Vallarta: Yelapa Waterfall & Majahuitas Snorkel Adventure

Two coves, one lively boat day. This Puerto Vallarta excursion combines a scenic catamaran ride, the road-free village of Yelapa, a waterfall walk, and snorkeling at Majahuitas. I especially like the chance to see Yelapa’s local village and Cola de Caballo waterfall, then spend time in a cove reached only by sea. The friendly crew, open bar, music, and return-boat show add plenty of fun for the $99 price.

The main drawback is pace. You may be part of a very large group, and some stops feel tightly timed. The waterfall walk can be rough, snorkeling may be brief, and the water is not always clear. Bring cash for the MXN$40 port fee, the USD$20 access fee, tips, and any purchases in Yelapa.

Key points to know before you book

• Yelapa has no roads: You arrive by boat and walk through a small fishing village toward the Cola de Caballo waterfall.
• Majahuitas is reached only by sea: The cove offers snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and beach time away from Puerto Vallarta.
• The crew is a major part of the experience: Music, dancing, drinks, commentary, and a show make the long ride home entertaining.
• The day lasts seven hours: Expect about three hours total on the catamaran, with the rest split between Yelapa and Majahuitas.
• Extra cash is essential: Pay the MXN$40 port fee and USD$20 access fee in cash, and carry pesos for village shopping, drinks, or tips.
• This is not a quiet small-group outing: One recent account described a boat carrying more than 100 people, so choose it for social energy rather than solitude.

What this Puerto Vallarta boat tour is really like

This is a full-day coastal outing from Puerto Vallarta to two striking coves south of the city. You board at either Vallarta Adventures Nuevo Vallarta or Puerto Magico, then spend roughly an hour and a half cruising along the coast toward the first stop.

The boat ride is not just transportation. The crew keeps things moving with music, drinks, dancing, landmark commentary, and entertainment. On winter departures, humpback whales may appear, and dolphins are also possible. Nature decides what you see, of course, but the coastal ride is scenic even when the animals stay out of sight.

I would set your expectations correctly: this is a social catamaran party with outdoor activities, not a quiet sailing trip. The boat can feel crowded at first, especially if you prefer plenty of personal space. Still, the crew earns strong praise for being attentive, funny, organized, and willing to help people throughout the day.

Names singled out by past participants include Chi, Omar, Alejandro, Emberto, and Chewey. Staff members can change, but the consistent theme is clear: the crew is not an afterthought. They are central to the experience.

Yelapa: a village reached by water

The operating schedule places Yelapa at about 80 minutes, though the order of stops can vary in how the day is presented. After stepping ashore, you walk through the village toward the waterfall area. Yelapa is unusual because it has no roads, giving the community a slower, more foot-powered feel than Puerto Vallarta.

The route passes local homes, tropical plants, and small stalls selling native handicrafts. This is one of the most worthwhile parts of the trip if you want more than beach time. You get a brief look at a community that developed around the sea and river rather than highways and large resort buildings.

The waterfall walk is the tour’s most physically demanding section. The path can be hot, uneven, and slippery, and one account described it as treacherous. Another found the climb tiring but rewarding. Wear secure sandals or water shoes if you have them. Flip-flops have been considered workable, but they are not the safest choice on a rough path.

At the Cola de Caballo waterfall, you can cool off in the water or pause to enjoy the setting. The pool may be cold after the walk. During a dry period, the waterfall might have little or no flowing water, so the outing is still worthwhile for the village and scenery, but do not treat a powerful cascade as guaranteed.

A small bar near the waterfall may offer drinks for purchase, which is another reason to carry pesos. The tour’s open bar is on the boat, and extra village purchases are not covered by the $99 price.

After the waterfall visit, you return toward Yelapa Beach. The beach sits where the river reaches the ocean, with green hills around the cove. You can spend time on the sand, browse handicrafts, or simply enjoy the setting before returning to the boat.

The tradeoff is time. Some departures give you just enough time to follow the group to the waterfall and back, leaving little room to explore Yelapa on your own. If you want a slow village visit, long beach lounging, and a relaxed waterfall stop, this excursion may feel rushed.

Majahuitas Cove and the water activities

Majahuitas is a completely different stop. The cove is accessible only by boat, and its clear water and sandy beach make it feel more secluded than the developed shoreline around Puerto Vallarta.

The schedule allows about 25 minutes for snorkeling, followed by roughly two hours and 40 minutes for lunch and free time. In practice, the exact amount of time available for each activity can depend on how quickly the group moves and on sea conditions.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and an expert guide helps organize the water activity. You may also have access to kayaks and paddle boards, while banana rides have been available on some departures. The cove supports a range of interests: one person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can stay on the beach.

The marine life can be good. One account described seeing many different fish, while another said visibility was disappointing. Jellyfish have also caused problems on at least one departure, with several people reporting stings and poor visibility. Conditions in the bay are not controlled by the crew, but you should know that snorkeling here is weather-dependent and not guaranteed to look like a postcard.

If snorkeling is the main reason you are booking, this tour may not be the best fit. A dedicated snorkeling trip would likely give you more time in the water. Here, snorkeling is one part of a larger day that also includes a village, waterfall, beach, lunch, and entertainment.

Majahuitas is a stronger choice for people who want variety. You can take a short swim, use the included equipment, relax on the sand, and enjoy lunch without needing to organize separate transport between several places.

Lunch, drinks, and the return-boat fiesta

Lunch is included as a deli-style buffet, with sandwiches, salads, and fruit. It is not a restaurant meal, but it fills the gap between water activities and the ride home. One useful tip: eat breakfast before you leave. The early food service is limited to items such as juice and coffee, rather than a full continental breakfast.

The open bar is also included on board. Drinks are available during the cruise, and the return trip becomes the most festive part of the day. Music, dancing, and a crew performance turn the boat into a floating party.

This entertainment is a major reason the excursion receives such warm praise. The crew works the whole boat, keeps people involved, and creates an easy social mood. If you enjoy music, group games, dancing, and meeting other people, the ride home may be a highlight.

If you want to sit quietly and watch the coast, claim a calm spot early or accept that the boat will become louder later. The return show is part of the product, not an optional extra.

Photography may also be offered for purchase. The crew has taken good pictures for some participants, but the cost has been described as high, sometimes approaching the price of the tour itself. Bring your own waterproof phone case if you want casual pictures without committing to a photo package.

Is $99 a good value?

At $99 per person, the price is reasonable for a seven-hour day that includes transportation by boat, a deli-style lunch, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, and access to two coastal locations. You would pay separately for several of those pieces if you arranged a private outing.

The value depends on what you want from the day. I think the price works well if you want a bundle of activities and do not mind sharing the boat with a large crowd. You get a coastal cruise, two coves, village time, a waterfall walk, lunch, water equipment, and a lively ride home.

The value is weaker if you are booking mainly for snorkeling or a peaceful beach day. The water time can be short, visibility can vary, and the schedule may feel compressed. A quieter private boat or a specialized snorkeling trip might suit you better, though it would likely cost more.

Budget for the required extra charges. A MXN$40 port fee must be paid in cash before boarding, and there is a USD$20 access fee per person payable in cash at check-in. Gratuities are not included. Transportation from your hotel is also not included, so you need to reach the designated check-in point yourself.

The reservation has a useful flexibility feature: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Starting times vary, so check availability before making plans around the excursion.

Getting ready for the day

You need to redeem your reservation at the Vallarta Adventures check-in desk. Hotel pickup is not included, and the two stated pickup and drop-off points are Puerto Magico and Vallarta Adventures Nuevo Vallarta.

Arrive early. Port navigation can be confusing, especially for a first visit, and one practical account recommends arriving before 8 a.m. when applicable to the departure time. Confirm your exact starting time rather than assuming every departure leaves at the same hour.

Bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Cash for the MXN$40 port fee
• USD$20 in cash for the access fee
• Pesos for handicrafts, drinks, and tips
• A swimsuit and a change of clothes
• A towel
• Secure footwear for the waterfall path
• Sun protection and a waterproof way to protect your phone

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The boat boarding, beach access, village route, and waterfall walk all require movement over uneven surfaces. Even if you are generally active, take the waterfall section seriously. It is short compared with the full day, but it may be the hardest part.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would recommend this tour to families, couples, friend groups, and solo visitors who like a busy day with several kinds of activity. It works especially well for a mixed group: younger members can snorkel or kayak while others relax on the beach, and everyone can share lunch and the boat entertainment.

It also suits first-time visitors to Puerto Vallarta who want to see beyond the city without arranging multiple bookings. Yelapa gives you a taste of local coastal life, while Majahuitas delivers the classic cove-and-clear-water setting.

You should think twice if you dislike large groups, loud music, fixed schedules, or organized entertainment. You should also reconsider if you need a smooth, accessible route or if snorkeling is your only priority.

Should you book the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour?

Book it if you want a big, cheerful day at sea with a waterfall, village walk, beach time, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a show. The crew’s warmth and energy appear to be the strongest part of the experience, and the combination of places gives you more variety than a basic beach cruise.

Skip it if you want solitude, a slow visit to Yelapa, or extended time underwater. For the best experience, arrive early, bring cash, wear sensible footwear, eat breakfast, and treat snorkeling as a bonus rather than a promise of perfect visibility.

At 4.3 out of 5 from 74 ratings, it is a solid choice with clear limits. The day is lively, active, and sometimes crowded, but it packs a great deal into seven hours and offers access to two places you cannot reach by road.

FAQ

How long does the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour last?

The experience lasts seven hours, including the boat rides, time in Yelapa, snorkeling, lunch, and free time at Majahuitas.

Where does the tour depart?

Pickup is available at Puerto Magico or Vallarta Adventures Nuevo Vallarta. You must redeem your reservation at the Vallarta Adventures check-in desk.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Transportation from your hotel is not included.

What food is included?

A deli-style lunch is included. It consists of buffet-style items such as sandwiches, salads, and fruit. Early food service may be limited to juice and coffee.

Are drinks included?

Yes. An open bar is available on board. Drinks purchased separately in Yelapa are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with kayaking equipment. Paddle boarding and other water activities may also be available at Majahuitas.

What extra fees must I pay?

You must pay a MXN$40 port fee in cash before boarding. There is also a USD$20 access fee per person, payable in cash at check-in. Gratuities are not included.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments because it includes boat access, beach movement, a village walk, and a potentially rough route to the waterfall.