Private Luxury Yacht Chica 55′ VIP All Inclusive + Jet Ski

Puerto Vallarta’s Chica 55 yacht puts your group in charge of a private half-day on the Bay of Banderas. You can cruise the coast, stop near Los Arcos, snorkel, paddle, ride a Jet Ski, or simply settle in with Champagne and fresh ceviche while the crew handles the work. I like the custom route and the fact that the package includes far more than a boat ride.

I also like the open bar and water gear, since you are not paying separately for each drink or activity. The main consideration is price: $3,275 per group is a serious spend for four hours, and hotel pickup and gratuity are not included. It makes the most sense when you can fill much of the group capacity.

Key points at a glance

• Private use of the Chica 55 yacht: Your group has the boat to itself, with the advertised booking capacity set at up to 15 people.
• Choose your own Bay of Banderas route: You can request popular stops such as Los Arcos, or plan a different outing with the operator.
• Supervised Jet Ski use is included: The package also provides snorkel gear, kayaks, paddle boards, a water mattress, and a tube.
• Open bar goes well beyond beer: Drinks include water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, Piña Coladas, and Champagne.
• Fresh food comes with the ride: Expect ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips.
• Four hours favors a focused plan: You can fit in several activities, but a long route and many water stops may compete for time.

What $3,275 buys you on Chica 55

The price is $3,275 per group, not per person, with the booking information listing up to 15 people. That works out to about $218 per person if 15 people share the cost. With a smaller party, the per-person price rises quickly, so this is best suited to a family gathering, birthday, wedding group, or friends traveling together.

The value comes from bundling several costs into one payment. You get a private yacht, captain and crew, drinks, food, water equipment, Jet Ski use, and landing and facility fees. On a regular boat outing, these extras can add up or require separate choices once you are already on the water.

I would compare the price against your group size before booking. A full or nearly full group gets a better deal and makes private use of the yacht feel more worthwhile. A small group that mainly wants a quick cruise may find a shared trip or shorter charter easier on the budget.

The four-hour length is useful for a half-day plan. You can spend time cruising, stop for water activities, and still have the rest of the day for Puerto Vallarta. The tradeoff is simple: you cannot give every activity a long turn and also reach several distant parts of the bay. Tell the operator what matters most before departure.

Setting your route around the Bay of Banderas

This is not a fixed sightseeing loop. You can work with Chica Locca Tours to decide where you want to go in Bahia de Banderas. The basic idea is easy: cruise the Puerto Vallarta coast, enjoy the boat, and choose stops that fit your group.

That flexibility matters because different groups want different days. One group may want a calm cruise with drinks and food. Another may want to pack the time with snorkeling, a Jet Ski, paddling, and a stop at Los Arcos. A family may prefer several short activities rather than one long swim stop.

I would settle on your priorities early. Ask for a plan that gives you a realistic amount of time on the water instead of naming every possible activity. Since the tour lasts about four hours, a clear plan helps the captain and crew make better use of the day.

The route can also be shaped around conditions and group comfort. The supplied information does not promise a fixed order or guaranteed wildlife sightings, so treat the route as flexible rather than as a checklist. If Los Arcos or whale watching matters to you, raise it when arranging the tour.

Los Arcos, caves, and snorkeling south of Puerto Vallarta

Los Arcos National Park is the most distinctive suggested stop. South of Puerto Vallarta, tall rock formations rise from the sea, with arches and caves that give this part of the bay a dramatic character. The area is also described as a strong snorkeling spot, with marine life around and below the rocks.

A stop here can give your charter a sense of place that a simple coastal cruise may lack. You are not only looking at the shoreline. You can explore near the rock formations, float through the arches, and use the included snorkel equipment in the water.

There is a practical point to remember: Los Arcos takes time to reach and enjoy. If your group also wants a long Jet Ski session, kayaking, paddle boarding, tubing, and a leisurely lunch on board, you may need to choose. I would put Los Arcos high on the list if the rock formations and snorkeling are your main reason for booking.

The water activities are included, but the information does not promise a particular number of snorkel locations or a guaranteed amount of wildlife. Conditions can affect what you see and how long you stay in the water. The crew can help shape the stop around the day’s plan.

Jet Ski time with supervision

The supervised, unlimited use of a Jet Ski is one of the package’s biggest selling points. Many boat outings include a brief ride or charge separately for motorized activities. Here, the Jet Ski is part of the private charter package, along with the other equipment.

The word supervised matters. You should expect the crew to manage the activity and help keep it organized, rather than simply handing over the keys with no structure. The supplied details do not explain age limits, driving requirements, or how many people can ride at once, so ask Chica Locca Tours before booking if those points affect your group.

Unlimited use still has to fit inside the four-hour tour. If several people want a turn, agree on a fair rotation. You may want to begin with the Jet Ski while everyone is fresh, then use the slower water activities later.

I like this feature most for groups with mixed interests. Some people can ride while others sit with a drink, snorkel, use the paddle boards, or relax on the water mattress. It gives the charter more energy than a cruise where the only choice is sitting on deck.

Food and drinks served on board

The included food is casual and well suited to a day at sea. You get fresh ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips. That is enough to keep the group going without turning the outing into a formal meal.

Ceviche and guacamole also fit the setting better than a heavy lunch. You can snack between activities and return to the boat without feeling tied to a dining schedule. If your group has special dietary needs, ask in advance, since the supplied information does not list substitutions or a full menu.

The open bar is unusually broad for a four-hour private charter. It includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, Piña Coladas, and Champagne. You can keep it simple with water or soft drinks, or make the boat feel more celebratory with cocktails and bubbles.

I would pace alcoholic drinks carefully. Sun, movement, and water activities can catch up with you faster than expected. Keeping water and nonalcoholic drinks in rotation is especially sensible if you plan to snorkel, paddle, or use the Jet Ski.

The package lists brand-name alcoholic beverages, but it does not specify an exact brand list. If a particular tequila, wine, or Champagne matters to you, request details before the day of the tour.

What the crew adds to the day

The yacht comes with a captain and crew, so you are not responsible for running the boat or planning every turn. Their job includes managing the route, serving food and drinks, organizing the water equipment, and supervising the Jet Ski.

A particularly strong part of the available feedback describes the crew as exceptional, safe, entertaining, and helpful during a whale-watching outing. That same experience included good food and drinks. Whale watching is not listed as a guaranteed part of every charter, but the account shows that the crew can help make wildlife viewing part of a customized day when conditions and timing allow.

The owner, Gil, is the named contact for meeting-point help and affordable luxury transportation assistance. If your group needs a different meeting location or help arranging transport, contact him before submitting the reservation. The wording is clear that you must choose your meeting place before completing the booking.

Pickup is offered in the tour details, but hotel pickup and drop-off are listed as not included. Treat that as a point to confirm rather than assuming a hotel transfer is built into the price. You may need to reach the agreed meeting point yourself.

Private space, group size, and comfort

The private format is the main difference between this and a standard boat tour. Only your group participates, so you do not have to share the music, route, drinks, or activity choices with strangers. That makes it easier to celebrate, keep children or relatives together, and adjust the pace to your own group.

The yacht is described as designed for groups up to 20, while the booking price is listed for a group of up to 15. I would use 15 as the practical booking limit unless Chica Locca Tours confirms otherwise. If your party is larger, ask the operator before paying.

Private does not mean silent or slow. With a Jet Ski, paddle boards, tubing, snorkeling, and a full bar, the day can become active quickly. If some people want peace and others want constant activity, agree on a loose schedule so everyone gets a good turn.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people, near public transportation, and available with a mobile ticket. It is offered in English. No detailed accessibility information is provided, so anyone with mobility needs should ask about boarding and moving around the yacht before reserving.

Planning a four-hour day that works

I would plan the day around two major activities and one strong sightseeing stop. For example, you might choose Los Arcos and snorkeling, then spend time on the Jet Ski and paddle boards. Or you could skip a longer stop and focus on cruising, food, drinks, and water toys.

A useful plan might look like this:

• Begin with a coastal cruise and settle into the boat.
• Stop for snorkeling or Los Arcos if that is your priority.
• Take turns on the Jet Ski while others use the kayaks, paddle boards, tube, or water mattress.
• Return to the yacht for ceviche, guacamole, and drinks.
• Leave enough time for the return cruise rather than rushing the final activity.

That is only a planning example, not a promised schedule. The appeal of this charter is that you can change the balance to suit your group. I would tell the operator in advance if you want more time for water sports, more sightseeing, or a slower food-and-drinks outing.

Book ahead if your dates are fixed. This experience is booked about 22 days in advance on average, which suggests that popular dates may not remain open at the last minute. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The cutoff uses local time, so keep that in mind when making changes.

Who should book this private yacht?

I would recommend Chica 55 to groups that value privacy and want several activities in one outing. It suits people celebrating a special occasion, families who want their own schedule, and friends who are happy to split a large group price.

It is also a good fit if your group cannot agree on one type of day. The boat offers a middle path: active people get the Jet Ski and water gear, while others can enjoy snacks, drinks, and the view from the yacht.

I would think twice if you are traveling with only two or three people and mainly want a short scenic cruise. The fixed group price may be hard to justify. I would also ask detailed questions before booking if you need hotel transportation, have dietary restrictions, or require specific accessibility arrangements.

Should you book Chica 55?

Book it if you can bring a sizable group and want a private, flexible day with food, an open bar, Los Arcos as an option, and a long list of water activities included. The strongest value comes from filling the boat and using more than one part of the package.

Skip it if your budget is tight, your group is small, or you prefer a fixed sightseeing tour with a lower individual cost. For the right group, though, the mix of private space, supervised Jet Ski use, fresh snacks, and route flexibility makes this a strong Puerto Vallarta charter choice.

FAQ

How much does the private Chica 55 yacht cost?

The tour costs $3,275 per group for up to 15 people.

How long is the yacht tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Is the yacht private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

Can the route be customized?

Yes. You can customize where you go in Bahia de Banderas with Chica Locca Tours.

Is Los Arcos included as a possible stop?

Yes. Los Arcos National Park is listed as one of the popular attractions that can be included in a customized route.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, Piña Coladas, Champagne, and other selected drinks.

What water equipment is provided?

The tour includes snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, a water mattress, a water tube, and supervised unlimited use of a Jet Ski.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. A meeting place must be selected before submitting the reservation, and you can contact Gil about different meeting points or transportation assistance.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.