Los Arcos National Park plus Quimixto waterfall is a winning combo in one day. I like how this tour stacks the best on-water time first with Los Arcos snorkeling, then gives you a real change of pace on land at Quimixto waterfall. The crew keeps the day moving, and you’re not just watching from the boat—you’re in the water, on the beach, and taking photos along the way.

The one thing to plan for: on busier days, you may not get a single nonstop snorkel session. I’d expect snorkel in shifts sometimes, and the long boat schedule means you’ll want comfortable footwear—especially if you choose to hike up to the falls.

Key things to know before you go

• Los Arcos snorkeling (about 40 minutes) with the basics explained and equipment provided
• Playa Las Ánimas beach time plus kayaks and paddleboards
• Quimixto waterfall stop where shoes matter for the hike, or you can arrange a ride up/down
• Breakfast and lunch included, with an open bar aboard the boat
• Port fee is separate and is handled on-site at the meeting point

Marina Vallarta check-in and how the day starts

Your day begins at the company office in Marina Vallarta. You’ll check in there, settle any outstanding balance, and pay the port tax/fee that applies on this itinerary (it’s listed as $32 pesos for guests over 8, and the meeting instructions also reference a $30 pesos port fee). Bring pesos and plan to pay what the team requests that day so you don’t slow down the group.

After check-in, you’ll head to the boat. The staff check tickets, and any extra payment is handled directly through the company. For the meeting point, you’re looking for the main entrance left side, where you pay the port fee and then find the Grupo Naviero team in gray polo shirts with a white logo.

This isn’t the kind of tour where you show up late and hope for the best. You’re paying for a tight 7-hour program, so give yourself a cushion for parking, finding the right entrance, and getting to the boat area.

Cruising to Los Arcos: bay views and your snorkeling window

Once you’re aboard, breakfast is served as the boat leaves the marina. The standard menu includes scrambled eggs with ham, hotcakes, and fruit, plus coffee, juice, or water. One thing I appreciate: breakfast is part of the onboard flow, so you’re fed without having to find a restaurant first.

The route south across the bay takes about 35 minutes, and you get big-picture views of Vallarta and the surrounding mountains from the water. Then you arrive at Los Arcos National Park, where the guide explains snorkeling basics and provides the gear.

You’ll have roughly 40 minutes to snorkel, which is a sweet spot for most people: enough time to actually see fish and feel comfortable in the water, without turning the whole day into a wet suit marathon.

Two practical tips from the way this tour runs:

• Bring your own biodegradable sunscreen and a towel. You’ll be out in the sun during beach time, and sunscreen is one of those small things that can ruin a day if you forgot it.
• Expect shifting groups. On a full boat, snorkeling may be done in shifts, so the actual water time can feel compressed. If you want maximum uninterrupted snorkeling, go with a calm mindset and treat it like a short, focused session—not a private swim.

If you’re choosing this tour specifically for snorkeling, Los Arcos is the reason. The water conditions can change day to day, but the plan is built around seeing the sea life close up, with equipment ready and a guide on hand.

Playa Las Ánimas: beach break with kayaking and paddleboards

After snorkeling, the tour heads to Playa Las Ánimas. This is where the day shifts from open-water action to beach time. You can relax on the sand or get active with kayaks and paddleboards, which are included.

What you should know is that the ocean can be a little tricky around docks and shorelines, and the boat layout matters. On some days, getting on and off the larger boat and transferring to smaller access points can take time. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it does affect your total minutes on the sand.

At Las Ánimas, you’ll also visit a local restaurant. This helps balance the day: you’re not just eating snacks, you’re getting a real meal stop before you head to Quimixto.

This part of the itinerary is ideal if you like variety. You get to:

• swim and snorkel earlier,
• then switch to paddling and beach lounging,
• and still have time left for the waterfall later.

If you’re traveling with people who don’t want long hikes, Las Ánimas is often the compromise zone.

Quimixto and the waterfall: hiking reality (and ride options)

Next comes Playa Quimixto and the Quimixto waterfall. This is the stop people remember. The waterfall is a strong photo target, and the beachside setting gives you a chance to cool off before the hike—or to take it easy if your group isn’t into stairs.

Here’s the key practical detail: shoes matter. One traveler specifically recommended running shoes because the hike up can be slippery or uneven. If you show up in flip-flops or sandals, you’ll likely feel it.

The waterfall hike time can be around 45 minutes each way for those who walk up, so the total commitment is more like an hour and a half of moving. If your group doesn’t have the right footwear or doesn’t want to walk that long, there are ride alternatives mentioned on the day:

• paying for an ATV ride, or
• paying for a donkey ride up and down

(Prices were shared as 600 or 800 pesos per person for those ride options.)

Also, the tour may not spell out the shoe requirement clearly enough for everyone, so if your group includes kids or older adults, I’d treat this like an activity with gear expectations, not a casual stroll.

You’ll also enjoy a beachside lunch with four different options (the exact options can vary by day). With an open bar aboard the boat included, the meal stop usually feels like a reset before the water/beach activities wrap up.

Food and drinks: breakfast on board, lunch by the sea, plus the bar

This is one of those tours where food is not an afterthought. Breakfast is served onboard as you depart, and lunch is served at/near the beach area later.

Breakfast onboard (as described for the tour) includes:

• scrambled eggs with ham
• hotcakes
• fruit
• coffee, juice, or water

Some days, the breakfast spread can vary. One person reported breakfast like chilaquiles, fresh fruit, granola, and yogurt. Either way, the intent stays the same: you eat first, then you’re out in the water and sun without needing to scramble for breakfast in town.

For drinks, you’ll have an open bar aboard the boat. One traveler described it as including beer plus margaritas and palomas, and the vibe can get lively. There’s even a note about dancing on the decks toward the end of the day, which tells you the crew tends to keep energy high.

A balanced note: drinks are a fun part of the experience, but don’t let them replace sunscreen, water, and good pacing. Seven hours with sun exposure is plenty, especially if you’re hiking up to Quimixto.

Timing, group size, and why the day can feel slow

The schedule is built around multiple destinations, and that always creates wait time. If the boat is full, boarding, transferring, and snorkeling in shifts can make the day feel longer than the “7 hours” label suggests.

Here’s what to watch for:

• Snorkeling may be split into shifts. That can reduce the time you feel like you’re actually underwater at Los Arcos.
• Loading/unloading can take time. Some access points at the beach can require smaller transfers if the water is shallow or the dock setup doesn’t work well for everyone.
• Lunch and activity transitions stack up. Between moving locations and changing areas (boat to beach, beach to hike), there will be periods where you’re waiting rather than doing.

None of that is unusual for a multi-stop boat day, but it’s important context if you’re the type who wants constant action. If you prefer a slower pace with plenty of scenery and a party-like onboard mood, this tour can still land well.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

At $81 per person, this isn’t a budget-only outing. But you are getting a lot bundled together:

• breakfast on the boat
• snorkeling at Los Arcos National Park with gear
• kayaks and paddleboards at Las Ánimas
• transport between stops
• restaurant visit at Las Ánimas
• Quimixto waterfall access and visit
• beachside lunch (four options vary by day)
• open bar aboard the boat

Then you add the separate port fee (around 30–32 pesos, depending on what’s listed for the day and age group). The price still stacks up well if you would otherwise pay separately for a snorkel trip, beach activities, and a lunch stop.

Where value gets better:

• If you want both water time (snorkel + paddleboards) and a land highlight (waterfall)
• If you’re comfortable with a group itinerary and don’t need a private pacing setup
• If you’re happy with the fact that some parts may run slow when the boat is full

Where value might feel weaker:

• If you’re very sensitive to losing time to transfers and waiting
• If you want a long, uninterrupted snorkeling session without shifts
• If you don’t plan to hike Quimixto and don’t enjoy the beach/boat rhythm

Who should book this tour (and who may want a different plan)

This tour fits best if you want a single day in Puerto Vallarta that hits three different “wow” moments:

1) Los Arcos for marine life

2) Las Ánimas for beach fun and paddling

3) Quimixto for the waterfall and photos

It’s also a solid choice for groups because different people can pick different intensity levels—paddling vs. relaxing, beach time vs. hiking up to the waterfall.

It might feel less ideal if:

• your group has limited mobility or no suitable shoes for walking,
• you want a purely snorkel-first experience with no schedule compression,
• you’re planning around tight timing for dinner later that same night.

For families, it can work well when everyone understands the footwear expectation for the waterfall portion. For couples and friends, it’s fun because the boat vibe can be energetic, with onboard music and a social atmosphere.

Practical tips to make your day smoother

A few things I’d treat as non-negotiables for this itinerary:

• Pack a towel and beachwear so you can get into beach mode right away.
• Bring biodegradable sunscreen (and reapply). Sun + water time is a fast way to get tired and sore.
• Wear shoes you trust for Quimixto. Even if you might skip the hike, you’ll still be walking on uneven ground near the waterfall area.
• Keep your day flexible. Transfers and waiting are part of multi-stop boat routes.
• If you have one, keep an ID handy. One participant noted they were told you might need it, even though it wasn’t obvious from the main info.

Also note what’s not allowed: drones and explosive substances. (So leave the drone at the hotel and focus on the views you can actually enjoy.)

Should you book this Puerto Vallarta boat tour?

If you want a full day that blends snorkeling at Los Arcos, paddling at Las Ánimas, and the Quimixto waterfall, this tour is easy to get excited about. The best moments are the ones you can’t fake: seeing sea life at Los Arcos and standing near the waterfall where the day slows down for photos and a breather.

I’d book it if:

• you’re comfortable with a group schedule,
• you’ll make the most of snorkeling and beach time,
• you bring the right shoes (or you’re ready for ride options up/down if the hike isn’t your thing),
• and you want breakfast, lunch, and drinks handled for you.

I’d think twice if:

• snorkeling time is your top priority and you hate the idea of shifts,
• your group isn’t ready for footwear demands at Quimixto,
• or you dislike any day where you might spend some time loading, transferring, and waiting.

If that all sounds like your kind of day, you’ll likely come away feeling like you got your money’s worth for a classic Puerto Vallarta “sea + falls” outing.

FAQ

What’s included in the Puerto Vallarta Los Arcos, Ánimas, and Quimixto tour?

It includes breakfast aboard the boat, snorkeling at Los Arcos National Park with equipment, Playa Las Ánimas with access to kayaks and paddleboards, a restaurant visit at Playa Las Ánimas, Playa Quimixto, a stop at the Quimixto waterfall, beachside lunch with four options that vary by day, and an open bar aboard the boat.

Is the port fee included in the $81 price?

No. The port fee/tax is listed as $32 pesos per person for guests over 8 years old, and the meeting-point instructions mention paying a port fee on-site.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 7 hours.

How much time do we spend snorkeling at Los Arcos?

You’ll have about 40 minutes snorkeling at Los Arcos National Park.

Can I kayak or paddleboard during the tour?

Yes. Kayaks and paddleboards are included for use at Playa Las Ánimas.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at the main entrance on the left side. You pay the port fee there first, then look for the Grupo Naviero team wearing gray polo shirts with a white logo.

What languages is the tour guide available in?

The live tour guide offers Spanish and English.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, biodegradable sunscreen, and beachwear.

Are drones allowed?

No. Drones are not allowed.

Is there a cancellation policy?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the tour offers free cancellation as well as reserve now & pay later options.