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| Is it safe there? Yelapa is a small village with very little crime. Seldom is there a problem with theft. As a precaution, however, we recommend that you leave valuables such as expensive jewelry at home so you do not have to worry about them. (For example, a disposable waterproof camera is a wise alternative to that expensive Nikon, and allows you to take underwater photos when snorkeling.) Is there Electricity and Phone Service? Yes. Our palapas are equipped with electricity -- standard 120 volts, like the USA; no adapter plugs are necessary. There is a public phone booth in town. Phone cards can be purchased in Vallarta. |
What about Wildlife and insects?
It is always good to remember that while in Yelapa you are on the edge of the jungle. Jaliscan wildlife includes a
number of impressive creatures, including ocelots, armadillos, land turtles, foxes, deer and raccoons among others.
Most of these animals are nocturnal and have no desire to come into contact with humans. Some of the many
common birds you may see include grouse, sparrow hawks, royal eagles, scissor-tail frigates and doves. Exotic
birds which have been reported include: Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Orange-breasted Bunting, Black-headed Siskin,
Berylline Hummingbird, Bright-rumped Attila, Gray-crowned Woodpecker, Laughing Falcon, Trogon, Solitaire,
Becard, Oriole, Lilac-crowned Parrot, Scarlet Macaw, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, many wading birds,
Rufous-backed Robin, White-throated Robin, Russet-crowned Motmot, Rosy-Thrush Tanager, Sparkling-tailed
Hummingbird, Mexican Woodnymph, Black-capped Vireo and Blue Mockingbird, to name a few. Expect to see
lizards of many kinds, including the rather spectacular Iguana. There are over 100 varieties of Butterflies in this
It is always good to remember that while in Yelapa you are on the edge of the jungle. Jaliscan wildlife includes a
number of impressive creatures, including ocelots, armadillos, land turtles, foxes, deer and raccoons among others.
Most of these animals are nocturnal and have no desire to come into contact with humans. Some of the many
common birds you may see include grouse, sparrow hawks, royal eagles, scissor-tail frigates and doves. Exotic
birds which have been reported include: Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Orange-breasted Bunting, Black-headed Siskin,
Berylline Hummingbird, Bright-rumped Attila, Gray-crowned Woodpecker, Laughing Falcon, Trogon, Solitaire,
Becard, Oriole, Lilac-crowned Parrot, Scarlet Macaw, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, many wading birds,
Rufous-backed Robin, White-throated Robin, Russet-crowned Motmot, Rosy-Thrush Tanager, Sparkling-tailed
Hummingbird, Mexican Woodnymph, Black-capped Vireo and Blue Mockingbird, to name a few. Expect to see
lizards of many kinds, including the rather spectacular Iguana. There are over 100 varieties of Butterflies in this
The pueblo (village of Yelapa) has three small grocery stores, and at least one store that sells not only over the counter
drugs, but also a limited amount of prescription drugs. There are no tourist shops, but a few artists bring their wares to
you when you are on the beach. Other art is available in local galleries. For a selection of the best native-made art
objects, visit Isabel Jordan at Casa Isabel.
Should I bring my laptop?
You may, but considering the damage salt air can do to sensitive electronics, it might be best to use the local Internet
Cafe, Mimi's. Mimi's is a wonderful place to meet people, the food is good and inexpensive, and it boasts one of the
few espresso machines in Yelapa! Expect to wait to use the single computer with dial-up connection.
Can you eat the food and drink the water?
It is generally not safe to drink the water in Mexico. We are fortunate in that our palapas receive water piped directly
from a mountain spring just above us. Casa Estrella has a two-phase water purification system. If you prefer, bottled
water is available in the pueblo stores (Our caretaker David will deliver a five gallon bottle right to your palapa for $5
USD) . Food served at the restaurants that cater to tourists (such as Pollo Bollo) is safe. It is always a good idea to
ask, but the policy in such restaurants usually is to use purified water for ice, and for washing and preparing food.
Food at the local restaurants is delicious and fairly inexpensive by US standards.
Must I have Mexican money?
You should exchange some American dollars for pesos. Most local stores and restaurants will take American dollars,
and the merchants are fair, but the exchange rate is often rounded off for
convenience -- and not always to your favor.
Are there Banks and ATMs in Yelapa?
No. There is a place in the pueblo that will exchange dollars for pesos, but you will need to go to Puerto Vallarta for
your banking.
I don't speak Spanish. Will this be a problem?
Most places of business including restaurants speak enough English so that you will have no trouble.
Is there Electricity and Phone Service?
Yes. Our palapas are equipped with electricity -- standard 120 volts, like the USA; no adapter plugs are necessary.
There is a public phone booth in town. Phone cards can be purchased in Vallarta.
What if I get sick?
Yelapa is blessed with a free Medical Clinic, open every day. One local store in the pueblo (the one that has school
supplies) carries some antibiotics and a few prescription drugs.
drugs, but also a limited amount of prescription drugs. There are no tourist shops, but a few artists bring their wares to
you when you are on the beach. Other art is available in local galleries. For a selection of the best native-made art
objects, visit Isabel Jordan at Casa Isabel.
Should I bring my laptop?
You may, but considering the damage salt air can do to sensitive electronics, it might be best to use the local Internet
Cafe, Mimi's. Mimi's is a wonderful place to meet people, the food is good and inexpensive, and it boasts one of the
few espresso machines in Yelapa! Expect to wait to use the single computer with dial-up connection.
Can you eat the food and drink the water?
It is generally not safe to drink the water in Mexico. We are fortunate in that our palapas receive water piped directly
from a mountain spring just above us. Casa Estrella has a two-phase water purification system. If you prefer, bottled
water is available in the pueblo stores (Our caretaker David will deliver a five gallon bottle right to your palapa for $5
USD) . Food served at the restaurants that cater to tourists (such as Pollo Bollo) is safe. It is always a good idea to
ask, but the policy in such restaurants usually is to use purified water for ice, and for washing and preparing food.
Food at the local restaurants is delicious and fairly inexpensive by US standards.
Must I have Mexican money?
You should exchange some American dollars for pesos. Most local stores and restaurants will take American dollars,
and the merchants are fair, but the exchange rate is often rounded off for
convenience -- and not always to your favor.
Are there Banks and ATMs in Yelapa?
No. There is a place in the pueblo that will exchange dollars for pesos, but you will need to go to Puerto Vallarta for
your banking.
I don't speak Spanish. Will this be a problem?
Most places of business including restaurants speak enough English so that you will have no trouble.
Is there Electricity and Phone Service?
Yes. Our palapas are equipped with electricity -- standard 120 volts, like the USA; no adapter plugs are necessary.
There is a public phone booth in town. Phone cards can be purchased in Vallarta.
What if I get sick?
Yelapa is blessed with a free Medical Clinic, open every day. One local store in the pueblo (the one that has school
supplies) carries some antibiotics and a few prescription drugs.