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

One day, three stops, zero boredom. This Puerto Vallarta snorkeling cruise pairs a catamaran ride with active water time at Los Arcos and more beach-and-hike fun around Las Animas and Quimixto. I like that it’s not a “sit and stare” outing; you get chances to snorkel, plus kayaks and paddle boarding when conditions allow.

I also like the all-inclusive setup. You’re covered for a continental-style breakfast onboard (hot-cakes, eggs, coffee, fruit, juice) and a fuller lunch later, along with a national open bar served on the boat.

One caution before you fall in love with the idea: the water can be murky and the actual snorkeling window can run short, so you should go with realistic expectations about what you’ll see under the surface.

Key points to know before you go

• Three Puerto Vallarta highlights in one day: Los Arcos, Las Animas, and Quimixto waterfall area
• Meals and a national open bar are included on the boat: tequila, rum, vodka, beer, plus soft drinks and juice
• Kayaks are included, paddle boards may require prior reservation (and calm-water time can be limited)
• Snorkeling time and visibility can vary a lot depending on the day’s ocean conditions and boat schedule
• You may need cash on the beach stops for drinks/entry at the restaurant area, plus a dock tax not included

Los Arcos, Las Animas, Quimixto: what this cruise really tries to do

This is a high-energy “day trip checklist” tour. The idea is simple: you cover multiple parts of Puerto Vallarta coastal life—snorkeling at Los Arcos, beach time at Las Animas, and the Quimixto waterfall/hike scene—without needing separate bookings.

That pacing is great if your vacation calendar is tight and you hate planning. It also means you trade some “slow travel” time for more moving around. Expect stops that feel like separate mini-adventures rather than one long, relaxed beach day.

I’d call it a smart choice for people who want variety in 8-ish hours (roughly 9:15 am to back at the meeting point). The boat portion is the glue; once you hit land, you’re juggling beach activities, food service timing, and waves rolling in on the schedule.

Price and value: where the $75.93 works (and where it doesn’t)

At about $75.93 per person, this tour looks like a value play because several big items are included. You get breakfast and lunch, snorkeling gear, lifevests, and a national open bar while you’re on the boat.

But the “gotchas” are real. Two costs are explicitly not included:

• Dock tax for Los Arcos National Marine Park: MX$32.00 per person
• Banana boat: MX$500.00 per person (if you choose it)

And one more practical point from how the day tends to run: the open bar is listed as onboard. Once you’re dropped at Las Animas and Quimixto’s beach/restaurant area, some drinks and snacks may be extra even if lunch is included. If you hate carrying cash, that’s something to plan around.

So, is it good value? Yes—if snorkeling time ends up decent and you’re not expecting a long, clear underwater safari. If snorkeling is your single top priority, you’ll want to keep expectations grounded.

Boarding day vibes: catamaran travel, music, and the crowd factor

You’ll start at Puerto Mágico Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio (Zona Hotelera Nte.) at 9:15 am. The tour runs out and back to the same meeting point, with a total duration listed as about 8 hours and a reported maximum group size of 40.

Now for the human part. Even with a smaller official max, people can end up feeling packed depending on how the boat is set up and how many are on board that day. Some comments call out tight seating and uncomfortable boat crowding, plus people dealing with motion (sea-sickness can be an issue on catamarans).

The onboard entertainment is part of the package: music for dancing and karaoke show up as part of the rhythm. That’s fun if you’re into the party-boat mood on the ride back. If you’re after quiet sightseeing, it may feel like more noise than you planned for.

Bottom line: go with a flexible attitude. This isn’t a “private charter calm” kind of day.

Los Arcos snorkeling: gear is included, but visibility is the wildcard

Snorkeling is the headline, and the tour includes snorkeling equipment plus lifevests. That’s a real benefit for first-timers who don’t want to shop for gear at the last minute.

The tricky part is what happens once you’re in the water. Multiple experiences point to snorkeling windows that can be brief—often around 15–30 minutes, and sometimes closer to 40 when timing works. Visibility can also swing from okay to very murky. On some days, you may see less fish than the photos imply, and you might spend more time reacting to conditions than quietly studying coral.

Another factor: crowding in the water. When multiple groups snorkel together, swimmers can end up shoulder-to-shoulder, which makes it harder to slow down and swim clean lines. If you want space to breathe and photograph, choose this day trip only if you’re comfortable sharing the water.

What can still make it memorable? Even on worse-visibility days, people have reported sightings like whales and stingrays. Those moments aren’t guaranteed, but they fit the region’s wildlife reputation.

My practical tip: treat snorkeling here as a bonus when conditions are good. Bring patience when they aren’t.

Las Animas beach time: kayaking, paddle boarding, and cash planning

Las Animas is where the “adventure” part gets stretched out. You typically get a few hours on the beach area, and that’s where kayaks and paddle boards enter the picture.

Kayaks are listed as included. Paddle boarding is mentioned with prior reservation. In real life, that can matter: if you want the paddle board, don’t assume you’ll just walk up and take one. Some people have found paddle boarding or kayaking availability limited by the day’s water conditions, so you might need to be flexible on timing.

This is also the stop where cash becomes important. Even if lunch is included later in the day, you may be asked to buy drinks or food at the beach/restaurant setting if you want to use certain areas. And sellers on shore are part of the landscape—good to expect and not let it derail your fun.

The biggest benefit of Las Animas is that it changes the pace. You’re not underwater or on a boat for the whole time. You’re on land, you can stretch, and you can pick your vibe: active water toys, relaxing beach time, or the land-side waiting game while others finish snorkeling/hiking.

Quimixto waterfall hike and swim: the part you’ll either love or skip

Quimixto is where the scenery often wins people over. You’ll typically have the option to take a hike up toward the waterfall area and then enjoy time near the water. Some people find the climb a workout, but worth it once you reach the viewpoint and waterfall setting.

It also works as a choose-your-own adventure. If you don’t want to hike, you can often stay down at the beach/restaurant area while others go up. That said, choosing to stay can turn into more waiting than you might like, especially when the group returns on a schedule.

About waterfall access: there’s conflicting experience on whether you must purchase something to use certain restaurant/waterfall areas. What I’d do is pack the safest mindset—assume you may need cash for drinks or entry-style fees at that restaurant zone, and keep it small and simple.

If you’re traveling with kids, this is a key decision point. The hike is not described as a flat stroll. If your group prefers low-effort sightseeing, you might enjoy the beach stop more than the waterfall hike.

Food and drinks: included meals, real-world portion expectations

Food is included, but it’s not a five-star buffet. Onboard, the breakfast items are listed clearly: hot-cakes, coffee, eggs, fruit, and juice.

Lunch is described as a strong à la carte dish in a restaurant setting. Reviews and experiences vary—some say lunch is decent or better than expected, others complain it’s small, rushed, or not great for the price.

So here’s the honest value strategy: treat included meals as fuel, not as the main attraction. If you’re picky, come hungry at breakfast and be ready to supplement later with snacks you bring or cash you plan to spend on shore.

For drinks, the national open bar is onboard: tequila, rum, vodka, beer, plus soft drinks, juice, and water. A practical note from how these tours run: alcohol on a boat can make the return ride party-mood, and it can also increase how rough or long you feel the ride back. If you’re sensitive to motion, keep your pace steady and drink water too.

Comfort and safety: what matters most on a long, active boat day

This isn’t a gentle floating experience. You’ll be on a moving catamaran, then hopping into a schedule with snorkeling in open water, and then using smaller boats or transfers to reach beach areas.

From the experiences shared, safety concerns can pop up in crowded-water moments and during the loading/unloading processes—especially when waves are higher and people are concentrating on balance rather than taking instructions calmly.

Also watch out for motion. Some people call out sea sickness as a real issue. If you’re prone to it, bring your remedy. Don’t wait for the first nausea wave; you won’t enjoy snorkeling with that in your head.

And one comfort detail that can matter more than you’d think: bathrooms on boats can sometimes be a problem if conditions shift. If nature calls, go early, not late.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta Los Arcos cruise (and who should skip)

Book this if you want:

• A single-day plan that hits Los Arcos + Las Animas + Quimixto
• Included meals and a boat open bar that make the trip feel like a package deal
• Activities beyond snorkeling—kayaks and paddle boarding when available
• A lively onboard mood with music and karaoke

Skip it (or consider a different operator) if:

• Snorkeling is your top priority and you need long, clear water time
• You strongly dislike crowds in the water and on boats
• You get motion sick easily and don’t want to risk a rough return vibe
• You hate the idea of possibly needing cash at beach/restaurant areas

This is also a decent fit for families who like structure and don’t mind a day that moves. Just be ready for timing variability and be realistic about how much time you’ll actually spend underwater.

What to pack to make the day go smoother

If you want a smoother cruise, pack for both sun and water—and for the fact that schedule slack can happen.

• Water shoes (snorkeling + beach transfers can be hard on bare feet)
• Sunscreen and a hat (boat glare is intense)
• A small dry bag for your phone and wallet
• Motion-sickness medication if you’re prone to sea sickness
• Cash in Mexican pesos for the Los Arcos dock tax and likely beach/restaurant purchases
• A refillable water bottle (heat + waiting = dehydration risk)

One more tip: some people report having to provide a deposit or ID for snorkel/kayak gear. If you have a spare ID option and some funds available, that flexibility can save a stressful moment.

Should you book this Los Arcos, Las Animas and Quimixto snorkeling cruise?

I’d book it if you want an active, all-in-one Puerto Vallarta day and you’re okay with snorkeling being variable. You’re paying for convenience—transport by catamaran, snorkeling gear, lifevests, meals, and an onboard open bar—and the itinerary aims to give you more than one kind of fun.

I wouldn’t book it if your dream vacation is crystal-clear snorkeling for a long stretch. With visibility and snorkeling time that can run short, this can feel like more boat ride and waiting than reef time.

If you go, go smart: carry cash, protect against motion sickness, and treat the waterfall area as a bonus you might love—or an optional hike you can skip without ruining your day.