Los Arcos: Day Trips and Tours from Puerto Vallarta

Explore the natural environment and towns of a beautiful strip of the Mexican coast on day trips to Los Arcos from Puerto Vallarta.

Pleasurable boat trips will take you to rustic towns such as Las Animas and Quimixto and magnificent beaches on snorkeling, kayaking and diving excursions.

Enjoy great views of the Mexican coast while having fun, food and drinks on board.

Here's all you need to know about Los Arcos, one of the mos beautiful destinations for day trips from Puerto Vallarta.

How to get to Los Arcos from Puerto Vallarta?

Los Arcos lies off the Mismaloya Coast in the southern part of Banderas Bay.

Los Arcos is only reachable by boat, and the easiest way is to go on a sightseeing, diving or snorkeling tour.

There are several cruise boats departing from the Puerto Vallarta Malecon and Marine Terminal to Los Arcos.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Los Arcos from Puerto Vallarta?

From Puerto Vallarta the boat will take you to the town of Quimixto. You will be guided along a rugged hiking trail and stop at a restaurant next to a high waterfall. At the restaurant, enjoy delicious Mexican food and refreshing drinks.

Instead of hiking, you can opt to go on a horse riding. Your tour concludes on a high note at the National Marine Park of Los Arcos, a beautiful marine life sanctuary.

Here you can snorkel or scuba dive around the colorful reefs and tunnels before returning to Puerto Vallarta.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Los Arcos?

Los Arcos, Animas and Quimixto all inclusive snorkel cruise

Enjoy this all-inclusive snorkel day excursion to Los Arcos and the rustic towns of Las Animas and Quimixto during a boat tour from Puerto Vallarta.

Cruising in a catamaran, you will enjoy special views of the Mexican coast with full breakfast, a buffet lunch and open bar.

During stops you have the options of swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking or snorkeling, for which all equipment is provided. From Puerto Vallarta you will head for Los Arcos National Marine Park, known for its rich marine life.

You may also see dolphins following the boat, even whales (in season) and exotic birds nesting at the Arches.

Next is beautiful Las Animas Beach, one of the most popular on Banderas Bay. Here you will find several beach restaurants, before continuing to the town of Quimixto.

You will go along the rough hiking trail and stop at a restaurant next to a waterfall, offering good Mexican food.

Quimixto and Los Arcos adventure tour

Discover the stunning Los Arcos (the Arches) and the town of Quimixto on this 6-hour adventure tour from Puerto Vallarta.

Your boat trip includes an exciting snorkeling stint and a nature hike where you will see lovely landscapes and an impressive 10-meter high waterfall.

Your tour kicks off in Marina Puerto Vallarta, from where the boat will take you to the town of Quimixto. Here your guide will lead you through a rugged hiking trail and you can take some brilliant photographs.

Then stop at a restaurant adjoining a waterfall, where you can cool off in the heat of the day. The restaurant offers delicious Mexican food and refreshing drinks. If you don’t fancy hiking the trail, you can opt to rent horses to ride.

The cost of renting is additional and has to be paid in cash.

Conclude your tour on a high note at Los Arcos National Marine Park. It is a beautiful natural sanctuary rich in marine life where you can explore the underwater beauty of Los Arcos.

Snorkel around the colorful reefs, caves and the tunnels from which the name Los Arcos (the Arches) is derived.

Los Arcos certified 2 dives

Go on a thrilling 9-hour diving excursion in the marine park of Los Arcos on this scuba diving day trip from Puerto Vallarta. Explore the lovely waters of Mexico’s Pacific Ocean during two dives and marvel at its abundant sea life.

For you to join a tour, some type of diving certification is required, but if you don’t have one, you can take a preliminary class at an additional cost.

On this tour, you will explore the large variety of marine life in the Los Arcos National Marine Park, reachable only by boat. You can visit islands, dive on reefs, explore underwater caves and swim through Los Arcos’s tunnels.

You will find large schools of fish, including puffer fish, rays, octopi, seahorses, sea slugs and turtles, to name some. From the seabed, you can marvel at the imposing rock formations, suited for more experienced divers looking at dives of 30 meters.

All diving equipment will be provided and you will be re-energized with snacks of fruit and baguettes in between dives. All along there will be diving instructors to lead the dives and support you in whatever you need.

How much does a tour to Los Arcos from Puerto Vallarta cost?

The Los Arcos, Animas and Quimixto snorkel cruise in Puerto Vallarta all inclusive tour costs US$60 per person. CONAM and SEMARNAT tax of about US$6 per person is additional.

The Quimixto and Los Arcos adventure tour costs US$510 per group up to 8.

The 9-hour Los Arcos 2-dives scuba diving tour costs about US$120 per person.

When is Los Arcos open over the year?

Los Arcos is open throughout the year and is reached by boat from Puerto Vallarta. The Water Taxi office is located on the Los Muertos Pier and opens daily from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM.

When is the best time to visit Los Arcos?

If you have snorkeling and diving in mind for visiting Los Arcos, the best time of year is during summer when the water is warmer and more clear.

Travel tips

• Make sure to book your day trip to Los Arcos to Puerto Vallarta in advance.
• Bring reef-friendly sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a bathing suit and towel.
• Wear comfortable clothing and bring a change of clothes.