All-inclusive Colomitos cruise and Animas beach snorkeling

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is the star of this outing. The catamaran circles the famous rock arches so you can photograph them from several angles, then heads south toward Colomitos and Las Ánimas. It is a full day of sea views, swimming, food, and music, with a party-boat feel rather than a quiet sailing trip.

I like the mix of scenery and stops: you get the iconic arches, a chance to snorkel, and several hours at Las Ánimas Beach. The $78 price also covers the beach meal, which helps make the day easier to budget. The main concern is organization. Departure times, snorkeling time, meal service, and boat capacity may not feel as orderly as the schedule suggests.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos comes first: The catamaran circles the rock formations for photos, but you do not get off the boat there.
• Colomitos snorkeling is brief: The planned stop is two hours, though the actual time in the water may be much shorter.
• Las Ánimas gets the longest visit: You have about three hours for the meal, swimming, walking, or paid water activities.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: The meal is served through an assigned beach restaurant, while drinks cost extra.
• Expect music and social energy: This is better for people who enjoy onboard entertainment than for those seeking a calm nature cruise.
• Capacity information needs checking: The published maximum is 50 people, but the day can feel much larger when boarding and meal service are crowded.

What kind of Puerto Vallarta cruise is this?

This is a long coastal outing with four parts: a boat ride past Los Arcos, a stop near Colomitos, a beach visit at Las Ánimas, and a return to Puerto Vallarta with entertainment and contests.

The tour lasts about seven hours in the advertised schedule, but the actual day may run longer. One account described a return close to 9 p.m., after a scheduled 11 a.m. start. That matters if you have evening plans, a dinner reservation, or a flight the next morning.

The boat is described as a catamaran, but do not picture a polished luxury yacht. The setup can be simple, with a broad deck and plastic lawn chairs. You will likely spend much of the day in the open air, exposed to sun, spray, wind, music, and the movement of the sea.

The mood is social. Onboard entertainment, contests, and loud music are part of the experience. The boat may offer drinks, but the supplied details are not fully clear about what is included. At Las Ánimas, drinks are specifically extra, so bring money or a payment method for anything beyond the included meal.

The published capacity is 50 people. However, one account described more than 200 people on board. Since that is a major difference, I would confirm the expected group size directly with Travel Vallarta before paying if personal space matters to you.

Los Arcos: Puerto Vallarta’s best photo stop

The first major stop is Los Arcos de Mismaloya, the cluster of tall rock formations rising from the sea south of Puerto Vallarta. These arches are among the area’s best-known coastal sights, and the boat circles them to offer changing views.

You stay aboard for this part. That is good news if you want easy photographs without getting wet, but it also means you do not get time to explore the rocks or snorkel directly below them.

Allow about an hour for this section of the route. Keep your camera ready as the boat moves around the formations. The captain aims to provide several angles, which is more useful than a single quick pass. The rock shapes look different depending on where you sit, the direction of the sun, and the movement of the boat.

This is also one of the calmer parts of the day in terms of activity. You can focus on the coastline and take pictures before the snorkeling gear, lunch, and beach plans take over. If photography matters to you, sit where you have a clear view of the sea rather than behind a crowded group.

Do not expect a guided geology lesson. The focus here is sightseeing and photos, not a long explanation of the area. The value is visual: Los Arcos gives you an unmistakable Puerto Vallarta image early in the trip.

Colomitos snorkeling: pretty setting, limited water time

The next stop is Playa Colomitos, a small coastal beach known for clear water, rocks, and a tropical setting. The plan allows about two hours here, with time for snorkeling, swimming, relaxing, and photos.

The important catch is that the full stop does not equal two hours of snorkeling. You may spend part of the time getting into position, receiving equipment, waiting for instructions, or moving between boat and water. Actual snorkeling time can be much shorter, with one account describing less than 30 minutes and another saying about five minutes.

That makes Colomitos the least predictable part of the outing. Water conditions, crew organization, and the number of people aboard all affect how much time you get with a mask in the water. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask for a clear estimate before departure.

The marine life may also be modest. Colomitos has a scenic setting and rock formations, but you should not book this as a serious reef expedition. You might see tropical fish and underwater rock life, yet visibility and animal activity vary. One account found little sea life at the snorkeling site.

I would bring realistic expectations: this is a chance for a short swim and a look underwater, not a dedicated snorkeling trip. If you are comfortable with that, the stop still adds variety to the day. You get away from the city, cool off in the water, and enjoy one of the coast’s smaller beaches.

Water temperature can also affect your plans. One person found the water too cold for snorkeling. A rash guard or light swim shirt can help, although the tour information does not specify water-temperature equipment or wetsuits.

If you are not swimming, you can use the stop for photographs and a break on the boat. Just remember that Colomitos is presented as a natural coastal stop, not a developed beach resort with a long list of facilities.

Las Ánimas Beach: the practical center of the day

After Colomitos, the catamaran continues to Playa Las Ánimas. This is where the day shifts from sightseeing to beach time.

The boat docks, and you go to an assigned beach restaurant for the included meal. Drinks are extra. The wording around the meal suggests that it is provided through the restaurant rather than served casually on the catamaran, so listen carefully to the crew about where to go and how the meal works.

That detail matters. The meal process can be confusing, and service may be slow when a large group arrives at once. One account described lunch beginning around 4 p.m. and taking at least an hour before the first plates appeared. If you are hungry, do not assume you will sit down immediately after reaching the beach.

The included food is useful, but do not build your day around a memorable dining experience. It is best viewed as a basic meal that comes with the excursion. You may want to eat a solid breakfast and carry a small snack if you have dietary concerns, though the supplied information does not specify whether special meals are available.

Las Ánimas itself is the strongest stop for unstructured time. You can swim, sit on the sand, walk along the coast, take photographs, or pay for extra activities. Banana rides and parasailing are available at additional cost. Horseback riding and ziplining may also be offered through sales on the boat, but the time available may not allow you to enjoy both a full meal and an extra excursion.

This is where the tour’s schedule can work against you. Three hours sounds generous, but that period must cover getting off the boat, finding the restaurant, waiting for food, eating, changing activities, and returning to the catamaran. If you want a paid beach activity, ask exactly how long it takes and when you must be back at the boat.

Las Ánimas is a good place to slow down, but it is not a private beach experience. It is popular and can feel busy, especially when several boat groups arrive. Still, the soft sand and calm water make it a pleasant counterpoint to the moving boat.

The ride back: music, contests, and a loud finish

The return to Puerto Vallarta includes an onboard show and contests. This is not a quiet sunset cruise. Music may continue throughout the ride, and the social atmosphere can grow louder as the day goes on.

For some people, that is the point. You can dance, have a drink, join the games, and enjoy the company of a large group. The crew is described as friendly and helpful, even when the schedule becomes difficult to manage.

For others, the return may be tiring. If you want to sit quietly and watch the coast, loud music and party activity may get in the way. The return trip can also be longer than planned, so take care of sunscreen, hydration, and comfort before leaving Las Ánimas.

Dolphin sightings are possible, but they are not promised. One outing included dolphins on the return, which shows the kind of surprise you might get on the water. Treat that as a bonus, not part of the guaranteed program.

What the $78 price really covers

At $78 per person, the tour offers a full day on the coast, transportation by catamaran, the Los Arcos stop, Colomitos, Las Ánimas, onboard entertainment, and a meal at the beach.

That is fair value if you want several elements in one booking. You do not need to arrange a separate boat to Los Arcos, find your own route to Colomitos, or organize transport to Las Ánimas. The included meal also saves you from choosing a restaurant after arriving at the beach.

The value is weaker if your priorities are high-quality snorkeling, quiet sailing, or polished service. The boat may be basic, the meal may be ordinary, and the schedule may feel loose. The most important part of the price is the bundle of experiences, not luxury or precision.

Budget for extra costs. Beach drinks are not included, and optional activities such as banana rides and parasailing cost more. A port fee of 30 Mexican pesos per person has also been charged separately, so ask about current fees before departure.

The tour is offered with a mobile ticket, and confirmation normally arrives at booking. If you book within eight hours of departure, confirmation is subject to availability. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation inside that window is not refunded, and poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would choose this outing if you want a social beach day with several stops and do not need every minute to run on schedule. It suits people who enjoy music, group entertainment, swimming, basic boat comfort, and a flexible attitude.

Families and mixed-age groups may like the variety. Someone can take pictures at Los Arcos, swim at Colomitos, relax at Las Ánimas, or join a paid activity. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

I would be cautious if you have limited mobility, strong sensitivity to noise, or a strict dinner reservation. The published information says the activity is near public transportation and that most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed information about boarding assistance or beach accessibility.

Snorkelers should be especially careful about expectations. You may get only a short period in the water, and the amount of marine life can vary. If underwater time is your main goal, a dedicated snorkeling charter would likely offer better value, though that comparison is outside the details provided here.

Couples can enjoy the outing, especially on a quieter departure. One account described a nearly private boat with only two people on a Monday morning, while another described a very crowded experience. That wide range suggests that the departure date and group size can change the feel of the day.

Practical tips for a smoother outing

• Confirm the departure time the day before. One scheduled 11 a.m. departure involved boarding closer to noon, and another account described a mismatch between the ticket time and the actual boat.
• Ask Travel Vallarta how many people are expected on your sailing. The published maximum is 50, but capacity reports vary.
• Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a change of clothes. You will have swimming opportunities at Colomitos and Las Ánimas.
• Carry money for drinks, port fees, and optional beach activities.
• Eat breakfast before you go. Lunch may not arrive quickly once you reach Las Ánimas.
• Keep plans after the tour flexible. The advertised duration is about seven hours, but the return can be much later.
• If you want snorkeling time, ask how long you will actually be in the water, not just how long the boat stops at Colomitos.
• Choose this tour for its mix of boat time, beach time, and entertainment. Do not choose it expecting a luxury vessel or a quiet nature cruise.

Should you book this Puerto Vallarta cruise?

Book it if you want a budget-friendly coastal sampler with Los Arcos, Colomitos, Las Ánimas, lunch, and a lively ride home. The kind crew and variety of stops are real strengths, and the beach portion can be very enjoyable.

Skip it if you want a calm boat, carefully managed timing, generous snorkeling, or a refined meal. The biggest risk is not the scenery. It is the gap between a tidy seven-hour plan and a day that may feel crowded, noisy, delayed, or loosely organized.

Before paying, confirm the departure time, expected capacity, what drinks are included, the current port fee, and the realistic snorkeling period. If those answers suit you, this can be a fun way to see several Puerto Vallarta coastal sights in one day.

FAQ

How long does the Colomitos and Las Ánimas cruise last?

The scheduled duration is about seven hours, though the actual return can be later. One account reported arriving back in Puerto Vallarta close to 9 p.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A meal at an assigned restaurant on Las Ánimas Beach is included. Drinks cost extra.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The tour includes a snorkeling stop at Colomitos. The amount of actual time in the water can vary and may be much shorter than the full stop.

Do I get off the boat at Los Arcos?

No. The catamaran circles Los Arcos de Mismaloya so you can see and photograph the rock formations from the water.

Are activities at Las Ánimas included?

No. Optional activities such as banana rides and parasailing cost extra. Other activities may also be offered for an additional charge.

How many people can join the tour?

The published maximum is 50 people. Since a separate account described a much larger crowd, confirm the expected group size with Travel Vallarta before booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund.