Review · YACHT CRUISES WITH AN OPEN BAR
Private Luxury Yacht Chica 55′ VIP All Inclusive + Jet Ski
Bring a group, and bring a bathing suit. Chica Locca’s private 55-foot yacht gives you four hours on Puerto Vallarta’s Bay of Banderas with an open bar, fresh food, water sports, and a route shaped around your group. I especially like the private format, since you are not sharing the boat with strangers, and the wide range of included activities, from a supervised jet ski to kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling gear, and a water tube.
The price is $3,275 per group of up to 15, so this makes much more sense for a family gathering, birthday, wedding party, or group of friends than for two people. I also like that the crew can plan a custom route, including Los Arcos National Park. The main consideration is that pickup and drop-off are not included, and you must choose your meeting point before completing the reservation.
Key points to know before you book

- Private yacht for up to 15 at the listed group price: The boat is described as suitable for groups up to 20, but the quoted price covers up to 15 people, so confirm the exact passenger arrangement before booking.
- Four hours with a custom route: You can cruise around Banderas Bay and ask to visit popular spots such as Los Arcos National Park.
- A genuine all-inclusive setup: Water, coffee, juices, soda, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, Champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other requested drinks are included.
- More than a sightseeing cruise: Snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, tubing, a water mattress, and supervised jet ski use are part of the package.
- Fresh snacks are served onboard: Expect ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips.
- Strong service record: The experience has a 4.9 rating from 35 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it, though gratuities remain optional and are not included.
Four hours on Puerto Vallarta’s open water
This is not a fixed sightseeing trip with a tight schedule. You cruise along the Puerto Vallarta coast and around the Bay of Banderas, then shape the outing around what your group wants to do.
That flexibility is the central appeal. If your group wants a relaxed boat ride with cocktails and scenery, the crew can keep the pace easy. If everyone is eager to get in the water, you have several choices beyond swimming. You can use the jet ski, snorkel, paddle, kayak, ride the water tube, or stretch out on the water mattress.
Four hours is enough time to combine cruising and activities without committing to a full-day charter. Still, the clock moves quickly once lunch-style snacks, drinks, swimming, and stops enter the picture. I would decide before departure which two or three activities matter most to your group. Trying to do everything could leave you rushing from one toy to the next.
The itinerary is intentionally open. That is good for groups with different energy levels, but it also means you should speak clearly with the captain and crew at the start. Ask how much cruising time you want, where you would like to stop, and how you want to divide the afternoon between sightseeing and water sports.
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Why Los Arcos can be the highlight

Los Arcos National Park sits south of Puerto Vallarta and is one of the bay’s most recognizable sights. Tall rock formations rise from the sea, with caves and large granite arches that create a dramatic setting for a boat stop.
The area is also noted for wildlife above and below the water. Snorkeling here is a major reason to request Los Arcos when you customize your route. The included snorkel equipment means you do not need to arrange separate gear for the stop.
You can explore around the caves and float near the arches, conditions permitting. The exact experience will depend on the day’s water and the route your group chooses, so do not treat Los Arcos as a guaranteed snorkeling stop unless you confirm it in advance.
There is a practical tradeoff. A stop at Los Arcos takes time to reach and explore, leaving less time for other parts of the bay. If someone in your party mainly wants the jet ski or a relaxed drink on deck, talk through the plan before setting out.
A private boat changes the feel of the day

The yacht is reserved for your group. That matters more than it might sound. You can decide how loud or quiet the outing should be, choose activities without waiting for strangers, and adjust the rhythm to suit children, older relatives, or friends with different interests.
A private charter also makes the food and drink service more useful. You are not working around a fixed shared menu or a communal bar routine. The open bar includes familiar choices such as beer, wine, tequila, mineral water, coffee, juices, and soft drinks, along with cocktails including margaritas and piña coladas. Champagne is also listed.
The phrase whatever you choose to drink should still be handled sensibly. If your group has particular preferences, tell the operator when planning the trip. The supplied information confirms a broad open bar, but it does not provide a full brand list or a detailed cocktail menu.
The boat is described as designed for groups up to 20, while the quoted rate is for up to 15 people. That difference is worth resolving before you pay. Ask whether a group larger than 15 can join and whether the price changes.
What you can eat onboard

The food is simple, fresh, and well suited to a day on the water. You receive freshly made ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips.
That is more than a few packaged snacks, but it is not presented as a formal lunch menu. If your group expects a large meal, ask what can be arranged before departure. For a four-hour outing, the ceviche and guacamole should make a useful break between drinks and water activities.
Ceviche is particularly practical on a warm coastal day because it is light rather than heavy. The guacamole and chips give you an easy snack while the boat is moving or while part of the group is in the water.
I would still plan around the food provided rather than assuming special dietary requests. The available details do not list vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or child-specific options. Contact Chica Locca Tours before booking if anyone in your group needs a modified menu.
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The jet ski and other water activities

The supervised, unlimited use of the jet ski is one of the strongest features of this package. A crew member oversees its use, which gives the activity more structure than simply having a water toy left on the boat.
The wording supervised unlimited use is important. You should follow the crew’s instructions and expect the activity to be managed for safety. The supplied details do not state age limits, licensing rules, riding time per person, or the number of jet skis available, so ask those questions if the jet ski is the main reason you are booking.
The rest of the equipment gives your group plenty of alternatives:
- Snorkel equipment for exploring in the water
- Kayaks for a slower, self-powered outing
- Paddle boards for a balance challenge and a quiet way to view the bay
- A water tube for a more playful ride
- A water mattress for relaxing on the surface
This variety helps when your group has mixed interests. One person can paddle, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay aboard with a drink. You are not forced into one shared activity.
The downside is that the package includes many choices but does not promise that every activity will be used during your four hours. The more time you spend with the jet ski, the less time remains for snorkeling or the Los Arcos stop. Set priorities early.
Crew service and safety

The captain and crew are presented as experienced, and the boat includes supervised jet ski use. A recent outing also included whale watching, with the crew keeping the group entertained and safe on both the boat and jet ski. Whale sightings are not stated as a standard guarantee, so treat that as a possible bonus rather than the core promise of the trip.
The strongest service praise focuses on three things: the crew’s attention to safety, the information provided during the outing, and the ability to keep the group entertained. Those qualities matter on a private charter because the crew has to manage several activities while also keeping the day relaxed.
You should still listen carefully to the pre-activity instructions. Ask about where to store personal items, how the jet ski rotation works, and what the captain recommends for snorkeling conditions. The operator identifies Gil as the owner and invites you to call him for meeting-point help or transportation advice.
Gratuities are not included. They are optional, but a tip is reasonable if the crew handles the boat, food, drinks, equipment, and safety duties well.
Is $3,275 good value?

At first glance, $3,275 is a large number. The price becomes easier to judge when you divide it across a full group. With 15 people, it works out to about $218 per person before gratuity. For a smaller party, the per-person cost rises quickly.
The package includes the yacht, captain and crew service, drinks, snacks, equipment, jet ski use, landing fees, and facility fees. You are not paying separately for each cocktail, snorkel rental, paddle board, or jet ski session. That can make the package good value for a large group that plans to use the inclusions.
The private setting is also part of the price. You are buying control over the route and the company onboard, not just a seat on a boat. For a birthday or family event, that privacy may be more valuable than a cheaper shared cruise.
For two or three people, I would compare this with a smaller shared boat or a shorter excursion. The $3,275 rate is built for groups. It is at its best when the cost is spread across many people and everyone plans to use the water activities.
The quote does not include hotel pickup and drop-off. Chica Locca Tours says it can help arrange affordable luxury transportation to the meeting point, but you need to request it. That extra cost should be part of your budget.
Meeting points and practical planning

You must select your meeting place before submitting the reservation. Do not leave this until the day before. Pickup is offered in some form, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed package, and a different meeting point may require special arrangements.
The experience is near public transportation, which gives you another way to reach the departure point. If your group is staying in different parts of Puerto Vallarta, agree on one meeting place and allow extra time for everyone to arrive.
Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not provide specific information about wheelchair access, mobility equipment, age limits, or medical restrictions.
I would make three calls before paying:
- Confirm the exact meeting point and transport cost.
- Ask whether your preferred route includes Los Arcos or another stop.
- Check the rules for jet ski use, especially for children or anyone without prior experience.
The cancellation policy is fairly clear. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.
Who will enjoy Chica 55 most?
This charter suits a group that wants its own space and does not want a rigid sightseeing schedule. Families, groups of friends, wedding parties, and birthday groups are the natural fit.
It also works well for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can use the jet ski or snorkel, while others can remain onboard with food and drinks. The private format lets people take breaks without holding up a larger shared tour.
I would be more cautious if your group is small, budget-focused, or interested only in sightseeing. The value depends on filling the boat and using several of the included features.
It is also not the best choice if you need a guaranteed whale-watching trip, a formal meal, or a fixed list of stops. The advertised strength is customization, not a tightly scripted route.
Should you book the Chica 55?
Book it if you have a large group, want a private boat, and care about having many ways to spend time on the water. The combination of Los Arcos access, fresh ceviche and guacamole, a broad open bar, and supervised jet ski use gives the day real substance beyond simply sitting on a yacht.
Before you commit, confirm the passenger limit, meeting point, transport arrangements, food needs, and jet ski rules. If you can spread the $3,275 cost across 10 to 15 people, the package is much easier to justify. For a full group seeking a flexible Puerto Vallarta day, Chica 55 is a strong choice.
FAQ
How much does the private Chica 55 yacht tour cost?
The price is $3,275 per group of up to 15 people.
How long does the yacht tour last?
The experience lasts approximately four hours.
Is the boat private?
Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour.
How many people can the yacht accommodate?
The yacht is described as designed for groups up to 20, while the listed price covers up to 15 people. Confirm the exact arrangement with Chica Locca Tours before booking.
What drinks are included?
The open bar includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, Champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other requested drinks.
What food is served?
Fresh ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips are included.
What water activities are available?
The package includes snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, a water mattress, a water tube, and supervised unlimited use of a jet ski.
Is hotel transportation included?
Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You can request help arranging transportation to the meeting point.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.
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