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For general information about Yelapa, be sure to visit www.yelapa.info
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| Things to Do In Yelapa ACTIVITIES Isabel Beach is right at the foot of our palapas, always available for a swim. If you want to be more social, you might want to walk the half mile along the scenic footpath to the main beach.The main beach is very pleasant, with several restaurants conveniently located and more than willing to place a cool drink in your hand and bring you a plate of chips and fresh guacamole. Yelapa is a fishing village with a sizable art community. There are a few galleries, and if you inquire, you can find a number of local artists who will be glad to show you their work. HIKING If you like to hike, there are numerous opportunities, including the nearby local waterfall, a flat and pleasant walk upriver toward the back country, a two-hour hike to a second waterfall, and a very challenging half-day hike to a village of indigenous people. There are many other hiking opportunities in the surrounding area. |
| Yelapa Weather Yelapa is part of the Costa Dorada of Mexico, on Banderas Bay. On the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, Yelapaenjoys a sub-tropical climate -- pleasant and temperate most of the year. Surrounded by jungle, Yelapa receives its rain primarily in the summer, September being the rainiest month. The weather is nearly ideal November through May. During the long dry season, daytime temperatures are in the mid 70s to low 80's F (28-30 C), while nighttime temperatures cool to the 60s. Though rainy and hot, don't overlook the summer months as a time to visit. Temperatures may reach 90 degrees F (32 C) but rates are considerably cheaper. If you are a naturalist you will enjoy the many species of birds that migrate here during this time. If solitude is what you desire you will nearly have the village to yourself. Typically the mornings are clear and bright, with the rain coming in the afternoon. When it rains, the storms can be quite beautiful, with the rain moving gently across the hills while lightning illuminates the sky. What could be more romantic on a summer evening by the sea than the sound of rain falling on a palapa roof? |
Transportation
Getting here...
To get to Yelapa, you must fly in to Puerto
Vallarta. This isn't difficult; there are many
flights offered by several airlines. Here is a
link with some possibilities to consider:
Air travel to Puerto Vallarta
Once you are in Puerto Vallarta's Gustavo
Diaz Ordaz International Airport (code PVR)
your next task is getting transportation into
town. Before you leave the airport with your
luggage you will receive a number of very
persuasive and expensive offers (about $10
USD per person) from cab drivers. We
recommend you politely decline these
offers and take the local bus, which stops
right in front of the airport and will cost you
about 40 cents per person. If you take a bus
that goes to the old part of Puerto Vallarta
you will find inexpensive, clean
accommodations close to the dock for the
water taxi, which you will take the following
morning.
Getting Around in Yelapa...
There are no cars in Yelapa. The foot paths
are frequently punctuated with tree roots,
rocks and other uneven surfaces. On land
you either walk or ride a burro. You may
easily cross the small cove from Casas de
Santa Cruz to the main beach by kayak. If
your swimming skills are moderate or
better, you could also swim. Since nothing
is very far away, walking is the preferred
method of getting around.
Scheduled departures from Yelapa by water
taxi leave twice daily during the peak
season, and once a day in the summer.
The price of this service is dependent on
the distance that you travel. A round-trip
ticked to Puerto Vallarta is about $20 USD.
We recommend buying one way tickets,
since you may choose to return by a
different taxi company.
It is best to be a little bit early to ensure that
you do not miss the boat, as they do
sometimes leave earlier than the
scheduled departure time.
Getting here...
To get to Yelapa, you must fly in to Puerto
Vallarta. This isn't difficult; there are many
flights offered by several airlines. Here is a
link with some possibilities to consider:
Air travel to Puerto Vallarta
Once you are in Puerto Vallarta's Gustavo
Diaz Ordaz International Airport (code PVR)
your next task is getting transportation into
town. Before you leave the airport with your
luggage you will receive a number of very
persuasive and expensive offers (about $10
USD per person) from cab drivers. We
recommend you politely decline these
offers and take the local bus, which stops
right in front of the airport and will cost you
about 40 cents per person. If you take a bus
that goes to the old part of Puerto Vallarta
you will find inexpensive, clean
accommodations close to the dock for the
water taxi, which you will take the following
morning.
Getting Around in Yelapa...
There are no cars in Yelapa. The foot paths
are frequently punctuated with tree roots,
rocks and other uneven surfaces. On land
you either walk or ride a burro. You may
easily cross the small cove from Casas de
Santa Cruz to the main beach by kayak. If
your swimming skills are moderate or
better, you could also swim. Since nothing
is very far away, walking is the preferred
method of getting around.
Scheduled departures from Yelapa by water
taxi leave twice daily during the peak
season, and once a day in the summer.
The price of this service is dependent on
the distance that you travel. A round-trip
ticked to Puerto Vallarta is about $20 USD.
We recommend buying one way tickets,
since you may choose to return by a
different taxi company.
It is best to be a little bit early to ensure that
you do not miss the boat, as they do
sometimes leave earlier than the
scheduled departure time.
| Other activities include para-sailing, snorkeling, whale watching fishing, horseback riding, napping in a hammock, enjoying the local cuisine (including the famous home-made pies and quiche available daily), day trips by boat to the Marietas Islands where you can see a number of birds, including the Blue-Footed Boobies. If you want to be pampered, two hotels in Yelapa (Lagunita and Verana) have luxury spas. |
| Culture Yelapa is located at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains, near the home of the Huichol Indians. This peaceful native culture was left nearly undisturbed when the Europeans were busy searching for gold among the Mayans. The name, Huichol, means "healer." You may purchase original art and bead work from Isabel Jordan, the proprietor of Casas de Isabel, who maintains a Huichol Art Gallery. A little local culture is available on your trek to the local waterfall. When you reach the top you will be greeted by local artisans at Javier's Rosewood Factory. While you're enjoying yourself in this paradise, you can also improve your Spanish. Yelapa English Spanish Institute offers many opportunities for all ages. |
For general information about Yelapa, be
sure to visit www.yelapa.info
sure to visit www.yelapa.info
| What to Bring We provide a shelf full of books, some games and playing cards and beach towels. Don't forget binoculars for whale and porpoise watching and bird watching. A flashlight for each person is essential. The pathways are dark at night! If you don't have your own snorkeling gear, see our caretaker David, who has some for rent. Clothing Days are warm in Yelapa. Shorts and tee shirts or tank tops are about all you need. Evenings in the winter months may require a long-sleeve shirt or light jacket. Don't forget hiking boots if you plan to hike. Crocs, river shoes or flip flops are nice for crossing the river. Personal Items Towels and soap are provided. If you forget anything, most toiletry items are available in pueblo stores. First-aid Kit Each casita has a basic first aid kit. You will also want to bring sun screen and insect repellent. (NOTE: fabric softener sheets, like "Bounce," help keep mosquitoes away.) |
| Puerto Vallarta Fun A visit to nearby Puerto Vallarta is a must during your stay. Here is where you will find the shopping, nightlife and big city activities conspicuously absent from the quiet, peaceful life in Yelapa. There are many fine restaurants in Vallarta, as well as many cultural opportunities. Art is everywhere; along the "Malecon" (boardwalk) with its sculptures in the plazas and the galleries presenting contemporary Mexican Art. Puerto Vallarta has become a favorite spot for deep sea Sport Fishing. Baderas Bay is Mexico's largest. Two miles deep, it is home to sailfish, mahi-mahi, dorado, marlin, tuna, roosterfish and red snapper, just to name a few. There are a variety of options for boat trips, including a Pirate Cruise! |
For more information about Puerto Vallarta, click here
The main beach in Yelapa
