Reviewed · ALL-INCLUSIVE & OPEN BAR CRUISES

Pura Vida Yacht 42 FT with all inclusive service in Cabo

5.0 · 31 reviews From $2,000 Operated by Papillon Yachts · Bookable on Viator
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Cabo from the water feels different. You get a private 42-foot yacht cruise with on-board water toys and an open bar, plus clear photo stops around Cabo San Lucas, all in about 3 hours. I like that the plan gives you real time on the water, not just a slow pass-by, but the one drawback is simple: the schedule is tight, so each stop is brief and you will want to choose your activities fast.

On the water, the cruise feels easy because the captain can steer the route based on conditions and what you want to see, including the famous El Arco area and Medano Beach. I also like how the crew tends to handle big groups and celebrations, with names like Marco, Adan, Adalid, and Miguel showing up repeatedly for attentive service and smooth sailing vibes.

One more practical note before you book: this experience depends on weather, and you’ll receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking (so plan around that). If you want an alcohol-heavy outing, remember it is open bar for 18+ only.

Key points before you go

Pura Vida Yacht 42 FT with all inclusive service in Cabo - Key points before you go

  • Private yacht for up to 8 people, so you control the pace and can ask for route tweaks
  • Snorkeling + “on deck” water toys (kayaks, paddle boards, floating mat) ready during stops
  • Open bar with margarita mixers plus beer, tequila, rum, vodka, juices, soda, and bottled water
  • Snacks and full lunch included with a mix of charcuterie, quesadillas, sashimi, and ceviche
  • Three focused stop plan: El Arco area, Medano Beach, then Pacific side photo time
  • Food upgrades cost extra, including fajitas and ceviche add-ons if you want a step up

The 42-foot Pura Vida setup, private and all-inclusive for up to 8

This is a private cruise on a 42-foot yacht in Cabo San Lucas, sized for a group of up to eight. That private format matters because you are not sharing the best photo angles or the quiet moments with strangers who show up late.

The “all-inclusive” part is more than marketing here. You get snacks, a real open bar, bottled water and soda, plus use of snorkeling equipment and the water toys. You are also covered for parking fees, which is one of those small costs that can sneak up on you when you do Cabo activities by the seat-of-your-pants.

Based on the experience style you see again and again in the crew details, expect the team to keep things moving. People celebrating engagements and bachelorette trips repeatedly describe a crew that pays attention to details like food setup and keeping drinks flowing, with staff names such as Marco, Denise, Moses, and Miguel appearing in the same story arc over and over.

Price value in Cabo: what $2,000 per group really covers

Pura Vida Yacht 42 FT with all inclusive service in Cabo - Price value in Cabo: what $2,000 per group really covers
The price is listed as $2,000 per group, up to eight people. On paper, that looks like a “splurge” line item, but the math gets better once you price out what you are receiving: private yacht time, multiple water activities, an open bar, snacks, and a sit-down style lunch spread.

Here is the value logic I use for this kind of Cabo outing. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat, water toys, a guide, snorkeling gear, and food plus drinks, you end up stacking costs fast. This package rolls a lot of those parts into one bill, which is what makes it feel worth it when you want an easy day.

Two small “watch-outs” to keep it fair. First, upgraded food and top-shelf bottles cost extra, including an option for fajitas and an extra ceviche upgrade. Second, the cruise is about 3 hours, so it is not the right pick if you want a long, slow hangout with zero urgency.

How the 3-hour route works: El Arco, Medano Beach, Pacific Coast photo time

Pura Vida Yacht 42 FT with all inclusive service in Cabo - How the 3-hour route works: El Arco, Medano Beach, Pacific Coast photo time
The cruise runs for about three hours and returns to the meeting point. You’ll start at Lorenzillo’s on the Blvd area in Centro, and the plan is built around three stop blocks, each with its own “reason to be there.”

The best part of this layout is that it matches different vacation moods. You get the iconic Cabo scenery at El Arco, you get beach energy at Medano Beach, and you finish with photo-focused time on the Pacific side.

Stop 1: El Arco de Cabo San Lucas for water toys and snorkeling

El Arco is the “must-see” anchor of the trip. This is where the water toys and snorkeling gear come into play in a big way, because you have time in the bay area with kayak, paddle board, floating mat, and full snorkel equipment available.

What I like about this stop is that it is not just sightseeing. You can switch from lounging to active water time without needing to figure out gear logistics. The snorkeling setup is presented as ready for use and clean, which matters when you just want to get in the water and not think about details.

A practical consideration: El Arco time is about one hour, so you should decide early whether you want to prioritize snorkeling or paddle time. If your group splits, make it a quick decision so nobody spends the best water window watching others.

Stop 2: Medano Beach for free choice with captain recommendations

Medano Beach is where the cruise shifts from landmarks to beach vibes. You have another one-hour block, and you can choose how you want to use the time.

The captain and crew can recommend what makes sense based on conditions, which helps if your group has mixed interests. Some people want beach time, others want another round on the water toys or a calmer photo setup.

The potential drawback here is also time-based. Medano Beach is popular and lively, so if you want a long beach hang, this stop will feel brief. It is best if you treat it as a high-energy intermission, not a full beach day.

Stop 3: Pacific Coast photo time, including an arch moment by the Papillon 6

The final block is built around photos. You’ll spend time on the Pacific Coast side for nice pictures by an arch, specifically mentioned as the luxury yacht Papillon 6.

This is the kind of detail that makes Cabo yacht cruises more fun than generic “we sailed around” experiences. If you care about photos, this is where you will want your phone ready and your group assembled on the right side of the yacht at the right moment.

If your group is more relaxed and less photo-driven, treat this as your “slow down and enjoy the view” period. You still get the yacht time and atmosphere, just with a different vibe.

Water toys you can actually use during the stops

Pura Vida Yacht 42 FT with all inclusive service in Cabo - Water toys you can actually use during the stops
This is not a “watch others paddle” cruise. It is set up so you can take advantage of the water toys during your stop windows, including kayaks, paddle boards, a floating mat, and snorkeling gear.

That matters in Cabo because conditions can change fast. A yacht cruise with water toys gives you options if you want active time in one stop, then switch to more relaxed time in the next. You do not have to commit to only one activity for the entire outing.

One more practical point: the tour includes parking fees, and the activity uses a mobile ticket, which helps reduce friction at the start. You are arriving for a boat day, not a complicated check-in maze.

Open bar, snacks, and a full lunch at sea

The onboard food and drink is one of the biggest reasons people come away impressed. You get an open bar with rum, tequila, vodka, beer, and juices (orange, pineapple, cranberry), plus mixers designed for margaritas.

Non-alcoholic options are included too, including juices, soda, and bottled water. Since the alcohol policy is 18+ only, this is also useful for mixed-age groups, as long as everyone meets the rule for alcohol consumption.

What you’ll eat

Snacks are listed as cheese quesadillas, guacamole, pico de gallo, and chips. Lunch is a larger spread: fresh fruit, a charcuterie board, steak and chicken quesadillas, sashimi, and ceviche.

That combination is a smart mix. You get familiar comfort food in quesadillas, plus Cabo-friendly seafood flavors with ceviche and sashimi. Charcuterie and fruit fill the gaps so nobody leaves hungry if their activity timing runs a little behind.

Two items to watch: there is an upgraded food option for Chicken/Meat Fajitas and Ceviche for an additional $19.90 per person, which needs to be confirmed in advance. Top-shelf bottle upgrades are also available for purchase, either on board or in advance.

Crew service style: fast, friendly, and celebration-ready

Pura Vida Yacht 42 FT with all inclusive service in Cabo - Crew service style: fast, friendly, and celebration-ready
This is the part that shows up again and again in the crew stories tied to this operator. People describe a team that keeps the energy up, serves food and drinks smoothly, and stays attentive without hovering.

Names that repeatedly come up include Marco, Adan, Adalid, Miguel, Jose, Denise, Moses, Patricio, Moy, Allan, Moises, Julio, Alexis, Edgar, Nicole, Alberto, and Ruty. While you might not get the exact same crew each time, the pattern is consistent: the staff knows how to make a boat day feel personal.

If you are planning something like an engagement or bachelorette, this matters. Crew members are described as doing extra touches like decorations and tailoring the onboard flow so the “special moment” feels like it belongs on a yacht, not stuck in a checklist.

Who should book this Cabo yacht cruise, and who should skip it

This cruise is a great fit if you want a Cabo highlights day without a lot of planning. It works well for:

  • Groups of friends who want a private party setup with water toys
  • Couples on a special trip who want scenery, photos, and good food and drinks in one package
  • Families who want a supervised, organized way to enjoy the bay, as long as everyone is comfortable with the water activities

It might not be the best fit if you want a long beach day or a half-day itinerary that stretches slowly. The cruise is about three hours, with about one hour at each stop, so you are on a schedule.

One more fit check: because alcoholic drinks are for 18+, make sure your group is aligned on how much alcohol time matters. If your group wants zero alcohol, you still get plenty of included non-alcoholic drinks and food.

Booking timing, weather reality, and what to ask the captain

Pura Vida Yacht 42 FT with all inclusive service in Cabo - Booking timing, weather reality, and what to ask the captain
You’ll often see this booked about 29 days in advance, which tells me it is popular for the Cabo season windows people plan around. If your trip is tight on dates, book earlier rather than later, especially if you want a specific start time.

Weather matters here. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is a big deal in Cabo, because wind and swell can change the day.

Before you go, I recommend asking two practical questions when you confirm your cruise:

  • Which stop will likely be best for snorkeling or paddle time given current conditions?
  • Do you want the crew to steer you toward a specific viewpoint at Medano Beach, or keep it flexible?

If you are the type who likes control, you can also tell them any destination preferences. The plan is set up so you can ask for recommendations, not just follow a rigid script.

Should you book the Pura Vida Yacht 42 ft cruise in Cabo?

Book it if you want a private Cabo San Lucas yacht day that mixes the big icons (El Arco) with actual water fun (snorkeling and toys) and a full onboard meal plus an open bar. The value comes from how many things are bundled together, so you spend your time enjoying Cabo instead of managing logistics.

Skip it if your dream day is a long beach hang or a slow, hours-long itinerary. The stops are paced for a three-hour experience, so you need to move decisively once you are on board.

If you are deciding between “boat ride with drinks” and “boat ride with activities,” this one leans hard into activities. And if your group includes people who care about photos, the Pacific Coast arch photo moment gives you a clear payoff at the end of the ride.

FAQ

How many people are in a group for the Pura Vida 42 ft cruise?

This is a private tour/activity, priced per group for up to 8 people.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is about 3 hours.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The meeting point is Lorenzillo’s Blvd, Blvd. Lázaro Cárdenas S/N, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

What water activities are included?

Included activities include kayak, paddle board, floating mat, and snorkel equipment.

Is the open bar, snacks, and lunch included?

Yes. You get an open bar (rum, tequila, vodka, beer, juices, and mixers), plus snacks and lunch. Lunch includes items like fresh fruit, charcuterie board, steak and chicken quesadillas, sashimi, and ceviche.

Are alcoholic drinks included for everyone?

Alcoholic beverages are allowed for 18 years old and above only.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If you cancel within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

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