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Where is Las Caletas?
How do I get to Caletas?
What tours go to Las Caletas?
Can I book both the day tour and Rhythms of the Night on the same day?
What activities are available at Caletas and how much do they cost?
How big is Caletas?
How many people are allowed on the Caletas tour in a day?
Drinks are included in the price - but does that mean everything?
I'm a vegetarian, will there be anything for me to eat?
Is Caletas wheelchair accessible?
What should I bring and are there any lockers to leave my gear?
What are "Ejido lands"?
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Every Mon-Sat from Nuevo Vallarta at 8:30 am or from Vallarta's Maritime Terminal at 9:00 am.
Length of tour: 7 hours
Price: Adults - $85 USD
Children under 12 - $60 USD
What's Included: A light breakfast, superb buffet lunch, open bar, snorkeling and kayaking equipment and guided tours.
Be sure to bring a bathing suit, shorts, a sun hat, sunscreen, a towel and a light jacket with you.
Spa treatments, scuba diving and videos of your day at Las Caletas are available for an extra fee. |
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Q: Where is Las Caletas?
A: Las Caletas is a private cove owned by Vallarta Adventure approximately 12 miles south of Puerto Vallarta in the Bay of Banderas. You can only get there by sea as there are no roads in the last 3rd of the bay from Boca de Tomatlan to Yelapa.
Q: How do I get to Caletas?
A: The only way in and out is by boat, and because it is a private cove, the only boats allowed in are those owned by Vallarta Adventures. This means that there are no street vendors or other tourists there, making it a true paradise hideaway.
Q: What tours go to Las Caletas?
A: The day tour "Las Caletas" and the evening tour "Rhythms of the Night"
Q: Can I book both the day tour and Rhythms of the Night on the same day?
A: You could but you would have to come back to Vallarta on the boat in between tours. Unfortunately we don't allow guests to stay at Caletas after the day tour has finished as the area must be cleaned and prepared for the evening show.
Q: What activities are available at Caletas and how much do they cost?
A: The activities are only available during the day time tour and most are included in the price of your day: Snorkeling, Kayaking, Nature Trail, Parrot Encounter, Cooking lessons. Other activities cost extra: Spa treatments - $50 USD per hour, Clay Modeling $6 USD, Scuba Lessons - $35 USD
Q: How big is Caletas?
A: Caletas has approximately 3/4 mile of coastline and over 1000 hectares of tropical forest. It has a pier, 4 beaches, a hill top spa, 4 dining areas and a 1.5 mile nature trail in the forest. There is also the open-air amphitheater tucked away in the forest with seating for 500 people.
Q: How many people are allowed on the Caletas tour in a day?
A: 150 people are allowed on the 9 am departure and another 150 on the 11:30 am departure. The two groups are only together at Caletas during the lunch period, so at any one time there are only 150 people there for the activities and to take advantage of the beaches.
Q: Drinks are included in the price - but does that mean everything?
A: Open bar includes bottled water, fruit juices, sodas, beer, Bacardi, tequila, Smirnoff vodka, margaritas and wine during your meal. You don't need to pay for any drinks. In the evenings, we also have a wine list so that you can choose a special bottle of wine to accompany your dinner with prices ranging from $25 USD and up per bottle. However, the table wine is free, so you don't have to pay extra for wine if you don't want to.
Q: I'm a vegetarian, will there be anything for me to eat?
A: Of course! Our buffet style lunch includes a large selection of salads, pasta and grilled vegetables, as well as seafood paella during the day and grilled fish at night. For carnivores there is also grilled chicken and steak or ribs. You can help yourselves as many times as you like and the food at Caletas really is delicious!
Q: Is Caletas wheelchair accessible?
A: Unfortunately not. The nature of the area means that there are a number of inclines and some steps. Caletas is a very natural place and most of the paths are sandy or with an uneven surface. Wheelchairs would not be able to get over to the beaches, spa or to the areas where we have activities.
Q: It looks as though everything is included in the tour - what should I bring and are there any lockers to leave my gear?
A: Bring a towel, your swimming gear, sunscreen and a hat. You may want to bring some money to leave as tips for the crew or staff or if you want to take a massage. There is also a small gift shop at Caletas where you can buy waterproof cameras, t-shirts and things like that. There are lockers at Caletas so you can store your things safely while you go snorkeling or kayaking - you will need to leave an ID or hotel key as deposit for this.
Q: I heard that no one can own land in the south of the bay. Is that true and if so how does it work for Caletas?
A: It is true. All of the lands south of Boca de Tomatlan, as far as Cabo Corrientes on the tip of the bay which include some 20 miles of coastline and pristine tropical forest, is designated as "ejido lands". This means that the land is governed by the local people, although they do not "own" it. The concept of the Ejido came about after the Mexican Revolution in 1910 where the government expatriated lands from large landowners and foreign companies so as to distribute to the people of Mexico as part of a land reform program. While the community can decide how the land is used and can also lease the land, they do not have the right to sell it. In the case of Las Caletas, Vallarta Adventures has a 25 year lease which began after the family of John Huston decided not to renew their lease on the cove in the 1990's. The Ejido system means that there is very little development in the south of Banderas Bay, because firstly the local community do not want developers to build large hotels there but also, if they did, the owners would have to give them up to the community after 25 yeas when their lease runs out. You will notice that all of the construction at Caletas is low impact, designed to blend into the natural environment. Almost all of the staff at Caletas come from the village of Quimixto next door and there is a great harmony among the local people and Caletas itself. | |
