Snorkeling Excursion in Puerto Vallarta: Exploring Los Arcos and Mismaloya Beach
If you saw our other Puerto Vallarta guide, we explored the port area and nearby shopping spots. This time, we booked a snorkeling tour through Airbnb Experiences to visit Los Arcos National Marine Park, near Playa Mismaloya, a scenic 45-minute drive south from the city.
Returning to Puerto Vallarta on our latest cruise, we were eager for a new adventure: a local snorkel excursion! Nearly missing our meet-up time and my nephew’s initial hesitations only added to the story. It turned into a truly memorable day—here’s how it all went down.
My nephew was hesitant—he’d experienced seasickness before, and there was also his concern about being in the open ocean (and, yes, sharks). But after researching, we found a guide with a stellar feedback record, which helped put his mind at ease. He agreed to come along, ready for a new adventure.
The Rush to Meet Our Guide
Disembarkation was scheduled for 9 a.m., and we needed to meet our guide in the Romantic Zone at 9:30. Navigating past the crowds, we found our way to the sidewalk to wait for our Uber. Waiting for a white Suzuki amidst a sea of similar cars took a little patience, but we finally spotted our ride.
With just ten minutes of our grace period left, we hoped the Romantic Zone was nearby. Traffic thickened as we approached Centro, slowed by bottleneck intersections and the famous cobblestone streets that make for bumpy but charming roads. We arrived with a minute to spare and were relieved to meet our guide, Christopher, at the designated OXXO convenience store.
The Local Experience Begins
Christopher, a local of Mismaloya, led us on a truly immersive experience. Our first adventure? Hopping on a commuter bus to Mismaloya Beach for just 10 pesos per person. It was quite the ride, whisking past countless condos and resorts before we reached our stop.
After hopping off, Christopher walked us down a lush, jungle-lined lane, offering background on the area’s cinematic history. This beach was the setting for films like Predator, but its real fame comes from Night of the Iguana, starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. Their presence here, and Burton’s off-screen romance with Elizabeth Taylor, catapulted Puerto Vallarta into the limelight, transforming it into the resort destination we know today.
Arriving at the beach, we set up our towels at a local restaurant before heading to the boat. This wasn’t your typical dock experience; boats here anchor right at the shoreline, and with the day’s choppy waters, we knew this was going to be interesting.
An Adventure on the Open Sea
The surf was rough, rocking the boats side-to-side. My nephew was about to find out if his seasickness would hold up! We carefully timed our leap onto the boat, handing our gear to Christopher beforehand to keep it dry.
The ocean took us on a wild ride, but Christopher’s knowledge of the bay helped us relax. My nephew, despite his initial worries, was a trooper—he and the whole group were quickly swept up in the thrill of it all.
We sailed for about 20 minutes to Los Arcos, a cluster of rock formations and a protected natural aquarium perfect for snorkeling. Christopher brought us up close to several key formations, including:
Roca del Diablo - Devil’s Rock
Roca de Los Arcos - Rock of the Arches
Roca de la Tortuga - Turtle Rock
The Devil’s Cave
After some quick sightseeing, it was time to jump in. Christopher made sure everyone, including my nephew, felt comfortable in the water. Any initial nerves faded as we adjusted to the beautiful underwater world around us.
Post-Snorkel Beach Time
The journey back was even choppier than before, but the boys handled it like pros. Once we docked, we returned to the restaurant for lunch. There was something special about this spot—perhaps it was the combination of ocean, mellow atmosphere, and friendly beach dogs—but it was the perfect place to unwind. So much so that we weren’t eager to leave, even though we were sandy, wet, and needed new shirts!
Getting Back to the Port
Rather than taking the bus back (which would have required an Uber from the OXXO to the port), we arranged a direct taxi ride for $20 USD. Much simpler!
Final Thoughts
We highly recommend Christopher’s tour. It was exciting, local, and a wonderful way to experience Puerto Vallarta beyond the usual resort stops. We genuinely had an incredible time with Christ and the boys can not stop talking about their experience for months after.