Private Luxury Yacht Chica 55′ VIP All Inclusive + Jet Ski

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is control. You have a private 55-foot yacht, a four-hour window on Bay of Banderas, and the freedom to shape the route instead of following a fixed group schedule. Los Arcos, snorkeling, water sports, and a quiet cruise can all fit into the plan, depending on what your group wants.

I like the open bar and fresh onboard food, since drinks, ceviche, guacamole, and chips are included rather than added one bill at a time. I also like the mix of activities: you can switch between the jet ski, paddle boards, kayaks, snorkeling, and simply sitting back while the crew handles the boat.

The main drawback is the price. At $3,275 per group of up to 15, this makes the most sense when you fill much of the yacht. You also need to choose your meeting point before submitting the reservation, and hotel transportation is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos gives the trip a clear highlight: The rock arches south of Puerto Vallarta offer caves, unusual granite formations, and good snorkeling conditions.
• The price is per group: Up to 15 people can share the $3,275 cost, making the value much better for a full group than for a small party.
• The water-sports menu is unusually broad: You get supervised jet ski use along with snorkel gear, kayaks, paddle boards, a water mattress, and a tube.
• Food and drinks are built in: Expect fresh ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, potato chips, and an open bar with beer, wine, tequila, cocktails, Champagne, soft drinks, coffee, and water.
• The route is flexible: You can request a plan around the Bay of Banderas rather than accept a set sequence of stops.
• The crew matters here: A captain and crew handle the boat and water activities, while owner Gil can help with meeting-point questions and transportation arrangements.

A private yacht day on the Bay of Banderas

Chica Locca’s Chica 55 is aimed at groups that want their own boat, not a seat on a crowded party cruise. The yacht is designed for groups of up to 20, while the advertised booking accommodates up to 15 people. That difference is worth noting: you get room to spread out, but you should plan your reservation around the stated group limit.

The four-hour length is long enough for a proper outing without taking over your entire day in Puerto Vallarta. You can spend part of the time cruising the coast, then stop for water activities and food. Since this is a private charter, your group can put more time into the activities you care about and less time into stops that do not interest you.

The route centers on the beautiful Bahia de Banderas. The coast gives you changing views of Puerto Vallarta and the open water, while the captain and crew manage the practical side of the trip. You are not buying a simple boat ride here. You are paying for a floating base where your group can eat, drink, swim, play, and move between activities.

That freedom is especially useful for mixed groups. One person can use the paddle board, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay aboard with a drink and watch the coast. A private boat also makes it easier to keep the mood relaxed if your group includes children, older relatives, or people who do not want a nonstop party.

Los Arcos, caves, and snorkeling south of Puerto Vallarta

Los Arcos National Park is the most distinctive suggested stop. South of Puerto Vallarta, giant granite formations rise from the sea, with caves and natural arches that give the coast a dramatic shape. The area is known for wildlife above and below the water, and it is presented as one of the bay’s better places for snorkeling.

This is where the trip shifts from scenic cruising to active exploring. You can use the snorkel equipment provided and float near the arches and caves. The rock formations give you something to see both from the boat and in the water, so even people who do not want to snorkel still have a worthwhile stop.

The exact time spent at Los Arcos is not fixed. That is a strength if your group wants to stay in one spot, but it also means you should discuss priorities before departure. Four hours goes quickly once you include cruising, food, drinks, and several water activities.

You should also keep expectations practical. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, but underwater conditions and visibility can vary. The supplied information does not promise a particular amount of marine life or a guaranteed snorkeling scene. You are getting access to a strong local setting, not a fixed wildlife show.

Jet ski time with several other ways to get wet

The supervised jet ski use is the biggest feature for anyone who wants speed rather than a quiet cruise. Use is described as unlimited during the outing and supervised, so you can return to it after trying other activities. That makes the water sports feel like part of the main charter rather than a single short add-on.

The yacht also carries gear for snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, a water mattress, and a water tube. This variety matters more than it may first appear. A group of 10 or 15 rarely wants to do the same thing at the same time, and the different equipment lets people choose their own pace.

I would think of the activities in three groups:

• Snorkeling for seeing the coast from below the surface.
• Kayaks and paddle boards for slower, self-directed time on the water.
• The jet ski and tube for a more playful, active session.

The tour description does not specify how many pieces of each item are available or how many people can use them at once. If your group has a particular activity at the top of its list, ask Chica Locca about the equipment setup before booking. The crew provides supervision, but you remain responsible for following safety directions.

The water mattress is a useful option for anyone who wants to float without much effort. Meanwhile, a paddle board or kayak gives you a calmer way to look back at the yacht and coastline. You do not need to treat this as an athletic day. The range of options lets you make it as active or easygoing as your group prefers.

Ceviche, guacamole, and an open bar

Food and drink are a major part of the value. Fresh ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips are included, so you have something substantial to eat while the yacht is underway or stopped. This is a better arrangement than having to leave the boat or bring a separate cooler for basic snacks.

The open bar covers a wide range. You can request water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, piña coladas, margaritas, Champagne, and other drinks. Brand-name alcoholic beverages are included, according to the tour details.

That selection works well for a group with mixed tastes. Someone who does not drink alcohol has coffee, juice, soda, and water, while others can choose cocktails or Champagne. Since the drinks are included in the group price, you can enjoy the social side of the boat without tracking every order.

Still, do not mistake an open bar for unlimited food service. The included food is described as snacks, with ceviche, guacamole, and chips. If your group expects a full lunch, ask what can be arranged before you set out. The supplied details do not promise a larger meal.

The crew and the practical side of a private charter

The captain and crew are important on a tour that combines a yacht, swimming, snorkeling, and a jet ski. The crew handles the boat and provides supervision for the water activities. A captain and experienced crew are also useful when the group wants to change the plan during the day.

One past outing included whale watching, along with help from the crew on the boat and jet ski. That shows the charter can include wildlife viewing when conditions and timing allow, but whale watching is not presented as a guaranteed part of every four-hour departure. I would treat it as a possible bonus, not the reason to book.

Owner Gil is the named contact for meeting-point questions and affordable luxury transportation to the meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but the operator says a different meeting location or transportation help can be requested. Make this conversation before you submit the reservation.

You receive confirmation within 48 hours, subject to availability. The tour is offered in English, and the activity is private, so only your group participates. It is near public transportation, and most people can take part, though the water activities require you to follow the crew’s instructions.

The meeting point is not a minor detail. You must choose it before submitting the reservation. If you are staying in Puerto Vallarta and are unsure where to go, contact Gil first rather than assuming hotel pickup is part of the package.

Is $3,275 a fair price?

The price is $3,275 per group, for up to 15 people. That works out to about $218 per person if 15 people share the cost. For a group of 10, it is about $328 per person, and for a group of six, about $546 per person.

Those figures put the value in perspective. This is expensive for a small party, but it can be reasonable for a large family group, wedding party, birthday gathering, or group of friends. You are paying for a private yacht, crew, food, open bar, landing and facility fees, several water activities, and the freedom to set the day’s focus.

The comparison is not just with another boat ticket. A shared cruise may cost less, but it usually gives you less control over the route and group atmosphere. If you want to make your own plan and keep your party together, the private format has real value.

The price is harder to justify if only four or five people are going and you mainly want a short ride with a drink. In that case, the included equipment and open bar may not offset the high per-person cost. Before paying, count the people who are truly committed to going, not the people who have expressed casual interest.

Gratuities are optional and not included. Souvenir photos are also extra. Those are small points beside the charter price, but they belong in your final budget.

What kind of group should book Chica 55?

I would recommend this for a group that wants a private setting and can share the cost across many people. It suits families, friend groups, celebrations, and anyone who wants to combine sightseeing with several water activities.

It is also a good match for groups with different energy levels. The yacht provides a comfortable place to sit, snack, and drink, while the jet ski, snorkel gear, kayaks, paddle boards, tube, and water mattress give active people plenty to do.

You may want a different kind of outing if you prefer a tightly scheduled cultural tour, a full meal, or a guaranteed whale-watching trip. This is a flexible day on the water, not a lecture, museum visit, or fixed wildlife program.

The best way to get value is to plan your priorities before you go. Decide if Los Arcos is essential, how much time you want for the jet ski, and if your group prefers more cruising or more time stopped in the water. A little planning will help the four hours feel generous rather than rushed.

Booking details and cancellation

The tour is offered with free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Canceling within 24 hours does not qualify for a refund, and changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Because confirmation is subject to availability and can arrive within 48 hours, do not leave the booking until the last minute if your plans are firm. The experience is booked, on average, 22 days ahead, which suggests that advance planning is sensible, especially for a large group.

The private format means only your party participates. You should still confirm the meeting point, group size, and preferred route before finalizing the reservation. Those details affect how smoothly the day begins.

Should you book Chica Locca’s private yacht?

Book it if you have a large group, want your own boat, and will use the water activities. The combination of Los Arcos, flexible routing, supervised jet ski use, snorkeling, paddle boards, kayaks, fresh ceviche, and a broad open bar gives you a full four-hour package rather than a basic coastal cruise.

I would pause if your group is small or if you are looking for the cheapest way to see Puerto Vallarta from the water. The cost is most convincing when divided among 10 to 15 people. For the right group, though, Chica 55 offers something a shared cruise cannot: a day shaped around your own people, your own pace, and your preferred corner of Bahia de Banderas.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join?

The booking is for a private group of up to 15 people. The yacht itself is described as designed for groups of up to 20.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the private boat experience, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, a water mattress, a water tube, supervised jet ski use, and landing and facility fees.

What food is served?

Included snacks are fresh ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips.

What drinks are available?

The open bar includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, piña coladas, margaritas, beer, wine, tequila, Champagne, and other selected drinks.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You can request help with another meeting point or affordable luxury transportation to the meeting point.

Can the route be customized?

Yes. You can customize the private boat tour around Bahia de Banderas and request popular areas such as Los Arcos National Park.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.