Azimut 85
A crewed 85-foot flybridge yacht with a chef, a three-course meal, an open bar, towels and a jet ski in the listed arrangement.
Experiences · Drinks
Yacht Open Bar Options in Puerto Vallarta
An open bar is listed on some yachts, not all. Most vessels include a set number of beers and sodas instead, and a few list ice and water only. Here is how to compare them.
Drinks on board
Open bar, allowance or bring your own
Drinks are one of the areas where yacht listings differ most. Before comparing yachts, it helps to know the three basic models.
An open bar is listed on a smaller group of vessels, always alongside food. A drinks allowance is the most common arrangement: a set number of beers or sodas, from 12 to 48 depending on the yacht. Ice and water only is listed on a few vessels whose guests bring or arrange the rest.
None of these is better in itself. An open bar suits a long celebration with a crowd and no one keeping count. An allowance suits a family snorkeling day where most people want a cold beer or a soda. Bringing your own suits groups with particular tastes, such as a favorite tequila or a bottle for the toast, on yachts whose listing allows it.
Drinks photos on this page are illustrative.
Where each yacht sits
The five arrangements, with vessel counts
Open bars appear in the last two arrangements. Even there, check the detail: the chef-led yachts pair the chef with drinks or an open bar, depending on the listing.
Ice & water
Ice and bottled water are listed; most of these vessels welcome your own food and drinks, and catering can be arranged.
3 vesselsDrinks & snacks
A set allowance of beer and soda plus snacks such as fruit, guacamole and chips. Quantities vary by yacht.
37 vesselsLunch included
Drinks and snacks plus a listed lunch — often ceviche — on select yachts.
3 vesselsOpen bar & food
An open bar (national or international brands, depending on the vessel) with snacks or a meal.
7 vesselsChef on board
A chef prepares food on board, typically with drinks or an open bar included in the listed arrangement.
3 vesselsKnow the terms
National or international: yacht open bar options explained
In Mexico, a "national" bar generally pours domestically produced brands, while an "international" bar adds imported labels. Exact brands vary by vessel and can change.
National open bar
The Custom 90 lists a national open bar with beer, tequila, rum, vodka, gin and mixers. The Trimaran 40 also lists a national open bar, paired with sandwiches, ceviche and salad on its Los Arcos and Colomitos itinerary.
International open-bar menu
The Catamaran 72 and Catamaran 90 listings describe an international open-bar menu for each vessel. Because their arrangements depend on the booking, we confirm exactly which bar service your quote includes.
A detailed bar list
The Hatteras 61 listing describes an open bar with beer, spirits, wine, cocktails and mixers. A few listings go further and name the brands poured; we share that detail with your quote rather than repeat it here, as stock changes.
"Open bar", details on request
The Hatteras 58, Custom 103, Azimut 85 and Custom 55 list an open bar without a breakdown. The Azimut 105, which has a chef, lists drinks rather than an open bar. Ask what is poured on any of them.
Questions worth asking about any open bar
Two yachts can both list an open bar and pour quite different things. These questions make the comparison fair, and the answers go into your written booking details.
- Which spirits and beers are poured, and are they national or imported?
- Is wine or sparkling wine part of the bar, or an extra?
- Are cocktails mixed to order, or is it spirits with mixers?
- Does the bar service run for the whole charter?
- Which non-alcoholic drinks are available?
- May we bring a special bottle of our own?
Side by side
Every yacht that lists an open bar or a chef
The table shows each listing's food and drink items exactly as recorded. Quantities, menus and any upgrades are confirmed in writing for your date.
| Vessel | Guests | Departure | Listed food & drinks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azimut 85 | 15 | Puerto Vallarta | Captain, crew and chef; Snacks; Three-course meal; Open bar |
| Custom 90 | 50 | Puerto Vallarta | National open bar (beer, tequila, rum, vodka, gin and mixers); Snacks: seasonal fruit, guacamole and Mexican salsa with chips, ceviche; Lunch: shrimp pasta or chicken/steak fajitas with beans, rice and salad |
| Azimut 105 | 20 | Puerto Vallarta | Captain, crew and chef; Drinks; Snacks and lunch |
| Trimaran 40 | 40 | Puerto Vallarta | Turkey sandwich, fish ceviche and green salad; National open bar |
| Catamaran 72 | 150 | Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta | |
| Catamaran 90 | 200 | Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta | |
| Custom 55 | 10 | Nuevo Vallarta | Captain, crew and chef; Open bar; Snacks and lunch (chef's menu) |
| Hatteras 58 | 20 | Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta | Snacks: crudités and guacamole; Lunch: fish ceviche; Open bar; Sandwiches added on charters of 4 hours or more; salad added on charters of 5 hours or more |
| Hatteras 61 | 20 | Nuevo Vallarta | Open bar; Food: crudités, guacamole and chips, fish ceviche |
| Custom 103 | 50 | Puerto Vallarta | Open bar; Snacks; Lunch: seafood, steak or vegetarian |
The open-bar fleet
Browse the 9 vessels
From an Italian yacht with a chef for ten guests to an event catamaran for 200. Every yacht is confirmed for your date before anything is booked.
Custom 90
A 90-foot event yacht for up to 50 guests, listed with a national open bar, snacks, lunch, kayaks and paddleboards.
Trimaran 40
Built around a Los Arcos and Colomitos itinerary with guided snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, lunch and a national open bar.
Catamaran 72
A 72-foot event catamaran for 55 to 150 guests, with a bar, four restrooms, a sound system and menu options by charter length.
Catamaran 90
The largest vessel in the fleet: up to 200 guests, two bars, a DJ booth and four restrooms for major celebrations.
Custom 55
An exclusive Italian yacht for up to ten guests with a private chef, an open bar, towels and a chef-selected lunch.
Hatteras 58
A classic Hatteras with a cushioned bow and panoramic flybridge, listed with an open bar, snacks and a ceviche lunch.
Hatteras 61
A classic 61-foot Hatteras departing Nuevo Vallarta with a detailed open bar, food, a kayak and a paddleboard.
Custom 103
A 103-foot yacht for up to 50 guests, listed with jet skis, a sea scooter, paddleboards, an open bar and lunch.
The common arrangement
How a drinks allowance works
Most of the fleet lists a fixed number of drinks, usually "beer or soda", alongside ice, water and snacks. Allowances run from 12 to 48 drinks depending on the vessel; a few catamarans list sodas plus a set number of beers, and a few larger yachts list beer and soda without a number. We confirm the quantity for your group size.
Do the arithmetic before you choose. Twenty-four drinks shared by twelve guests is two each, which is plenty for a snorkeling morning and light for a birthday afternoon. If the allowance looks short, there are two simple fixes.
- Bring your own, on yachts whose listing allows outside food and drinks
- Ask about an upgrade: the Lagoon 38 listing, for example, notes open-bar upgrades by arrangement
- Choose a yacht from the open-bar group instead, if one fits your guest count
3 vessels list only ice and bottled water. They suit groups who prefer to bring or cater their own drinks, and their listings state that guests may do so.
Bringing your own on an open-bar yacht? Most open-bar listings do not state a policy on outside drinks. If you want to bring a special bottle, ask and we confirm it for your booking.
By occasion
Matching the drinks plan to the day
The right arrangement depends less on the yacht than on who is aboard and why.
A family snorkeling day
A beer-and-soda allowance is often enough, with ice and water for the swimmers. Choose a yacht whose listing lets you bring the juices and snacks your family prefers.
A birthday or bachelorette
Count heads against the allowance, or look at the open-bar group. Where outside drinks are allowed, a bottle of the guest of honor's favorite makes the toast personal.
A wedding toast or reception
Receptions sit naturally on the open-bar and event yachts. For a proposal or elopement on a smaller yacht, a single bottle of sparkling wine, arranged or brought, may be all you need.
A company outing
Plan plenty of non-alcoholic choices and food, and schedule swims before drinks. For a large team, the event catamarans list dedicated bars.
Responsible drinking
Good drinks, safe water
An open bar on a yacht is a pleasure, and the sea asks for a little more care than a bar ashore.
The captain's discretion
The captain is responsible for everyone aboard and has the final word on safety, including when swimming or water toys are appropriate.
Swim first, toast later
Plan snorkeling and paddleboarding before the drinks flow. Alcohol and open water do not mix.
Legal age
The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18. Hosts should make sure younger guests are not served.
Sun and water
Sun and alcohol dehydrate quickly. Alternate drinks with water; ice and water are listed on most yachts.
Something for everyone
Sodas are part of most allowances and mixers of the open-bar listings. Ask about other non-alcoholic options for your group.
Getting home
Ground transportation is not usually included. Arrange a driver or taxi from the marina rather than driving.
Private charter request
Tell us how you like to toast.
Share your date, guest count and drinks preferences. We match yachts with the right bar arrangement, or an allowance you can top up, and confirm it in writing.
Questions & answers
Open bar and drinks questions
Straight answers to the questions guests ask most. Anything not covered here is confirmed in writing when you inquire.
Which yachts list an open bar?
Open bars are listed on the Custom 90, Custom 103, Hatteras 58, Hatteras 61 and Trimaran 40, and on two chef-led yachts, the Azimut 85 and Custom 55. The Catamaran 72 and Catamaran 90 describe an international open-bar menu, and we confirm which bar service your quote includes.
What is the difference between a national and an international open bar?
In Mexico, a national bar generally pours domestically produced brands, while an international bar adds imported labels. The Custom 90 and Trimaran 40 list a national open bar; the Catamaran 72 and Catamaran 90 describe an international open-bar menu.
What drinks are in a yacht open bar?
It varies by vessel. The Custom 90 lists beer, tequila, rum, vodka, gin and mixers, and the Hatteras 61 describes beer, spirits, wine, cocktails and mixers. Other listings simply say open bar, so we confirm the details for your yacht.
Is wine or sparkling wine included in the open bar?
The Hatteras 61 listing includes wine in its open-bar description; other listings do not specify. If you want sparkling wine for a toast, ask about adding it, or bring a bottle where the listing allows outside drinks.
What does "24 drinks (beer or soda)" mean on a listing?
It is the yacht's drinks allowance: a set quantity of beers or sodas listed for the charter, served alongside ice, water and snacks. Allowances range from 12 to 48 drinks across the fleet, and we confirm the quantity for your group size.
Can we upgrade a drinks allowance to an open bar?
On some yachts. The Lagoon 38 listing notes food and open-bar upgrades by arrangement, and other yachts may offer similar options at additional cost. Ask when you inquire and the upgrade is confirmed in writing.
Can we bring our own bottle on an open-bar yacht?
Most open-bar listings do not state a policy on outside drinks, so ask before you plan around it. On yachts whose listing says guests may bring their own food and drinks, a special bottle is generally simple to add.
Does the Azimut 105 include an open bar?
Its listing includes a chef, drinks, snacks and lunch, but does not describe the drinks as an open bar. The listing also states that guests may bring their own food and drinks. We confirm exactly what is served for your date.
Do the event catamarans have a proper bar?
Yes. The Catamaran 72 lists one bar, and the Catamaran 90 lists two: one for drinks and one for food. Both also list a sound system with a USB port.
Can the captain limit drinking on board?
The captain is responsible for safety and has the final word on when swimming, water toys or the route need to change. Moderate drinking, and swimming before the toasts, keeps the day running smoothly for everyone.
What is the legal drinking age on a yacht in Mexico?
The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18. If your group includes younger guests, hosts should make sure they are not served alcohol.
Are non-alcoholic drinks and ice included?
Sodas are part of most drinks allowances, mixers are listed on several open bars, and ice and water appear on most listings. If your group includes non-drinkers, ask about other options when you inquire.
Should we choose an open bar or a drinks allowance?
Choose by group and occasion. For a long celebration with a crowd, an open bar removes the counting. For a family day built around swimming, an allowance plus any drinks you are allowed to bring is often enough.