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

Yelapa and Majahuitas give you two very different beach days in one trip. At Yelapa, you can leave the sand for a walk through a small coastal town, with the Sierra Madre foothills and Yelapa River in view. Later, Majahuitas offers a quieter beach stop with snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and time to do very little at all.

I like the mix of active and easygoing time, plus the practical value of breakfast, lunch, snorkeling gear, insurance, and an open bar on the catamaran. The main thing to watch is equipment availability: only five kayaks are provided for a group that can reach 35 people, so kayaking may require patience rather than a long uninterrupted session.

Key points to know before you book

• Yelapa gives you four hours: Choose beach time or walk through town beside the river and mountain foothills.
• Majahuitas changes the mood: Spend about three hours at a relaxed beach club with snorkeling, kayaks, paddle boards, or sun time.
• The boat package is useful: Breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment, insurance, and an open bar on the boat are included.
• Kayaks are limited: Five kayaks are available, and they are shared among the group. They are an extra activity, not the main focus of the tour.
• The day starts at 9:00 a.m.: Meet at the Terminal Maritima API in Puerto Vallarta and return there at the end.
• Budget for the port tax: The listed price is $120 per person, plus a MX$30 port tax. Drinks at the restaurant are also extra.

Two coastal stops, two very different moods

This is a full-day catamaran outing from Puerto Vallarta, lasting about seven to eight hours. The appeal is variety. You are not asked to spend the entire day in one resort area or on one narrow strip of sand.

Yelapa feels like the more interesting stop for people who want to see something beyond a beach. Majahuitas is better for water activities and unhurried beach time. Put together, the route gives you a little town, a mountain-and-coast setting, and a beach club with time to swim or rest.

The tour is capped at 35 people. That is not a private sailing trip, but it is a manageable group size for a catamaran excursion. You should still expect shared access to the equipment and common areas, especially during the most popular activities.

The guide service is bilingual, and the activity is offered in English. Your confirmation arrives at booking, and the meeting point is near public transportation, which makes the morning departure fairly straightforward if you are staying in Puerto Vallarta.

Starting at the Terminal Maritima API

The meeting point is the Terminal Maritima API on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Las Glorias. You need to be there for the 9:00 a.m. start.

This is a useful detail for planning your morning. The tour does not begin from a hotel pickup listed in the package, so you should arrange your own way to the terminal. Since the activity ends back at the same meeting point, you also have a fixed place to plan around after the boat returns.

The catamaran ride is part of the experience, not just transportation between stops. Breakfast is included, and the open bar operates on the boat. That makes the ride more social and relaxed, though you should not assume the open bar carries over to a restaurant or beach venue.

Lunch is included as well. Drinks in the restaurant are not included, so bring some money if you want something beyond the boat service. The extra port charge is MX$30 per person, a small but important addition to the advertised $120 price.

Four hours in Yelapa

Yelapa is the longer stop, with about four hours available. You can stay on the beach or walk into town and take a scenic route through its paths and stairways.

The town’s setting is the main attraction. You can see the beach, the foothills of the Sierra Madre, and the Yelapa River in one view. Colorful artwork along the pathways and stairs adds character to the walk and gives you something to look at between the natural views.

I would choose the walk if you want a sense of place instead of simply adding another swim stop. The route is described as scenic, but the tour does not promise a guided hike with a fixed trail or a specific level of difficulty. That means you should treat it as an optional town walk, not as a serious mountain hike.

You can also spend all four hours at the beach. This is the better choice if your idea of a successful day involves swimming, sitting in the sun, and not keeping a close eye on the clock.

Having four hours matters. A short shore stop can feel rushed, especially when you are trying to walk, take photos, swim, and find lunch. Yelapa gives you enough time to choose one main activity and still have room to slow down.

At the same time, the choice creates a small tradeoff. If you walk through town, you give up some beach time. If you stay on the sand, you may miss the town’s river views and artwork. There is no wrong choice, but it helps to decide what you value before you arrive.

Majahuitas and the quieter beach-club stop

After Yelapa, the catamaran heads to Majahuitas. You have about three hours there, including time to return to the starting point.

Majahuitas is presented as an almost private beach with a laid-back hippie-chic style. The setting is meant to feel more relaxed than a busy public beach, with furnishings that suit a slow afternoon rather than a packed schedule.

This is the stop for water activities. Snorkeling equipment is included, with fins, a vest, and a snorkel. You can also try kayaking or paddle boarding, or simply stay on the beach and sunbathe.

The equipment package improves the value of the tour. You do not need to bring your own snorkeling gear, and the included vest makes the activity more accessible for people who are not strong swimmers. Still, the details do not promise a guided snorkeling session or guaranteed wildlife sightings. Think of the gear as access to a self-directed beach activity.

Kayaking needs a realistic explanation. Five kayaks are available, while the boat may carry up to 35 people. The kayaks are shared and are not reserved for one person or couple for the full visit. If you want to use one, you may have to wait for someone else to finish.

A practical example comes from the operator’s response to a complaint about a two-person kayak. The available boats were single kayaks, and the lack of a time limit made it difficult for everyone to get a turn. The lesson is simple: do not book this outing mainly for kayaking. Treat the kayaks as an optional extra, and be ready to share.

Paddle boarding has the same basic uncertainty. It is included as an activity option, but the available number of boards and the exact access system are not specified. If a particular water sport is your top priority, an activity designed specifically around that sport may suit you better.

What the catamaran package is really worth

At $120 per person, this is not a bare transportation trip. Your price covers the catamaran, a bilingual guide, travel insurance, breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and an open bar on the boat.

That bundle can make the cost reasonable for someone who wants a full day with most major expenses handled. You receive two coastal stops, meals, equipment, and boat service without arranging separate transportation to Yelapa or Majahuitas.

The value is strongest if you plan to eat the included meals, use the snorkeling equipment, and enjoy the ride itself. It is weaker if you intend to sit quietly on one beach and skip the included activities. In that case, you are paying for a package with more built in than you need.

Remember the exclusions. Tips are not included. Drinks in the restaurant cost extra, and the MX$30 port tax is separate. These are not major costs compared with the tour price, but they affect your final budget.

The open bar is specifically on the boat. That distinction matters. You should not assume unlimited drinks at Majahuitas or at any restaurant stop. If you want a drink while ashore, plan to pay for it.

The tour has a 4.5 rating from six reviews, which is a positive signal but a very small sample. I would place more weight on the clear structure of the day and the equipment limits than on the number alone.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want several types of scenery in one outing. The mix works well for couples, friends, and families who cannot agree on a single activity. One person can walk around Yelapa, another can stay on the beach, and the group can meet again for the Majahuitas stop.

It also suits people who like a social boat day. The open bar, shared catamaran, and bilingual guide create a group atmosphere. You are not booking a silent private sail.

You should be comfortable with a long day. The outing lasts seven to eight hours, begins in the morning, and includes two stops with their own timing. People who need a flexible schedule may find the fixed departure and return less convenient.

The tour is also a good match for mixed activity levels. Most people can participate, and you can choose beach time instead of walking or water sports. The main requirement is the ability to manage a full day around a boat, shore stops, and shared activities.

I would look elsewhere if your first priority is a private experience, a serious hike, guaranteed kayak access, or a dedicated snorkeling guide. This is a broad coastal day, not a specialist excursion.

Timing, comfort, and small planning details

Wear clothes that work for both a boat ride and a beach. The supplied information confirms the snorkeling equipment, but it does not list towels, personal water gear, or storage arrangements, so bring only what you need and check the operator’s final instructions.

A mobile ticket is accepted. Confirmation is sent at booking, which helps you keep the meeting information on your phone. Since the activity is near public transportation, you have an option besides a private car or taxi, though the exact transit route is not specified.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

For a normal cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, so make your plans carefully if your Puerto Vallarta schedule is still shifting.

My take: book it for variety, not for one activity

I would book this tour if you want a complete day that combines a boat ride, two different beach settings, a town walk, meals, and included water equipment. Yelapa supplies the sense of place, while Majahuitas gives you the easy beach-club finish.

I would not book it mainly for kayaking. The limited supply means access is shared, and a long session is not guaranteed. Choose it for the overall mix, and consider kayaking a bonus.

At $120, the package is sensible for someone who will use its meals, gear, and open bar. Add the MX$30 port tax, restaurant drinks, and tip to your budget. If that total fits and you like an active but flexible day, this is a strong way to see two coastal spots south of Puerto Vallarta without arranging the pieces yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour last?

The activity lasts approximately seven to eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at Terminal Maritima API, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, Las Glorias, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a bilingual guide, travel insurance, snorkeling equipment, breakfast, lunch, the catamaran ride, and an open bar on the boat.

Are kayaking and paddle boarding available?

Yes. Kayaking and paddle boarding are available at Majahuitas, but the equipment is shared. Five kayaks are available, so access is not guaranteed for the entire beach stop.

Is the port tax included?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.