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

Yelapa and Majahuitas give you two very different coastal stops in one long day: a small village where the beach meets the Sierra Madre foothills, followed by a quiet beach club reached by catamaran. The scenery is the main event, but the boat ride, meals, and open bar make this a fuller outing than a simple beach transfer.

I like the four hours in Yelapa, which gives you time to walk beyond the sand and see the river, hillside paths, staircases, and colorful artwork. I also like that Majahuitas includes snorkeling equipment and water activities without charging a separate admission fee. The main caution is shared access to the kayaks: only five are available for a group that can reach 35 people, so kayaking may involve a wait.

Key points to know before booking

• Two coastal stops in one day: Visit the village and beach setting of Yelapa, then spend time at Majahuitas Beach Club.
• A full 7 to 8 hours: The 9:00 a.m. start takes most of your day, with the tour returning to the original meeting point.
• Breakfast, lunch, and an open bar included: The package covers more than the boat ride, though restaurant drinks and a MX$30 port tax are extra.
• Five kayaks for a large group: Snorkeling, paddle boarding, and beach time may be easier to fit in than kayaking.
• A practical meeting point: Meet at Terminal Maritima API on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

Setting sail from Puerto Vallarta at 9:00 a.m.

Your day begins at Terminal Maritima API in the Las Glorias area of Puerto Vallarta. The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. and finishes back at this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

The catamaran ride is part of the appeal. You are not simply being driven to a beach. You spend the day on the water, with an open bar available on the boat and a bilingual guide helping manage the schedule. Breakfast and lunch are included, which is useful on a seven to eight-hour outing.

The group can reach 35 people. That size keeps the price reasonable, but it also shapes the experience. You will need to pay attention to meeting times and return instructions, especially when moving between the boat and the beaches. This is a group excursion, not a private sailing day.

The package includes travel insurance and a mobile ticket. It is offered in English, with bilingual guide service. Public transportation is available near the meeting point, and the activity is listed as suitable for most people.

Four hours in Yelapa, where the river meets the sea

Yelapa is the more characterful stop. You can stay by the beach, or use the generous four-hour block to walk through town. The setting brings together the shoreline, the lower Sierra Madre foothills, and the Yelapa River.

That mix gives you more to look at than a standard beach stop. You might follow paths and staircases through the settlement, pausing to study the colorful artwork along the way. The views change as you move away from the water, and the river adds another layer to the setting.

I would use this first stop to set my own pace. If you want a slow morning, stay near the beach and enjoy the coastal view. If you prefer some movement, take the scenic walk through town. The tour does not force you into one activity, which is helpful for a mixed group.

Four hours is enough time to see more than the arrival area, but you still need to keep an eye on the departure schedule. Your catamaran will not wait indefinitely if you wander too far. Ask the guide where and when to meet before setting off on your own.

The stop includes admission, so you do not pay a separate entry charge for the Yelapa visit. Still, the tour price does not list every possible personal expense in the village. Keep some money available for anything you choose to buy there.

Majahuitas Beach Club and the quieter second stop

After Yelapa, you return to the catamaran and continue to Majahuitas. This beach is described as almost private, with a laid-back hippie chic design at the beach club. The mood is more about relaxing by the water than walking through a village.

You can choose from several ways to spend the remaining three hours. Snorkeling equipment is included, with fins, a vest, and a snorkel. Kayaking and paddle boarding are also available, or you can simply sit on the beach and sunbathe.

The three-hour stay gives you a useful stretch of unhurried beach time. You are not being asked to rush through a quick photo stop. On the other hand, the clock still matters because all activities share the same window before the return to Puerto Vallarta.

The beach club setting may suit you if you want a more arranged day at the shore. The furnishings provide a defined place to relax, while the water activities add something to do when you are ready to leave your chair. If your main aim is to swim or snorkel, this is likely the most useful stop.

The kayak issue you should understand clearly

Kayaking is the one part of this outing that needs careful expectations. The boat carries five kayaks, while the total group can reach 35 people. The kayaks are shared and are not reserved for one person or couple for the entire Majahuitas stop.

The available kayaks are single kayaks. If you specifically want a two-person kayak, this tour does not promise one. You may also need to wait for someone else to finish before using one, and there is no stated time limit for each person.

That arrangement can work if kayaking is a bonus rather than your main goal. You can switch to snorkeling, paddle boarding, or beach time if the kayaks are occupied. But if you are booking mainly to kayak with a partner, choose a tour designed around kayaking instead.

This is an important value question. The tour includes several water activities, but inclusion does not mean guaranteed immediate access. The catamaran ride, meals, and two beach stops remain the core of the day.

What is included in the $120 price

At $120 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach near Puerto Vallarta. The price makes more sense when you count the pieces bundled together:

• Catamaran transportation to Yelapa and Majahuitas
• Breakfast and lunch
• Open bar on the boat
• Bilingual guide
• Travel insurance
• Snorkeling equipment
• Time at both destinations
• Return to the original meeting point

You also avoid the trouble of arranging separate boat transport, food, and activities. For a long day on the coast, that convenience has real value.

There are still extra charges. Tips are not included, drinks in the restaurant are not included, and the port tax is MX$30 per person. The open bar applies on the boat, so do not assume that every drink at the beach club or restaurant is covered.

I would compare this price with your own priorities. If you want a planned day with food, drinks, equipment, and two stops, the package is reasonably broad. If you only want a quiet beach and do not care about the catamaran, meals, or bar, you may be paying for features you will barely use.

A day built for variety, not total solitude

The strongest feature here is variety. Yelapa offers a walkable village setting, river views, artwork, and mountain foothills. Majahuitas offers a more relaxed beach-club setting with water activities and time to sit still.

You can also split the day with companions. One person can explore Yelapa while another stays by the water. At Majahuitas, one person can snorkel while another rests on the beach. That flexibility helps a group with different energy levels.

The trade-off is structure. You have a fixed departure, a fixed return, and shared equipment. The boat can carry up to 35 people, so the day will not feel like a private escape. The open bar and meals add a social quality as well.

I would choose this trip for a first coastal outing from Puerto Vallarta if I wanted to see more than one place without planning the transport myself. I would not choose it for a silent day alone, a private sailing experience, or guaranteed kayak time.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

The tour lasts about seven to eight hours and starts at 9:00 a.m. That means you should plan on giving it most of the day. The schedule includes four hours at Yelapa and three hours at Majahuitas, with catamaran travel between the stops.

You should be comfortable spending a long stretch around the water. Bring practical beach clothing and anything you need for sun protection. The provided information confirms snorkeling gear, but it does not specify other personal items, so do not assume that towels or personal sun products are supplied.

The tour requires good weather. If conditions cause cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

The cancellation rule is simple but firm: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and a late cancellation is not refunded.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day most

I see this as a good fit for you if you want several elements in one booking:

• A full day on the water rather than a short transfer
• A mix of walking, beach time, and water activities
• Food and an open bar included in the main price
• A bilingual guide and group organization
• The freedom to choose your own pace at both stops

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the choice between activity and rest, provided everyone is comfortable with a long day and shared facilities. Most people can participate according to the tour information, but the outing still involves boat travel, beach access, and optional water activities.

It also suits couples and friends who want a social day with plenty of scenery. Just be clear about the kayak limits before booking. If one specific activity matters more than everything else, this broad package may not be the right tool.

Should you book the Yelapa and Majahuitas catamaran tour?

Book it if you want a well-filled coastal day with two distinct stops, included meals, an open boat bar, snorkeling gear, and a choice of how active to be. The best part is the contrast between Yelapa’s village and river setting and Majahuitas’ relaxed beach-club atmosphere.

Skip it if you need privacy, guaranteed access to a kayak, or a slow schedule with no group timetable. At $120, the value comes from the combination of transport, food, drinks, equipment, and a full day out, not from any one activity alone.

My practical advice is to treat kayaking as a lucky extra, not the reason to reserve. Go for the catamaran, the two coastal stops, the included meals, and the freedom to spend your time walking, snorkeling, paddling, or simply sitting by the water.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends back at the original meeting point.

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet at Terminal Maritima API, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, Las Glorias, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

What food and drinks are included?

Breakfast and lunch are included, along with an open bar on the boat. Drinks in the restaurant are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes fins, a vest, and a snorkel.

Can I kayak during the Majahuitas stop?

Kayaking is available, but only five kayaks are provided for a group that can reach 35 people. The available kayaks are single kayaks, and use is shared rather than guaranteed for the whole beach stop.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. A full refund is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins.