REVIEW · PUERTO VALLARTA
Puerto Vallarta: Yelapa Mega Yacht Cruise
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Chica Locca Tours · Bookable on GetYourGuide
A mega yacht cruise to Yelapa feels like a cheat code. You’ll slide from the port onto a 100’ modern yacht with shade, music, and space, then head into the Bay of Banderas with a real shot at marine life before Yelapa’s waterfall walk with Ricky Ricardo’s high-energy crew.
What I love most is the all-day premium open bar plus food that’s more than just chips and salsa. I also like that the boat comes loaded with water toys, so you can snorkel, paddle board, kayak, and float without waiting your turn. One thing to think about: the vibe is party-friendly, so if you want quiet, sleepy sailing, this may not match your mood.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you go
- A 100-Foot Mega Yacht Day Trip to Yelapa: What Makes It Different
- Price and Value: Premium Open Bar Plus Real Food
- Where You Meet: Puerto Mágico Vallarta or Paradise Village
- Bay of Banderas Cruise: Scenic Coasts and Possible Whales
- Breakfast on the Water and a Real Party-Friendly Soundtrack
- Water Toys Time: Snorkel, Kayak, Paddle Board, Float
- Yelapa Beach, Car-Free Town Feel, and the Falls Walk
- Lunch and the Premium Bar: How They Keep You Fueled
- Onboard Massage and the Small Comforts That Add Up
- What to Bring (and what will save you)
- The Best Fit: Who This Cruise Works For
- Who Might Want to Skip It
- Should You Book This Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa Mega Yacht Cruise?
- FAQ
- How long is the Puerto Vallarta Yelapa mega yacht cruise?
- What time is the tour, and where do I check in?
- What’s included in the price?
- What is not included?
- What languages are offered during the tour?
- What should I bring?
Key points to know before you go
- Two easy check-in options: Puerto Mágico Vallarta or Paradise Village Nuevo Vallarta pier
- Premium open bar all day with cocktails, beer, tequila, wine, sodas, coffee, and juices
- Yelapa Falls walk with water that keeps things cool after the hike
- Water toys are included: snorkel gear, kayaks, paddle boards, and floating mats
- Onboard massage plus a staff that actively serves drinks around the boat
- Whale and dolphin viewing is possible on the cruise out and back
A 100-Foot Mega Yacht Day Trip to Yelapa: What Makes It Different
This is the kind of Puerto Vallarta outing where you spend less time “touring” and more time actually doing stuff. You’re on a stable, well-equipped modern yacht with comfortable seating, real areas for sun and shade, modern bathrooms, and a strong sound system that sets the tone early.
Then Yelapa brings the contrast. You get a short guided walk to Yelapa Falls, a cool payoff after time by the water, and a laid-back feel in a town where you won’t deal with cars inside the area you’re exploring.
If you’re worried this will feel like a rushed stop-and-go excursion, don’t be. The day is built around multiple water breaks and long stretches of being on the water—just at different speeds.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Puerto Vallarta.
Price and Value: Premium Open Bar Plus Real Food
At about $142 per person for a 6-hour day, the value comes from what’s included end-to-end. You’re not just buying a boat ride; you’re getting all food and drinks plus water equipment and guide help for the waterfall hike.
Onboard food is handled in a way that actually sustains an active day. You’ll start with breakfast (including fresh fruit and muffins), then snack time with items like guacamole and blue corn chips, and lunch built around Mexican comfort foods like fajitas, rice, beans, and tortillas.
The open bar is generous, too. You’re looking at margaritas and piña coladas, beer, tequila, wine, plus non-alcoholic drinks like water, coffee, juices, and sodas—so you can pace yourself without losing what you paid for.
Where You Meet: Puerto Mágico Vallarta or Paradise Village
Check in depends on the option you choose, with two starting points: Chica Locca Tours at the Puerto Mágico Vallarta cruise terminal or at the Paradise Village Nuevo Vallarta pier. Your meeting point can vary, so double-check what you booked before you leave your hotel.
One practical tip: build in time to get settled and signed in. Several experiences run like a well-oiled machine once you’re aboard, but getting stuck waiting in heat while you’re early doesn’t help your day mood.
Bay of Banderas Cruise: Scenic Coasts and Possible Whales
The cruise part matters here, even if your main goal is Yelapa. The Bay of Banderas route is where you get the scenic coastline views and your best chance for wildlife spotting, including whale watching and dolphin sightings when conditions line up.
There are also multiple “on-the-water” moments before you fully transition to Yelapa. Expect stops made for swimming and playing, not just looking out a window. That’s a key value point: you get to be in the water repeatedly rather than just once.
Breakfast on the Water and a Real Party-Friendly Soundtrack
Food and drinks don’t wait around until you’re hungry. You’ll get breakfast early, and the boat keeps feeding you through the day with snacks and a full lunch. People also rave about the staff staying on top of drinks so you’re not making bar runs every time you want something cold.
The onboard energy is friendly and upbeat. Music plays, people dance, and the crew keeps the pace moving, with DJ-style hype in the mix (names like DJ Tricky Ricky show up in the vibe). Still, it doesn’t have to turn into chaos—this tour is set up like a controlled party with a service team that keeps things moving.
If you prefer a totally quiet cruise, you can still find relaxed corners on deck, especially when you’re focused on swimming, paddling, or just watching the coast.
Water Toys Time: Snorkel, Kayak, Paddle Board, Float
This is where the tour gives you a lot for your money: water equipment is included—snorkeling gear, paddle boards, kayaks, and floating mattresses. That means you can switch activities as you feel like it, instead of choosing one thing and committing for hours.
A useful reality check: snorkeling can be hit-or-miss depending on water clarity that day. One report called out poorer visibility, though the water time was still fun. So set expectations like this: it’s a great chance to snorkel, not a guaranteed underwater slideshow.
If you want the best shot at using multiple toys, watch how the timing feels once you arrive at the first swim stop. The tour moves, and equipment tends to be most available during the open water windows.
Yelapa Beach, Car-Free Town Feel, and the Falls Walk
Once you reach Yelapa, you get a guided walk to Yelapa Falls. The walk itself is short enough for most people, and the payoff is the cool, flowing water right there—exactly what you want after being out in sun and salt.
Yelapa also gives you a different kind of fun than the boat. You’ll have time for photos and sightseeing, plus a chance to enjoy the feel of a town where the vibe is more local and less controlled. Since it’s car-free in the area you’re moving around, you’ll get a calmer street feel than many resort towns.
One consideration: during drier stretches, the falls may look less dramatic because there’s less water. You’ll still get the experience of seeing it, walking through, and cooling off, but the “wow” level can vary with season.
Lunch and the Premium Bar: How They Keep You Fueled
The lunch setup is one of the stronger points for active day tours. You’ll get a fresh meal that includes fajitas, rice and beans, and locally made tortillas. It’s not just a token sandwich situation, and it matters because you’re swimming, paddling, and walking.
The open bar runs alongside this, so you can pair your lunch with beer, wine, tequila cocktails, or just stay with juices and sodas if that works better for your day.
One more thoughtful detail: the staff service style is built around keeping you comfortable. People mention drinks being delivered to them while they’re out swimming, so you don’t always need to re-board to stay refreshed.
Onboard Massage and the Small Comforts That Add Up
This isn’t a bare-bones cruise. A massage on board is included, and it’s a nice reset after time in sun and salt water. Even a short massage can take the edge off tired shoulders or legs if you spent a bunch of time paddling.
The yacht itself is also part of the comfort equation. A stable hull helps when you’re out on the water, and modern bathrooms mean you won’t waste your day trying to find the “one spot” with facilities.
What to Bring (and what will save you)
Bring the basics and you’ll be set:
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Biodegradable sunscreen
If you’re prone to sunburn, pack enough. This trip is built around being outside and moving, and you’ll spend real time in direct light between boat deck moments and Yelapa time on the beach.
The Best Fit: Who This Cruise Works For
This is a great match if you want a day that mixes scenery, water play, and social energy without complicated planning. The included water toys make it ideal for people who don’t want to stand around, and the open bar plus food make it feel like a full experience rather than a basic ride.
It also works for mixed groups—some people go for wildlife spotting and photos, others for the waterfall walk and beach time, and many just want the combo of swimming + drinks + music. If you’re traveling with friends, this vibe is easy to enjoy.
Who Might Want to Skip It
If you need a calm, quiet, no-music cruising style, consider that the boat leans party-friendly. Music and dancing are part of the culture on board, and the crew runs a high-energy program.
If you’re hoping for guaranteed clear snorkeling every time, you’ll want to stay flexible. Visibility can vary, and the schedule favors multiple water windows rather than one long, slow swim session.
Should You Book This Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa Mega Yacht Cruise?
Book it if you want a value-heavy day where you’re not nickel-and-diming for food, drinks, or equipment. The combination of an included open bar, real lunch, and multiple chances to get in the water is hard to beat for a 6-hour window.
Skip it if you’re specifically looking for a quiet nature trip with minimal alcohol energy. Also consider timing and your own pace: the day is active, so plan to move, swim, and walk when the opportunities show up.
If you’d rather have one memorable day that mixes Bay of Banderas scenery, possible marine life, Yelapa Falls, and a deck party atmosphere, this is a strong bet.
FAQ
How long is the Puerto Vallarta Yelapa mega yacht cruise?
The duration is 6 hours.
What time is the tour, and where do I check in?
Check-in happens at one of two locations depending on your booking: Chica Locca Tours at the Puerto Mágico Vallarta cruise terminal or Chica Locca Tours at the Paradise Village Nuevo Vallarta pier. Your meeting point may vary, so confirm it with your reservation.
What’s included in the price?
Food and drinks are included, along with an all-day open bar, a guide, port fees, snorkeling and water equipment (including kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling gear, and floating mattresses), and an onboard massage. There’s also a guided hike to Yelapa Falls.
What is not included?
Transportation to the check-in port is not included. Photo packages are available at check-in, but they’re not included in the base price.
What languages are offered during the tour?
The live guide is available in English and Spanish.
What should I bring?
Bring swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen.
