4 BBQ Cruises in Puerto Vallarta Worth Booking

1.Islas Marietas & BBQ lunch at Majahuitas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,130 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Start early from Puerto Mágico and spend about seven hours on the Bay of Banderas, watching for dolphins, whales, manta rays, and seabirds. Choose snorkeling, kayaking, or SUP near the Marietas Islands, then enjoy a BBQ lunch and drinks at Majahuitas. Guides such as Poncho and Danny are known for lively onboard entertainment.

“90% plus of the time is on a boat with very little time for snorkeling (maybe 30 minutes tops) and you will need to be very fast if you are going to do any kayaking or paddle boarding. The time spent doing activities feels very rushed. However, there is good service for drinks and the lunch is excellent and the location for lunch is great. However I would not recommend this tour. Perhaps if we went to two locations rather then three it would have felt less rushed with more time for activities.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Yelapa Waterfall, BBQ at Exclusive Majahuitas Beach & Open bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 760 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $99

Spend about seven hours sailing from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa and Majahuitas with guides such as Danny, Dani, or Poncho. Walk to a waterfall, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, eat a BBQ lunch, and enjoy drinks aboard the boat. Expect a lively group outing, not a quiet beach escape.

“This was the best excursion I have ever been on. It was so beautiful and fun. The entire staff was extremely friendly, helpful and entertaining. Food was phenomenal too. Absolutely recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Horseback Riding & Swim: Tequila Tasting, BBQ & Margaritas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 230 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $113

Ride through rural Jalisco with guides such as Fabrizio, Martin, and Valeria, then visit La Dulce Vista for tequila tasting, salsa-making, a Mexican BBQ, pool time, and margaritas. River riding and swimming with horses depend on weather and water conditions.

“This was a disappointing excursion. First it started with a ride In extremely hot weather in an unconditioned air van to our destination to ride horses. It was supposed to be a beautiful ride including 5 river crossings but the river beds were dry so we ended up walking through roads, paths and hot sandy dry river beds with no shade whatsoever. The amount of trash piles along the way was staggering. The saddles were ridiculous uncomfortable and one of our friends fell off his horse when his stirrup broke off and he slid off his horse. After 1 1/2 hours we got to a location that had lots of…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Sea Safari & Beach BBQ at secluded Pizota jungle beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 138 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $169

Spend about six and a half hours south of Puerto Vallarta by speedboat, visiting Yelapa, Quimixto, and secluded Pizota Beach. You’ll ride along a river path, see a seasonal waterfall, snorkel or kayak, and eat a grilled buffet with drinks. Guides including Angel, Memo, and Jesus help keep the day moving.

“The boat ride was fun, the snorkeling was very good, the horseback riding was fun, but very dusty with very narrow little canyons you had to ride through. The waterfall stop was nice, the beach was beautiful but it was too rough to kayak or paddleboard. Lunch was very good, open bar was nice. Fun day.”

Check availability →Read our full review