Imagine sailing to a private beach where you can relax in a cabana, on a hammock, or a beach chair, listening to the waves crashing (and spotting the occasional whale) with a margarita from the open bar. You get up occasionally to grab some snorkeling or paddleboarding equipment and wade in the water.
Once you’re back to your spot, the servers walk up and ask if you want a drink. You can’t decide if you want a pina colada or a margarita, so you ask for both. 10 minutes later, he’s back with both drinks for you. You just sip away with the sound of the waves and not a care in the world.
You have a couple hours before lunchtime at the buffet, so you walk around to kill time, unsure whether you want a massage, to go wine tasting, make pottery, or go on a daring parasailing adventure.
Lunchtime comes around, and you fill your plate and request an extra margarita from the server walking by.
If you visit Puerto Vallarta any time soon, this imagination can become your reality. Consider taking a day trip to Las Caletas, an all-inclusive beach hideaway located south of Banderas Bay.
My husband Cecilio and I spent 4 days in Puerto Vallarta, one of which included a day trip to Las Caletas. It felt like nature’s playground (and almost reminded me of Xcaret in Playa del Carmen when we went on our honeymoon).
Here’s a comprehensive guide to Las Caletas, from getting there (and back) to what’s included (and what you might need to pay for) to my honest, final thoughts.
Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links, which means I make a commission if you book through this post. If you do decide to book using my links, thank you so much for your support!
What and Where is Las Caletas?
Las Caletas is an all-inclusive beach hideaway, located 40 minutes away from Puerto Vallarta, in the southern part of Banderas Bay.
The only way to visit is through booking a tour through Vallarta Adventures, as they lease and operate the beach.
Before Vallarta Adventures took hold of Las Caletas, Hollywood film director John Huston owned a home there during filming The Night of the Iguana, which took place in Puerto Vallarta.
The area surrounding Las Caletas is considered an ejido, a land that has communal ownership (that is mostly used for farming) under the Mexican government.
Las Caletas also has an evening tour called Rhythms of the Night, where you sail there before sunset and are treated to a beachside candle-lit dinner, watching traditional Mexican performances and acrobatics in front of the pyramid amphitheater. Think of Rhythms of the Night as the Mexican version of a Hawaiian luau.
Everything You Need to Know about Visiting Las Caletas
Getting there (and back)
You can only visit Las Caletas from Puerto Vallarta by sailing with Vallarta Adventures. Las Caletas is completely operated by Vallarta Adventures, which means that you won’t get random locals selling you stuff like you would in Los Muertos Beach or along the Malecon.
Vallarta Adventures’ boat is docked at Puerto Magico, Puerto Vallarta’s cruise terminal.
You have to check in by 8 am, and I suggest getting an Uber to take you to Puerto Magico (Ubers are super affordable in Mexico, around $5–$12 USD).
Before you check in and line up to go inside the boat, you have to pay port fees in the terminal, which is only $33 MXN ($1.60 USD) per person.
After you pay the port fees, you check in, and there are some stores where you can grab last-minute beach essentials like towels, sunscreen, waterproof phone cases, and goggles. There’s also a coffee shop and a bar (but I don’t recommend getting a drink when you’re about to have a freaking open bar).
Once you pass through security, you get on the boat, you wait for everyone else before you sail away.
The boat ride is slightly choppy, but the boat crew will entertain you throughout the sailing with music, laughs, and showing you around Banderas Bay. You will be too distracted from any potential seasickness you might get!
Our boat guide, Chai, did a fantastic job of entertaining us and keeping us excited about landing in Las Caletas.
Heading back was the same way; except it was more lively and Chai didn’t want the party to stop just because our time in Las Caletas came to an end. He brought the open bar back to the boat, and we had even more dancing and entertainment. We even got to see a whale!
What’s included (and what’s not)
✅ Breakfast and buffet lunch
Once you dock into Las Caletas and disembark from the boat, breakfast is waiting for you!
At the breakfast station, you’ll encounter a lady making fresh tortillas from scratch for the breakfast tacos. Grab yourself a plate so she can put the tortilla on your plate before you get your fillings of beans, vegetables, cheese, and salsa. You can also get a side of fruit or pastries. There are tables where you can sit and enjoy your tacos, and servers will pass by to pour some refreshing papaya juice.
Lunch isn’t until 1:30 pm, which is a buffet serving Mexican dishes along with American fare like mac and cheese, salmon, and ribs. Don’t forget a helping of chips and salsa!
The buffet food was pretty good, but some stuff left much to be desired; like the stuffed taco rolls (which looked like lumpia). There wasn’t much filling but the tortilla shell was too thick.
At the end of the buffet station, there’s also some coffee. The ladies working the station will serve you some and add a shot of Kahlua.
Don’t forget the buñuelos (thin Mexican donuts) for dessert, which taste fantastic dipped in coffee!
The real highlight of lunchtime for Cecilio and me though? Sitting at a table near the ocean and spotting a whale in all its glory!
✅ Open Bar
An open bar is worth its weight in gold and is included in the booking cost. The bar is right next to the flamingos and the breakfast station.
It’s a little far away from the beach chairs, cabanas, and hammocks. But don’t worry, you can get situated and lounge right away. There will be servers walking around, and they will come up to you and ask if you want any drinks. Order as many as you like to get your money’s worth (the drinks are kinda weak anyway, which is my only complaint), and they will bring it to you in less than 10 minutes.
On the boat ride back, the crew brings the open bar inside, so drink up as you enjoy the afternoon views of the sea!
✅ Nature trails with birds
Animal lovers, you’re in for a treat. Right next to the bar, there is an enclosed space where flamingoes live. Walk a little further down the trail, and you’ll see a guide tending to some colorful green parrots.
Be careful getting too close to the parrots, as some might peck you (the one I took a photo below didn’t, but the guide warned me about it).
Around the beach, you’ll see red and green parrots flying, along with other types of birds. I wish I could’ve captured photos of them flying!
✅ Snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking equipment
Right by the beach, you have snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding equipment at your disposal.
I didn’t snorkel, but I talked to someone who did and they saw so many different types of fish.
The kayaking boats were double occupancy, and since Cecilio didn’t want to go into the water (after almost drowning in Hawaii), I decided to do some paddleboarding. It was fun, but I sat down the whole time because of how choppy the waves were!
There are also lifejackets included, which are required to wear when doing water activities. I wore it while paddling and while swimming in the ocean, since I wasn’t comfortable getting dragged by the waves and risked the chance of drowning. I still got dragged a little bit with the lifejacket, but I was able to float alongside the waves.
Despite the strong waves, the water was warm (even in January when we went!) and felt therapeutic.
✅ Beach chairs, cabanas, and hammocks
If there was one thing I wish Cecilio and I did, it would’ve been to call dibs on a cabana (by placing a towel) before getting our breakfast tacos.
If you’re planning to spend most of your day by the beach, I highly recommend getting the beach chairs or the cabanas as soon as you disembark from the boat. They fill up fast, especially because they are in the shade.
Luckily, we were able to get some beach chairs (even though I would’ve preferred to stay in a cabana).
Close to the shore and the rocks, there are some hammocks where you can close your eyes and let the sun warm your skin (with sunscreen slathered on, of course).
There are also platforms on the water, a few yards away from the shore with hammocks. But that means you have to paddle, kayak, or swim to get there and back.
✅ Cooking classes
For a fun way to immerse yourself in Mexican culture, consider taking a cooking class!
There are two timeslots to take these cooking classes. Cecilio and I were going to do this, but we got too relaxed in our beach chairs (and in the water, in my case).
At the beginning of the cooking class, you’ll be served drinks, chips, salsa, and guacamole. Based on my research (Googling what other people have made), you’ll be whipping up a yummy seafood paella.
✅ Wine and mezcal tasting
Maybe the open bar doesn’t do it enough for you. I don’t blame you, since it’s on the weaker side.
The area surrounding Puerto Vallarta is known for world-class mezcal, and Mexico also has fantastic wine (seriously, Valle de Guadalupe is only a few hours away from Ensenada and is considered the Napa of Mexico).
Consider trying a wine or mezcal-tasting experience, but not both! Chai advises against doing both, because, um, that would be a bit much for your body to take 😂
✅ Clay-making station
It’s not advertised as much, but when I needed to go to the bathroom, I walked by a little corner where a few people were molding and shaping some objects. Curious about what it was, I walked by and asked what they were doing, and they said they were making sculptures and bowls with clay.
The table had a big slab of terracotta clay that you could take a chunk out and play with. There was also a bowl of water to soften it if it got too dry. I made a heart for Cecilio!
There is no kiln, and the clay dries on its own. Which means you can bring your masterpiece home immediately!
✅ Adventure parks for kids and teens
Las Caletas is super family-oriented, so kids and teens are going to LOVE the activities abound.
The Kids Adventure Park has a mini zipline, rock climbing wall, swings, and face painting stations.
For teens (and the young-at-heart adults), you can have fun at the Adventure Cove, where you can slide down the Rattlesnake, a waterslide embedded on a hill or zipline into the water. How exhilarating is that?!
💲 Scuba diving
Whether you’re a beginner and want to learn, or you’re seasoned, you can go scuba diving in Las Caletas for $49.
You’ll encounter wildlife such as sea lions, manta rays, turtles, and even more fish!
The wetsuits and tanks are provided as well.
If you decide to go scuba diving, you will be the first to disembark once you land Las Caletas!
💲 Massages
While you can get massages in Las Caletas, they aren’t included in your booking, and you will have to pay for them separately. It costs $29 for a 30-minute massage.
Honestly, that cost for the little amount of time isn’t worth it to me. I want someone to be digging in every part and crevice of my body, and 30 minutes just isn’t enough.
I can see where some people don’t mind that it’s only 30 minutes and that the experience of getting a massage in a private beach hideaway (with stunning views!) is worth it.
So instead, on our last full night, I got a 60-minute massage at a spa near our guesthouse for about $500 MXN ($24.60), which helped soothe my aching joints and calm my nervous system.
💲 Parasailing
Want to experience thrills and jaw-dropping views from another angle? You can with on parasailing excursions for $75! The minimum age to go parasailing is 9 years old. You also have to be at least 4 feet tall and no heavier than 260 pounds.
💲 Photo packages
During the sailing, the crew took professional photos of everyone that you could purchase for an additional cost. They took a few photos of me and Cecilio, but we decided not to get them and take our own pictures instead. I think this would be a nice and memorable souvenir, especially for families!
My honest review: would I recommend Las Caletas?
I absolutely loved our time in Las Caletas. It was the perfect getaway for relaxing, especially because we walked around and explored A LOT in Puerto Vallarta. I’d say it was the highlight of our trip, and it’s perfect for couples!
That said, I do have a few gripes.
First of all, I didn’t like how weak the cocktails were. But that’s the least of my worries.
The excursion says it’s 7 hours, but you need to include the boat ride going there and back, which is 90 minutes. So essentially you have only 5.5 hours in Las Caletas. That’s not enough time to do everything you want to do. I wish we could’ve added an extra hour, but I understand that they need time to prepare for Rhythms of the Night in the evening. I wouldn’t have minded leaving at 7 instead of 8.
Another thing I didn’t like is how Las Caletas offers excursions such as paddling with sea lions and swimming with dolphins, where you’re touching them (that’s why I didn’t include them earlier, because that’s not something I want to promote).
Sure, a sea lion might kiss you, but I believe it’s wrong to touch them.
Don’t get me started on swimming with dolphins in a small pool. I hear they’re not friendly anyway.
I don’t claim to be the perfect ethical traveler, but I am trying. When I went swimming with manatees in Florida, it was emphasized that you cannot touch them. And at least the manatee tour companies were focused on conservation and their safety.
These swimming/paddling with animal excursions aren’t included but they can be purchased. If you want to go visit Las Caletas and care about the well-being of animals, I would suggest not booking these excursions.
Other than that, I would highly recommend a day trip to Las Caletas from Puerto Vallarta for couples and families as a way to relax and have fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Las Caletas?
The only way to get to Las Caletas is by booking a tour with Vallarta Adventures, and sailing with them. Vallarta Adventures leases and operates the area surrounding Las Caletas.
How long is the boat ride to Las Caletas?
Depending on the weather, on average, the boat ride takes about 40–50 minutes to get from Puerto Vallarta to Las Caletas.
I’m going on a cruise that stops in Puerto Vallarta. Are there shore excursions in Las Caletas?
Yes, a lot of Mexican Riviera cruises that stop in Puerto Vallarta have excursions to Las Caletas! Below are the following ships that do so:
Royal Caribbean: Navigator of the Seas
Carnival: Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance (read my review here)
Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Bliss
Princess: Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess
What should I bring to Las Caletas?
There are no towels provided so I suggest you bring your own (consider borrowing from your hotel or Airbnb). Also, bring reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, a change of clothes, a beach bag, and some cash for port fees, tips, and upgraded excursions.
Wrapping up this Las Caletas guide from Puerto Vallarta
Las Caletas is the perfect day trip from Puerto Vallarta for those who want a bit of adventure and fun in the sun, but also want total relaxation. It’s a slice of paradise on Earth.
Want to experience thrills and go parasailing hundreds of feet above the ground, or go diving to see fish and coral reefs all around you? You can do that in Las Caletas. Or you’d rather chill under the cabana with a drink or two watching the deep blue sea and hearing the waves? You can do that too.
If this sounds like your idea of heaven, what are you waiting for? Book your trip today!
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Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.