Puerto Vallarta: Yelapa Mega Yacht Cruise

The best thing about this outing is the mix: you get a polished 100-foot yacht and a lively music-and-drinks scene, then step into Yelapa’s car-free village for a short walk to its waterfall. On the way, you may spot dolphins or seasonal whales across Bay of Banderas.

I especially like two things. First, the crew, including guides such as Ricky, Isaiah, and Luis, keeps the day moving without making you organize every detail. Second, the price includes a real lunch, snacks, premium drinks, water gear, and even a brief massage. The main drawback is that the schedule leaves some people wanting more time to snorkel, kayak, or swim.

Key points to know before booking

• A 100-foot yacht with room to spread out: You get a mix of shaded seating, open sun areas, loungers, modern bathrooms, and a sound system.
• Yelapa adds a real sense of place: Walk through a car-free village and up to a waterfall instead of spending the entire day aboard.
• Food and drinks are included: Breakfast items, guacamole and blue corn chips, Mexican fajitas, rice, beans, tortillas, and a premium open bar are part of the outing.
• Water activities are built in: Snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mattresses, and water slides are available at the swimming stop.
• The atmosphere is energetic: Expect music, dancing, attentive drink service, and a party mood, though families can still fit in.
• Plan for sun and changing water conditions: Bring swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen, and keep expectations modest for snorkeling visibility.

A yacht day that actually reaches Yelapa

Many boat outings around Puerto Vallarta are mainly scenic cruises with a short swim stop. This one gives you three distinct pieces: a long ride across the bay, water play from the yacht, and time in Yelapa.

That mix is why I see this as more than a simple booze cruise. You can spend part of the day active, part of it on shore, and part of it stretched out under the sun with a drink. You are not tied to one style of holiday.

The vessel is a modern 100-foot mega yacht. It has indoor and outdoor seating, a blend of sun and shade, contemporary bathrooms, a premium sound system, and enough equipment to keep the water stop busy. The size also matters when the bay gets choppy. A larger, stable boat generally makes the ride more comfortable than a small open vessel, though no boat trip is perfectly smooth.

The tone is lively. Music and dancing build as the day goes on, and crew members regularly circulate with drinks. If you want a quiet nature cruise, this is probably the wrong choice. If you like scenery with a social soundtrack, the format works well.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta across Bay of Banderas

You can board at either Chica Locca Tours at the Puerto Mágico Vallarta cruise terminal or at the Chica Locca Tours pier in Paradise Village, Nuevo Vallarta. Your check-in point depends on the option you select, so check it carefully before leaving your hotel.

The opening cruise gives you wide coastal views and a chance to look for marine life. Dolphin and whale sightings are possible, with whale watching especially relevant during the season when humpbacks pass through the bay. Sightings are never guaranteed, so treat them as a bonus rather than the main reason to book.

Breakfast is served during the cruise. The food includes fresh fruit and small muffins, giving you something light before the swimming and walking later in the day. Coffee, tea, juices, soda, and water are also available.

The boat ride itself is part of the value. You can sit in the shade, claim a sunny spot, listen to music, or watch the coastline slide by. The boat does not provide private luxury in the sense of a small charter, but it does offer comfort and a broad choice of places to sit.

The swimming stop: gear, space, and a little competition

At the water stop, you can swim, snorkel, kayak, use a paddleboard, or lie on a floating mattress. Water slides are also available. Snorkel equipment and the other water toys are included, so you do not need to rent them separately.

This is one of the strongest parts of the outing for active people. You can move between activities without packing up and changing locations. The crew also helps with the equipment and may bring drinks out to people in the water, a small service detail that makes the whole setup feel unusually attentive.

There is one practical catch: popular equipment can be in demand. Some people have wished for more time with the kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel gear. If you want to use a particular item, do not wait until the last few minutes. Ask the crew early about the best time to claim it.

Snorkeling conditions can vary. Some outings have offered pleasant water and interesting marine life, while visibility has been poor at other times. That is normal in a coastal bay with changing water and weather. I would treat snorkeling as a pleasant extra, not as a dedicated reef excursion.

The floating mattresses suit anyone who prefers to relax rather than paddle. Families can split up easily, with some people in the water and others staying aboard. The party atmosphere is present, but it does not have to dominate your day if you choose a quieter corner of the yacht.

Yelapa, a car-free village with a short waterfall walk

Yelapa is the emotional center of the trip. It is reached by water and has no ordinary road traffic, giving it a different feel from Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta. You get a brief look at village life, local shops, and the waterfront before heading toward the falls.

The guided walk to Yelapa Falls takes about 10 minutes uphill. It is short, but the heat and incline can make it feel more demanding than the distance suggests. Wear secure footwear if you have it, and do not rush the walk in swim shoes that offer little grip.

The waterfall is attractive and refreshing, especially after time in the sun. Its flow changes with the season. During a dry period, it may be smaller than you expect from photographs, but the shaded setting and cool water still make the stop worthwhile. A bar near the falls provides another place to pause, though purchases there are separate from the included food and drinks aboard the yacht.

You do not get an extended village tour. The Yelapa portion is a focused visit, not a full cultural program. That is a fair trade for a six-hour outing that also includes a substantial time on the water.

Keep an eye on the meeting time when you explore. Yelapa is compact, but it is easy to lose track of the group while browsing local crafts or walking toward the falls. The crew has helped reunite people with their parties, yet it is wiser to stay aware of the return time than to rely on rescue arrangements.

Lunch, premium drinks, and the Chica Locca service

Food is one reason the $142 price feels more reasonable than a basic sightseeing cruise. You receive fresh guacamole with blue corn chips, followed by lunch built around Mexican fajitas, rice, beans, and locally made tortillas.

The food is generous enough to serve as a proper meal rather than a token snack. That matters on a warm day when you are swimming, walking, and drinking. Fresh fruit and muffins arrive earlier, so you are not waiting until midday to eat.

The premium open bar includes beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, cocktails, spirits, coffee, tea, juices, soda, and water. Service is a major part of the experience. Crew members regularly offer drinks instead of making you walk to the bar, and they may even swim them out to you during the water stop.

Use some judgment in the heat. Unlimited drinks can turn a comfortable boat day into a rough afternoon if you drink too quickly, especially before swimming or walking uphill to the falls. Water and food are available, so pace yourself.

A brief onboard massage is included. It is not a full spa treatment, but it is a welcome extra after time in the water or on deck. You can also skip it and use that time to relax, swim, or listen to music.

A party cruise, but not only for party people

The atmosphere grows more energetic on the return ride. Music, dancing, tequila, and socializing are central to the Chica Locca style. Guides such as Ricky have been singled out for strong energy and clear explanations, while the larger crew keeps the service moving.

That personality is a strength if you want a fun social day. You can arrive alone or with a small group and still find it easy to talk with people. The format encourages shared enjoyment rather than quiet isolation.

It is not an adults-only outing. Families have taken part comfortably, and the presence of alcohol does not automatically mean disorder. Still, you should expect drinking and loud music. Parents who want a calm educational day may prefer another Yelapa trip.

The yacht’s size helps soften the crowding issue. There are multiple seating areas, and people can spread between the bar, shaded sections, sun decks, and the water. Even so, equipment and prime seating are shared. This is a social excursion, not a private charter.

Is $142 good value?

At $142 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Yelapa. You are paying for a six-hour package built around comfort, service, and variety rather than transport alone.

The price includes:

• Breakfast items and snacks
• Mexican fajita lunch with rice, beans, and tortillas
• Premium open bar and nonalcoholic drinks
• Snorkel equipment
• Kayaks and paddleboards
• Floating mattresses and water slides
• A guide and guided waterfall walk
• Onboard massage
• Port fees

If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, meals, drinks, equipment, and a water activity, the total adds up quickly. The value is strongest for people who will actually use several inclusions.

It is weaker value if you do not drink, dislike loud music, or plan to stay seated the whole time. You might find a quieter water taxi to Yelapa better suited to a simple beach visit. The advantage here is convenience: one booking covers the ride, food, water toys, entertainment, and shore visit.

Transportation to the port is not included. You must reach either Puerto Mágico Vallarta or Paradise Village on your own. Photo packages are also sold separately at check-in, so do not treat those as part of the advertised price.

Timing, what to bring, and small practical tips

The advertised duration is six hours, though some outings have started or finished about 30 minutes late. I would not arrive excessively early and then wait in the heat, but you should still allow enough time for check-in and port procedures.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen. A hat and sunglasses are sensible additions, though only the first three items are specifically required for the activity. Keep personal items compact and secure around the water.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. The live guide explains the schedule, helps with water activities, and leads the waterfall walk. Check your exact departure location before booking, since the two ports serve different parts of the Puerto Vallarta area.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still shifting.

Who should book this Yelapa cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and solo people who enjoy meeting others. It works especially well if you want one day that combines nature, swimming, food, music, and a little local atmosphere.

You should book it if:

• You want a full-service boat day rather than a basic transfer
• You enjoy swimming and water toys
• You like an active social mood with music and dancing
• You value included food, drinks, and equipment
• You want to see Yelapa without planning every detail

I would think twice if you want long, quiet time on the beach, serious snorkeling, or a slow village visit. The schedule packs in a lot, and the water stop may feel too brief if swimming is your main goal.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want the day to do plenty of work for you. The yacht is comfortable, the food is better than the usual token excursion fare, and the crew’s attentive service is a genuine strength. Yelapa and the waterfall keep the trip from becoming only a floating party.

Skip it if you prefer peace, privacy, or a flexible schedule. For everyone else, $142 is a fair price for a polished six-hour outing with a real meal, premium drinks, water equipment, a massage, and a memorable stop in one of the bay’s most distinctive coastal villages.

FAQ

Where does the Yelapa mega yacht cruise depart?

You can check in at Chica Locca Tours at the Puerto Mágico Vallarta cruise terminal or at the Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village pier in Nuevo Vallarta. The location depends on the option booked.

How long is the cruise?

The advertised duration is six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Is transportation to the port included?

No. You are responsible for reaching your selected check-in port.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes breakfast items, snacks, lunch, nonalcoholic drinks, and a premium open bar.

What food is served?

Breakfast includes fresh fruit and small muffins. Snacks include guacamole and blue corn chips. Lunch includes Mexican fajitas, rice, beans, and locally made tortillas.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, coffee, juices, soda, tea, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, cocktails, and spirits.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mattresses, and water slides are included.

Is the waterfall walk guided?

Yes. A guide leads the walk to Yelapa Falls, which takes about 10 minutes uphill.

Is a massage included?

Yes. A brief onboard massage is included as part of the activity.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen.