Booking choice: The Las Caletas day tour, from $109 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
The day tour rates 4.5 from 847 reviews, and guests come back year after year for the staff, the food and the setting. The negative reviews are not usually about the cove itself but about fees, logistics and expectations.
If you know the trade-offs before you book, they are easy to plan around.
The quick answer
Yes for families and anyone who wants an easy, all-inclusive beach day with food, drinks and water gear covered. Less so if you want a quiet, wild beach, a long day on the sand, or a day without children around. The common complaints are the cash fees at check-in, the walk between areas, waves on some days, a kid-focused feel and only about 4 hours on the island.
Is Las Caletas worth it?
For most visitors, yes: it is a well-run, all-inclusive day on a beautiful cove that you can only reach by boat.
It is from $109 per person, which covers the boat, a buffet lunch, an open bar, snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, classes and two adventure parks. Add the dock fees and tips and it is still good value if you use the day.
Sounds like your kind of day? Check dates for the Las Caletas day with free cancellation.
Check dates for the Las Caletas day tourWhat do guests love about it?
The crew, the food and drinks, and how much there is to do; several reviewers say they come back every year.
Recent guests describe the staff as attentive and fun, the buffet and drinks as excellent and the cove as relaxing. Families talk about children who did not want to leave. In winter, whales and dolphins on the crossing are a common bonus.
What are the most common complaints?
Extra fees at check-in, the walking between areas, waves on the swimming beach, a kid-focused feel and a day that feels too short.
- Fees: a MX$40 port fee in cash and a $20 access fee are paid at check-in. One guest calls them hidden fees; another was asked for $40 in dollars instead of pesos.
- Walking: the areas are spread out on sandy, uphill paths; water shoes help.
- Waves: some days the beach is not very swimmable.
- Kid-focused: one adult reviewer felt the day was built for children.
- Short: the most common wish is simply more time on the island.
How much time do you actually get on the island?
About 4 hours, out of a 7-hour day: the rest is check-in and around 45 minutes each way on the boat.
Check-in starts around 8:00, and the day ends back at the terminal in the afternoon. Four hours goes fast with a cooking lesson, a snorkel and lunch, so pick your two or three must-dos on the boat.
How crowded does it get?
The listing allows up to 250 guests a day, so it is busy rather than secluded, though the cove spreads people across several areas.
It is a beach club, not a deserted beach. Hammocks and shaded spots go first, so claim one early. If the idea of sharing a beach with a few hundred people puts you off, look at the smaller boats below.
Who should skip Las Caletas?
Couples or adult groups who want a quiet, wild beach, anyone with limited mobility, and cruise passengers on this listing.
The operator says the paths are sandy, uphill and irregular and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Cruise passengers are asked to book through their cruise line. If you want nature over facilities, a sailing day or the Marietas Islands will feel far less organised.
Want wild islands instead? Kayak and snorkel around the protected Marietas Islands. Note: this cruise does not land at the Hidden Beach.
Explore the Marietas Islands cruiseWhat are the best alternatives?
A sailing day for a small group, the Marietas Islands for nature, or Yelapa for a real village, all from $79.
| Day out | Best for | Group size | Rating | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Caletas day | Families, easy all-inclusive | Up to 250 | 4.5 (847) | $109 |
| Banderas Bay sailing day | Adults, a quieter day (min age 16) | Up to 30 | 4.8 (320) | $79 |
| Marietas Islands cruise | Wildlife, kayak and snorkel; no Hidden Beach | Up to 100 | 4.3 (1,150) | $79 |
| Yelapa and Majahuitas | A village, a waterfall, a beach BBQ | Up to 200 | 4.4 (792) | $79 |
How do you make the most of the day?
Check in early with pesos, wear water shoes, plan your must-dos on the boat and keep the last hour for a hammock.
Snorkel in the morning when the water is calmest, eat when the buffet opens, and book the cooking class or teen park early, as they have set times. Pack with the Las Caletas packing list, and if the night appeals more than the beach, read the Alma show guide. To weigh it against a village day, see Las Caletas vs Yelapa.
Ready to go? About 4 hours on the cove, with lunch, open bar and the water gear included.
Check dates for the Las Caletas day tourFrequently asked questions
Is Las Caletas a tourist trap?
Not really, but it is a commercial beach club with up to 250 guests a day and fees at check-in. If you expect that, most guests find it good value.
Is Las Caletas worth it for adults without kids?
It can be, especially for the food, drinks and snorkelling, but some adult reviewers found it too kid-focused. The Alma night show or a sailing day may suit couples better.
How long do you spend at Las Caletas?
About 4 hours on the island within a 7-hour day, including about 45 minutes on the boat each way.
What is better, Las Caletas or the Marietas Islands?
Las Caletas for an all-inclusive beach day with kids; the Marietas Islands for wildlife, kayaking and snorkelling. The Marietas cruise listed here does not land at the Hidden Beach.
Ready to book
Choose your day
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Las Caletas Beach Hideaway Day
- Round-trip boat from Puerto Vallarta (Puerto Magico) or Nuevo Vallarta
- About 4 hours on Las Caletas: snorkel gear, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards
- Buffet lunch and open bar; cooking lesson, margarita class and mezcal tasting
Banderas Bay Sailing with Lunch & Open Bar
A quieter day under sail, snorkel stop included
