Review · PUERTO VALLARTA

Private Yacht Charter on ChicaFun 1 Waterslides all inclusive

5.0 · 124 reviews 4 hours (approx.) Operated by Chica Locca Tours · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Puerto Vallarta’s ChicaFun 1 is less a fixed sightseeing cruise than a private floating party platform. You choose your route around Banderas Bay, then spend the day swimming, snorkeling, sliding into the sea, paddling, and eating guacamole while the crew keeps the drinks moving. The boat can visit Los Arcos, Yelapa, Colomitos, Majahuitas, or Las Caletas, depending on what your group wants.

I like the freedom to shape the outing, and I like the unusually broad set of included water toys: waterslides, kayaks, paddle boards, tubes, and a water mattress. The crew also puts real energy into celebrations. Luis and bartender Joel have helped make birthdays memorable, while Alex has greeted groups at the marina. The main drawback is time: four hours passes quickly, especially if your chosen beaches require a longer run from the departure point. You may also need a 40 to 50 minute drive to reach the boat, and transportation is not included.

Key points to know before booking

Private Yacht Charter on ChicaFun 1 Waterslides all inclusive - Key points to know before booking

  • You control the route: Choose among Los Arcos, Yelapa, Colomitos, Majahuitas, Las Caletas, or another spot in Banderas Bay.
  • The boat fits up to 15 people: At the full group price of $2,490, the cost works out to about $166 per person.
  • Water activities are included: Use the waterslides, snorkeling gear, paddle boards, kayaks, tubes, and water mattress without separate rental fees.
  • Food and drinks are part of the package: Expect guacamole with blue corn chips, potato chips, soft drinks, coffee, juices, water, beer, wine, margaritas, piña coladas, champagne, and more.
  • The crew is part of the experience: Luis, Joel, and Alex have all been singled out for friendly, attentive service.
  • Plan transportation early: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though Chica Locca can help arrange transportation to the meeting point.

A private boat built for groups

ChicaFun 1 makes the most sense when you have a group that wants the boat to itself. The listed rate is $2,490 for up to 15 people, not a per-person fare. Fill every place and you are paying about $166 each, which is reasonable for a private four-hour charter with food, open drinks, crew service, and water equipment.

The value drops if only a few people share the boat, but that is the tradeoff with a private charter. You are paying for privacy and control, not the lowest possible seat on a shared excursion. A birthday group, family reunion, wedding gathering, or group of friends can make better use of that price than two or three people.

You also avoid the rhythm of a large shared boat. There is no need to follow a preset route or spend the afternoon waiting for strangers to finish an activity. You can focus on swimming and snorkeling, stay longer near a beach, or ask to move on if a stop does not suit your group.

The listing describes the outing as about four hours. That is enough time for a focused cruise with one or two main stops, but it is not enough to properly enjoy every place named in the route options. Los Arcos and one nearby cove are a sensible pairing. Trying to include Yelapa, Majahuitas, and Las Caletas in one short charter would leave you spending too much of the afternoon moving between places.

More Luxury Yacht Cruises in Mexico

Choosing your route around Banderas Bay

Private Yacht Charter on ChicaFun 1 Waterslides all inclusive - Choosing your route around Banderas Bay

The best part of a private charter is deciding what kind of day you want. Tell the crew if your priority is snorkeling, a quiet beach, a party atmosphere, or simply a scenic cruise. Your route can be adapted around the beautiful Bay of Banderas.

Los Arcos for rock formations and snorkeling

Los Arcos National Park is the most recognizable stop listed. South of Puerto Vallarta, dark granite formations rise from the sea, creating arches, caves, and sheltered areas where you can swim and snorkel.

This is the strongest choice if you want classic Puerto Vallarta scenery and an active water stop. You can float through the arches, look for marine life, and take in the rock formations from the water. The setting gives the charter a real sense of place, rather than making it just a boat ride with drinks.

Los Arcos can also be a busy focal point for boats in the bay. Your private boat gives you a comfortable base, but it cannot make the park empty. If you want quiet beach time more than rock scenery, ask about another stop.

Yelapa for a longer coastal outing

Yelapa is a coastal village south of Puerto Vallarta with a white sand beach and clear blue water. It suits a group that wants to spend its time on a beach rather than simply stop for a quick swim.

The practical point is distance. With only four hours, Yelapa may take up much of your available cruising time, depending on the departure point and sea conditions. It can be a fine choice for a focused beach outing, but it is not a sensible add-on to several other distant stops.

Colomitos for a small, secluded beach

Colomitos is described as one of Mexico’s smallest beaches. It sits south of Puerto Vallarta, backed by the Sierra Madre, and can be reached by boat or by a roughly hour-and-a-half hike from Boca de Tomatlán.

For this charter, the boat is the practical way to reach it. The cove is a good pick if your group wants a smaller beach surrounded by mountains rather than a major resort shoreline. Space is limited by the beach’s size, so it may feel intimate rather than expansive. That is part of its appeal, but a large group should not expect room for a long beach spread.

Majahuitas for a beach and water-play day

Playa Majahuitas is often regarded as one of Puerto Vallarta’s finest beaches. It fits the ChicaFun format well because the emphasis is on swimming, snorkeling, and playing in the water.

This is where the included equipment matters. You can move between snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and floating without adding rental charges at every turn. The boat’s waterslides also make the day more playful than a standard beach transfer.

Las Caletas for a slower pace

Las Caletas is presented as a private beach designed for relaxation. Choose it if your group wants to slow down, swim, snack, and enjoy the setting without packing in too many activities.

The word private should not be taken to mean that every part of the day is fully secluded at all times. It refers to the character and access of the beach, not a promise that no other boat or person will be nearby. Still, it is the most natural choice on this list for a calm afternoon.

The water activities are the real attraction

Private Yacht Charter on ChicaFun 1 Waterslides all inclusive - The water activities are the real attraction

ChicaFun 1 includes far more than a swim stop. You can use snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, water tubes, a water mattress, and the boat’s waterslides.

That variety makes the charter work for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another paddles, and someone else can simply sit with a drink. Children and adults do not need to enjoy the same activity at the same time, which helps keep a private outing relaxed.

The waterslides are especially useful for a group that wants energy and laughs rather than a quiet sailing trip. If your group is mostly interested in scenery and conversation, you may use them only briefly. The equipment is available, not compulsory.

Snorkeling is best treated as one part of the trip, not the only reason to book. The itinerary highlights Los Arcos as a strong snorkeling area, but conditions can affect visibility and comfort. Your captain and crew can shape the day around the conditions and your group’s interests.

Food, drinks, and the birthday touch

Private Yacht Charter on ChicaFun 1 Waterslides all inclusive - Food, drinks, and the birthday touch

The package includes fresh-made guacamole with blue corn chips and potato chips. Drinks include coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, margaritas, piña coladas, champagne, and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices.

That matters because food and drinks can quickly add to the price of a private boat day. Here, you do not need to arrange a separate lunch service from the information provided, though the listed snack selection is more of a light spread than a full formal meal.

The crew’s service seems geared toward celebrations. One group received a birthday cake for a 30th birthday, and another had a birthday made special by the staff. Joel, the bartender, was specifically praised for swimming drinks out to people in the water. That detail tells you what kind of service to expect: attentive, informal, and willing to join the fun.

Another group went whale watching, stopped to swim and snorkel, then tried fishing on the return trip. Three fish were caught, and the crew let children reel them in before cooking one for the group to taste. Fishing is not listed as a standard included activity, so do not book expecting it as a guaranteed feature. But the story shows that the crew may add thoughtful touches when the day allows.

The crew can make or break the afternoon

Private Yacht Charter on ChicaFun 1 Waterslides all inclusive - The crew can make or break the afternoon

The boat, route, and drinks matter, but the crew sets the tone. Luis has been praised for handling a rowdy party, and Joel for keeping the bar service active even while people were in the water. Alex has met groups at the marina and helped start the day on a friendly note.

You should tell the crew what sort of outing you want. A group celebrating a birthday should say so before departure. A family with children may want more time for swimming and waterslides. A group focused on snorkeling should make Los Arcos a priority.

The owner, Gil, is available for questions about meeting points and affordable luxury transportation. That personal contact can be useful because the meeting details require care. You must choose your meeting place before submitting the reservation.

Getting to the boat and managing the timing

Private Yacht Charter on ChicaFun 1 Waterslides all inclusive - Getting to the boat and managing the timing

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The operator can help with a different meeting point or transportation, but you need to request it. Do not assume that your resort transfer is part of the $2,490 price.

One booking experience included a 40 to 50 minute drive to the boat’s location outside Puerto Vallarta. The trip was considered worthwhile, but it still affects your day. Ask where you will meet and how long the transfer should take before booking, especially if you have a tight schedule or a late flight.

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the charter is commonly booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 102 days, secure your preferred date early if you are planning a birthday or large group event.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted. Gratuities are optional and not included, while souvenir photos can be purchased at check-in or from the photographer on the boat.

Who should book ChicaFun 1?

Private Yacht Charter on ChicaFun 1 Waterslides all inclusive - Who should book ChicaFun 1?

I would point this charter toward groups that value privacy, flexible planning, and an active day on the water. It is particularly well suited to:

  • Birthday and celebration groups
  • Families who want several water activities in one outing
  • Friends who want a private boat with drinks and music-friendly social time
  • Groups of up to 15 who can share the fixed price
  • People who prefer choosing a beach or snorkeling stop instead of following a strict route

I would think twice if you want a quiet, formal sailing experience, a full meal, or a very low-cost boat trip for only two or three people. The boat is designed around fun, movement, and crew interaction. The four-hour length also favors a focused plan rather than an ambitious tour of the entire bay.

Should you book this private charter?

Private Yacht Charter on ChicaFun 1 Waterslides all inclusive - Should you book this private charter?

Book it if your group can fill much of the boat and wants a private, flexible day with strong service, plenty of drinks, snacks, and easy access to water toys. The crew’s attention to birthdays and the thoughtful touches, such as helping children with a catch, add value that is hard to price on a standard shared cruise.

Before paying, settle three things: your meeting point, your preferred route, and your group’s expectations for the four hours. If you choose one main area, such as Los Arcos or Majahuitas, and let the crew shape the details, ChicaFun 1 offers a lively and useful way to see the Puerto Vallarta coast.

FAQ

How much does the private ChicaFun 1 charter cost?

The price is $2,490 per group for up to 15 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $166 per person.

How long is the experience?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

Which places can the private boat visit?

You can customize the route around Banderas Bay. Possible stops include Los Arcos National Park, Yelapa, Colomitos, Playa Majahuitas, and Las Caletas.

What activities and equipment are included?

The package includes snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, kayaks, a water mattress, water tubes, and access to the boat’s waterslides.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Included options include guacamole with blue corn chips, potato chips, water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, margaritas, piña coladas, champagne, and other drinks.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You can request help arranging transportation to the meeting point.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted and are not refunded.

More Private Sailing Charters in Puerto Vallarta

More Private Sailing Charters in Mexico

Scroll to Top

Every kind of sailing day

Pick the boat, the hour on the water or the country.