Private Yacht Charter ChicaFUN 4 All Inclusive

Los Arcos National Park is the star of this private Puerto Vallarta yacht charter, where you can swim beneath granite arches, snorkel among sea life, and set your own pace around Banderas Bay. I like the freedom to shape the route and the fact that the boat is reserved for your group, not mixed with strangers.

I also like the easygoing all-inclusive setup: fresh guacamole, blue corn chips, a full drink menu, kayaks, paddle boards, and water toys are included. The main catch is practical: hotel pickup is not included, and you must choose your meeting point before booking.

Key points to know

• Los Arcos gives the trip a clear highlight: Snorkel, swim, and explore the caves around one of Puerto Vallarta’s most famous natural sites.
• The route is private and flexible: You can ask to visit different parts of Banderas Bay instead of following a fixed group itinerary.
• The $1,300 price covers up to 10 people: At full capacity, that works out to $130 per person for four hours.
• Food and drinks are part of the package: Expect guacamole, chips, soft drinks, coffee, juices, beer, wine, margaritas, piña coladas, champagne, and other requested drinks.
• The crew has earned strong praise: Alex, Lalo, Ramses, Mario, and Ricky are named in past experiences for attentive service and an upbeat approach.
• Plan your transport carefully: Pickup is offered in some form by arrangement, but standard hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

A private boat day built around your group

This is not a standard sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same clock. Chica Locca Tours gives your group a private boat for about four hours and lets you work out the route with the captain and crew.

That flexibility matters in Puerto Vallarta. Banderas Bay is large, and your best plan may depend on your group. Families with children may want more time with the water toys. A group of friends may care more about swimming, music, drinks, and a sunset return. If snorkeling is the priority, Los Arcos deserves more of your time.

You are not buying a luxury yacht charter in the formal, polished sense. The appeal is more relaxed and social. Think of a comfortable boat, an attentive crew, easy drinks, and a day shaped around being on the water rather than checking off a long list of sights.

The boat holds only your group for this activity. That makes a real difference for birthdays, family days, wedding gatherings, and groups of friends who want to talk, eat, swim, and move at their own speed.

Cruising the Puerto Vallarta coastline

The first part of the outing is the ride itself. You cruise along the Puerto Vallarta coastline and around Banderas Bay, with the city and mountain-backed shore viewed from the water.

The bay is often at its best from offshore. You get a broad view of the coast, and the open water gives the day a sense of space that a land-based excursion cannot match. Depending on the season and conditions, you might also spot humpback whales. Several outings have included whale sightings, and one group described seeing whales in the background while cruising.

Keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and the primary purpose of this charter is a private day on the water, not a dedicated marine-life expedition. Still, the possibility of whales adds a fine bonus during the cruising portion.

Your captain can help shape the order of stops. If conditions or group preferences change, a private charter is better placed to adjust than a large scheduled boat. Ask early about what you most want from the day so the crew can plan around it.

Los Arcos: the strongest natural stop

South of Puerto Vallarta, Los Arcos National Park rises from the sea in a cluster of huge granite formations. Arches, caves, and steep rock faces create one of the bay’s most recognizable views.

The area is also a good place to get in the water. You can use the provided snorkel equipment and look for marine life around the rocks, then float beneath the arches or explore the caves from the water. The setting gives you both a memorable view from the boat and a reason to swim rather than simply cruise past.

I would treat Los Arcos as the visual and active center of the four-hour trip. If your group wants snorkeling, say so when you meet the crew. If young children are aboard, the captain and deckhands can help organize the water time around the family’s comfort level.

The water toys expand the options beyond snorkeling. Kayaks, paddle boards, a water mattress, and a water tube are included. This is useful for mixed groups, since not everyone wants to snorkel for the same length of time.

One limitation is time. Four hours can pass quickly once you account for departure, cruising, swimming, food, and the return trip. A private charter does not mean you can do every possible activity in the bay. Pick your main goal before departure, with Los Arcos and swimming likely to give you the best use of the clock.

Water toys for mixed-age groups

This charter is especially easy to recommend to families because the water time is not limited to snorkeling. Children can use the kayaks, paddle boards, water mattress, and tube, while adults can swim, relax, or stay aboard with a drink.

One family brought children, including a five-year-old, and found that the crew paid close attention to their needs. The children enjoyed the water toys, slides, and jumping from the deck. That does not mean every child will be comfortable with every activity, so parents should make their own safety decisions and follow the crew’s directions.

The toys also help when your group has different energy levels. A confident swimmer can paddle away for a while, while someone who prefers a slower afternoon can stay on the boat. That kind of choice is one of the better reasons to pay for a private charter instead of a fixed group excursion.

The supplied details do not identify the exact boat model or every onboard feature. Some past outings used boats described as clean, comfortable, and well maintained, but you should confirm the boat assigned to your group if its size or layout matters.

Food, drinks, and the all-inclusive rhythm

Food is simple and well suited to a boat day. Fresh-made guacamole comes with blue corn chips and potato chips, giving you something to eat between swims and drinks.

Catering can vary when arranged for a larger group. Fajitas were served on one private outing and were described as delicious. Another large celebration included dinner and snacks after time in the water. If you want a full meal rather than the standard snack setup, ask about catering before you go.

The drinks list is broad. Water, coffee, juices, sodas, and mineral water are included, along with margaritas, beer, wine, piña coladas, champagne, and other drinks you request. This is convenient because you do not need to pack a cooler or keep track of separate beverage charges for the basics listed in the package.

The crew’s service style is a major part of the experience. Alex was praised for keeping cups full, while Lalo’s crew was described as interactive and fun. At one wedding outing, crew members swam drinks and water out to people in the sea and brought out tequila for group shots.

That level of service can make the charter feel like a celebration. It can also shape the tone of the day, so tell the company if you want a calm family outing or a livelier party atmosphere. The package supports both, but your group’s requests will help set the mood.

The crew makes the difference

Named crew members have made a strong impression in past outings. Alex helped one group turn its request for the best day ever into a memorable private trip. Lalo led a lively crew during a fajita-catered outing. Ramses served as captain and Mario as deckhand during a last-minute private boat arrangement, with both singled out for attentive service. Ricky and his crew were also praised by a returning family.

The important point is not to expect one specific person every time. Crew assignments can change, and the supplied information does not promise a particular captain. Still, Chica Locca Tours has a clear service-focused approach, with the captain asking about expectations and the deck crew staying involved during water activities.

A past booking problem also showed useful flexibility. A group arrived for a Marietas Islands trip on a day when that site was closed, due to a booking error. The owner, Gil Drory, arranged a private boat instead and offered another plan that included a beach club with pools, a beach, and a waterfall.

That story is not a reason to ignore booking details. It is a reason to contact the company quickly if anything looks wrong. Gil’s direct help was praised, but you should still confirm your date, meeting point, and planned destination before setting out.

Is $1,300 a fair price?

The price is $1,300 per group, with up to 10 people included. At full capacity, that is $130 per person for roughly four hours. For a group of 10, that is a reasonable value if you plan to use the boat, food, drinks, and water equipment.

For four or five people, the per-person cost rises sharply. At five people, you are paying about $260 each. That may still make sense for a special event or a private family day, but it is less of a bargain than filling the boat.

The value comes from privacy as much as from the inclusions. You are not simply paying for transportation to Los Arcos. You are paying for a private route, crew service, water equipment, snacks, drinks, and the ability to keep the group together.

Gratuities are not included. Tipping is optional, but you may want to budget for it if the crew provides the attentive service described in past outings. Hotel transportation is also outside the stated package, so add that cost when comparing this charter with a shared excursion.

Meeting points and getting to the marina

You must choose your meeting place before submitting the reservation. This is an important detail, not a box to leave for later.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The company can discuss another meeting point or help arrange affordable private transportation if you request it, and the owner, Gil, is identified as the person to contact for that help.

Be cautious about paying for a large shuttle without confirming the exact plan. One large group paid $500 for a short round trip and had an unpleasant return when only one shuttle appeared, leaving too many people squeezed into one vehicle. A taxi was described as more practical for that situation.

That problem concerned transportation rather than the boat outing itself, but it is useful advice. Confirm how many vehicles you need, the seating capacity, the price, and the return arrangement in writing. If your group is staying near public transportation, getting to the meeting point may be straightforward.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would choose this for a group that values privacy and wants more than a simple ride along the coast. It suits:

• Families who want water toys and flexible swim time
• Friends planning a relaxed party on the bay
• Couples and groups marking a birthday or wedding
• Groups that want whale-watching possibilities without booking a large shared boat
• People who prefer a private route over a fixed schedule

It is less suitable if you want a tightly timed sightseeing tour with many destinations. Four hours is enough for a good cruise, a water stop, and food, but not for every corner of Banderas Bay.

It may also be poor value for a very small group on a strict budget. The charter price works best when spread across eight to 10 people.

What to settle before booking

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the experience is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 34 days, I would not wait until the last minute for a large group or a popular date.

Ask these questions before you pay:

• Which meeting point will you use?
• Is your preferred route available?
• Do you want Los Arcos as the main stop?
• Do you need extra food beyond guacamole and chips?
• Do you want transport to and from the meeting point?
• Which activities matter most to your group?

The tour is offered in English, and most people can participate. Since this is a private activity, your group does not share the boat with other participants.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, with cut-off times based on local time.

Should you book the ChicaFUN charter?

I would book it if you have a full group and want a flexible, social day on Banderas Bay. Los Arcos supplies the scenery and snorkeling, while the kayaks, paddle boards, water mattress, food, and open drink menu keep the day moving for people who want different things.

The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of private space and active crew service. Alex, Lalo, Ramses, Mario, and Ricky are all linked with warm, hands-on outings, though your assigned team may differ.

Before committing, confirm the meeting point, transport, route, and meal plan. If you have 10 people, the price is easy to justify. If you have only two or three, compare it carefully with a shared boat tour. For a family celebration, wedding outing, or full day with friends, this is a practical way to turn four hours on the bay into the main event.

FAQ

How much does the private yacht charter cost?

The charter costs $1,300 per group, with up to 10 people included.

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

Can the itinerary be customized?

Yes. You can customize where you would like to visit around Banderas Bay and along the Puerto Vallarta coastline.

Is Los Arcos included?

Los Arcos National Park is included as a featured stop, where you can snorkel, swim near the arches, and explore the caves from the water.

What water equipment is provided?

Snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, a water mattress, and a water tube are included.

What food is included?

Fresh-made guacamole with blue corn chips and potato chips is included. Additional catering, such as fajitas, may be available by arrangement.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks include water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, margaritas, beer, wine, piña coladas, champagne, and other requested drinks.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but you can request help arranging transportation to the meeting point.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.