A cold cocktail arrives on deck while the Sierra Madre coastline slides by. An open bar in Puerto Vallarta changes how a day on Banderas Bay feels, because the drinks are already handled.
Some cruises stay on the water in small groups, while others spend most of the day at a beach reachable only by boat; the evening cruise crosses the bay before a candlelit dinner ashore after sunset.
Five of our boat tours build the day around an open bar, and they add up to different days on Banderas Bay. The bar coverage varies across the five tours.
What an Open Bar in Puerto Vallarta Actually Covers
The bar covers Mexican cocktails and onboard wine options, and the exact selection depends on the cruise. On the sailing cruises our attentive bilingual crew serves drinks throughout, so nobody is counting rounds or opening a tab.
Where a cruise is listed with a premium open bar, cocktails are mixed to order and the cocktail and wine selection is wider. Where a cruise is listed simply with an open bar, that made-to-order wording is not spelled out, so check the inclusions on the tour page you are booking.
Bar service location and duration vary by cruise. At the Majahuitas beach club the selection is beer and fruit-flavored water, while at Las Caletas the bar runs all day ashore. On the evening cruise, it covers the crossing and dinner.
Small-Group Sailing and Yacht Cruises
The yacht cruise runs on a Leopard catamaran, and the two sailing cruises use Beneteau sailboats and Leopard sailing catamarans. The two daytime cruises carry beach towels and snorkel gear. Paddleboards are also available, with time to swim and paddle in the bay.
These sail in small groups on Beneteau sailboats and Leopard catamarans, so there is room to spread out and the deck never feels crowded.
If a quiet deck and the sound of water against the hull are what you picture from an open bar boat tour in Puerto Vallarta, start here.
Luxury Yacht & Snorkeling
A Leopard catamaran carries a small group across the bay to Majahuitas, where snorkeling gear is included. Our crew serves fresh appetizers and a charcuterie board on deck, and the premium open bar runs throughout the yacht portion of the day. Ashore at the beach club, the selection lightens to beer and fruit-flavored water. The water at Majahuitas stays calm, so a kayak or a paddleboard is an easy option between stretches on the sand. The inflatable banana is another.
Luxury Sailing, Adults-Only
A long day under sail with the Sierra Madre mountains rising behind the coastline. This adults-only cruise leaves room to stretch out on deck between swims and snorkel stops. There are also paddleboard sessions. Our attentive bilingual crew keeps the gourmet platter and the premium open bar coming.
Puerto Vallarta Sunset Cruise, Adults-Only
The sail heads out as the light softens, our crew brings out a trio of tapas, and the premium open bar pours made-to-order cocktails and wine while the Sierra Madre turns purple against the orange sky. On the way back, the lights of Puerto Vallarta line the coast. This one sails in a small group, adults only, which suits honeymooning couples and friends.
A Full Day at a Beach Only Boats Can Reach
Choose Las Caletas if you would rather spend the day ashore than on deck. The whole day runs about seven hours. The time is spent on the sand or in a hammock, with opportunities to get into the water off the cove.
Las Caletas accommodates families and mixed-age groups. Hammocks suit anyone who wants to do nothing, while the kids' adventure park keeps younger guests busy. The buffet is where a group finds each other again.
Las Caletas Beach & Adventure Park
A boat ride across Banderas Bay lands you at Las Caletas, a cove no road reaches, served only by our boats, where the open bar runs all day. Hammocks hang over the water beside floating relaxation areas. Guided nature walks are included, and you can meet colorful macaws and monkeys. Snorkeling gear and paddleboards are at the beach. Adrenaline Cove's water park and a kids' adventure park fill part of the day. The buffet fills the rest.
An Evening Cruise with Dinner and a Show
One option in this set trades daylight for candlelight, and it is the only full night out on this list, built around dinner and a show. The whole evening runs about five hours from the crossing to the ride home.
It suits couples and travelers who want one memorable night out rather than a beach day. It also uses the same cove as the daytime beach cruise, on a completely different schedule.
If fine dining is the point of your night, the upgraded dining tier is separate rather than part of the Classic cruise. Its menu comes from Chef Paco Ruano of Alcalde restaurant, one of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants. Travelers planning the trip around one dinner can choose this upgraded menu.
ALMA, Rhythms of the Night - Premier
The evening opens with a sunset cruise across the bay to Las Caletas, reachable only by sea. The open bar pours on board and continues through the candlelit dinner at the edge of the sea. Then ALMA, under Mukhtar Mukhtar's direction, takes over an open-air amphitheater, where acrobatics and dance carry Mexican legends across the stage through storytelling. The return crossing turns livelier, with music and entertainment on deck and the lit coastline off the rail.
How to Pick the Right One
All five share the Banderas Bay setting, with the Sierra Madre behind the shoreline. Choose among them by the shape of the day.
Most people pick their open bar cruise in Puerto Vallarta by where they want to spend the middle of the day. A deck day keeps you on the water, near the swim stops and whatever the crew is pouring. A day ashore trades that for a cove with a buffet, where a group has room to split up and regroup.
Two of the five sail adults-only, so who is coming narrows the list before anything else does.
- What time of day do you want to be on the water? The yacht cruise and the adults-only day sail fill the daytime. So does Las Caletas. The adults-only sunset sail runs during golden hour. The dinner show is the night out.
- Does snorkeling matter? The yacht cruise and Las Caletas tour include snorkeling; the adults-only day sail is listed as a separate, non-snorkeling tour. The sunset sail and the dinner show skip the swim gear entirely.
- Adults-only or family-friendly? The day sail and the sunset sail are adults-only. Las Caletas is built for families and mixed ages.
- Small group afloat or full day ashore? The sailing cruises keep you on an intimate deck. Las Caletas hands you a whole cove.
- Daytime on the water or a night out? The daytime options run long: five hours on the yacht cruise and six under sail. Las Caletas takes seven hours. The sunset sail runs three hours, and the dinner show fills about five.
Before You Board
We recommend giving yourself a comfortable cushion before departure so check-in never feels rushed. Sea conditions can shift itineraries. Weekend and holiday schedules can change too.
Bring a government-issued ID with you. At check-in, the person who booked may also be asked to present it along with the credit card used to book.
For the daytime cruises, pack swimwear and sunglasses. A long-sleeve rash guard and a wide-brim hat both earn their space on an open deck. Pack biodegradable sun protection too. Beach towels are listed as included on the Luxury Snorkeling Yacht Tour, while Vallarta Adventures recommends bringing a towel for yacht charters.
For the evening crossing, a light sweater or jacket makes the ride back more comfortable in the cooler months, and comfortable shoes work better than heels.
Departure points and transportation arrangements differ by cruise and are confirmed at booking, so you will know exactly where to be before your travel day. Most cruises include round-trip transportation from your accommodation where available.
Every one of them runs by prior reservation, and we recommend booking ahead, especially in high season and around holidays, since the busiest stretches fill up quickly.
Banderas Bay generally has calm cruising conditions, though these can vary by weather and season. Time of day can also affect them. The wind comes up in the afternoon, so the bay runs choppier later in the day. Humpback whales pass through these waters from December to March.
