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The main beach in Yelapa

Activities

Isabel Beach is a small beach 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-hour hike
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. There are many other hiking
opportunities in the surrounding area.

    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 $18 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 70 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
tax
i, 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 one
way ticket to Puerto Vallarta is about $12 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.
          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." 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.
Yelapa Weather
Yelapa is part of the Costa Dorada of Mexico, on Banderas
Bay. On the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, Yelapa
enjoys 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?
        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!
All About Yelapa

Rates

Guestbook

El Jardin Retreat
Center

Condo Lani in the
Marina

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