Los Arcos, Animas and Quimixto Snorkel Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

The main appeal here is simple: you get a full day on the water for $75.93, with Los Arcos, a beach stop, food, and an open bar rolled into one fare. I like the chance to see several coastal spots without arranging separate boats, buses, and water taxis.

I also like the lively crew, music, karaoke, and the chance of seeing whales or stingrays during the boat ride. The big caution is that snorkeling is often brief and visibility can be poor, while the advertised kayaks, paddle boards, and waterfall visit may not work as expected on every departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos snorkeling can last only 15 to 40 minutes, and murky water may make fish hard to see.
• Las Animas gives you a long beach stop, often around three to four hours, with food served later in the visit.
• Kayaks and paddle boards require advance reservation, and availability may be limited once you reach the beach.
• The open bar applies on the boat, while drinks at Las Animas are extra and usually require cash.
• The boat ride is social and party-oriented, with music, dancing, karaoke, and plenty of alcohol.
• The tour is advertised for a maximum of 40 people, but some accounts describe much larger crowds, so confirm the current boat arrangement before paying.

A full day from Puerto Vallarta to Los Arcos

This is not a quiet little sailing trip. It is a long group outing built around a large catamaran, music, drinks, and several stops along the coast.

You meet at Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio at 9:15 a.m. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, though the return time can run late. The stated duration is about eight hours, but some outings have stretched well beyond that because of late departures, slow boarding, or delays collecting people from the beach.

The boat ride is part of the entertainment. You get national drinks such as tequila, rum, vodka, brandy, beer, soft drinks, juice, and water. The crew may organize dancing and karaoke, and the ride back can turn into a loud party. I would consider this a plus if you want a festive day with music. If you want a calm boat, a quiet nature trip, or detailed English commentary, this may not be your best match.

The package is listed as bilingual, but the amount of English can vary. Some departures give most instructions in Spanish, with only brief English explanations. Keep your ears open when the guide explains boarding times, meal arrangements, and activity reservations.

Breakfast begins the day, but expectations matter

Breakfast is included, with hotcakes, coffee, eggs, fruit, and juice listed among the offerings. The description also calls it a continental breakfast, so do not expect a large hotel-style spread.

Lunch is included as well. The listed choices include fish fillet, chicken fajitas, roast beef quesadillas, hamburgers, rice, beans, salad, and tortillas. Some information describes lunch as a strong à la carte meal at a restaurant, while other wording suggests a buffet.

In practice, I would treat the food as convenient fuel rather than a reason to book the cruise. Portions and quality can vary. Some meals have been considered perfectly acceptable, while others have been described as small, cold, or disappointing. If you have picky eaters in your group, bring a small backup snack if allowed and do not assume lunch will be the highlight of the day.

You should also carry water for the long periods of waiting and outdoor activity. Water is provided aboard, but the heat and humidity can catch up with you, especially during the beach stop.

Los Arcos: the best setting for the water activities

Los Arcos is the most striking stop on the route. These rock formations rise from the sea south of Puerto Vallarta, creating caves, arches, and narrow passages that give the area its character.

This is where the snorkeling normally takes place. Masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets are supplied. The water, however, is not guaranteed to be clear. Seasonal conditions can turn it green or cloudy, and several accounts describe visibility so poor that it was difficult to see even an arm’s length away.

The time in the water is another key point. The advertised trip is a snorkeling cruise, but the actual swim may last only 15 to 40 minutes. If the boat leaves late, boarding takes too long, or the crew needs to keep the schedule, your time with a mask on can shrink further.

Crowding can also affect the experience. A large group entering the same small area can make swimming awkward. In narrow passages, you may find yourself close to other swimmers, rocks, and boat traffic. If you are not a confident swimmer, stay close to the crew and use the life jacket.

I would book this trip for the chance to see Los Arcos from the boat, with snorkeling as a bonus. I would not book it if your main goal is a long, guided reef session with clear water and abundant fish.

The open water ride can be a highlight

Even when snorkeling conditions disappoint, the ride along the coast can be enjoyable. The route offers views of the rocky shoreline, coves, and open Pacific water. Whales and stingrays have been seen from the boat on some outings, particularly during the cooler part of the year.

You do not control what wildlife appears, of course. Still, the cruise gives you more time to look outward than a simple transfer by water taxi. Sit where you can see the coast, but remember that the most comfortable seat may not be available if the boat is full.

The open bar is a major part of the value for some people. Beer, tequila, rum, brandy, soft drinks, juice, and water are included while you are aboard. For others, constant drinking and loud music can make the ride tiring. If you are traveling with children, note that the atmosphere can become rowdy on the return journey.

Las Animas means beach time, not nonstop adventure

After Los Arcos, the boat heads toward Las Animas. The beach is attractive, but this portion of the day is more about waiting, eating, and choosing optional activities than moving from one included attraction to another.

You may be transferred from the main catamaran to shore in a smaller boat. Getting on and off can feel awkward when the water is rough. Parents should keep a close eye on children during this transfer, and anyone with balance or mobility concerns should ask for help before stepping between boats.

Once ashore, you may have a long stretch of free time. Accounts describe waits of roughly three to four hours, with lunch served after part of that time. If you are expecting a short beach pause followed by a waterfall hike, this slow pace may frustrate you.

The beach has restaurants and independent sellers. Drinks at the beach are not part of the boat’s open bar, so bring cash. The area is remote enough that card payment may not be reliable. Vendors may approach you with souvenirs or other items, and the restaurant may expect you to purchase food or drinks if you want certain seating or access.

That does not make the beach worthless. You can swim, sit under an umbrella, and enjoy the coastal setting. But you should understand the rhythm: the tour drops you into a busy tourist beach, then gathers the group later. It is not a private beach club.

Quimixto and the waterfall question

The experience is marketed around Quimixto as well as Los Arcos and Animas. The waterfall area can be reached from the beach, and the walk is described as a hike that some people find worthwhile.

The route may be strenuous, especially in heat and humidity. One account described the walk as difficult but rewarding. Other transport options, including horses or a small vehicle ride, may be offered for an additional fee. If you want to reach the waterfall, ask clearly about the price, timing, walking distance, and return point before leaving the beach.

Access arrangements can vary. Some people have reported that the waterfall entrance itself was free, while a nearby restaurant charged for drinks, seating, or use of its facilities. Those businesses are separate from the boat company, so listen carefully to what is included and what is not.

The practical problem is time. The group may spend so long waiting for people at the beach that the waterfall visit feels rushed, or people who skip the hike may be left with a long wait. If Quimixto is the reason you are booking, confirm that the current departure actually includes enough time to make the visit.

Kayaks and paddle boards need advance planning

Kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding are listed among the included activities, but they require prior reservation. Do not assume you can arrive at Las Animas and simply pick up equipment.

Availability can be limited, especially when the sea is rough. Some departures have had few or no usable kayaks and paddle boards, while other equipment was restricted to a short session near the restaurant. Ask the guide to reserve your activity early on the boat.

The water conditions matter here. A calm beach may look ideal from shore, but the crew may cancel or limit these activities for safety. If paddling is essential to your day, a dedicated kayak tour is a safer choice than this broad, multi-stop package.

The banana boat is not included. It costs MX$500 per person. Parasailing, jet skis, horse rides, and other beach activities may also require separate payment, so carry enough cash if you want to add activities.

How the price compares with the experience

At $75.93 per person, the price is attractive if you use the included boat ride, breakfast, lunch, drinks aboard, and snorkeling equipment. Booking separate transportation to Los Arcos and Las Animas could take more planning and may not include meals or an open bar.

The value becomes weaker if you mainly want snorkeling. A short swim in cloudy water, followed by several hours sitting at a beach, may not feel like good use of your vacation day. You may also spend more on beach drinks, equipment deposits, waterfall transport, or other activities.

The tour works best as a budget-friendly social cruise. It bundles many pieces into one booking, but the tradeoff is a large group and a loose schedule. A smaller private boat costs more, yet gives you a better chance of controlling the timing and focusing on the activities you actually want.

Who should choose this cruise

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy:

• A busy boat with music, dancing, karaoke, and an open bar
• A full-day coastal outing at a moderate price
• A flexible beach stop with optional paid activities
• Scenic views and the possibility of seeing whales or stingrays
• Traveling with older children who can handle boat transfers and a long day

I would steer you elsewhere if you want:

• Clear, fish-filled snorkeling
• A quiet nature cruise
• Reliable English explanations throughout the day
• Guaranteed kayak or paddle board access
• A private beach experience
• A carefully timed waterfall visit

The stated maximum is 40 people, but crowd size appears to vary in practice. Confirm this directly before booking, especially if the difference between a small catamaran group and a packed boat matters to you.

Practical advice for making the day easier

Bring a small backpack with water, sunscreen, a hat, a dry change of clothes, and cash in Mexican pesos. You may need money for beach drinks, the MX$32 Los Arcos National Marine Park dock tax, a MX$500 banana boat ride, waterfall transport, or a deposit for snorkeling equipment.

Keep your room key, identification, or deposit money handy if the crew requires security for gear. This requirement is not clearly emphasized in the basic description, so ask before taking equipment.

Wear secure sandals or water shoes if you plan to enter the water or walk toward the waterfall. The transfer from the main boat to shore can be wet and uneven. Bring medication for seasickness if you are prone to it, since the day includes a long ride in open water.

The cancellation policy is straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:15 a.m. start for a full refund. Poor weather can also lead to a new date or a full refund. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted.

Should you book the Los Arcos and Animas cruise?

Book it if you see the day as a social boat party with scenery, food, and drinks, and you are comfortable treating snorkeling and beach activities as uncertain extras. The crew can be friendly and energetic, the coastal views are worthwhile, and the all-in-one price can be fair.

Skip it if Los Arcos snorkeling is your top priority. The short swim, murky water, crowded conditions, and uneven access to kayaks and paddle boards are too many risks for a snorkeling-focused holiday.

Before paying, ask three direct questions: How many people will be on the boat, how long will the snorkeling stop last, and are kayaks or paddle boards available on your date? The answers will tell you more about the likely value than the word all-inclusive.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts and ends at Puerto Magico, on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Hotelera Norte.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:15 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is about eight hours. Actual return times can be later due to boarding delays, beach pickups, or other schedule changes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, although availability and water conditions can affect the activity.

Are kayaks and paddle boards included?

They are listed as included, but you need to reserve them in advance. Availability may be limited, and rough water can prevent their use.

Are food and drinks included?

Breakfast, lunch, soft drinks, and an open bar aboard the boat are included. Drinks at Las Animas and some other beach activities cost extra.

How much is the Los Arcos National Marine Park charge?

The listed dock tax is MX$32 per person. It is not included in the tour price.