Tour Yelapas and Mahahuitas in Catamaran with Lunch and Open Bar!

Yelapa gives this catamaran day its character. You can leave the sand for a scenic walk through a small coastal town, where beach, Sierra Madre foothills, river views, colorful art, stairways, and narrow paths come together. Then you return to the water for a slower afternoon at Majahuitas Beach Club.

I like the choice built into the day: you can explore Yelapa or stay by the beach, then use snorkeling gear or simply stretch out at Majahuitas. Breakfast, lunch, and an open bar on the boat also make the $120 price easier to justify. The catch is that the water equipment is shared, and only five kayaks are available for a group that can reach 35 people.

Key points to know

• Yelapa offers more than beach time: Walk through town for views of the river, foothills, paths, staircases, and local artwork.
• Majahuitas is the relaxed second stop: Spend about three hours snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, or resting on the sand.
• Meals and drinks are included on board: Breakfast, lunch, and an open bar are part of the package.
• Kayak access is limited: Five kayaks serve a group of up to 35, and they are used on a shared basis.
• The day begins at 9:00 a.m.: Meet at the Terminal Maritima API in Puerto Vallarta and return there later.
• The price includes useful extras: A bilingual guide, insurance, snorkeling equipment, and the catamaran ride are included, but add MX$30 for port tax.

A full day on the southern coast

This is a 7 to 8-hour outing for people who want more than a straight beach transfer. The catamaran is the main stage, linking two very different stops: Yelapa, with its town paths and mountain-and-river setting, and Majahuitas, with a beach-club atmosphere and water activities.

You leave from the Terminal Maritima API at 9:00 a.m. in Puerto Vallarta. The meeting point is on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in the Las Glorias area, near public transportation. The experience ends back at the same location, which keeps your return simple if you are staying in Puerto Vallarta.

The group can include up to 35 people. That is large enough to create a lively boat ride, but it also explains why the kayaks and other shared equipment require patience. I would book this as a social day on the water, not as a private coastal escape.

A bilingual guide is included, and the activity is offered in English. You also receive travel insurance, snorkeling equipment, breakfast, lunch, and an open bar on the boat. Drinks at the restaurant are not included, and there is a separate MX$30 port tax per person.

Yelapa: choose the town or the beach

The first stop, listed as Yelapa y Mahauitas Playa, gives you about four hours. The strongest reason to come here is the range of things you can do with that time. You are not locked into one guided route or one beach activity.

If you want movement and scenery, take the walk through Yelapa. The setting is unusually layered for a beach stop. You can see the shore, the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains, and the Yelapa River in the same general outing. Colorful artwork along pathways and staircases adds a local visual touch that you would miss if you stayed beside the water.

The walk is also the part of the day that gives Yelapa a sense of place. A beach can be pleasant anywhere, but a town with river views, stairways, and painted artwork offers more to notice. You should still keep your expectations sensible. The information provided does not specify the route length, terrain, or pace, so you will want to choose the walk only if you are comfortable exploring without a detailed route description.

If you prefer an easy morning, stay at the beach. Four hours is enough time to swim, sit in the sun, or simply enjoy the coast without rushing. This is a useful option for a mixed group. One person can walk through town while another keeps the day quiet by the water.

The main tradeoff is time. With two major stops, you cannot treat Yelapa as a full cultural visit and also expect unlimited time for every beach activity. I would pick your priority before arriving: town walk and views, or unhurried beach time.

The catamaran ride makes the day feel complete

The boat transfer is not just transportation between points. It connects the two parts of the outing and includes the food and open bar. Breakfast and lunch are included, which means you do not need to plan the day around finding a separate meal.

The open bar is also available on the boat, not listed as part of the restaurant service. That distinction matters. You receive drinks during the sailing portions and according to the boat service, but drinks ordered at the restaurant are extra.

I like this setup for a full-day excursion because the costs are easier to estimate. Your $120 covers the catamaran, guide, insurance, meals, snorkeling equipment, and boat drinks. You still need to allow for the MX$30 port tax, tips, and any restaurant drinks.

A catamaran day can be more comfortable than arranging separate transport to both beaches, especially if you want food and equipment handled in one booking. The price makes the most sense if you plan to use several inclusions. If you only want a ride to sit on one beach, you may not get as much value from the package.

Majahuitas Beach Club: three hours to set your own pace

After Yelapa, the boat heads to Majahuitas Beach Club, also written as Mahahuitas in the tour title. You have about three hours here, and the mood shifts from exploration to free time.

The beach is described as almost private, with a laid-back hippie-chic style. That gives you a different setting from Yelapa. Instead of paths, river views, and town scenery, Majahuitas is about choosing an activity and settling into the afternoon.

Snorkeling equipment is included, with fins, a vest, and a snorkel. Kayaking and paddle boarding are also available. If you prefer not to get in the water, you can sunbathe on the beach. The activity list gives you freedom, but it does not promise unlimited access to every piece of equipment.

This is where you should plan realistically. Only five kayaks are available, while the boat may carry as many as 35 people. Kayaks are shared, not reserved for the entire stop, and there is no stated time limit for each person. That can create a queue, especially if many people want to paddle at once.

One guest expected to use a two-person kayak and found only single kayaks available. The single kayaks were also not immediately available, resulting in a wait and only a few minutes on the water before the group moved on. The operator’s response made the arrangement clear: kayaking is an extra activity, not the main purpose of the trip, and equipment is offered according to availability.

My advice is simple: do not book this day mainly for kayaking. Treat kayaking as a bonus. If it is important to you, ask about current equipment arrangements before booking, or choose a tour built around kayaking. For this experience, snorkeling, swimming, paddle boarding, or beach time are safer expectations.

What the meals, bar, and equipment mean for value

At $120 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach, but it is more than a boat transfer. You are paying for a full-day structure with two stops, two meals, an open bar on the catamaran, gear, a bilingual guide, and insurance.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, snorkeling equipment, and a boat ride. It also helps if you want a planned day rather than a series of small decisions. The boat picks up the rhythm, the guide handles the group, and you have a clear return point.

The value drops if your priorities are highly specific. A dedicated kayaking tour would suit a serious kayaker better. A private boat would suit someone who wants control over timing and equipment. A simple beach day might suit you better if you do not care about Yelapa’s town walk or the included meals.

The wording around drinks deserves attention. The open bar is on the boat, while restaurant drinks are extra. Tips are also not included. Add the MX$30 port tax to the advertised rate when setting your budget.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Vallarta day

I would recommend this for couples, families, and friends who want a social day with several choices. It suits you especially well if one person wants to explore, another wants to relax, and everyone enjoys being on the water.

It is also a good match for first-time visitors who want to see two coastal locations without arranging separate transport. The bilingual guide and included equipment make the day easier to manage, particularly if you want snorkeling without bringing your own gear.

You should think twice if you dislike group schedules. The group may have up to 35 people, and the day moves from Yelapa to Majahuitas and then back to Puerto Vallarta. You have freedom within each stop, but not unlimited time.

You should also reconsider if you need guaranteed access to kayaks. Five kayaks for a group of up to 35 means the equipment cannot serve everyone at once. Snorkeling and beach time are more dependable choices.

The activity states that most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information. If you need specific support with the boat, beach, or paths in Yelapa, ask the provider before booking.

Practical planning for the 9:00 a.m. departure

Plan to reach the Terminal Maritima API before the 9:00 a.m. start. The meeting point is at Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, Las Glorias, Puerto Vallarta, and the area is near public transportation.

Bring a day bag for the items you want at both beach stops. Since you have free time at each location, organize your belongings so you can reach personal essentials without sorting through everything on the boat.

Use the included snorkeling equipment if that is your main water plan. For kayaking, keep your expectations flexible and ask about access on the day. The equipment is shared, and the available number is limited.

The tour requires good weather. If conditions cancel the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Is this catamaran tour worth booking?

Book it if you want a full Puerto Vallarta day that combines a coastal boat ride, Yelapa’s town-and-river scenery, Majahuitas beach time, meals, drinks, and basic water gear. The best feature is the contrast between the two stops. Yelapa gives you something to explore, while Majahuitas lets you slow down.

Book with caution if kayaking is your main goal. The limited supply means you may wait, and you may not get the kind of kayak you want. For the strongest value, think of the boat ride, Yelapa walk, snorkeling, lunch, and relaxed beach time as the core experience.

At $120, this is a sensible choice for an all-day shared outing with many inclusions. It is less suitable for a private, quiet, or equipment-focused trip.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Terminal Maritima API, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, Las Glorias, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Terminal Maritima API.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a bilingual guide, travel insurance, snorkeling equipment with fins, vest, and snorkel, breakfast, lunch, the catamaran ride to Yelapa and Majahuitas, and an open bar on the boat.

Is the port tax included?

No. A port tax of MX$30 per person is not included.

Are restaurant drinks included?

No. Drinks ordered at the restaurant are not included in the tour price.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum group size of 35 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.