Mega Catamarans ALL INCLUSIVE Remote Paradise Beach Adventure

Paradise takes a catamaran ride. This six-and-a-half-hour trip from Puerto Vallarta combines a scenic cruise, a remote beach club, waterfall access, water sports, meals, and an open bar into one busy day. I like the excellent crew service, especially guides such as Isaias, known as Papi Chulo, and Dana, who help keep the trip organized and lively. I also like the freedom to spend your time swimming, kayaking, hiking, or simply resting by the pool.

The main thing to consider is the party atmosphere. Music can be loud for much of the day, and the boat may carry up to 120 people. The waterfall walk also takes real effort, and a few practical details, such as possible departure delays and uneven facilities at the beach club, mean this is not a polished resort day in every respect.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• The trip includes two meals, snacks, and an open bar, with breakfast items, guacamole and chips, and a traditional fajita lunch.
• Playa Chica Locca is reached by boat only, giving the day a remote feel without giving up lounge chairs, a pool, or a swim-up bar.
• The Quimixto waterfall is optional, but the walk can take about an hour each way and calls for sturdy shoes.
• ATV rides to the waterfall cost extra and require cash, with one recent price listed at 500 pesos per person.
• The crew is the strongest part of the experience, with attentive service, bilingual entertainment, and help throughout the boat and beach portions.
• Snorkeling depends on the sea conditions, and rough or murky water can make it less rewarding than kayaking, paddleboarding, or swimming.

What Your $135 Covers

At $135 per person, this is not simply a boat ride to a beach. The price covers about six and a half hours of food, drinks, transportation by catamaran, port entry fees, public parking, water equipment, and guided access to the waterfall area.

Breakfast includes fruit, muffins, coffee, and juice. Once you reach Playa Chica Locca, the crew serves fresh guacamole with blue corn chips. Lunch is a prepared fajita meal with chicken, beef, rice, beans, and tortillas. Vegetarian and vegan choices are available, and gluten-free meals can be requested when you book.

The open bar includes water, mineral water, soft drinks, coffee, juices, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas. The phrase premium bar should be taken in the context of an all-inclusive group cruise, not a private cocktail lounge. One disappointed customer felt the alcohol was poor quality, while many others enjoyed the drinks and constant service. If beverage quality matters greatly to you, keep expectations sensible.

The value is strongest if you plan to use several parts of the package. A person who eats the included meals, enjoys the water equipment, visits the waterfall, and has drinks throughout the cruise gets considerably more from the price than someone who only wants a quiet ride and a beach chair.

Boarding at Puerto Mágico

You must choose your meeting point before completing the booking. The main departure point is Puerto Mágico, also called the cruise terminal, and public parking and port entry fees are included.

Allow extra time to find the correct check-in area. The terminal handles many tours, so the meeting place can feel confusing at first. You do not need to buy a separate port pass for this tour because the operator provides the required entry access. That detail is worth knowing, since one couple nearly paid for passes they did not need.

Security at the federal maritime port is strict. Bags may be searched, and drugs, weapons, liquids, electronic cigarettes, and vapes are not permitted. The minimum drinking age is 18.

The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. A shuttle connection may be available in some arrangements, but you should confirm your meeting point and transportation details before the morning of the trip. One group coming from Sayulita found the shuttle connection to Puerto Vallarta easy, but that service should not be assumed unless it is part of your booking.

The Catamaran Ride to Quimixto

The outward cruise takes roughly an hour. Breakfast is served early, so I recommend eating at least something before boarding if you tend to get hungry. One person found that fruit alone was not enough before the beach stop, while other departures included fruit and muffins. A small personal snack is a sensible backup if port rules allow it.

The catamaran has two levels and shaded seating, but seating can become difficult for a large group. A family of 11 found it challenging to sit together during the ride out. The vessel used for this experience may also differ from the boat used on another Chica Locca excursion, so do not assume every Mega Catamaran departure has the same size or level of luxury.

The crew is central to the mood. Isaias, or Papi Chulo, is often praised for explaining the schedule, keeping people entertained, and speaking in two languages. Captain Noah, Luis, Guadalupe, Alex, Dana, and other crew members have also received warm praise for their service. Drinks are offered during the cruise, music sets a festive tone, and the crew keeps an eye out for whales, dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and seabirds.

From December through April, humpback whales may be seen in Banderas Bay. Sightings are not guaranteed, but several departures have included whales, dolphins, or turtles. Treat wildlife as a welcome bonus, not part of the promised schedule.

Playa Chica Locca: A Beach Club in a Remote Setting

The boat arrives at Playa Chica Locca, a private beach area accessible only by water. This is the heart of the excursion and the place where the cruise turns into a resort-style beach day.

You are greeted with guacamole, chips, and drinks. The setting includes soft sand, shaded lounge chairs, beach beds, an oceanfront infinity pool, and a swim-up bar. Several people simply chose the pool and loungers, while others went straight for the ocean equipment. That choice is part of the appeal. You are not forced into one activity.

The beach is attractive and comfortable, but it is not a flawless luxury resort. One person praised the bathrooms as among the nicest they had found in Mexico and enjoyed the seating choices. Another reported broken pool tiles, peeling paint, sharp edges around the bar, worn furniture, and a rocky beach. These accounts point to a location that can feel special but may show wear from saltwater, weather, and heavy use.

Bring sunscreen and consider water shoes if you have sensitive feet. No beach towels are included, so pack one from your hotel if permitted. The pool may feel cool, and the ocean can be more comfortable depending on the day.

Choosing Between Water Sports and Downtime

Included equipment includes snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and other water toys. You can swim from the beach, paddle along the shore, snorkel, or use the pool.

I would not choose this excursion only for snorkeling. Sea conditions can change, and one person found the water rough, murky, and rocky. Another saw colorful fish in calmer conditions. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming offer safer bets if the visibility is poor.

The beach club works well for mixed groups. One person can take a paddleboard while another rests in the shade. Families can use the beach and pool, couples can settle into lounge chairs, and active visitors can spend much of the stop in the water.

There is a catch: the schedule can feel tight. The beach and waterfall portions may leave you with around an hour and a half in each area once walking, eating, and organizing are counted. If you hike to the waterfall, you will have less time for kayaking and pool lounging.

Walking to the Quimixto Waterfall

The waterfall visit gives the day more substance than a standard beach party. The route leads through Quimixto, a small coastal community, and continues along a rough trail toward the falls. The walk is about 1.5 miles according to one detailed account, while the round trip can take close to two hours.

The trail can be steep and uneven. Wear proper walking shoes, not flip-flops. The route may include wet sections, and the path to the ATV pickup can also be steep. The reward is a cool waterfall pool where you can swim, use available life jackets, and stop at a small restaurant over the water for a drink or fresh coconut.

Dana has guided the walk and pointed out local birds and features along the route. Walking lets you see more of Quimixto and pass local homes, but it takes a substantial portion of your beach-club time. This is not a quick stroll.

The waterfall is optional. You can stay at Playa Chica Locca and use the pool, beach, and water toys instead. That is the better choice if you have mobility limits, dislike rough trails, or want a slow day.

ATV and Horse Options

ATV rides and horseback rides are not included in the $135 price. They must be arranged through the confirmation information and paid for in cash.

The ATV option can save energy on the steep trail. One recent price was 500 pesos per person, with someone else driving and space for two passengers. The route may pass through jungle and water, so expect to get wet and wear shoes that can handle mud or splashes.

The horseback option is less straightforward. Older information may suggest horses are available directly at the resort, but access can involve a steep walk to the pickup area. Confirm the current arrangement before counting on a horse ride.

For many people, the ATV is a practical compromise. You still reach the waterfall and see part of the countryside without spending the entire stop hiking. Bring cash, and do not assume card payment will be accepted.

Lunch, Music, and the Ride Home

Lunch is a fresh fajita meal with meat, rice, beans, and tortillas. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if requested at booking. The food receives strong praise, but the timing can vary. One person did not receive lunch until about 2 p.m., after waiting through fruit and guacamole. That may have been an isolated service problem, but I would eat breakfast and carry a permitted snack.

After lunch, you may have time for the pool, beach, or another short swim before returning to the boat. The ride back is usually the most energetic part of the day. Music gets louder, the bar remains open, and dancing is encouraged.

That atmosphere is fun for people who want a party at sea. It can be tiring if you hoped for quiet time after the waterfall walk. One direct complaint focused on loud music with no real escape from the sound. Shaded areas exist, but this is not a silent sunset cruise.

The photographer takes candid and action photos during the day. Photo services are not included, and you can ask to see or purchase the images at the end. A digital album may be shared within 24 hours. You can also stop at the retail shop for souvenirs.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most?

This trip fits you best if you want several experiences packed into one outing. It is a good match for couples, families, groups of friends, and mixed-age parties that can agree on a lively day.

You will likely enjoy it if you value:

• Friendly, attentive crew service
• Food and drinks included in the price
• A remote beach without arranging a separate boat
• A choice of pool, beach, waterfall, and water activities
• Music, dancing, and a social atmosphere
• The option to add an ATV ride

It is a weaker fit if you want silence, a small private boat, refined resort facilities, or a guaranteed snorkeling experience. The maximum group size is 120, and large departures may feel crowded at boarding or around the most popular seating.

Most people can participate, but the waterfall route requires good walking ability. Ask about food needs when booking, and remember that hotel transfers are not included.

Cancellation and Weather Details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The trip depends on suitable weather. If poor weather cancels the excursion, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of people is not reached, the operator offers another date or experience, or a full refund.

Because the tour is often booked about 26 days ahead, reserve early if your Puerto Vallarta dates are fixed. Read the meeting instructions closely and select the pickup or meeting location before submitting the reservation.

Should You Book the Mega Catamaran Adventure?

I would book this tour if you want a full, social day with lots included and you like having choices. The best parts are the crew, the remote beach setting, the waterfall option, and the fact that you can eat and drink without paying for every small item.

I would skip it if loud music bothers you, if you want a quiet beach escape, or if worn facilities would spoil the day. If you do book, bring sunscreen, sturdy shoes, cash for the ATV, a towel, and patience for possible delays. Choose the waterfall or the beach club based on your energy, not pressure from the group.

At 4.9 out of 5 from 470 ratings, with 96 percent recommending it, the experience clearly works for many people. Its value comes from variety and service rather than perfect luxury. Think of it as a friendly, all-inclusive day on the bay with a private beach stop, a cold waterfall, and a party waiting on the ride home.

FAQ

How long does the Mega Catamaran Remote Paradise Beach Adventure last?

The experience lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes breakfast, fruit, muffins, coffee, juices, guacamole, blue corn chips, a fajita lunch, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, water toys, guided waterfall service, public parking, and Puerto Mágico port entry fees.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must choose a meeting place before completing the reservation.

Is the waterfall visit included?

Guided service to the waterfall is included, but ATV and horseback rides cost extra. The waterfall can also be reached by walking.

How much does the ATV ride cost?

One recent price listed the ATV ride at 500 pesos per person. Cash is required, and prices may change.

Are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. You should request them when booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.