Boat Rental and Yacht Charter in Puerto Vallarta

A resort town on Mexico's Pacific coast, it combines beautiful beaches, water sports, and a vibrant arts scene.

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Frequently asked questions

What happens when I request a quote?

Once we receive your request, we will confirm the availability of the boat, as well as check for alternative ones. To ensure your experience is the best it can be, we may contact you to discuss your request in detail. Let us do the research for you - free of charge.

When can I get in touch with the captain/skipper?

The timing depends on your charter type. For crewed charters, we can provide the captain's contact details upon request. For bareboat charters with a hired skipper, you can request the contact information 1-3 weeks before departure.

What is the Charter Fee?

The Charter Fee is an additional, obligatory cost, which typically includes the end cleaning of the boat, home port fees, and linen & towels. The details of the charter fee differ depending on the boat, location and charter partner.

Are there any other costs I should be aware of?

There are marina fees and fuel costs which vary depending on the type, duration and location of your sailing holiday. Marina fees need to be paid at each marina you choose to dock overnight - the amount varies but you may be able to find this information in advance by contacting the marinas directly. Fuel costs depend on whether you’re sailing a motorboat or a sailboat. You can estimate fuel costs by double-checking your chosen boat’s engine, and the expected distance you aim to sail.

Sailing in Puerto Vallarta

When thinking of a vacation in Mexico you might only think of big resort towns like Cancun, but the truth is that there are more places by the sea you should check out - especially if you aren’t necessarily into massive parties. A boat rental in Puerto Vallarta allows you to explore the Pacific coast, stop by beautiful beaches for a quick swim and explore the wonderful seaside towns in this part of Mexico.

Things to do and see when sailing in Puerto Vallarta

While many people choose to vacation in Mexico, because it’s cheap and you can find many crazy parties, there are various other activities you can plan on your boat holiday in Puerto Vallarta.

Activities in Puerto Vallarta

  • Hike up the Hill of the Cross Viewpoint for the best views of the city

  • Visit Galleria Dante, a fantastic art gallery

  • Snorkelling and fun on a SUP are two fantastic activities you can do while on a sailing adventure in Puerto Vallarta. Los Arcos, an arch-shaped rock, is the perfect spot for these activities

  • A boat charter in Puerto Vallarta is a great opportunity to explore all the beautiful spots in the bay and beyond

  • Plan a beach day in Puerto Vallarta and discover the natural beauty of Bahia des Banderas

  • No holiday in Mexico is complete without a taco - you have to try them in one of the many restaurants in Puerto Vallarta

  • Admire the colourful houses of Puerto Vallarta in the Romantic Zone and Viejo Vallarta, also known as the Old Town

  • Visit Galleria Dante to admire the artwork of many different artists

  • A catamaran cruise in Puerto Vallarta allows you to visit the most scenic, but often secluded beaches in the bay

  • Visit Museo Histórico Naval de Puerto Vallarta to learn more about naval history with a focus on the colonisation by the Spanish and native tribes

Beaches in Puerto Vallarta

  • Playa Los Muertos: You don’t have to leave the city to enjoy a fabulous beach outing. However, this is one of the most popular beaches in Puerto Vallarta and it gets very crowded. You can hear loud music, people relaxing in their rented lounge chairs or eating in one of the many restaurants close by

  • Playa Conchas Chinas: This beach looks like paradise. Unique rock formations, crystal clear water and soft sand surrounded by a green forest make for a relaxing beach day. What sounds like a secluded beach, is actually very close to centre of the city

  • Playa Colomitos: Best reached by boat, this hidden gem can be found in a cove south of Puerto Vallarta. In addition to the emerald water and golden sand beach, there is a waterfall that is going to make you feel like you have arrived in paradise

Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta

Casual dining in Puerto Vallarta:

  • Juan Tiburón: Coconut shrimps and other spicy delicacies are waiting for you in this fabulous restaurant

  • Maria Baja: Come here for the best tacos in town! There are also plenty of options with fish and other kinds of seafood to enjoy

Best restaurants with a view in Puerto Vallarta:

  • Barcelona Tapas Puerto Vallarta: This restaurant offers the best tapas style dishes you can have in Puerto Vallarta. The amazing view just adds to the fantastic experience you’re going to have here

  • The Blue Shrimp Puerto Vallarta: Enjoy the most magnificent seafood in this fabulous restaurant

Fine dining in Puerto Vallarta:

  • Serrano´s Grill: High quality meat, refreshing cocktails and stunning views. This is the perfect place to enjoy a lot of comfort food while being attended to by the loveliest staff

  • La Leche: The elegant white decorum, the beautiful tables and the lovely staff will make you feel very comfortable and welcome from the moment you walk into the restaurant

Bars and Clubs in Puerto Vallarta

  • Bar La Playa: Fancy an elegantly presented drink after a long day out on a boat? Take your seat and allow the barkeepers to do their magic

  • El Colibri Cocktail Bar: If you’re ready for a fun night out, you cannot miss this amazing bar in Puerto Vallarta. The most delicious cocktails are already waiting for you!

  • Mandala Puerto Vallarta: This club is the perfect location for anyone looking to have a fun night out full of dancing and drinks

Explore historical Puerto Vallarta

While the city of Puerto Vallarta is mainly known for its big resorts and massive holiday mansions, there is plenty of history to discover in the city. The Spanish already founded a place in the bay in 1644, but it was by no means a city. Only from the mid-1800s has the city been established. The port dates back to 1885. While the economy was originally driven by the establishment of banana plantations, Puerto Vallarta started to become a popular tourist destination from the 1960s onwards after the film The Night of the Iguana was filmed here. However, it is not just a popular destination for cruise ships and hotel guests who like to vacation in luxurious resorts, it is also a popular spot for boat vacations.

Sailing conditions in Puerto Vallarta

Located on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta experiences relatively calm weather most of the year. The beautiful scenic bay is blessed with stunning mountains, beautiful clear water and interesting wildlife. Sailing season generally lasts from November until May, making it the perfect winter getaway destination.

Most people don’t just come to Puerto Vallarta to swim in the crystal clear waters and to enjoy a bit of a sailing adventure, they also come to see whales, dolphins and sea turtles. If you just come for the whales, you will be most likely to see them between late November and the beginning of April. The region around Puerto Vallarta is also great for anyone who wants to go snorkelling.

How much does it cost to rent a boat in Puerto Vallarta?

Sure, you could always book a luxury boat holiday in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where you need to spend over 100.000 dollars, but there are much more affordable options at around 8.000 or 9.000 dollars per week.

What type of boat is best for sailing in Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta and the coast you can explore north and south of the city are well known for its hidden coves, secret beaches and natural wonders. If you want to explore all of these sites, you should choose your boat wisely.

Rent a catamaran in Puerto Vallarta

Pros of renting a catamaran in Puerto Vallarta

One of the best things about a catamaran rental in Puerto Vallarta is the simple fact that catamarans have a shallow draft. This makes catamarans perfect for discovering all the beautiful beaches on the Mexican Pacific coast. You don’t need to worry about hitting something deep underwater and putting your life in danger.

Charter a catamaran in Puerto Vallarta if you want to plan a boat holiday on one of the most flexible yachts you can find. Catamarans are real multitaskers. You can either set your sail to take full advantage of the wind or drive with the engine if you want to stay more in control. Having the option to choose between these two ways of moving your boat forward also means that you get to choose which one feels right in the current weather conditions.

Rent a catamaran in Puerto Vallarta if you care about comfort. Standing on two hulls allows for bigger and more comfortable rooms on board. You will almost forget that you’re on a boat and not a hotel room. The two hulls don’t just allow for more space, but also give the yacht more stability. This is particularly comforting for people who get seasick easily.

Cons of renting a catamaran in Puerto Vallarta

With a catamaran rental in Puerto Vallarta you need to keep the size of a catamaran in mind. They are generally bigger than other boats and therefore take up more space at the marinas. You often need to pay double for mooring.

If you plan a catamaran cruise around Puerto Vallarta you should keep in mind that catamarans are often much lighter than other boats. This can slow them down completely - irrespectively of the wind conditions and power of the engine. Therefore catamarans are not necessarily the best fit when it comes to sailing longer distances.

Charter a catamaran in Puerto Vallarta

Rent a motorboat in Puerto Vallarta

Pros of renting a motorboat in Puerto Vallarta

Rent a motorboat in Puerto Vallarta to explore the stunning beaches along the Mexican coast. They are incredibly beautiful and you would be very disappointed could you only admire them from a distance. Motorboats have a shallow draft, so you can easily

Charter a motorboat in Puerto Vallarta if you want to get from place to place as fast as you can. Motorboats are generally faster than other types of boats and will allow you to see all the different places you would like to discover in a short period of time.

Another advantage of a motorboat rental in Puerto Vallarta is the fact that they are so much easier to operate than other types of water vehicles. You don’t need a lot of experience, you only need the instructions on how to operate a specific boat and in some countries a boat licence. The rest is super easy!

Cons of renting a motorboat in Puerto Vallarta

A motorboat rental in Puerto Vallarta means that you need to consider paying extra for fuel as motorboats only run on fuel and not on wind. If you are not careful, you might get surprised with an extortionate bill in addition to your bareboat charter at the end of your trip.

The engine of a motorboat can be quite noisy, so be prepared for that. You might get really annoyed with it or you might get used to it. Motorboats are also not the most environmentally-friendly boats you can drive. As they are only running on fuel, they are not just more expensive to operate, but also release more CO2 emissions than other types of boats.

Motorboat rental in Puerto Vallarta

Charter a luxury yacht in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is certainly not the most budget-friendly sailing destination, so be prepared to pay a little extra. As you’re paying a little extra anyway, why not charter a private luxury yacht in Puerto Vallarta. You will certainly experience a fantastic boat holiday with all the amenities and services on board you could dream of. A stove, fridge, freezer, coffee machine and ice maker are all the basics you can find on any luxury yacht in Puerto Vallarta. For some extra fun you can find snorkelling gear, a SUP or jet skis on board. A full crew is most often included in the price as well.

What kind of boat licence do you need when renting a boat in Puerto Vallarta?

A professional crew is included in the majority of yacht rentals in Puerto Vallarta, so you don’t need to worry about anything. Lean back, relax and enjoy your boat vacation in Puerto Vallarta while someone else is taking care of operating the boat.

There are certain requirements one must fulfill when renting a boat in Mexico without a skipper or experienced captain on board - especially when carrying fishing equipment and planning to fish for some fish in the ocean.

Sailing routes in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a stunning Mexican city surrounded by impressive mountains, scenic beaches and incredible landscapes. Head out to explore what this part of America has to offer. You can plan a day trip to swim with dolphins or see the whales, you can go on a trip to see the different places in Bahia de Banderas.

Sail from Puerto Vallarta to Playa Palmares: This beautiful beach will make all your dreams come true. The scenic mountains in the background, the lush green trees and stones giving the beach its unique look and the magical sunsets you can witness here will leave you in awe.

Sail from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa: This remote fishing village is a true gem in the bay and aside from its interesting mountainous landscapes and golden sand beaches, there is a wonderful waterfall close by. You will definitely feel like you have arrived in paradise.

Sail from Puerto Vallarta to Bucerías: Discover this lovely town in the bay and admire the art on the Art Walk Bucerias. It is a great opportunity to admire the art of local artists and come into direct contact with them. You can also find many other handmade items in the different shops spread all over town. You should definitely stop by the El Cora Crocodile Sanctuary, which is located between Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias. This will be a once in a lifetime experience.

Sail from Puerto Vallarta to Playa La Lancha: Like many beaches in the bay, this beach is a fantastic place to spend the day, relax and truly enjoy your boat vacation in Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas. It is also a popular spot for surfing, so you might as well rent a surfboard and practice your own surfing skills.

Sail from Puerto Vallarta to Playa Palito Verde: This scenic beach is going to take your breath away. Filled with beautiful soft white sand and surrounded by interesting cliffs, it is a great spot to visit on your catamaran rental from Puerto Vallarta.

 

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