Mega Catamarans ALL INCLUSIVE Remote Paradise Beach Adventure

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta catamaran trip is that it gives you three very different days in one: a social cruise across Banderas Bay, a comfortable remote beach stop, and a choice between water sports or a jungle trip to Quimixto Waterfalls. Guides such as Isaias, known as Papi Chulo, and Dana are often part of the lively crew, though staff assignments can vary.

I like the generous all-inclusive setup, especially the breakfast, guacamole and chips, fajita lunch, water gear, soft drinks, and open bar. I also like that you can set your own pace. You can paddleboard, snorkel, hike, ride an ATV, swim, or simply claim a shaded chair and watch the bay. The main drawback is the party mood: music can be loud for much of the day, and delays or a late lunch can cut into your beach time.

Key points to know before booking

• Three experiences in one: Enjoy the catamaran ride, Playa Chica Locca Beach Club, and the Quimixto waterfall area.
• Most activities are included: Kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, meals, snacks, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are covered.
• The waterfall takes planning: The walk can take about an hour each way and includes a steep, rough trail. ATV rides cost extra and require cash.
• Expect a party boat: Music, dancing, cocktails, and crew-led entertainment are central to the return cruise.
• Wildlife sightings are possible: From December through April, keep watch for humpback whales. Dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and seabirds may appear at any time.
• The group can be large: The maximum is 120 people, so seating and quiet space may be limited on busy departures.

A catamaran ride with a festive start

Your day begins at Puerto Mágico in Puerto Vallarta, with the exact meeting point selected when you book. The port can be confusing because several excursions use the same area. Arrive with time to spare, but do not buy separate port passes if your booking already includes entry fees and public parking.

Once aboard, breakfast is served with fruit, muffins, coffee, and juices. Some departures have started with a fruit plate and muffins, while the exact serving order may vary. This matters because the ride to the beach can take about an hour, and you will want something more than a drink if you have not eaten.

The crew keeps the mood moving with music, conversation, and drink service. The open bar includes water, mineral water, coffee, juices, sodas, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, and sparkling wine. The tour advertises brand-name premium drinks, but one particularly unhappy account found the alcohol quality disappointing. If you do not drink, you will still have plenty of nonalcoholic choices, and the social atmosphere is not built around forcing anyone to participate.

The catamaran has two levels and shaded areas, but seating can become difficult for a large family or group. The maximum capacity is 120, so do not expect a small yacht cruise every day. I would board promptly and settle in early if sitting with your group matters.

Playa Chica Locca, a remote beach club with comfort

After the boat reaches the coast near Quimixto, you step into the main part of the day at Playa Chica Locca. The beach is reached by boat, which gives the stop a remote feel and keeps it separate from the busier shoreline near Puerto Vallarta.

You are greeted with fresh guacamole and blue corn chips, followed by access to the beach club’s shaded lounge chairs, beach beds, oceanfront infinity pool, and swim-up bar. The mix of sand, pool, shade, and service works well for mixed groups. One person can swim while another reads in a lounge chair, and children or active adults can move between the water toys and the beach.

The beach club is not a polished city resort. Salt air, jungle conditions, and heavy use can show on remote facilities. Most of the available feedback praises the comfortable seating and clean bathrooms, but one account raised serious concerns about broken pool tiles, worn paint, rust, moldy furniture, and sharp edges near the bar. I would check the pool and bar area before settling in, and keep children close around any worn surfaces.

Beach towels are not included, so bring your own from your hotel if permitted. You will also want reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and footwear that can handle wet sand and rocks. The sun can be strong, and you spend much of the day outside, even with shaded areas available.

Choosing between water sports and the waterfall

The included water equipment is one of the tour’s strongest features. You can use kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and other water toys without renting each item separately. The water conditions can change, though. On some days it may be rough, murky, or rocky, making the snorkeling less rewarding than the promotional images suggest.

If you want a quiet beach day, simply swim, relax by the pool, or order a drink from the swim-up bar. The beach club provides enough variety that you do not have to join the group activities. This flexibility is useful for families, couples with different energy levels, and anyone who wants a break from an organized excursion.

The other choice is the trip to Quimixto Waterfalls. The guided walk is roughly 1.5 miles, with some descriptions placing the walking time at about 50 minutes each way and others closer to an hour. Expect a steep, uneven trail. Good walking shoes are important. Flip-flops are a poor choice, especially after rain or when the route is wet.

The trail gives you a look at the small fishing settlement of Quimixto and local homes. Guides such as Dana have pointed out native birds and explained parts of the area along the way. At the waterfall, you can swim in cool year-round water. Life jackets are available for floating, and a small restaurant over the water sells drinks and coconuts.

You can also arrange an ATV ride or horseback ride through the booking confirmation link, but these activities cost extra and require cash. The ATV option has been described as about 500 pesos per person, though prices can change. The ATV can carry two passengers with another person driving, according to the information provided. You may still need to walk a short, steep section to reach the pickup point, and shoes can get wet as the vehicle crosses water.

The waterfall trip is worth considering, but it uses a large part of your beach-club time. If you spend two hours walking, swimming, and returning, you have less time for kayaking, snorkeling, the pool, and lunch. I would choose the waterfall if you value local scenery and a short outdoor adventure more than a slow beach day. If you mainly want the private beach club, skip it and enjoy the water toys.

Food timing can shape the whole afternoon

The food is a real part of the value, but timing deserves attention. Breakfast is served on the boat, followed by guacamole and chips at the beach club. Lunch is a traditional fajita meal with chicken, beef, rice, beans, and tortillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if you request them when booking.

Most food feedback is positive, with particular praise for the fajitas. Still, one departure served lunch around 2 p.m., leaving people hungry after a light breakfast and snack. That may have been an isolated kitchen delay, but you should plan for the possibility. Bring a small personal snack if allowed, and confirm dietary needs in advance.

A late lunch also affects your activity choices. You may finish the waterfall trip ready to eat, then have less time to use the pool or water equipment before the boat leaves. The advertised schedule allows roughly four hours at Playa Chica Locca and one hour at Quimixto, but actual activity time depends on loading, meals, group movement, and the selected waterfall option.

The return cruise is the loudest part

The ride back to Puerto Vallarta is not a quiet sunset sail. The open bar continues, music gets louder, and dancing becomes a major part of the trip. Crew members such as Isaias, also called Papi Chulo, Luis, Guadalupe, Alex, and others have received strong praise for keeping people informed, entertained, and included. The guides may speak in both English and Spanish.

This is where the tour earns its party reputation. If you want a lively finish with cocktails and dancing, it can be the perfect ending. If you prefer a calm ride after a hot day, there may be no easy escape from the music. One person specifically found the sound level high throughout the excursion, with little quiet space.

Keep your eyes on the water during the return. Humpback whales are most likely from December through April, while dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and seabirds can appear throughout the year. Wildlife is never guaranteed, so treat a sighting as a bonus rather than a promised part of the schedule.

Photographers also work aboard and at the beach, taking candid and action pictures. Photo services are not included in the listed price. You can ask to see the images after the tour and purchase a package if you want professional memories.

Is the $135 price fair?

At $135 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. It becomes better value if you plan to eat and drink throughout the day and use the included equipment. Breakfast, fruit, muffins, lunch, guacamole, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, guided waterfall service, port entry fees, and public parking are all included.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for a beach club, lunch, drinks, and water rentals. It is less convincing if you do not drink, do not want a party, or plan to spend the whole day sitting quietly on a beach. Non-drinkers are well covered with juices, coffee, water, and sodas, but the tour’s entertainment still centers on music and alcohol.

You will pay extra for an ATV or horse ride, tips, hotel transportation, and photos. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, although transportation from Sayulita to the Puerto Vallarta marina has been arranged smoothly for some bookings. Confirm your meeting point before submitting the reservation.

The tour is often booked about 26 days ahead, and 96 percent of customers recommend it, with a 4.9 rating from 470 reviews. Those numbers suggest strong demand, but they do not erase the practical cautions about group size, music, facilities, food timing, and departure delays.

Who should book this day out?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and friend groups who want several activities without arranging each one separately. It also suits a mixed group, since some people can hike or paddle while others relax by the pool. Children can participate, but adults should keep an eye on them around the ocean, pool, rocks, and boat.

The tour is a particularly good match for you if you want:

• A full day with meals and drinks handled in advance
• A remote beach setting without planning your own boat transfer
• A choice between relaxing and active pursuits
• A social crew and music
• The option to visit a waterfall and swim in cool water
• A chance to spot whales during the winter season

I would hesitate if you need quiet, dislike loud music, have difficulty with steep trails, or expect a luxury yacht and resort finished to city standards. The tour description uses luxury language, but the actual comfort comes more from the service, shade, pool, lounge seating, and included food than from a flawless five-star facility.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Quimixto catamaran adventure?

Book it if you want a busy, generous day that combines a boat party, a remote beach club, water activities, food, drinks, and an optional waterfall trip. The crew is the strongest part of the experience, and the all-inclusive format removes much of the usual beach-day planning.

Go in with clear expectations. This is not a silent sailing trip, not a small private charter, and not a guaranteed luxury resort. Bring sunscreen, sturdy shoes, a towel, and cash for the ATV or horse ride. If you can accept the music, possible crowds, and flexible meal timing, this offers a lot for the price. If you want peace and quiet, choose a slower boat excursion instead.

FAQ

How long does the Mega Catamarans Remote Paradise Beach Adventure last?

The experience lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from Puerto Mágico, also called the Puerto Vallarta cruise terminal or federal maritime port. You must choose your meeting place before completing the reservation.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Public parking and port entry fees at Puerto Mágico Vallarta are included.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes fresh fruit, muffins, coffee, and juices. You also receive fresh guacamole with blue corn chips and a fajita lunch with chicken, beef, rice, beans, and tortillas.

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

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. Tell the operator about your needs when booking.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, including beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, sparkling wine, water, coffee, juices, and sodas. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Is the waterfall trip included?

Guided service to the waterfalls is included, but ATV and horseback rides cost extra. Bring cash for those optional activities.

Do I need good shoes for the waterfall?

Yes. The walk includes a steep and rough trail and can take about an hour each way. Sturdy walking shoes are a better choice than flip-flops.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. Weather or minimum-group cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.