Which Marietas tour?

How do the Marietas Islands tours differ?

By three things: whether you swim into the Hidden Beach, which pier you leave from, and how long you spend on the boat.

Here is every Marietas tour on this site, with the cross-sell to Los Arcos at the bottom. Prices are 2026 from-prices in USD.

Which Marietas tours go into the Hidden Beach?

The Hidden Beach tour from Nuevo Vallarta and the safari from Punta de Mita both list it. The private safari puts it among the extras.

Only operators permitted by CONANP can land guests in the crater, and the park caps it at 116 people a day. That is why most boats skip it.

The Nuevo Vallarta tour is built around the swim. The listing guarantees entry, gives roughly 80 metres of swimming in a life jacket and 15 to 20 minutes on the sand, then snorkelling, breakfast, a light lunch and a domestic open bar. Groups are 12 at most. The catch is the age range: not for under 10 or over 60.

The Punta de Mita safari is the short version: 15 minutes by boat each way and about 2.75 hours at the islands, with the Hidden Beach entrance, Playa La Nopalera, snorkel gear, birdwatching and the park fee on the list. Groups are 10 at most, and the upper age limit is 70.

Whichever you book, the swim depends on the tide and the swell on the day. The Hidden Beach guide explains how it works.

The shortest crossing in the bay, about 2.75 hours at the islands, Hidden Beach entrance and the park fee listed.

★ 4.5 · 3.5 hours · from $154

Explore the Marietas safari from Punta de Mita → Tour details

Which tours land at Playa La Nopalera instead?

The snorkel and kayak boat day and the Puerto Vallarta kayak day land there, and both Punta de Mita safaris stop there too.

Playa La Nopalera is an open beach on Isla Larga. No tunnel, no helmet, no age cut-off at the water's edge. You get far longer on the sand than in the crater, and the snorkelling around Isla Larga is the best in the park.

The snorkel, kayak and Playa Nopalera day is the sociable option: waterslides, kayaks, paddleboards, breakfast, guacamole, a fajita lunch and an open bar with cocktails, beer, wine, tequila and champagne. It starts on the north shore of the bay. A photographer on board sells photos. In winter you may get whales on the way: "Captain stopped several times to watch whales which was not part of the itinerary."

The snorkel, kayak and paddle day from Puerto Vallarta is the cheapest way out at $88, as an eight-hour day.

Is a private boat to the Marietas worth it?

For a group of four to six, often yes. The private safari costs $368 for the boat and up to six people, about $61 each when full, from the closest pier.

The private snorkeling safari leaves from the Punta de Mita pier with a bilingual local guide. Three hours covers snorkelling, Playa La Nopalera, birdwatching and drinks, with port and park taxes included. It is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is rare on this coast, but not for people with respiratory issues.

The Hidden Beach is not part of the base price: Playa del Amor admission sits among the extras. If the crater is the point of the trip, ask the operator before booking whether a permit is available for your date.

Who it suits: families with kids under 10, mixed-ability groups, anyone who wants to stop for whales or birds as long as they like. On a private boat nobody else sets the pace.

What about the tours from Puerto Vallarta?

Three trips leave from Puerto Vallarta itself, from $88 to $135. They save you the road to Punta de Mita and cost you a longer boat ride.

The Marietas snorkeling trip is a five-hour small-group trip at $135. The breakfast, lunch and open bar day runs six hours at $119. The snorkel, kayak and paddle day is the eight-hour budget option at $88. Each tour page shows the exact pier, what is included and whether the Hidden Beach is part of it.

Plan on 45 minutes to 1.5 hours each way on the water from the Puerto Vallarta marina area, depending on the boat. In whale season the crossing is half the fun. In a summer chop it is the part people complain about. The departure guide compares the piers.

How much does a Marietas Islands tour cost?

From $88 per person for a full day from Puerto Vallarta to $168 for the Hidden Beach tour, or $368 for a private boat. Add the 125 MXN park fee where it is not included.

• $88: snorkel, kayak and paddle day, Puerto Vallarta, 8 hours.
• $119: snorkel and kayak boat day (north shore) and open bar day (Puerto Vallarta).
• $135: small-group snorkeling trip, Puerto Vallarta.
• $154: Marietas safari, Punta de Mita, park fee included.
• $168: Hidden Beach tour, Nuevo Vallarta.
• $368 per group: private safari, up to six people.

On top of the tour, the official park fee is 125 MXN per person per day; the fee and bracelet post covers who pays it and when.

Where do Marietas tours leave from?

Punta de Mita is closest, at about 15 to 20 minutes by boat. La Cruz and Nuevo Vallarta take 30 to 45 minutes; Puerto Vallarta 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

The pier decides how much of your day is spent crossing the bay. A short tour from Punta de Mita gives you nearly the same time at the islands as a long day from Puerto Vallarta, but you have to get to Punta de Mita first, about an hour by road from downtown. The long days make up for the crossing with meals, drinks and slides on board.

Stay in Punta de Mita, Sayulita or Bucerías and the short tours are an easy choice. Stay in the Hotel Zone or downtown and a Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta departure saves you the drive. Details in Puerto Vallarta or Punta Mita.

Which tour should you book?

Crater lovers: the Hidden Beach tour or the Punta de Mita safari. Families with young kids: the Playa La Nopalera day or the private boat. Budget: the $88 kayak day.

• You want the Hidden Beach and stay near Nuevo Vallarta: Hidden Beach Tour from Nuevo Vallarta.
• You want the Hidden Beach and a short boat ride: Marietas Islands Safari from Punta de Mita.
• You want a party day with drinks and slides: Snorkel, Kayak & Playa Nopalera Boat Day.
• You have kids under 10, or a mixed group: Private Snorkeling Safari with a Local Guide or the Playa La Nopalera day. See the Marietas with kids.
• You stay in Puerto Vallarta and want no road transfer: Marietas Snorkeling Trip from Puerto Vallarta.
• You want the lowest price: Snorkel, Kayak, Paddle & Playa Nopalera.
• Your kids are under 8, or you want a second, cheaper morning: Los Arcos five islands, on the south side of the bay.

The Hidden Beach swim guaranteed by the listing, tide permitting, plus snorkelling, breakfast, lunch and an open bar.

★ 4.6 · 6.5 hours · from $168

Explore the Hidden Beach tour from Nuevo Vallarta → Tour details

Frequently asked questions