Los Arcos, Animas and Quimixto Snorkel Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

The main surprise here is that this is as much a party boat and beach day as it is a snorkeling cruise. You sail from Puerto Vallarta to Los Arcos, stop for a short swim, then spend much of the day around Las Animas and Quimixto, with lunch, music, drinks, and optional activities.

I like the dramatic Los Arcos scenery, and I like the friendly crew when the boat is running smoothly. The open bar, breakfast, lunch, dancing, and whale or stingray sightings can make this a lively bargain at $75.93. The big concern is simple: snorkeling time and water clarity vary sharply, and several passengers received little or no access to kayaks or paddle boards.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos is the strongest scenic stop: The rock formations are striking, but snorkeling can last only 15 to 40 minutes and may be murky.
• Most of the day is spent at the beach: Plan on roughly three to four hours around Las Animas, with Quimixto waterfall access depending on your choices and timing.
• Food and drinks are included on paper: Breakfast, lunch, soft drinks, and an open bar are part of the package, but quality and portion size can be uneven.
• Extra costs can change the price: The Los Arcos National Marine Park fee is MX$32 per person. Banana boats cost MX$500 per person, and beach drinks or other activities may require cash.
• The atmosphere is lively: Music, dancing, karaoke, and free-flowing alcohol suit social groups more than people seeking a quiet nature cruise.
• Confirm equipment and group size: The tour advertises a maximum of 40 passengers, yet some accounts describe much larger crowds and shortages of snorkeling equipment.

What kind of Puerto Vallarta day is this?

At first glance, the name promises three destinations and a full menu of water sports. In practice, the experience is best understood as a long coastal boat outing with one main swim stop and an extended beach break.

The catamaran leaves from Puerto Magico at 9:15 a.m. and returns to the same point. The advertised duration is about eight hours, though some departures have returned late. One account describes an arrival around 8 p.m., so I would not schedule an important dinner, flight, or evening transfer too tightly.

The boat carries food, drinks, safety equipment, music, and bilingual crew members. It is designed to keep a mixed crowd entertained. You may see people dancing, singing karaoke, drinking, swimming, and simply enjoying the ride. That can be fun, but it also means this is not a quiet sailing trip.

The tour description gives a maximum of 40 passengers. Because some passengers have described much larger boats and very crowded conditions, I would confirm the expected vessel and capacity before paying. That detail matters. A 40-person catamaran feels very different from a boat carrying well over 100 people.

Sailing out from Puerto Magico

The meeting point is Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, in the north hotel zone. Ground transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina.

The trip begins with a continental-style breakfast. The listed breakfast includes hot cakes, coffee, eggs, fruit, and juice. It is a useful start, especially since the boat day is long, though you should not expect a leisurely hotel breakfast.

The ride south gives you a pleasant view of Puerto Vallarta from the water. Depending on the day and season, you might see whales or stingrays. Several passengers found the boat ride itself enjoyable even when snorkeling conditions were poor. That is an important point: the scenery and sailing can carry the day when the underwater portion does not.

The crew also begins organizing reservations for kayaks and paddle boards. Since these are listed as available with prior reservation, do not assume you can simply walk up and collect one later. Ask early, listen carefully, and reserve your preferred activity before the boat reaches the beach.

Los Arcos: great rocks, uncertain snorkeling

Los Arcos National Marine Park is the visual centerpiece. The tall rock formations rise from the sea near Mismaloya, creating caves, arches, and narrow passages. From the boat, the setting is memorable even if you never put on a mask.

The snorkeling stop is the most unpredictable part of the tour. Reports range from about 15 minutes to 40 minutes in the water. Some passengers saw whales or stingrays nearby, while others saw almost no fish because the water was green, cloudy, or full of algae.

Water clarity is affected by weather and season, so the operator cannot control every condition. Still, the short time in the water is a planning issue. If your main goal is to spend a full morning watching fish, this cruise is a weak choice.

Crowding can make the stop less pleasant. When many people enter the water at once, swimming room disappears quickly. One passenger described being pushed against a rock while moving through a cave or tunnel. You should be comfortable in open water, wear the provided life vest, and avoid forcing your way into a crowded passage.

Equipment supply is another concern. The package includes masks, snorkels, and related gear, but some passengers were told equipment had run out. Bring your own mask and snorkel if snorkeling is central to your plans. At minimum, confirm the gear situation before leaving the marina.

The national park fee is not included. Set aside MX$32 per person for the Los Arcos charge. That is a small amount, but it is better to know about it before boarding.

Las Animas and the long beach stop

After Los Arcos, the boat continues toward Las Animas. This is where the schedule changes from active water excursion to long beach break. You may spend three or four hours in the area, depending on the day’s timing and group decisions.

Las Animas is attractive, with a broad view of the bay and a string of restaurants and beach vendors. It is also a busy tourist stop. You may be approached repeatedly by people selling souvenirs, boat rides, food, drinks, or beach activities.

The all-inclusive promise needs a little explanation here. Breakfast and lunch are included, and the boat’s national open bar includes rum, beer, tequila, brandy, vodka, soft drinks, juice, and water. The open bar applies on the boat. Drinks at the beach may cost extra, and the beach restaurants are separate businesses.

Bring Mexican pesos. The beach is remote enough that card payments may not be practical, and several activities require cash. You may also need money for a beach chair, a banana boat, or other add-ons. The banana boat is listed at MX$500 per person.

The beach itself is free to enjoy, but the arrangement can feel confusing. Some seating may belong to a restaurant, and staff may expect you to purchase food or drinks if you want to use certain facilities. You can stay on the beach instead of buying an activity, but the exact comfort level depends on where you sit.

The Quimixto waterfall option

Quimixto adds a short inland adventure to the day. From the beach, you can head toward a waterfall and swimming area. The walk can be worthwhile, but it is not effortless. One account describes the hike as hard going uphill but rewarding once there.

Some visitors use an additional ride to reach the waterfall more quickly. A reported price was about MX$30 per person for that ride, while horses and walking take longer. Because access arrangements and charges can vary, ask the guide exactly what is included before leaving the beach.

The waterfall is not a private attraction operated by Live&Travel Tours. Local restaurants and vendors control some of the facilities around it. You may be asked to buy a drink or food to use a restaurant’s waterfall access or leave belongings there. That is different from an admission charge imposed by the boat operator, but it can still feel like an unexpected expense.

If you prefer not to hike, you can remain at the beach. The tradeoff is that you may spend several hours waiting while other passengers visit the waterfall. This is one reason the cruise works better for people who enjoy a loose, social day than for anyone who wants a tightly planned sequence of activities.

Food, alcohol, and the party-boat mood

The food package includes breakfast and lunch. Lunch is described as a choice of chicken, fish, or beef, with items such as chicken fajitas, fish fillet, roast beef quesadillas, hamburgers, rice, beans, salad, and tortillas.

Quality appears inconsistent. Some passengers found the meals better than expected or perfectly adequate for a boat excursion. Others described small portions, cold food, poor preparation, and disappointing burgers or fish. I would treat the meals as convenient fuel, not a reason to book the tour.

The open bar is one of the stronger value points. Beer, tequila, rum, brandy, vodka, soft drinks, juice, and water are included while you are aboard. Music and dancing often become more prominent on the return ride, and karaoke is part of the entertainment.

That atmosphere is a good fit for friends, couples who enjoy social outings, and families with older children who can handle a loud boat. It is a poor match for you if you want quiet conversation, polished service, or a calm nature trip. Free-flowing alcohol can also lead to very intoxicated passengers, so parents and anyone seeking a relaxed boat should consider that before booking.

Language, timing, and comfort

The tour is offered in English and includes bilingual guides. In practice, the amount of English instruction may vary. Some accounts describe clear bilingual help, while others say most announcements, jokes, and directions were in Spanish.

If you do not speak Spanish, ask the guide to repeat important instructions in English, especially details about meeting times, lunch tickets, equipment, and the return boat. Keep your own watch. Long beach stops and slow boarding can make the schedule feel loose.

The boat has life vests and on-board insurance. Still, comfort and safety depend heavily on crowding and sea conditions. Some passengers found the vessel cramped, with lawn-style seating and limited room to move. Boarding smaller boats between the main catamaran and shore can also be awkward when waves are high.

Seasickness is a real possibility. The route involves several hours on the water, and at least one passenger felt ill. Bring water, use any medication you normally take for motion sickness, and avoid drinking heavily before you know how your body handles the ride.

The listed capacity is 40 people, but reports of much larger crowds make this worth checking directly. If you need extra personal space, have young children, or dislike crowded transfers, capacity is not a minor detail.

Is $75.93 a good value?

At $75.93 per person, the price is attractive for an eight-hour outing that includes boat transportation, breakfast, lunch, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, life vests, and crew support. If you enjoy the social boat atmosphere and make full use of the included food and drinks, the package can cost less than arranging separate transportation, meals, and a beach visit.

The value falls if you are booking mainly for snorkeling. You may receive only 15 to 30 minutes in cloudy water, and conditions can make the fish hard to see. Kayaks and paddle boards are included in the description, but prior reservations are required, and availability has not been dependable.

The all-inclusive label also needs careful reading. The marina or national park fee is extra. Beach drinks, chairs, the banana boat, waterfall transport, and some waterfall facilities may cost more. If you bring MX$32 for the park fee and enough cash for optional activities, you will avoid surprises.

For the same general budget, a smaller specialized snorkeling trip may offer more water time and better attention. On the other hand, you might pay more for a private or small-group boat. This cruise makes better financial sense if your priority is a full day out with drinks, music, scenery, and a beach stop.

Who should book this cruise?

I would consider it for a group of friends, social couples, or families with older children who enjoy music and a busy day. The crew is often friendly and energetic, and the combination of sailing, beach time, food, and drinks gives you plenty to do even when the sea visibility is poor.

I would not choose it for a serious snorkeling trip, a quiet family outing, a mobility-sensitive day, or a carefully timed excursion. The hike to Quimixto may be strenuous, the beach transfer can be awkward, and the long waiting periods may test your patience.

The overall rating is 3.3 out of 5 from 72 ratings, which fits the experience’s mixed nature. Some days produce whale sightings, a fun crew, clear water, and a memorable waterfall visit. Other days bring murky water, crowded seating, missing equipment, weak food, and little English guidance.

Practical packing advice

Bring a small backpack with water bottles. The heat and humidity, combined with long waiting periods, can leave you thirsty.

Pack Mexican pesos for the MX$32 park fee, beach drinks, waterfall transport, chairs, and optional activities. Credit cards may not work reliably at the beach.

A personal mask and snorkel are sensible if underwater time matters to you. The tour provides equipment, but supply problems have occurred.

Wear secure sandals or water shoes if you plan to visit the waterfall. The shore transfer and beach access can involve waves, uneven footing, and a wet landing.

Bring a towel, sun protection, and a dry bag for phones and documents. Keep your room key, identification, or cash secure, since equipment deposits may be requested. One account mentions a deposit involving a motel key, identification, or MX$500, so ask about the policy before taking gear.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:15 a.m. start. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. Poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a lively, inexpensive day on the bay and see snorkeling as one part of a larger outing. The Los Arcos formations, coastal views, open bar, music, and Las Animas beach can create a good day, especially with a fun group.

Skip it if your first priority is clear-water snorkeling, reliable kayaking, a quiet boat, or a polished meal. Before booking, confirm the expected passenger count, equipment supply, English support, and exactly which beach and waterfall costs are included. That quick check may be the difference between a festive day out and a very long wait by the shore.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta’s north hotel zone.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 9:15 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

It returns to the original meeting point at Puerto Magico.

How long does the cruise last?

The advertised duration is approximately eight hours. Delays have occurred, so leave extra time after the scheduled return.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is listed as included, along with life vests. Kayaks and paddle boards require prior reservation.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included. Breakfast lists hot cakes, coffee, eggs, fruit, and juice. Lunch includes a choice of chicken, fish, or beef with side dishes.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The boat’s national open bar includes rum, beer, tequila, brandy, vodka, soft drinks, juice, and water. Beach drinks may cost extra.

Is the Los Arcos park fee included?

No. The listed National Marine Park fee is MX$32 per person.

Does the tour include a banana boat ride?

No. A banana boat is listed as an optional extra at MX$500 per person.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can be offered another date or a full refund.