For more information about Puerto Vallarta, click here
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 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 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
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