Waterfall in the jungle of Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta’s best nature days often begin away from the resort strip. This one strings together a local bus ride, water taxi, jungle walk, and waterfall swim before ending at a beach restaurant. I like the changing scenery and the chance to see Quimixto, a small coastal village that feels far removed from central Puerto Vallarta. I also like that guides such as Isaac, Carlos, Anthony, and Rocco have been praised for their warmth and local insight.

The main caution is that easy does not mean flat or foolproof. The normal trail has inclines, and you may need to cross a creek with wet feet. Heavy rain can also force a change to a rougher waterfall route, so this is best for people with a moderate level of fitness rather than anyone expecting a paved stroll from start to finish.

Key details to know before you go

• A 25-meter waterfall is the day’s main reward: You can swim in the clear pool beneath it and relax beside the water.
• The journey is part of the attraction: A local bus takes you to Boca de Tomatlán, followed by a scenic water taxi to Quimixto.
• Quimixto offers more than a waterfall: You walk through a small village between mountains, rivers, and the coast.
• The trail is easy but includes inclines: Reviews describe a mostly manageable path, with a creek crossing and some steeper sections.
• Lunch is on your own: The beach portion offers fresh seafood and drinks, but food is not included in the $47.73 price.
• Weather matters: Storms may cancel the normal boat and trail plan, leading to a refund, another date, or a different waterfall route.

From Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlán by local bus

Your day begins at 9:30 a.m. near the Zona Romántica, at C. Constitución 383. The meeting point is described as being in front of an OXXO, which is useful because the street address alone may not be as clear to a taxi or rideshare driver. I would arrive early and use the map pin supplied with your booking rather than relying only on the street name.

Once the group is together, you take a local bus toward Boca de Tomatlán. The planned ride is about 25 minutes, though one account put the trip closer to 40 minutes. That difference is not unusual for a local route, traffic, and pickup timing, but it does mean you should not schedule anything tightly after the tour.

I like this beginning because it feels more connected to ordinary Puerto Vallarta life than a private coach rolling directly from hotel to attraction. You are not simply being delivered to a waterfall. You are moving through the southern edge of the city, then reaching the coast by the same sort of transport many local residents use.

The tradeoff is comfort. A local bus is practical, not luxurious, and the exact travel time can vary. If you prefer a polished, private transfer from your hotel, this is not that kind of outing. The activity is designed around the route itself.

Boca de Tomatlán and the short water taxi ride

At Boca de Tomatlán, a fishing village on the coast, you transfer to a water taxi. The boat ride to Quimixto takes about 15 minutes according to the detailed accounts, though the schedule describes it more generally as a scenic coastal transfer.

This is one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. From the water, you see beaches and small coastal settlements from a different angle than you get from the highway. The ride also gives the outing a sense of progress. Quimixto is not just another stop beside a parking lot. You reach it by boat, which helps explain why the village and waterfall feel quieter than attractions closer to central Puerto Vallarta.

The boat is also a practical reminder that weather controls the day. A strong storm can make the usual boat segment and trail unsafe. In that case, the operator may offer a full refund, another date, or a rerouted waterfall trip. One unhappy experience involved a delayed cancellation message and a substitute route that was much rougher than expected. That situation appears to have involved storm conditions, but it still gives you a useful lesson: check your messages before leaving and ask what route is operating that day.

Walking through Quimixto to the waterfall

After arriving in Quimixto, you walk through the village and toward the waterfall. The planned walk takes about 30 minutes. Descriptions of the distance vary from about one mile to 1.5 miles, while the official total distance is 4.5 kilometers, or 2.8 miles. The larger figure likely includes the walking connected with the full outing rather than only the stretch from the beach to the falls.

The village is part of what makes this excursion worthwhile. Quimixto is described as a peaceful place between mountains, rivers, and beaches, with local animals and homes along the route. You get a short look at a coastal community rather than seeing only the natural attraction at the end.

The usual path has been described as easy to walk and mostly well established, but there are intermittent inclines. One person traveling with an older parent appreciated that guide Isaac kept a slower pace and stopped when needed. Another account describes a paved trail with some uphill sections. At the end, you may need to remove your shoes to cross a creek, so sandals or shoes that can get wet are sensible.

Horse or mule transport may be available locally for part of the route. One detailed account gave a price of 200 pesos for a ride to the falls, with the same price applying if you choose a ride only on the way back. This option is not listed as included, so consider it an extra rather than part of the tour price.

The word easy needs some context here. It means this is not presented as a demanding mountain trek under normal conditions. It does not mean the route is suitable for every knee, back, or balance problem. If you have mobility concerns, ask about the trail and available animal transport before setting out. During the rainy season, wet and uneven conditions can change the experience quickly.

Swimming beneath the 25-meter Quimixto waterfall

The waterfall is medium-sized rather than enormous, but its setting is the payoff. Water drops about 25 meters into a pool where you can swim, cool off, or sit nearby and enjoy the jungle surroundings.

The schedule allows roughly 90 minutes at the falls, from about 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. That is enough time to swim without making the entire day feel like a race. You can also buy drinks at the small refreshment spot by the falls. Purchasing something there helps support the family that maintains the place, which has reportedly been damaged by floods more than once.

There is also a rope along the rocky cliff that can be used for a jump into the pool. Treat that as an optional local feature, not a required part of the outing. Conditions may be wet, rocks can be slippery, and you should make your own judgment about swimming or jumping. The tour is sold as an easy outdoor day, not a stunt activity.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and footwear that handles wet ground. The provided information does not specify changing facilities, so it is wise to plan for a simple outdoor swim rather than a fully equipped water park. You will also want to protect phones and cameras during the creek crossing and boat rides.

Photos are included, which adds some value for people who want pictures without spending the whole day taking them. The details of how and when those photos are delivered are not provided, so ask the guide if the images matter to you.

Beach time, seafood, and a slower afternoon

After the waterfall, you head to the beach for about two hours. One detailed account identifies the beach as Las Ánimas, where the group ate at a beach restaurant. The exact restaurant and menu can vary, but fresh seafood, coconut water, and other drinks are part of the setting described for the outing.

This is not just a final transfer stop. It changes the pace of the day. After the walk and swim, you can sit in the sun, eat, and watch the water. One especially appealing detail is that Quimixto’s beach can feel quieter than the more developed areas around Puerto Vallarta.

Lunch is not included, so budget separately for your meal and drinks. That is important when comparing the $47.73 price with other excursions. The tour covers the bus, water taxi, and photos, but your seafood lunch remains your responsibility. You gain flexibility by choosing what to eat, though you do not have a fully prepaid day.

The beach stop may also be the best fit for anyone in your group who is less interested in the hike. The day still requires the walk to the waterfall for the full experience, but the seaside portion provides time to rest rather than rushing from one activity to another.

What the $47.73 price really covers

At $47.73 per person, the price is reasonable for a six-and-a-half-hour outing that includes two forms of transportation, a guide, and a waterfall visit. The water taxi is the key value. Reaching Quimixto independently would require arranging transport to Boca de Tomatlán, finding the right boat, and managing the return connections yourself.

You are also paying for coordination. The guide handles the transition from bus to boat, leads the walk, gives context about Quimixto, and helps keep the group moving through several separate stages. That matters most if you do not speak Spanish or do not want to negotiate local transport on your own, though one person who spoke Spanish still found the communication around a cancellation frustrating.

The group is capped at 15 people. That is small enough for a guide to keep an eye on the pace and answer questions, but it is not a private tour. If someone in your party needs frequent breaks, tell the guide early. Isaac was specifically praised for adjusting the pace for an older participant, which is encouraging, but no group can move at every person’s ideal speed.

The total timing needs a little flexibility. The published duration is approximately 6 hours 30 minutes, with a 9:30 a.m. start and a planned return around 4 p.m. A detailed account reported arriving back near 4:30 p.m. I would treat this as a full-day commitment and avoid booking an evening activity that requires a precise arrival time.

Weather, trail conditions, and the important fine print

The normal outing depends on good weather. Rain affects both the water taxi and the trail, and a storm can make the route unsafe. If the operator cancels for weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded.

The more serious caution comes from a rerouted day. One account described a substitute hike over large rocks, branches, and wet sections after heavy rain. The customer found that route frightening and stopped before reaching the waterfall. The operator said the alternate route had been explained at check-in and that a refund was processed.

The practical takeaway is simple: ask whether you are taking the regular Quimixto route or a weather alternative before you board the bus. If the route has changed, ask how much climbing, rock scrambling, and wet footing are involved. This one question can prevent a major mismatch between your expectations and the actual day.

The meeting point deserves similar care. The stated location is C. Constitución 383, while the detailed directions refer to the area in front of an OXXO and one response suggested using a nearby Constitution address. Use the exact map location supplied at booking, arrive before 9:30, and keep the operator’s contact information available.

Who will enjoy this Quimixto day most

I would choose this tour if you want a mix of transport, village life, walking, swimming, and beach food rather than a single attraction. It is especially good for couples and families who enjoy being outdoors but do not want a full-day expedition.

You should be comfortable walking roughly 30 minutes each way on a trail with some inclines. You should also be fine with getting your feet wet and handling a day where the schedule depends on boats and weather. A moderate physical fitness level is required.

This is less suitable if you have significant mobility issues, dislike uneven ground, or want a guaranteed calm-water boat ride. It is also not ideal if you need a precise return time. The tour’s charm comes partly from its flexible, local character, and that same quality brings some uncertainty.

Guides are a major part of the experience. Isaac receives repeated praise for his friendly manner and local explanations, while Carlos, Anthony, and Rocco are also named positively in the available feedback. Guide quality can vary from day to day, but the strongest pattern is clear: a good guide makes the bus, boat, village, trail, and beach feel like one connected story rather than a set of separate transfers.

Should you book the Quimixto waterfall tour?

Book it if you want a small-group nature outing with real variety. The waterfall may not be the biggest you have ever seen, but the combination of village walking, coastal boat travel, jungle scenery, swimming, and beach seafood gives the day more substance than a simple waterfall stop.

The $47.73 cost is fair when you count the included water taxi and guided logistics. Add lunch, drinks, and any optional horse or mule ride to your budget. I would also leave your afternoon and evening open, since the return may be closer to 4:30 p.m. than 4 p.m.

My best advice is to confirm the meeting-point map and weather plan, wear shoes that can handle a creek crossing, and ask about trail conditions if rain has fallen. With those details clear, this is a rewarding way to see a quieter side of Puerto Vallarta.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:30 a.m. at C. Constitución 383 in the Zona Romántica area of Puerto Vallarta. The meeting point is described as being in front of an OXXO, so use the supplied map location and arrive early.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is approximately 6 hours 30 minutes. The planned schedule runs from 9:30 a.m. to about 4 p.m., though the return may be closer to 4:30 p.m. depending on transport and conditions.

How far do you walk?

The activity lists a total distance of 4.5 kilometers, or 2.8 miles. The walk from Quimixto to the waterfall takes about 30 minutes, with some descriptions placing the one-way distance at about one mile to 1.5 miles.

Is the hike difficult?

The normal route is rated easy, but it includes inclines and a creek crossing where your feet may get wet. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Heavy rain can create a much rougher alternate route.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. You have time to eat at a beach restaurant, where fresh seafood and drinks are available for an additional cost.

What transportation is included?

The tour includes the bus ride from Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlán and the water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán to Quimixto. The return includes a water taxi and bus ride as well.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The route may also be changed to a different waterfall, so ask about conditions before departure.