocktails and other national beverages available onboard afterward.

What the eight-hour schedule gives you

Eight hours is a substantial block of your Puerto Vallarta trip. You will not simply race to a beach, take a few photos, and return. The time allows for the coastal journey, the Majahuitas activities, food onboard, and a longer stay in Yelapa.

The exact departure time depends on availability, so check the schedule before booking. The start time affects how the day fits with your other plans, but the supplied details do not provide a fixed departure hour or a minute-by-minute breakdown.

I like the general rhythm:

• Breakfast and the boat portion help you settle in.
• Majahuitas provides the main snorkeling and paddle activities.
• Lunch and the open bar make the middle of the day easier.
• Yelapa gives you free time for the beach, village, waterfall walk, or a mix of all three.

The flexible part is important. Yelapa is not presented as a tightly controlled stop where every minute is assigned. You can choose your own balance of movement and rest. If you want to walk, you can head toward the waterfall. If you have already had enough activity, the beach offers an easy alternative.

The excursion is guided in English or Spanish. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular host. The crew and staff are described as fun and helpful in the available feedback, but the specific people working your departure may differ.

Breakfast and six lunch choices onboard

The included breakfast is simple and sensible: bread, coffee, seasonal fruit, yogurt, and granola. It is enough to give you a base for the morning without making the meal the focus of the trip.

Lunch offers six choices:

• Fish filet
• Chicken fajitas
• Hamburger
• Beef fajitas
• Shrimp quesadillas
• Fish ceviche

This range works well for a mixed group. You can choose seafood, meat, or a familiar hamburger, while ceviche provides a local-style option. Since the meal is included, you do not need to budget for a separate beach lunch.

The description calls the lunch deli-style, so you should expect a practical meal rather than a formal restaurant service. That fits the day. You are paying for access to two coastal stops and several activities, not for a long sit-down dining experience.

Food is one of the factors that improves the value of the $118 price. Add the equipment rental, breakfast, lunch, onboard insurance, and open bar, and the cost covers more than transport to a beach. Still, you should compare it with your own priorities. If you only want a quiet afternoon on Yelapa, a simpler boat transfer may be a better fit. If you want several activities bundled together, this package makes more sense.

The beach time is intentionally unhurried

Yelapa’s beach time is the part of the day where you get to stop following a schedule. You can sunbathe, swim, drink, eat lunch, or sit where the river reaches the ocean.

That freedom is valuable after the more active Majahuitas stop. I would not feel pressured to complete every possible activity. Snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, a waterfall walk, village browsing, and beach time are a lot to fit into one day. Pick the two or three things that matter most to you.

If the waterfall is your priority, make your way toward the trail early in the Yelapa portion. If your priority is rest, stay near the beach and enjoy the scenery. The experience allows for both approaches, though the exact amount of free time at each stop is not stated.

Yelapa is also the best place to get a sense of local life. The village setting, artisan stalls, and car-free streets give the stop more character than a private beach with no community nearby. You get a little contact with everyday life, even though this remains a planned day excursion.

Is $118 a fair price?

At $118 per person, I see solid value if you intend to use the included activities and meals. The package includes:

• Continental breakfast
• A choice of six lunches
• National open bar onboard after snorkeling
• Snorkeling equipment
• Single and double kayaks
• Paddleboards
• Insurance onboard
• English- or Spanish-speaking guide service

You also get access to two very different settings. Majahuitas is geared toward water activities, while Yelapa combines village streets, a waterfall route, a river, a beach, and mountain views.

The price is less attractive if you plan to skip most of the active portion. Someone who only wants to sit on Yelapa’s beach may not get full value from the snorkeling gear, kayaks, and paddleboards. You also need to add the $30 peso marina entrance fee per person, about $1.50 USD, and carry extra cash for tips, photos, and other personal costs.

The open bar is served after snorkeling, not throughout the entire day. That is sensible for an active water excursion, but it is worth knowing if the bar is a major reason you are considering the trip.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full day that combines nature, water sports, local atmosphere, and easy meals. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can handle a long day with several changes of activity.

It also works for people who find a resort beach too passive. You get time to relax, but the day includes a village, waterfall option, marine life, and paddling. The car-free character of Yelapa gives the trip a stronger local feel than a basic beach cruise.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is serious snorkeling. Majahuitas may provide fish and marine life, but visibility can be disappointing. The tour is better understood as a broad coastal outing with snorkeling included, rather than a dedicated underwater excursion.

The stated restrictions are important. This activity is not suitable for expecting mothers or people with heart, back, or neck problems. If that applies to you, choose a gentler plan.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and a camera or video camera. Pack extra cash for tips, photos, and the marina fee. Since lunch and drinks are included, you do not need to plan around a restaurant stop.

Booking flexibility and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which helps if your Puerto Vallarta plans are still shifting.

Check the available start times before booking, since the excursion lasts eight hours. You should also confirm that the language offered for your departure suits you, as guiding is available in English and Spanish.

The tour has a 4.4 rating based on six reviews, with especially strong praise for the staff, the boat atmosphere, and Yelapa. The clearest practical takeaway is simple: give Yelapa the attention it deserves, and keep your expectations for Majahuitas snorkeling realistic.

Should you book the Yelapa and Majahuitas day?

Book this outing if you want a busy but well-rounded day, with Yelapa as the main reward and Majahuitas as the active opening act. The combination of a car-free village, waterfall option, beach time, lunch, equipment, and onboard drinks gives you plenty for the price.

Skip it if you want a quiet, single-stop beach day or highly reliable snorkeling visibility. For most people, the best reason to choose it is not one perfect activity. It is the contrast between paddling and swimming at Majahuitas, then slowing down in Yelapa with a village walk, a waterfall, or sand under your feet.

FAQ

How long is the Yelapa and Majahuitas excursion?

The excursion lasts eight hours. Starting times vary, so you should check availability when booking.

What languages are available for the guide?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Spanish.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes bread, coffee, seasonal fruit, yogurt, and granola. Lunch includes a choice of fish filet, chicken fajitas, hamburger, beef fajitas, shrimp quesadillas, or fish ceviche.

Is an open bar included?

Yes. A national open bar is available onboard after snorkeling.

Are snorkeling supplies included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included, along with kayaks and paddleboards.

What can I do at Majahuitas Cove?

You can snorkel among fish, use a single or double kayak, and try paddleboarding in the cove.

What can I do in Yelapa?

You can spend time on the beach, swim, walk through the fishing village, browse native artisan handicrafts, or follow the route toward the Cola de Caballo waterfalls.

Is there an additional marina fee?

Yes. A $30 peso entrance fee per person, about $1.50 USD, is not included in the tour price.

Who should not take this activity?

The activity is not suitable for expecting mothers or passengers with heart, back, or neck problems.