Mega Catamarans ALL INCLUSIVE Remote Paradise Beach Adventure

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta day trip is the change of scene. You leave the marina by catamaran and reach a remote beach club near Quimixto, where you can trade city traffic for an infinity pool, shaded loungers, kayaks, and a jungle waterfall. Isaias, known as Papi Chulo, and guides such as Dana help keep the day moving.

I like the useful mix of freedom and structure. You can paddleboard, snorkel, swim, hike, or simply claim a beach bed, while meals and drinks are covered. I also like that the waterfall trip gives the day some local character beyond a standard boat party. The main drawback is the loud, high-energy atmosphere, plus occasional delays and limited time if you try to fit in every activity.

Key things to know before you book

• Remote beach access: Playa Chica Locca is reached by boat, not by road, giving the stop a secluded feel.
• Two very different moods: The beach club is relaxed, but the catamaran ride home often turns into a music-and-dancing party.
• Waterfall choice: You can take a guided hike to Quimixto Waterfalls or pay cash for an ATV ride.
• Food is included: Breakfast, fruit, muffins, coffee, guacamole, chips, and a fajita lunch are part of the package.
• Bring practical gear: Wear sturdy walking shoes for the waterfall trail, pack sunscreen, and carry cash for ATV or horseback options.
• A busy day at $135: The price covers the boat, port fees, meals, drinks, water toys, and guided waterfall service, but not gratuities, photos, or optional land rides.

Sailing south from Puerto Vallarta

The trip begins at Puerto Mágico, the cruise terminal area in Puerto Vallarta. You must choose your meeting point when booking, and you will pass through port security. Do not bring drugs, weapons, liquids, electronic cigarettes, or vapes. The port has a strict no-drug policy, and searches can happen.

The catamaran ride to the remote beach takes about an hour. Breakfast is served during the trip, with fruit, muffins, coffee, juice, and other drinks listed as part of the package. One practical note: meal timing can vary. If you tend to get hungry early, bring a small snack if permitted through port security, or confirm the breakfast setup before departure.

The boat has two levels and shaded areas, though seating can become tight for large groups. One family of 11 found it hard to keep everyone seated together during the ride out. That is worth knowing if your group wants to sit side by side. The maximum group size is 120 people, so this is not a private yacht outing.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Names that come up often include Isaias, also called Papi Chulo, Alex, Luis, Guadalupe, Ricky, Dana, and Captain Noah. Their job is part host, part server, part safety team, and part entertainment crew. The best guides keep you informed in both English and Spanish and help the day feel organized rather than chaotic.

Keep your eyes on the water as you cross Banderas Bay. Humpback whales are most likely from December through April, while dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and seabirds can appear year-round. Sightings are never guaranteed, but they can turn an ordinary transfer into one of the day’s highlights.

Playa Chica Locca: pool, beach beds, and water toys

The first main stop is Playa Chica Locca, a remote beach club accessible only by boat. The setting has a resort feel, but the surrounding coast and jungle keep it from feeling like a normal hotel beach. You arrive to chips, fresh guacamole, and access to the open bar.

This is where you decide how active you want to be. Included equipment includes kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, and other water toys. You can swim from the beach, sit by the oceanfront infinity pool, or settle into a shaded chair with a drink. The pool has a swim-up bar and views across Banderas Bay.

I like the choice here. You do not have to spend the whole day in a group activity. One person can paddleboard, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay on a beach bed. That makes the outing work well for mixed groups, including families with older children, couples with different energy levels, and friends who do not all want the same kind of adventure.

The beach itself is not a perfect postcard swimming cove every day. Conditions can change, and one account described rougher, murky water with rocks that made snorkeling less impressive. If snorkeling is your main goal, keep expectations modest. This stop is stronger as a combination of scenery, water access, pool time, and service than as a dedicated reef excursion.

The facilities have received mixed impressions. Many people appreciate the clean bathrooms, range of seating, and comfortable beach furniture. At the same time, one particularly unhappy visitor reported worn pool tiles, peeling surfaces, rusty areas, and sharp edges around the bar. I cannot tell you how those conditions may change over time, but I would inspect the pool and bar area before settling in, especially with children.

Towels are not included, so bring your own from your hotel if possible. Sunscreen matters here. You are outside for most of the day, and the shaded areas can fill up during a busy departure.

Quimixto Waterfalls: hike or cash-paid ATV

The waterfall option is the most distinctive part of the outing. From the beach area, a guided hike leads toward Quimixto Waterfalls. The route takes roughly an hour each way according to the practical details shared about the outing, and the trail can be steep, rough, and wet.

Wear real walking shoes. Flip-flops are a poor choice for this section. The trail passes through the small coastal community of Quimixto, giving you a glimpse of local homes and village life rather than only a polished beach-club setting. Dana has guided this walk and pointed out native birds along the way.

At the waterfall, you can swim in the cool water. Life jackets are available for floating, and a small restaurant over the water serves refreshments such as coconuts and beer for purchase. The cold pool feels especially welcome after the walk.

You can also pay for an ATV ride instead of hiking the full route. The ATV option has been listed at about 500 pesos per person in the supplied details, and cash is required. The ride may carry up to two passengers, with someone else driving, and follows a route through jungle, water, and local surroundings. You should reserve the option through the confirmation information when possible, then bring enough pesos.

The ATV is not a completely effortless shortcut. You still need to walk up a steep section to reach the pickup point, and your shoes may get wet as the vehicle crosses water. Still, it is the better choice if you are not comfortable with a long, uneven hike.

Plan your time carefully. The beach stop and waterfall outing share the same block of time, and the waterfall trip reduces the hours available for kayaking, swimming, and lounging. If you want a slow day, skip the falls. If you want the most varied experience, go early and accept that you will not have time for everything.

Lunch, drinks, and the all-inclusive calculation

The $135 price looks more reasonable once you count what is included. You receive the catamaran ride, port entry fees, public parking, breakfast, fruit, muffins, coffee, juices, guacamole, chips, a traditional fajita lunch, soft drinks, water, and alcoholic beverages. Chicken, beef, rice, beans, and tortillas make up the standard lunch, with vegetarian and vegan choices available if requested when booking. Gluten-free needs can also be advised in advance.

The open bar includes beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, champagne, mineral water, sodas, and other drinks. The tour is marketed around brand-name open-bar service, though one critical account found the alcohol quality disappointing. I would treat the bar as a useful convenience rather than the sole reason to book. If you want premium spirits or carefully made cocktails, ask what brands and pours are available before you board.

Food timing is another point to watch. Most of the meal plan is strong on paper, and many people particularly like the fajitas. One poor experience involved lunch arriving as late as 2 p.m., after only fruit and guacamole had been served. That may have been an operational problem, but it is still wise to eat something before boarding if your schedule allows.

Photos are extra. The onboard photo team takes candid and action shots, and you can ask to see the digital album after the tour. A digital album may be shared within 24 hours, but you should not assume photography is included in the $135.

Gratuities are also extra and optional. Given how much time the crew spends serving drinks, handling equipment, guiding activities, and watching over safety, you may want small cash available if the service earns it.

The return ride becomes the party

After the beach and waterfall, you return to the catamaran for roughly an hour back to Puerto Vallarta. The open bar continues, and the music often gets louder. Dancing is part of the plan, not a surprise add-on.

This is where the outing divides people. If you want a lively boat party, the return trip may be your favorite part. The crew turns up the music, keeps drinks moving, and works the crowd. If you want a quiet sunset sail, this is not the right tour. One direct account found that there was no real place to escape the loud music for much of the day.

Families can still enjoy the tour. A 10-year-old joined one mixed group and had a good time, and the water activities and beach club suit different ages. Still, parents should be comfortable with a party setting, alcohol service, and loud music on the boat.

Who gets the best value from this day

I would choose this experience if you want several activities in one booking. It works especially well for couples, friend groups, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want a broad taste of the bay, coast, beach clubs, and Quimixto.

It is also a good fit if some people in your group want action while others want comfort. The active person can hike, kayak, paddleboard, or take an ATV. The less active person can use the pool, beach beds, shaded seating, and bar.

I would think twice if you dislike crowds, loud music, or fixed group timing. The boat can carry up to 120 people, and a delayed start has occurred before. One departure began about 90 minutes late because of coordination problems, with no extra beach time added at the end. That is not the normal promise of a six-and-a-half-hour tour, but it is a real risk when several groups and vessels are involved.

The cancellation policy is forgiving if your plans change early. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Bad weather or failure to meet the minimum number of bookings can lead to a new date or full refund.

Should you book the Playa Chica Locca catamaran?

I would book it if you want a full, social day with food, drinks, beach-club comfort, water toys, and a waterfall option all bundled together. The strongest parts are the attentive crew, the range of ways to spend your time, the remote setting, and the chance to see whales from December through April.

I would not book it expecting a quiet luxury yacht, a pristine snorkeling site, or a perfectly timed private excursion. Bring sunscreen, sturdy shoes, cash for the ATV, and patience for possible delays. If that sounds like a fair trade for a day that combines a catamaran cruise, Quimixto village, a waterfall swim, and a lively return party, the $135 package offers solid value.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the catamaran cruise, port entry fees, public parking, breakfast, fresh fruit, muffins, coffee, juices, guacamole, blue corn chips, fajita lunch, soft drinks, water, alcoholic beverages, snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, other water toys, and guided waterfall service.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Where does the tour meet?

The tour meets at a selected location connected with Puerto Mágico in Puerto Vallarta. You must choose your meeting place before submitting the reservation.

Can I visit the Quimixto Waterfalls?

Yes. You can join a guided hike to the waterfalls. An ATV ride or horseback option may also be available for an extra cash payment.

How much does the ATV ride cost?

The supplied details list the ATV ride at about 500 pesos per person. Bring cash, since the optional ride is not included in the tour price.

Are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, but you should advise the operator when booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may result in another date or a full refund.