Hey, it’s MJ. When my mom said, “Puerto Vallarta” I responded, “goodbye to the salt on the Pittsburgh roads and hello to the saltwater of Puerto Vallarta beaches. ” As a Pittsburgh teen travel writer, there is nothing more exciting than escaping the doldrums of the winter in Pittsburgh!
The luxury of the trip was about not too many people being on the yacht, yes a yacht. Equipment was in great condition, and the snorkeling was crazy great.
After this trip, all I can tell you is that I am ready and waiting to go back. Read on and discover the best luxury teen snorkeling trip in Puerto Vallarta.
Best Luxury Teen Snorkeling Trip In Puerto Vallarta
If you have read any articles on Puerto Vallarta you know the area has snorkeling. What I am gonna tell you is that not all snorkeling trips are the best. Not all of the snorkeling companies are safe and honestly, use TripAdvisor to make a good decision.
Your life has not even begun (seriously we are just teens), so value it and get a good company. We did and while I do not work for them and was not provided anything, I want you to know which company rocks luxury teen snorkeling trips. I was on the trip, and I can tell you why it was the best.
Who and Validate It
Drop serious hints to your parents that you have my post and know of a reliable family snorkeling trip. I have been there done this and can attest it is incredible and the staff is family friendly.
Additionally, you have to know this is not the party boat where people get smashing drunk then drop into the water and unsafely snorkel. You need your strength and wits for this activity.
As a teen, I found it relaxing.I set camp in front of the boat, with all others, sat and my towel, and did the shirt goodbye thing. Tan time! I ate, sunned, and worked out in the water, it was luxury life.
Read up on the Company and learn how big they really are. Don’t believe, read yourself on TripAdvisor.
Eat breakfast and plan to be up early before the trip. I am telling you this because you leave early and your meal is not until about 11 or 12, your stomach be growling!
Bathroom Thing
There’s a bathroom on the yacht, but you will never use it (just saying the water is there and that’s what they tell you to use it for). In fact, while we were on, someone had to go to the bathroom and while we were welcomed it use it the Captain said, “seriously man, you were in the water the whole time…”
Can and Can Not
Shoes are not allowed on the yacht, you will be barefoot. It is how the yacht stays so pristine. Don’t bring towels they are supplied. Also, you will need some serious sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
Destination Los Arcos National Park – UNESCO
This is the destination and it’s beautiful in and out of the water. Just wait for this experience. We always visit at least one UNESCO site while traveling.
I’m In
Yes, I am in this picture with my brother and my dad, however, we are being swept to the left with some serious current. Obviously, you need to make sure to keep track of where you are and your snorkeling partners.
You will need at least a life jacket, and patients. My parents were so good with us, and so was the captain. Firsts, are always the hardest, then you know!
Back On The Boat
Fear not, for those that prefer to return to the boat, you can. For others, that want more experience in the water you can too. We found out these trips are seriously laid back and the people you go with are all there for the fun too!
Plain and simple, get ready for quite an experience. What gets me is the water is so beautiful and peaceful below even when the current above is strong. Amazing.
As can be seen here, Kallie and Niko had enough, they got on before I did. I was just totally stunned by how great it was under the water.
Feed Me
Lunch looks like this, and beverages are all you can drink. If you are 18 and reading this you can drink alcohol. As shown above, it’s a delicious meal, and additionally there was a nacho snack!
Another key point is to remember to drink enough liquid. Between the sun and the workout in the water, you will thank me later.
Snorkeling
The snorkeling is intense, the water is rougher, your guide is amazing. Equipment with this company is sterilized in soap and water buckets. I am a germ freak, and am super glad that they told us how they clean it and showed us where to deposit the dirty.
There’s a reason they get such good reviews, they earn them. Taking care of equipment is the first sign of a good Captain.
Bring an underwater camera, this is the one we used.
Touch nothing it is a National Marine Park and part of the UNESCO.
If you are there between Dec and Feb you might see humpback whales, we did it was amazing.
Drifting away from the yacht is a big deal, use the life-jacket to swim. There’s no shame in safety so take advantage of it, plus its exhausting to tread and watch and swim and fight the current. Too much at once, this makes it better and easier.
At first I thought I was not going to use the life jacket, but there’s no way I could have done it all, not this first time.
Capitan Owns His Job
He is fun, and part of the whole activity. El Capitan did way more than guide the boat, he guided all of us and made sure his crew was tending non stop! That’s what I like. Believe it or not, as a teenager, we look for stuff too.
One day, I will be back and I hope this company is going strong. We will be patrons again.
TRUE STORY
Finally, please realize the reason that I suggest Vallarta Adventures is because three others pulled up while we were there and their passengers could not get to their boat, and the crew master did not care.
Our captain rescued and delivered their guests. The other companies are awful and I witnessed it first hand, stay away and only use Vallarta Adventures, they are TOP rated for a reason. We bought our trip online, it was easy, paid for ahead of time and really luxurious.
Again, as a teen, I got to live like a millionaire and I was taken care of by the staff, as though I was a millionaire. Relaxing in the sun without a shirt rather than being in Pittsburgh with a shirt, a coat and a hoodie on.
My hat here was used to take the sun away, rather than keep the cold off! Sooner or later you get sick of snowflakes and just want the warm weather right? Dude, your trip is waiting, tell your parents Puerto Vallarta is where it’s at!