Review · YACHT CRUISES WITH AN OPEN BAR
Private Yacht Charter on ChicaFun 1 Waterslides all inclusive
Four hours can pack in a lot of coast. ChicaFun 1 gives your private group a flexible day around Banderas Bay, with snorkeling gear, paddle boards, kayaks, floating toys, and waterslides included. I like the freedom to choose your stops, and I like the crew’s clear talent for making birthdays and family outings feel special. The main drawback is simple: the boat’s departure point may not be in central Puerto Vallarta, and one booking required a 40 to 50 minute drive to reach the marina.
The price is $2,490 for a group of up to 15, so this makes the most sense when you fill the boat with family or friends. Drinks, snacks, water activities, landing fees, and facility fees are covered, but transportation to the meeting point and gratuities are extra.
Key things to know about ChicaFun 1

- You choose the route: Build your day around Los Arcos, Yelapa, Colomitos, Majahuitas, Las Caletas, or another spot in Banderas Bay.
- The boat is set up for play: Snorkels, kayaks, paddle boards, water tubes, a mattress, and waterslides are included.
- Food and drinks keep coming: Fresh guacamole, blue corn chips, potato chips, beer, wine, margaritas, piña coladas, champagne, juices, coffee, sodas, and water are part of the package.
- The crew adds a personal touch: Luis, Joel, Alex, and other crew members have been praised for attentive service, birthday surprises, fishing help, and keeping drinks within easy reach.
- The trip is private: Your group has the boat to itself, which makes it a good choice for celebrations and mixed-age groups.
- Plan the meeting point early: You must choose a meeting place before submitting the reservation, and hotel pickup is not included.
A private day on Banderas Bay

ChicaFun 1 is not a rigid sightseeing cruise. The point is to shape the day around your group. You can focus on swimming, snorkeling, beach time, fishing, water toys, or simply cruising along the Puerto Vallarta coast.
That flexibility matters. A family with young swimmers may want more time in a calm cove, while a birthday group may prefer a lively route with music, drinks, and stops for swimming. You are not locked into one fixed schedule in the way you would be on a large shared boat.
The advertised outing lasts about four hours. That is enough time for a coastal cruise and one or two well-chosen stops, but it is not enough to linger at every place listed. If you want Yelapa, Los Arcos, Majahuitas, and Las Caletas all in one afternoon, you will likely spend much of the trip moving between locations. Ask about the route before departure and choose the stops that matter most to you.
The crew includes a captain and onboard staff. Alex has met groups at the marina, while Luis and Joel have received praise for their service on the boat. Gil, the owner, is also directly involved with guest arrangements and can help with meeting-point questions or transportation requests.
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Los Arcos: caves, arches, and snorkeling

Los Arcos National Park is one of the most recognizable sights south of Puerto Vallarta. Huge granite formations rise from the water, creating arches, caves, and channels that are best appreciated from a boat.
This is the natural choice if your group wants snorkeling. The rock formations attract marine life both above and below the surface, and the boat can take you close enough to explore the water around the arches. Snorkel equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental.
The main limit is time and sea conditions. A four-hour charter cannot guarantee a long snorkeling session, and water conditions can affect how comfortable the activity feels. Still, Los Arcos gives the trip a strong sense of place. You are not just riding around the bay, you are seeing one of Puerto Vallarta’s defining coastal features from the water.
Yelapa for a longer beach stop

Yelapa is a coastal village south of Puerto Vallarta with a white sand beach and clear blue water. It is a good pick if you want your boat day to feel like an escape from the city.
You can spend time swimming, snorkeling, and playing in the water. The village itself adds a different mood from a short stop at a rock formation, though the supplied details do not promise a specific amount of free time ashore. Ask the captain how much time the route allows before choosing Yelapa.
Yelapa is best for a group that values a beach setting over a packed activity schedule. The trip to and from the village also takes time, so you may need to make it your main destination rather than adding several other stops.
Colomitos and the small-beach experience

Colomitos is a tiny beach south of Puerto Vallarta, surrounded by the Sierra Madre. It is described as one of Mexico’s smallest beaches, and its size is part of the appeal.
The beach is accessible by boat or by a roughly one-and-a-half-hour hike from Boca de Tomatlan. On this charter, arriving by boat lets you skip that long walk and enjoy the cove from the water.
Colomitos suits you if you want a quiet-looking coastal stop and a chance to swim in a compact bay. The very feature that makes it memorable can also make it feel limited. It is not the place to expect a broad beach with room for a large group to spread out.
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Majahuitas and Las Caletas

Playa Majahuitas is often described as one of Puerto Vallarta’s best beaches. It is a sensible choice for swimming, floating, and using the included water equipment.
Las Caletas offers a different experience. It is a private beach designed for relaxation, making it a better match for a group that wants calm beach time instead of constant activity. You can use the water mattress and tubes, or simply settle in with a drink and snacks.
You should not assume you can fully experience every beach listed in one four-hour charter. The strongest approach is to tell the crew what kind of day you want, then select one main beach and perhaps one shorter coastal stop.
Waterslides, kayaks, and floating time

The water equipment is one of the best reasons to book this boat instead of a basic sightseeing cruise. Paddle boards, kayaks, snorkel gear, water tubes, and a water mattress are included, along with waterslides on ChicaFun 1.
That mix works well for groups with different energy levels. Someone can snorkel while another person uses a kayak, and others can stay on the boat with a cold drink. You do not need everyone to want the same activity.
The equipment also makes the private format more valuable. On a shared cruise, you may have to wait your turn or follow a group schedule. Here, your group can decide when to swim and how long to play, subject to the captain’s directions and local conditions.
One practical point: the listing confirms the equipment is available, but it does not give age, height, or weight rules for the waterslides. If children will use them, ask the operator about safety requirements before booking.
Food, drinks, and the birthday factor

The package includes fresh guacamole with blue corn chips, potato chips, and a broad drinks selection. You can expect water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, margaritas, piña coladas, champagne, and other alcoholic beverages.
This is more than a minor extra. A boat day can feel expensive if every drink and snack costs more once you are onboard. Here, the all-inclusive setup makes the group budget easier to understand, especially for a birthday, reunion, or celebration.
The crew’s service is a major part of the experience. One group praised Luis and Joel for keeping the party moving, with bartender Joel even swimming out to deliver drinks. Another group received a birthday cake for a 30th birthday, and a separate outing included a cake for another celebration.
You should treat these personal extras as possible service touches, not guaranteed inclusions. Cakes, special decorations, and similar surprises should be requested in advance.
Whale watching and a fresh catch

One outing included whale watching, followed by swimming and snorkeling in a cove. Whale sightings are never something I would treat as guaranteed, but the open-water route gives you the chance to look for marine life as you cruise.
Fishing may also be part of the day if the crew has the right setup and conditions allow. A group caught three fish on the way back, and the children were allowed to reel them in. The crew even cooked one fish onboard for the group to try.
That is the sort of unscripted moment that can make a private charter memorable. It is also not a promised part of the standard package, so ask if fishing is important to your group.
Is $2,490 good value?
The advertised rate is $2,490 per group of up to 15. If 15 people split the cost evenly, the boat works out to about $166 per person before gratuities and transportation. A smaller group pays much more per person, so the value depends heavily on how full you can make the charter.
For a full group, the price includes a private boat, captain and crew, activities, equipment, snacks, drinks, landing fees, and facility fees. You also avoid the compromises of a shared cruise, such as following another group’s pace or spending the day with strangers.
I would consider it good value for a celebration or reunion where privacy matters and the group will use the water equipment. For two or three people, the price is harder to justify unless a private yacht experience is the main purpose of your day.
Remember to budget for gratuities, which are optional and not included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also excluded. The operator can help arrange affordable luxury transportation to the meeting point, but you need to request that separately.
Meeting points and timing details
Choosing the meeting place is required before you submit the reservation. Do not leave this until the last minute, especially if you are staying in Puerto Vallarta and assume the boat will depart from a marina right beside your hotel.
One booking involved a 40 to 50 minute drive to the boat’s location. The group considered the drive worthwhile, but it still affects your day. Confirm the exact marina, allow time for the transfer, and ask about transportation if you do not have a car.
Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity is offered in English, is near public transportation, and most people can take part. Since the operator states that only your group participates, you can discuss the pace and priorities with the crew rather than adapting to a large public crowd.
Mobile tickets are accepted. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted.
Who should book ChicaFun 1?
I would recommend this charter for families, friend groups, birthday parties, and reunions that want a private day with plenty of choices. It also suits groups with mixed interests because the boat offers several ways to spend time on the water.
It is especially appealing if you want attentive service. The strongest moments described from the outings are not just the scenery. They include staff helping children fish, preparing a fresh catch, bringing drinks into the water, and arranging birthday cakes.
I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, low-cost sightseeing trip or if your group has only a few people. The price is built around sharing the boat with a larger private party. I would also avoid booking without confirming the departure point, since the marina may require a substantial drive.
Final decision: book it or skip it?
Book ChicaFun 1 if you can fill most of the 15-person capacity and want a private celebration with food, drinks, water toys, and a flexible route. The crew’s attentive style and the option to choose among Los Arcos, Yelapa, Colomitos, Majahuitas, and Las Caletas give you plenty of ways to shape the day.
Skip it if your main goal is a low-priced boat ride or a carefully timed tour of every coastal stop. The price favors larger groups, and four hours goes quickly. Before paying, confirm the meeting point, transportation plan, preferred stops, and any birthday or fishing requests.
FAQ
How much does the private ChicaFun 1 charter cost?
The price is $2,490 per group of up to 15 people.
How long does the yacht charter last?
The experience lasts approximately four hours.
Is the boat private?
Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.
What places can the group visit?
You can customize the route around Banderas Bay. Possible stops include Los Arcos National Park, Yelapa, Colomitos, Playa Majahuitas, and Las Caletas.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. Snorkel gear is included, along with paddle boards, kayaks, a water mattress, and water tubes.
Are food and drinks included?
Yes. Included refreshments include fresh guacamole, blue corn chips, potato chips, water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, margaritas, beer, wine, piña coladas, champagne, and more.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but you can request help arranging transportation to the meeting point.
Do I need to choose a meeting point before booking?
Yes. You must choose your meeting place before submitting the reservation.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and no refund is provided.
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