I (Léonie) have been to Yelapa 2 times in the last 6 years, and both experiences have been amazing. In April 2024, Jézabel and I stayed 9 nights in El Jardin. We had such a great time! Matias, the manager, made us feel right at home. We slept like babies each night. We got to relax and enjoy life directly at the Ecolodge. If you’re planning a trip to Yelapa, here is all the information you need to know about El Jardin so you can book the best place to stay at:
- Where is El Jardin?
- What’s El Jardin?
- What atmosphere to expect for your stay in El Jardin?
- What to bring for your stay in El Jardin?
- What activities to do from El Jardin?
- How to get to El Jardin?
Where is El Jardin?
El Jardin is located in Yelapa, a small Mexican village. More precisely, it’s part of the state of Jalisco, near Puerto Vallarta. Yelapa as well as El Jardin are located on the Bay of Banderas, along the Pacific coast of Mexico. El Jardin is a 10-minute walk from the center of the village.
El Jardin address: 63 Huachinango St., Yelapa, Jalisco, Mexico.
What’s El Jardin?
El Jardin is an Ecolodge accommodation in one of the quieter areas in Yelapa. Most people choose to stay at El Jardin because of its tranquility. It’s the perfect distance from the village. It’s far enough to have peaceful days and nights without too much noise, and close enough to walk back and forth multiple times a day to enjoy what the village has to offer!
El Jardin is an Ecolodge because of its sustainability vision. They hope to offer an amazing space to enjoy while providing the comforts of home within the beauty of their natural environment. Many efforts are made for a sustainable center, such as eco-friendly products to grey water use. They really are dedicated to preserving this lovely piece of paradise.
There are 4 different rooms available: Casa Eagle’s Nest, Casa Bamboo, Casa Banana, and Casa Hibiscus. Each room has its charm. Here are some of their aspects:
Casa Eagle’s Nest: perfect casa for a romantic getaway for 2 people. It features a private balcony overlooking Yelapa’s Bay with a patio table and 2 chairs. Eagle’s Nest is the best place to spot whales and dolphins, which are frequent visitors to this part of Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
Casa Bamboo: the casa to book if you wish to have a great ocean view (from its balcony or your bed), especially for sunrise. Great for a small family since it can sleep 3 people.
Casa Banana: the biggest casa that can sleep up to 5 people. This open-air casa has a nice tree-house feeling. No need to say that kids love it.
Casa Hibiscus: a bit different from the other casas. It’s the only casa without a palapa roof. However, it’s the closest one to the ocean. The sound of the waves while falling asleep is magical!
*For more information, click on the name of the casas to be redirected to El Jardin’s website*
What atmosphere to expect for your stay in El Jardin?
As I said earlier, from the moment you step into El Jardin, Matias will make you feel welcome! Jézabel and I spoke a lot with Matias about the accommodation. Here’s our conclusion: El Jardin is a perfect mix between a hotel (for the privacy and the rooms) and a hostel (for the common space and the cozy/familial atmosphere).
Staying at the Ecolodge means a peaceful vacation while still being able to meet other travelers and feel at home. Either that’s by cooking and enjoying the common space, hammocks, long chairs, ping pong table, etc.
Since there are only 4 rooms/casas at the moment, you get to know who is there at the same time as you pretty fast. Staying at El Jardin is a much more personal experience than staying in a 100-room hotel. Even if you don’t speak a lot with the other guests, warm smiles are always exchanged, which puts a nice atmosphere in the place!
What to bring for your stay in El Jardin?
Here are some essentials you need to bring for your stay in El Jardin:
Backpack: we had a suitcase for 3 people and let me tell you how hard it was to bring it to the Ecolodge. That’s why a backpack is highly recommended since it’s trail-friendly.
Flashlight: once the sun sets, there’s no light on the trail. Having a flashlight is a must if you want to see where you’re going, and even more if your cell phone dies during the day.
Cash: there are no ATMs in Yelapa. You need to bring enough cash for your entire stay in the village. You can get it in Puerto Vallarta before taking your boat to Yelapa.
* Very few restaurants take cards. + They charge a 5-10% fee for credit card payment. *
Bug spray: even if all the beds have nets around them to protect you from mosquitos and other insects, bug spray is a good addition to make sure your evenings go peacefully.
Reusable water bottle: El Jardin provides purified water for drinking.
Of course, there are other classic things to bring when you travel in a hot country, so don’t forget to pack:
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water shoes (especially if you plan to hike to the big waterfall).
- Sandals or thongs
- Shoes (preferably something that is waterproof and good on trails.)
- Rain gear (June to October)
- Small backpack for daytime adventures. Click here to see mine!
What activities to do from El Jardin?
We wrote an entire article about the best activities to do in Yelapa. Of course, you can do all of them on foot from El Jardin. Check out 7 Of The Best Things To Do In Yelapa, Mexico for more information.
Here is a list of FREE activities you can do directly at El Jardin:
- Kayaking and paddleboarding: the Ecolodge has kayaks and paddleboards that are free to use when you want.
- Snorkeling: snorkeling gear is available in the common space. Playa Isabel is a good starting point for this activity.
- Ping pong: a ping pong table is also free to use in the common space.
- Yoga: yoga mats are available in the common space if you want to start your day by stretching.
- Books and magazines: there are many options on the bookshelf in the common room. I highly recommend reading a book while relaxing in a hammock.
- Board games: same as the books, there are many options on the bookshelf in the common room.
How to get to El Jardin?
Yelapa is accessible only by boat from Puerto Vallarta. The best option to get to the village is water taxis. They depart regularly from Los Muertos pier. There are multiple stands of boat companies in the market near the pier to buy your ticket. You can also buy it directly on the boat.
A round-trip ticket for a water taxi from Los Muertos to Yelapa is 500 pesos per person or 300 pesos one way. The water taxis departing from Los Muertos operate at 10 am, 11 am, 11:45 am, 1 pm, 3 pm or 5 pm.
You won’t have any problem finding a ride for the same day. However, don’t forget to check the weather conditions before planning your trip to make sure it is safe to take a boat. It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa and vice versa.
*NOTE: Ask the boat driver to leave you at Playa Isabel, which is a 2-minute walk from El Jardin. It’ll be much easier with your luggage, trust me*
Click here to visit El Jardin’s website.
