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

Yelapa is the star here: a car-free fishing village where donkeys carry goods, roosters set the morning alarm, and a river reaches the beach beneath green mountain slopes. The day adds Majahuitas Cove, water gear, meals, and a boat ride, giving you more than a simple beach stop.

I like the chance to walk to Cola de Caballo waterfall and the useful choice of six lunch dishes. The onboard breakfast, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and open bar also make the $118 price easier to justify. The catch is that Majahuitas snorkeling may not deliver much to see on every day, so book this for Yelapa and the full outing, not snorkeling alone.

Key points to know before booking

• Yelapa brings the strongest sense of place: Walk a car-free village, browse native handicrafts, and choose between the waterfall trail, swimming, or beach time.
• Majahuitas is the water-sports stop: Snorkel, kayak, or use a paddleboard in the cove.
• Meals are covered: Breakfast includes bread, coffee, fruit, yogurt, and granola. Lunch offers six main-course choices.
• The open bar starts after snorkeling: It includes national drinks while you remain onboard.
• Budget for the marina fee: The required entrance charge is 30 Mexican pesos per person, about $1.50.
• Check the physical restrictions: This outing is not suitable for expecting mothers or people with heart, back, or neck problems.

Yelapa gives the day its character

Many Puerto Vallarta boat trips promise pretty water and a patch of sand. This one adds a place with a slower rhythm. Yelapa is a small coastal village without cars, where donkeys still work as cargo carriers and daily life feels far removed from resort schedules.

That difference matters. You are not simply stepping off a boat at another developed beach. You can walk through the village, see local artisan handicrafts, and follow a path toward Cola de Caballo waterfall. The tour description also points to local gastronomy and private homes as part of the broader cultural experience, but those are not listed as guaranteed scheduled stops, so I would treat them as possible context rather than promised activities.

The waterfall walk is the most distinctive option. You stroll through the village toward the cascading falls, then choose to cool off in the water or sit nearby. The supplied details do not state the walking time or trail difficulty, so you should be ready for an outdoor walk rather than expecting a polished attraction with exact timed access.

If you prefer less activity, Yelapa works just as well as a beach stop. The river runs into the ocean near the expansive beach, with the mountains rising behind it. You can swim, sunbathe, sip a drink, or simply let the day slow down.

Majahuitas Cove is the active water stop

Majahuitas Cove gives the excursion a different mood. Here, the focus is marine life and equipment rather than village wandering. Snorkeling is included, and you can also use a single or double ocean kayak or a paddleboard.

The cove is described as having sandy-bottomed water, which can make kayaking and paddleboarding feel approachable for people who do not want a demanding water activity. You will have the chance to paddle around while the marine setting provides the scenery.

Snorkel equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and fins separately. Still, keep your expectations sensible. One verified booking review rated the staff and boat highly but said Majahuitas offered limited visibility for snorkeling, with little to see that day. Conditions in the water can change, so I would consider snorkeling a worthwhile extra rather than the central reason to pay for this trip.

If you are happiest when a beach day includes choices, Majahuitas is useful. You can snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, swim, or stay on the boat. If you want a dedicated marine-life excursion with guaranteed clear viewing, this trip may feel less focused than a specialist snorkeling outing.

What the eight-hour schedule is likely to feel like

The full experience lasts eight hours, which gives the day room for both stops without making it a quick photo visit. The exact departure time depends on availability, so check the schedule before you book.

The outing begins with a continental breakfast. You get bread, coffee, seasonal fruit, yogurt, and granola. This is a practical start, especially if you have an early departure or want something light before taking part in water activities.

Majahuitas serves as the main water-activity period. This is when you can use the snorkeling equipment, kayaks, and paddleboards. The open bar begins after snorkeling, so do not plan on drinking before getting into the water.

Yelapa then supplies the slower portion of the day. You can explore the fishing village, walk toward Cola de Caballo, browse handicrafts, or settle on the beach. The balance is one of the outing’s better features: Majahuitas keeps the morning active, while Yelapa gives you time to choose your own pace.

Lunch is available with six choices:

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

That range is helpful for mixed groups. You can choose seafood, meat, or a familiar hamburger instead of being tied to one fixed dish. Ceviche is the most local-feeling choice, while the fajitas and burger offer simpler options for cautious eaters.

The information says lunch is included, but it does not clearly state if every dish is served onboard or at the beach. The highlights describe a deli-style lunch and beach time, while the inclusions mention lunch without a specific location. Plan for a casual meal rather than a formal restaurant service.

The boat matters as much as the stops

This is an onboard experience, not just transportation between two beaches. Breakfast, lunch, insurance, and the national open bar are all built into the day, and the boat provides the place to rest between activities.

The national open bar begins after snorkeling. That timing is sensible, since you can finish the water portion first and then relax with a drink. You should still bring water-friendly sun protection and avoid treating the open bar as the main feature. The best parts of the trip are the village, waterfall option, and coastal setting.

One verified review specifically praised the staff and described the boat as fun. There are no guide names provided, so I cannot tell you who will lead your departure. Live guiding is available in English and Spanish, which makes the trip workable for both language groups.

The group size is not provided. That is worth checking if you care about a quiet boat, quick access to equipment, or personal attention from the guide. A larger group can make the equipment period feel busier, while a smaller group may feel more relaxed, but no reliable size is stated here.

What $118 includes, and what it does not

At $118 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach. It is also more than a bare boat transfer because the price folds several useful items into one day.

You receive:

• Continental breakfast
• Lunch from six choices
• National open bar after snorkeling
• Snorkel equipment
• Kayaks
• Paddleboards
• Onboard insurance
• Live guiding in English and Spanish

That package has real value if you plan to use the water equipment and eat onboard. Paying separately for a boat ride, meals, gear, and drinks could narrow the price gap quickly.

The value is weaker if you only want a quiet beach day. You may not care about kayaking, paddleboarding, or the open bar, and the included activities still shape the eight-hour schedule. In that case, a simpler beach transfer could suit you better.

Remember the 30-peso marina entrance fee per person, roughly $1.50. It is small compared with the tour price, but it is still an extra charge. Bring cash for that fee, tips, photos, and other personal spending.

A closer look at the Yelapa waterfall walk

The Cola de Caballo walk is the part I would prioritize if you want something beyond sand and cocktails. The route takes you through the village and toward the falling water, giving you a look at Yelapa as a lived-in place rather than a beach backdrop.

You can jump into the refreshing water at the falls or sit and enjoy the setting. The trip also allows time to browse native artisan handicrafts along the way. That combination gives you three kinds of activity in one stop: a short cultural walk, a nature outing, and free time by the sea.

The trail details are limited. There is no stated distance, duration, surface, or accessibility information. If you have back or neck problems, the tour’s restrictions already rule it out. Even if you are generally mobile, wear sturdy sandals or shoes that can handle a walk, and bring sunscreen, a hat, and water protection for your camera.

Do not assume the waterfall is the only correct way to enjoy Yelapa. Heat, trail conditions, or simple tiredness may make the beach the better choice. The outing works because you can decide how active you want to be once you arrive.

The snorkeling question

The most useful way to judge snorkeling here is to keep it in proportion. Majahuitas Cove is promoted for fish populations and marine life, and the equipment is included. That makes it an easy activity to try, even if you did not pack your own gear.

But visibility is not guaranteed. A verified January review praised Yelapa and the fun boat while saying there was not much to see while snorkeling at Majahuitas. That is a useful warning, not a reason to reject the whole tour.

Water conditions, light, and marine activity can affect the experience. If you are an experienced snorkeler searching for exceptional underwater viewing, set your expectations carefully. If you simply want to spend part of the day in the water and then have Yelapa, kayaking, or paddleboarding as alternatives, the balance is stronger.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack the basics listed for the outing: a camera or video camera, swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and extra cash. A waterproof pouch is a sensible addition for phones and small valuables, though it is not specifically listed as provided.

Your swimsuit matters because the schedule includes snorkeling, possible swimming at the waterfall, beach time, and other water activities. A towel is also listed, but I would confirm whether one is supplied or simply expected from you, since the information does not clarify that point.

Use reef-conscious sunscreen if you have it, and reapply after swimming. Bring enough cash for the marina charge, tips, photos, and any purchases from local artisans.

The outing is not suitable for expecting mothers or people with heart, back, or neck problems. Those restrictions fit the boat ride, water activities, and waterfall walk. If you have a medical concern that is not covered by those categories, ask the provider before booking.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would choose this tour if you want a full day with several modes of travel and activity. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can handle a boat-based day, swimming, and a village walk.

It is also a good match if you want some local character alongside the beach time. Yelapa provides more atmosphere than a simple resort beach, and the handicrafts, village lanes, waterfall, and river meeting the ocean give you reasons to leave your beach chair.

You may want another option if your top goal is excellent snorkeling. The limited viewing described in one verified review means Majahuitas can be a pleasant stop without being the highlight.

You should also think twice if you dislike fixed group excursions, cannot comfortably take part in water activities, or want a detailed historical tour. The information emphasizes nature, food, beach time, and recreation rather than formal history or long cultural commentary.

Booking, cancellation, and language 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 is useful when your Puerto Vallarta plans are still shifting.

Live guiding is offered in English and Spanish. Starting times vary, so confirm availability for your date rather than assuming a particular departure.

The overall score is 4.4 from six reviews, with two published verified bookings receiving five out of five. Cleo’s short assessment was strongly positive, while Victoria’s January experience gives the more useful detail: Yelapa was the favorite, the boat and staff were fun, and Majahuitas snorkeling was not especially rewarding that day.

Should you book the Yelapa and Majahuitas trip?

Book it if you want Yelapa to be the center of a varied coastal day. The strongest reasons are the car-free village, Cola de Caballo waterfall option, beach time, lunch choices, and the ability to switch between snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Do not book it solely for underwater viewing. Majahuitas may be enjoyable, but visibility and marine life can disappoint. At $118, the tour makes the most sense when you use several inclusions and value the convenience of having transport, meals, gear, and drinks combined.

My practical choice would be to treat Yelapa as the main event, use Majahuitas as an active water stop, and keep the afternoon flexible. That approach matches what this outing does best: it gives you a taste of village life, a waterfall walk, a tropical beach, and a boat day without forcing you to spend all eight hours doing one thing.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Vallarta Yelapa and Majahuitas tour last?

The excursion lasts eight hours.

How much does the activity cost?

The listed price is $118 per person.

What meals are included?

Breakfast includes bread, coffee, seasonal fruit, yogurt, and granola. Lunch offers 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.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included.

Can I use a kayak or paddleboard?

Yes. The activity includes both kayaks and paddleboards, along with snorkeling.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. Live guiding is available in English and Spanish.

Is there an extra marina fee?

Yes. The marina entrance fee is 30 Mexican pesos per person, about $1.50.

Who should not take this activity?

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