A waterfall hike with a boat ride. That mix is what makes Las Ánimas to Quimixto feel different: you start with a private water taxi to Las Ánimas Beach, then turn into a jungle walk toward Cascada de Quimixto. It’s a Puerto Vallarta day that doesn’t just sit you on a road for hours.

I also like how the hike follows the edge of Bahía de Banderas as you head toward Quimixto. You’re moving along the coast, but still getting that green, jungle-in-the-middle-of-it feel that makes the time fly. The tour runs with a small group, capped at 12 people.

One thing to consider: this is a hike, and the operator asks for a moderate physical fitness level. Also, the experience depends on good weather—if conditions are poor, you’ll be offered another date or a refund.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Private water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán to Las Ánimas Beach
• Hike along Bahía de Banderas Bay with jungle scenery and ocean views
• Quimixto fishing village stop for a quick reset before the final stretch
• Time at Cascada de Quimixto to swim, relax, and recharge
• Snacks and lunch included, plus soda and a 500 ml bottled water
• Small group size (max 12) and English-speaking tour

The real appeal: boat + hike + waterfall time

This half-day tour is built around three moments that each do something useful. First, you take a private ride by water to Las Ánimas Beach. Then you hike through jungle toward Quimixto. Finally, you reach Cascada de Quimixto with a chance to swim and hang out without rushing through it like a checklist.

The price is $171.25 per person, and what you’re actually buying is a guided day that bundles transportation, food, and waterfall time. For many Puerto Vallarta tours, you’re either paying for a ride or paying for a hike. Here, you get both plus a swim break.

And the guide side matters. In the reviews, the same theme shows up: the guide is personable and also educational, not just a driver with a headset. That combination makes the walk feel less like exercise-only and more like a real experience.

Getting to Las Ánimas: Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlán

Your day starts at 9:00 am at Lázaro Cárdenas & Pino Suárez, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. The timing matters because you’re not starting after midday traffic and heat—it gives you a better shot at comfortable hiking conditions.

From Puerto Vallarta, you travel by private transportation to Boca de Tomatlán. Then it’s into a private water taxi to Las Ánimas Beach. That two-part setup is more than a fun detail. It cuts out the long road grind, and it also changes how the landscape feels the moment you arrive—ocean air hits fast, and you’re already thinking in terms of swim-and-walk, not just tour-and-van.

One practical note: the meeting point is described as near public transportation. That helps if you’re building a day around local buses or taxis before and after.

Las Ánimas Beach start: where the hike actually begins

Las Ánimas is your launch pad. You begin hiking from there, leaving the beach behind and moving into the jungle along the coastline corridor of Bahía de Banderas Bay. Even if you’re not a hardcore hiker, the route design is smart: you’re not trudging straight upward the whole time. You’re progressing through a coastal jungle zone where the view and the pace can stay varied.

You’ll want to think of the first part as warm-up to steady pace. The tour is listed as requiring moderate physical fitness, so you shouldn’t plan to treat it like an easy stroll. Still, it’s structured enough that you’re not thrown into “do it alone” territory.

If you’re the type who gets anxious about logistics, this portion is comforting. Transportation and the guided route are handled; your job is to show up, wear decent shoes for uneven ground, and keep moving at a pace you can sustain.

The jungle-to-coast hike toward Quimixto

The main hiking segment follows the Bahía de Banderas Bay cost line til Quimixto. That phrasing matters because it suggests you’re not wandering randomly. You’re moving along a corridor where the coastline and jungle scenery are part of the story.

Why I think this is worth doing: coastal hiking has a built-in rhythm. You get breaks in attention—ocean, greenery, then the next bend—so it doesn’t feel like one long tunnel of trees. It also keeps the walk visually rewarding even when you’re focused on footing.

As you near Quimixto, there’s a quick refresher at the fishing village. That’s a good design choice for a half-day format. You’re not just walking until you’re hungry and tired. You get a small pause before the final push.

The final stretch: about 25 minutes to Cascada de Quimixto

After the quick refresher at the fishing village, you continue about 25 minutes to Cascada de Quimixto. This timing is useful because it helps you mentally plan the last effort. You’re not guessing when the waterfall moment arrives—you know it’s coming soon after that village break.

This is the segment where people often feel the “half-day” truth. You still need energy, but you’re also close enough that it’s easier to keep your pace under control. The tour format keeps you from starting too fast and burning out before the payoff.

Once you reach Cascada de Quimixto, the goal shifts from walking to being. You get refreshments while swimming and relaxing at the natural waterfall area.

Cascada de Quimixto: swimming and relaxing with support

This is where the tour earns its name. At Cascada de Quimixto, you can enjoy refreshments while swimming and relaxing at the natural site. That’s not just a photo moment. It’s scheduled downtime in the middle of a guided day.

The refreshment plan is built into the included items. You’ll have snacks and drinks during the tour, plus lunch. The included snack setup includes water (1 bottle, 500 ml / 16 oz), granola or protein bars, and fruit. There’s also soda/pop included. That means you’re not spending your whole time deciding where to eat.

What I like about this approach: a waterfall stop can turn into “you get there, you rush, you leave.” Here, the experience is structured so you can cool off, eat, and reset before the return. It makes the overall day feel more balanced than a nonstop hike.

The tour ends back at the meeting point, so you don’t have to wonder how you’ll get home from the waterfall area.

Price and value: what $171.25 covers

At $171.25 per person, this isn’t the cheapest day trip in Puerto Vallarta. The value comes from what’s wrapped into the package.

You’re paying for:

• Private transportation from Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlán
• Private water taxi to Las Ánimas Beach
• Snacks and bottled water, plus lunch and soda/pop
• A guided hike through the jungle and along Bahía de Banderas Bay

If you try to piece this together separately, the boat transfer and guided logistics are usually the parts that push costs up fast. Here, they’re already handled, and the group size is capped at 12, which often means you’re not dealing with a massive crowd slowing everything down.

Also, reviews give it a strong signal: a 5/5 overall rating with 28 reviews, plus a 100% recommendation. The praised element that stands out is the guide—personable and educational—which is exactly the kind of quality you feel during a hike, not just at a landmark stop.

Who this tour fits best

This tour is a great match if you want:

• A real activity day (not just sitting in a van)
• A chance to swim at the waterfall
• Private-style transportation through at least part of the route
• A small group experience in English

It’s also a good fit for couples, small friend groups, and solo travelers who like being active but still want a guide to handle route flow and timing.

It may not be your best choice if:

• You don’t do well with uneven terrain or steady hiking pace
• You’re trying to maximize a totally sedentary day
• Weather can’t be flexible in your schedule (the tour needs good conditions)

Quick practical tips before you go

• Wear shoes you trust on rocky, uneven ground—this is a jungle hike, not a flat promenade.
• Plan on getting wet if you want to swim at the waterfall.
• Start the day at 9:00 am with energy. Breakfast helps because the hike begins soon after you arrive at Las Ánimas.

Should you book Las Ánimas to Quimixto?

If your ideal Puerto Vallarta day includes a mix of water travel, a jungle-to-coast hike, and a real chance to swim at Cascada de Quimixto, then yes—book it. The structure is built for payoff: transportation handled, meals included, and downtime at the waterfall rather than a rushed stop.

If you’re on the fence because of fitness level, be honest with yourself about moderate hikes. This tour asks for that, and it runs on good weather. But if you can do moderate hiking and you want a guided day that feels authentic instead of overly scripted, this one is a strong pick.

FAQ

How long is the Las Ánimas to Quimixto Waterfall tour?

The tour runs about 6 hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Lázaro Cárdenas & Pino Suárez, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

How many people are in the group?

There is a maximum of 12 travelers per group.

What’s included for food and drinks?

Snacks include water (1 bottle, 500 ml / 16 oz), granola or protein bars, and fruit. Lunch is included, and soda/pop is included too.

Do you take a boat to Las Ánimas?

Yes. You travel by private transportation from Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlán, then take a private water taxi to Las Ánimas Beach.

What happens if the weather is bad or I cancel?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.