Yelapa is a small fishing village in Mexico. It’s known for its beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere. This village stands out because of its unique blend of nature, jungle and tranquillity. I had the chance to visit Yelapa in 2019 and 2024. I loved both of my time there so much. Yelapa really has a special charm. So, here is a small guide about everything you need to know concerning this place:
- Where is Yelapa?
- How to get to Yelapa
- What is special about Yelapa
- What to do in Yelapa
- How long should I stay in Yelapa?
BONUS : Best place to stay in Yelapa
Where is Yelapa?
As I said, Yelapa is a small Mexican village. More precisely, it is part of the state of Jalisco, near Puerto Vallarta. Yelapa is located on the Bay of Banderas, along Mexico’s Pacific coast.
How to get to Yelapa
Yelapa is accessible only by boat from Puerto Vallarta or Boca de Tomatlán. The best option to get to the village is water taxis. They both depart regularly from Los Muertos (Puerto Vallarta) and Boca de Tomatlán pier.
For a water taxi from Los Muertos, a round-trip ticket is 500 pesos per person or 300 pesos one way. The water taxis departing from Los Muertos operate at 10am, 11am, 11:45am, 1pm, 3pm or 5pm.
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.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.
Boca de Tomatlán is another village halfway between Yelapa and Puerto Vallarta. Since I didn’t visit this place, I unfortunately don’t have precise information about the times of the water taxis and the prices.
What is special about Yelapa
Yelapa is a unique village mostly because of two things:
1. Yelapa is one of the few remaining communities on the planet where the original inhabitants still reside, own and control their lands. The village is a part of a much larger indigenous community. Their territory is about 25,000 square hectares.
2. There are also no cars there. Some locals have 4-wheels and motorbikes, but it’s still a minority in the village. Horses and donkeys are also present in daily activities in Yelapa. The tranquillity of the village is possible thanks to the absence of automobiles, unlike the neighboring town, Puerto Vallarta. This makes Yelapa a popular destination for people seeking a quiet escape near the big city. Also, keep in mind that there are no roads for cars in Yelapa, meaning that everything is on foot.
What to do in Yelapa
Yelapa is the perfect destination to relax and enjoy the tranquility of nature. I made a complete article about the activities in the village, so don’t forget to check out: 7 Of The Best Things To Do In Yelapa, Mexico.
How long should I stay in Yelapa?
All options are good. However, here’s what I can tell you about the different choices you can make depending on your time:
A day trip to Yelapa means you will see the main attractions of the village, but more quickly. You will still experience what Yelapa has to offer, but you won’t have an immersive experience. The biggest thing about Yelapa is its tranquility. If you visit during the day, you won’t have the chance to explore this facet of the village because there are many tourists in the main areas. It’s still a good option if you don’t have a lot of time in Mexico, but still want to visit this amazing place.
Staying overnight means you will be able to appreciate the tranquility of the village after day-trippers leave. However, a fun (and surprising) thing about Yelapa is its restaurant schedules. Each day, different restaurants are open to maximize the number of customers. That means that staying only one night in Yelapa, you might not be able to go to the restaurant you most wanted to try or experience the village’s nightlife. For example, the Yacht Club is the place to go for live music, eat good food and experience a great atmosphere. BUT, they aren’t open everyday :/ However, I personally think that staying, even just one night, is a better option than a day trip to the village.
A week trip is the best choice for you if you’re looking for a destination that offers tranquility, good restaurants, many activities and time to decompress completely from your crazy routine. If you want to have good nights of sleep, enjoy the beach, and walk in peaceful streets, I 100% recommend staying a week in Yelapa instead of visiting Puerto Vallarta. You’ll be able to try so many restaurants, explore the waterfalls, go sea fishing and make local friends!
It ultimately depends on the experience you seek: a day trip for a taste of the village, an overnight stay for a better glimpse of Yelapa life or a week trip for a more intimate and magical connection with the village.
Best place to stay in Yelapa
We slept 9 days in Yelapa and we cannot recommend enough El Jardin Ecolodge. The manager, Matias, will make you feel at home. This accommodation is the perfect mix between a hostel and a hotel. Since there aren’t any walls in the casas, each room is far from each other to maximize privacy. Be assured that you have nets around the beds to protect you from bugs and other insects during the night. They all have an awesome view of the ocean. You also have access to a fully equipped kitchen, common room with a diner table and sofas, hammocks, board games, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards and much more.
Our favorite things about our stay in El Jardin:
- You will fall asleep while listening to the magical sounds of the waves.
- Playa Isabel is only a 2-minute walk from El Jardin.
- The cozy atmosphere of this accommodation makes it easy to talk and meet other travelers.
- The kitchen is awesome to cook some meals while looking at the mountains and ocean.
- Perfect distance to the village: 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 the village!
If you’re interested in staying at El Jardin, click here to visit the ecolodge’s website.
