Vallarta: Yelapa Waterfall & Majahuitas Snorkel Adventure

Two coves, one busy day. This seven-hour boat trip links two of Puerto Vallarta’s prettiest coastal escapes, with snorkeling at Majahuitas, a walk to Yelapa’s Cola de Caballo waterfall, lunch, and an entertaining ride home. I especially like the mix of quiet sea-access beaches and the chance to see Yelapa’s small, road-free village. The crew also earns high marks for friendly service, music, dancing, and a lively onboard show.

The trade-off is pace. You are trying to fit two very different stops into one day, and some activities can feel rushed. The walk to Yelapa’s waterfall may also be rough underfoot, and the snorkeling depends on water conditions, jellyfish, and visibility.

Key points to know before you book

• Majahuitas is reachable only by boat, giving you a more secluded beach stop away from Puerto Vallarta’s busy waterfront.
• Yelapa combines village life, beach time, and a waterfall walk in one compact visit.
• The crew is a major part of the experience, with music, dancing, drinks, explanations, and a show on the return cruise.
• The boat can be large, with more than 100 people on some departures, so this is a social group outing rather than a quiet private cruise.
• Bring cash and arrive early: you need MXN$40 for the port fee and USD$20 for the access fee, both paid at check-in or before boarding.
• The tour costs $99 per person, including lunch, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, kayaking equipment, and the guided activities.

Setting out from Puerto Vallarta

You can start from Puerto Magico or the Vallarta Adventures location in Nuevo Vallarta. Hotel transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the designated check-in desk and redeem your reservation there.

Give yourself extra time at the port. Finding the correct area can be confusing, especially if you are traveling with a large group. Arriving before 8 a.m. is a useful practical tip from the experience of past participants, though your exact meeting time depends on the departure selected.

Before boarding, prepare for two extra charges. The MXN$40 port fee must be paid in cash, and there is also a USD$20 access fee per person at check-in. Gratuities are not included either, so carry some pesos if you want to thank the crew.

The first and last stretches are each about 90 minutes by catamaran. That sounds long on paper, but the boat ride is part of the entertainment. You get coastal views, music, landmarks pointed out along the way, and possible dolphin sightings. From roughly December through winter, humpback whales may also appear in the bay.

The size of the boat matters. This is not a small, intimate sailing trip. Some departures carry more than 100 people, which can mean lines, group instructions, and a livelier atmosphere. If you enjoy meeting people and having a crew lead the fun, that works in your favor. If you want long stretches of quiet snorkeling, you may find the boat and schedule a bit much.

Yelapa: a village, a river beach, and Cola de Caballo

The Yelapa stop lasts about 80 minutes, and the order of activities may vary. The main plan is a guided visit through the village toward the Cola de Caballo waterfall, followed by time near the beach where the river meets the sea.

Yelapa has no roads, which gives it a different feel from the resort areas around Puerto Vallarta. You walk through a small fishing community, pass local homes and artisan stalls, and follow the route toward the waterfall. The village setting is one of the most distinctive parts of the trip. This is not only a beach stop, but also a brief look at a community built around footpaths, boats, and the surrounding hills.

The walk can be harder than the word hike suggests. One account called the route treacherous, while others found it tiring but worth the effort. Expect heat, uneven footing, and a short visit rather than a long mountain trek. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and you should be comfortable walking on a rough path before choosing this option.

At the waterfall, you may be able to cool off in the water. The pool has been described as cold but refreshing after the hot walk. Conditions depend on the season, though. During a dry spell, the waterfall may have little or no water, so do not book this trip solely for a dramatic cascade.

Flip-flops have been considered adequate by some participants, but shoes with a secure grip are still the sensible choice if you have them. Bring a towel, since swimming at the waterfall or beach can leave you wet for the boat ride.

Yelapa’s beach is broad and attractive, with green hills behind it and the river running into the ocean. You can choose to relax on the sand instead of walking all the way to the waterfall, although the time available for exploring is limited. The village also has native handicrafts, so keep some pesos handy if you want a small souvenir.

The Yelapa visit has a minor tension at its core. You are seeing a special, sleepy village, but you are also part of a large organized group moving through it on a tight schedule. I would treat the stop as a quick introduction, not a slow, independent visit. The value lies in seeing several sides of Yelapa in one morning, not in having hours to wander.

Majahuitas: clear water and the main activity stop

After Yelapa, the catamaran makes the short trip to Playa Majahuitas. The snorkeling portion is scheduled for about 25 minutes, followed by roughly two hours and 40 minutes of lunch and free time at the beach.

Majahuitas is accessible only by sea, and that is the point. The cove feels removed from Puerto Vallarta’s roads and hotel zones. Its sandy shore and clear water create a good setting for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and an expert guide is available to help with the water activities. Some people have seen a good range of fish, while others have found the water less clear than expected. Sea conditions can change, and one departure encountered jellyfish that made the activity uncomfortable. You should view snorkeling here as a weather-dependent bonus rather than a guaranteed underwater spectacle.

The 25-minute snorkeling window is short. If you are a serious snorkeler, you may wish the tour spent more time in the water and less time moving between activities. On the other hand, the schedule gives non-snorkelers plenty to do. You can stay on the beach, try kayaking or paddleboarding, or simply enjoy the cove.

This makes Majahuitas useful for mixed groups. Younger family members can get into the water while older relatives relax on the sand. You do not have to snorkel to enjoy the stop, and the beach setting gives the day some breathing room after the Yelapa walk.

Lunch, drinks, and the return-party atmosphere

A deli-style lunch is included, with sandwiches, salads, and fruit served buffet-style. It is practical food for a day outdoors, rather than a formal meal. The lunch has been well received, but you should not expect a hot restaurant lunch or a large breakfast before it.

The morning offering has been described as coffee and juice, so eat a proper breakfast beforehand if you need more than a light start. That small bit of preparation matters because the tour combines a boat ride, swimming, walking, and time in the sun.

The open bar is available onboard. Drinks are part of the social atmosphere, especially during the return ride. If you prefer a quiet boat, this is worth noting. If you like music and a party after a day at the beach, it is one of the tour’s strongest features.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being attentive, funny, and involved. Names that have been singled out include Chi, Chai, Omar, Alejandro, Emberto, and Chewey. The staff handle safety instructions, equipment, drinks, directions, and entertainment, and the personal energy of the crew shapes the whole day.

On the ride back to Puerto Vallarta, expect music, dancing, and a live onboard show. Several people have described the performance as a highlight, and it gives the long return crossing a clear purpose. You are not simply sitting on the boat waiting for the marina. You are part of a group fiesta.

Photography may also be offered for purchase. The photos can be a nice record of the day, but budget separately for them because they are not part of the $99 price.

How much value do you get for $99?

At $99 per person, this is a solid value if you want variety. You are paying for boat transportation to two sea-access destinations, a guided Yelapa visit, snorkeling and kayaking equipment, lunch, an open bar, and onboard entertainment.

The price works best for someone who would otherwise need to arrange several separate activities. A private boat, transport to Yelapa, beach equipment, food, and drinks could quickly cost more. The tour also removes the trouble of coordinating two remote coastal stops on your own.

The value is less convincing if your main goal is one particular activity. Dedicated snorkelers may prefer a trip with a longer water session. Someone focused on Yelapa may want more time in the village and at the waterfall. Here, you pay for the complete package and the crew-led atmosphere.

Remember to add the MXN$40 port fee, USD$20 access fee, transportation to the check-in point, gratuities, and any purchases in Yelapa. Those costs do not ruin the value, but they make the real day-of budget higher than the advertised price.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack

The full experience lasts about seven hours. The basic rhythm is roughly 90 minutes to the first area, 80 minutes in Yelapa, 15 minutes by catamaran to Majahuitas, about 25 minutes of snorkeling, nearly three hours for lunch and free time, and 90 minutes back to port.

That is an ambitious schedule. You will see a lot, but you will not have unlimited time at any one place. Several people felt the Yelapa section moved too quickly, while others liked the fast pace because it allowed two destinations in one day.

Bring:

• Passport or another ID card
• Towel
• Swimsuit and sun protection
• Cash for the port fee, access fee, tips, and purchases
• Comfortable footwear for the Yelapa path
• A change of clothes if you plan to swim

The boat crew supplies snorkeling and kayaking equipment. You should still bring your own mask if you have one you prefer, but the included gear means you do not need to rent equipment separately.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later if that option is available when you book.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this trip to families, couples, first-time visitors to Puerto Vallarta, and anyone who wants a full day of scenery and activities without planning each part independently.

It suits you especially well if you enjoy:

• A social boat with music and dancing
• A mix of beach time, walking, swimming, and snorkeling
• Short introductions to several places
• A lively crew-led atmosphere
• An open bar and simple included lunch
• Seeing a small coastal village as well as a secluded cove

I would hesitate if you need a slow pace, have mobility limitations, dislike large groups, or want serious snorkeling time. The waterfall route can be rough, the snorkel period is brief, and water visibility is not guaranteed. Jellyfish have also affected at least one outing, so conditions can change the plan.

Should you book the Yelapa and Majahuitas trip?

Book it if you want a big, cheerful day on the water with two very different coastal stops. The strongest reasons are the hard-to-reach coves, Yelapa’s unusual road-free village, a refreshing waterfall option, included equipment, and a crew that knows how to keep the return trip lively.

Skip it if you want a quiet private cruise or a carefully focused snorkeling excursion. The tour is broad rather than specialized, and its packed schedule means you sometimes trade depth for variety.

For most visitors, the $99 price is fair, provided you budget for the extra fees and arrive ready for a full day. Eat breakfast, bring cash and a towel, wear secure shoes, and accept that nature controls the water clarity and waterfall flow. With those expectations, this is a fun and efficient way to see a side of Jalisco that is difficult to reach without a boat.

FAQ

How long does the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour last?

The activity lasts seven hours, including the boat rides from Puerto Vallarta and back.

Where can I meet the tour?

Pickup and drop-off options are Puerto Magico and Vallarta Adventures Nuevo Vallarta. Hotel transportation is not included, and you must redeem your reservation at the Vallarta Adventures check-in desk.

What is included in the price?

The $99 price includes a deli-style lunch, an open bar onboard, snorkeling equipment, and kayaking equipment.

Do I need to pay extra fees?

Yes. You must pay a MXN$40 port fee in cash before boarding and a USD$20 access fee per person in cash at check-in. Gratuities and transportation from your hotel are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the crew provides access to kayaking equipment as well.

How much time is spent snorkeling?

The scheduled snorkeling portion at Playa Majahuitas is about 25 minutes. You also have free time at Majahuitas for beach activities, kayaking, paddleboarding, or relaxation.

Can I visit the Yelapa waterfall?

Yes. The visit includes a guided walk toward the Cola de Caballo waterfall. The route can be rough, and the amount of water flowing may depend on current conditions.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Live guides are available in English and Spanish.

Can people with mobility impairments join?

The activity is not considered suitable for people with mobility impairments because the Yelapa visit includes walking on a potentially difficult route.