Remote Paradise Beach Day Pass

Playa Chica Locca is the main attraction here: a boat-only beach on the south shore of Banderas Bay, with a day-pass setup that mixes wild coastal scenery and polished comforts. You arrive by ferry from Boca de Tomatlán, then spend the day using water gear, eating Mexican food, and settling into shaded day beds or an infinity pool.

I like two things right away. First, the water activities are included without an extra rental fee, so you can switch from snorkeling to kayaking to paddleboarding as your mood changes. Second, the food and open bar make this easier than planning a beach day on your own. The main consideration is the price: at $100 per person, it is good value only if you plan to stay for much of the day and use several of the included features.

Key points to know before you book

• The beach is reached by boat from Boca de Tomatlán, with ferry service to and from the property included.
• The day pass lasts about eight hours, with arrival possible between 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM.
• Water gear is included, including snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, water mattresses, and access to swimming areas.
• A guided 30-minute walk leads to a year-round waterfall, adding a short nature outing to the beach day.
• The open bar and Mexican meal are part of the admission, with chicken and beef fajitas, vegetarian choices, guacamole, blue corn chips, and snacks.
• The setting combines comfort and nature, with infinity pools, swim-up bars, shaded day beds, terraces, outdoor showers, and air-conditioned bathrooms.

A boat ride to Playa Chica Locca

The day begins at Boca de Tomatlán, a coastal village south of Puerto Vallarta. You make your way to the stated meeting point and take the ferry across to Playa Chica Locca. The boat transfer is included, which matters because this is not a beach you can simply reach by road and walk onto.

That boat-only access gives the day its strongest sense of escape. You are not arriving at a public strip lined with shops and traffic. Instead, the water crossing creates a clear break from the ordinary Puerto Vallarta routine. The tradeoff is that you need to organize your own arrival at Boca de Tomatlán, unless you arrange separate transport to the meeting point.

The schedule is fairly flexible. You can begin the adventure at the meeting point anytime between 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM, according to the supplied details. Since the experience is described as lasting about eight hours, confirm the exact ferry timing when you book so you understand how the flexible arrival window applies to your day.

This is also a sizable operation, with a maximum of 300 people. That does not mean the beach will always feel crowded, but it does mean you should not picture a private cove reserved for a handful of couples. The setting may feel secluded, while the service works more like a full beach club.

What the beach club adds to the day

Playa Chica Locca gives you two different ways to spend your time. You can use the facilities and water equipment, or simply claim a shaded day bed and let the day pass at a slower pace.

The oceanfront infinity pools and swim-up bars are aimed at visitors who want a comfortable resort feel without giving up the coastal setting. The outdoor showers are useful after swimming, while the air-conditioned bathrooms are a real practical perk in a hot beach environment. Spacious terraces provide another place to sit, eat, or take a break from the sun.

I see this mix of amenities as the experience’s central selling point. A remote beach can be beautiful but inconvenient. Here, you still get the sense of being away from town, but you do not have to give up shade, a proper bathroom, a meal, or a cool place to sit.

The word luxury deserves a little context, though. You are paying for a staffed beach day with resort-style features, not for a private island or a small bespoke outing. With a capacity of up to 300 people, the atmosphere can be more social and organized than secluded. If you want a quiet beach with almost no facilities, this may feel too polished. If you want nature with comfort, the balance is more appealing.

Unlimited water time, without rental math

The included water equipment is one of the strongest practical benefits. You can use snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and water mattresses, with swimming areas available as well. You do not need to decide in advance which single activity deserves an added fee.

That flexibility changes how you use the day. You might spend a little time in the water, return to a day bed, have a drink, and then try a paddleboard later. This is more relaxed than a tightly scheduled excursion with one main activity and a fixed return time.

The supplied information does not promise a particular marine life sighting or specify water conditions, so keep expectations sensible. Snorkeling quality can depend on weather and visibility. The same is true of paddleboarding and kayaking. The value is in having several choices available, not in a guarantee of a particular underwater spectacle.

Families may appreciate that range, especially because one person can use the water equipment while another stays by the pool. One family account specifically highlights attentive help with children and assistance during the return to Puerto Vallarta. That points to a useful strength of the operation: staff attention appears to be part of the experience, not just an afterthought.

Still, you should keep an eye on children around the water and follow the crew’s instructions. The fact that most people can participate does not remove the normal need for care at a beach and on a boat.

The 30-minute walk to a year-round waterfall

The guided waterfall walk gives the pass more variety than a standard swim-and-lunch beach club visit. The walk takes about 30 minutes and passes through lush surroundings to a waterfall that runs year-round.

That is a manageable addition for most people who want a short outing away from the shore. It breaks up a long day of eating, swimming, and sitting. The walk also lets you see more of the area instead of spending every hour within the beach facilities.

The details do not state the trail’s difficulty, surface, or elevation. I would treat it as a short guided nature walk rather than a demanding hike, but wear footwear suitable for an uneven outdoor path and expect conditions to change with weather. Do not plan the rest of your day around a strenuous trek, because the advertised walk is only 30 minutes.

The guide is part of the value here. You are not simply being pointed toward a waterfall and sent off alone. A guided outing gives the group a clear activity and helps keep the day organized, particularly when many people are sharing the property.

Mexican food, snacks, and the open bar

Food is included, with traditional chicken and beef fajitas, vegetarian choices, guacamole with blue corn chips, and snacks. Drinks are also covered through the open bar.

This is important when judging the $100 price. You are not paying only for access to a beach. The admission includes transportation by ferry, food, drinks, water equipment, facilities, the waterfall walk, and the general beach-club setup. If you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, and several rentals, the package can make financial sense.

The meal also keeps the day simple. You do not need to leave the beach to find lunch, and you can build your schedule around the activities rather than a restaurant reservation. The available choices should work for a mixed group, since both meat and vegetarian options are listed.

At the same time, an open bar is not automatically a reason to book. If you do not drink, or if you plan to spend most of the day quietly reading by the water, you may not use enough of the package to justify the full price. The best value goes to people who want an all-in-one day and expect to use the food, drinks, and activities.

One account describes breakfast and drinks being available as soon as the boat ride begins, along with food and beverages through the day. The official details specifically list the Mexican meal and snacks, so consider breakfast an added possibility rather than a guaranteed item unless the operator confirms it for your date.

Staff attention and the human side of the experience

Service is a recurring strength of this beach pass. The owner, Gil Drory, is directly involved in guest communication, and the operation has handled everything from ordinary day visits to a wedding celebration at the beach.

That wedding connection tells you something useful. Playa Chica Locca is not just a basic boat stop with a few chairs. The team can provide a more personal level of attention for special occasions, and the property is designed to look and feel presentable for celebrations.

For a normal day pass, you should expect a staffed experience with help available around the water activities and return trip. One family account gives particular credit to the crew for staying attentive and helping the family return to Puerto Vallarta with greater security. That is especially relevant if you are traveling with children or feel uncertain about managing the boat connection.

Of course, service can vary with crowd size. A property that can host up to 300 people will have busy periods, and individual attention may be easier when the group is smaller. I would book this for the facilities, setting, and package first, then treat warm staff service as an important bonus.

Is $100 a fair price?

At $100 per person, this is not a bargain beach transfer. It is a full day-pass package. The price becomes easier to defend if you use the boat ride, eat the included meal, have several drinks, spend time with the water equipment, and enjoy the pool and waterfall walk.

It also compares favorably with similar full-service outings when those charge separately for food, drinks, or equipment. One account specifically found this option more affordable than a comparable tour from another company. That makes the pass worth comparing with other Puerto Vallarta beach-club excursions, but compare inclusions carefully rather than looking only at the headline price.

The value is weaker for a short visit. If you arrive late, stay only a few hours, or skip the water gear and open bar, you are paying for features you do not use. The flexible arrival window may help, but you should verify how much time remains in the operating day before assuming a late start gives you a full eight hours.

I would also factor in the cost and effort of reaching Boca de Tomatlán. The ferry to the beach and back is free through the pass, but the information provided does not state that transportation from Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlán is included. That is a key detail to confirm before booking.

Who will enjoy Playa Chica Locca most?

This experience fits you well if you want several activities in one place and prefer not to plan lunch, rentals, and drinks separately. It is especially suitable for:

• Families who want pools, beach access, food, and staff nearby.
• Couples looking for a scenic day away from central Puerto Vallarta.
• Groups with different interests, since some people can swim while others use the pool or relax.
• Visitors who value comfort as much as scenery.
• Anyone who wants a full-day outing rather than a quick beach stop.

It may not suit you if you want a very small group, a quiet undeveloped beach, or a focused snorkeling expedition. The maximum group size of 300 is worth noting, and the beach club amenities create a social, organized atmosphere.

The cancellation terms are favorable if your plans may change. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. Since the experience depends on a boat crossing and outdoor conditions, that weather provision is useful.

Practical details that can shape your day

You receive confirmation at booking, and a mobile ticket is accepted. The meeting point is in Boca de Tomatlán, near public transportation, with pickup offered in the general tour information. The detailed pickup note says to show up at the meeting point and use the included ferry, so confirm exactly what pickup means for your reservation.

Most people can participate, but the activity includes a boat ride, swimming, water sports, outdoor facilities, and a short walk. If you have mobility, health, or swimming concerns, ask Chica Locca Tours for current details before paying.

Plan to bring the basics for a beach day, including sun protection and a change of clothes. The property provides outdoor showers, but the supplied information does not list towel service or personal storage, so ask before you go if those items matter to you.

Should you book this beach day?

Book it if you want a complete, comfortable beach day and expect to use the included food, drinks, facilities, and water equipment. The boat-only setting, year-round waterfall walk, and helpful crew give the outing more substance than a simple resort transfer.

Think twice if your ideal day means near-total quiet or a tiny group. The capacity can reach 300, and the $100 cost rewards full use of the package. For families, social groups, and visitors who like having choices without constant small payments, Playa Chica Locca is a strong pick. For independent beach wanderers, a simpler and cheaper plan may suit you better.

FAQ

How much does the Remote Paradise Beach Day Pass cost?

The price is $100 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the day begin?

The meeting point is in Boca de Tomatlán, Jalisco, Mexico, at the stated address in Boca de Tomatlán.

Is transportation to Playa Chica Locca included?

The ferry from Boca de Tomatlán to the beach and back is included at no extra cost. The supplied details do not clearly confirm transportation from Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlán, so check your booking for pickup instructions.

What water activities are included?

You have access to snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, water mattresses, and swimming areas.

Is food included?

Yes. The admission includes chicken and beef fajitas, vegetarian options, guacamole with blue corn chips, and snacks.

Are drinks included?

Yes. An open bar is included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can receive a different date or a full refund.