There’s a town called Yelapa about 45 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta that most tourists never see. Not because it’s hard to find, but because the only way in is by boat, and most people don’t bother figuring that part out.
Yelapa is a small town tucked into a bay at the base of the Sierra Madre mountains. No roads in, no roads out. Just water taxis, jungle paths, and an unhurried pace that makes Puerto Vallarta feel like a different planet. We went for two nights with another couple, and I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Here’s everything you need to know if Yelapa is on your travel bucket list (and why it should be!).
Getting There: Water Taxi from Puerto Vallarta
The water taxis to Yelapa leave from Los Muertos Pier in the Romantic Zone. But before you even get to the pier — if you’re flying into PV, walk across the sky bridge to the left as you exit the airport. The taxis on that side are significantly cheaper than the ones right outside arrivals.
From there, grab a taxi to Los Muertos Pier and head down to the dock.
One important thing: the water taxis run on a schedule, and we’d recommend reserving your spot in advance rather than just showing up. We used go2yelapa.com to check the schedule, then WhatsApp’d the contact to reserve our seats. He asked us to send a Zelle payment to his daughter to hold the spots.
Our group was hesitant about sending money for something that seemed so unofficial — sending money via Zelle to a stranger’s daughter based on a WhatsApp message. And yet: it worked perfectly. Sergio was real, our spots were held, no issues. Just one of those things where you have to trust the process a little.
Where to Stay in Yelapa
We stayed at MiraMar (specifically Casa Palmita), which is right on the water and extremely charming. Our room had a direct ocean view and it felt truly special in a “this place is actually beautiful and I can’t believe more people don’t know about it” way.
For context: we paid around $200/night, which felt very fair for what it was. It’s not a budget option, but the setting more than justifies it.
Things to Do in Yelapa
Yelapa Waterfall Hike
The waterfall hike along Río El Tuito takes you through the jungle to a natural waterfall where you can swim. It was about 3 miles roundtrip. We had it mostly to ourselves!
A few practical notes:
- Bring water and a snack. It’s a real hike, not a stroll, and it gets hot out there.
- Bring a small quick-dry towel if you plan to swim.
- The path is straightforward and you don’t need a guide. Just ask a local to point you in the right direction.
The Beach
Yelapa’s main beach has lounge chairs and a handful of beach bars right on the sand. We had lunch at one of them and spent a solid chunk of an afternoon just relaxing.
The town itself is walkable — wander the paths, poke into the shops, and just let yourself slow down. That’s kind of the whole point!
The Food (and the Magician)
The shrimp burrito at Los Abuelos was the best thing I ate the entire trip. We went back for it again the next night, which tells you everything. The margs were solid too.
Also — there’s a magician who walks around doing card tricks for tables. He was great!
When to Visit Yelapa
The best time to visit Yelapa is during dry season: November through April. You’ll get sunny skies, calm water for the boat ride over, and ideal conditions for the waterfall hike. Rainy season runs May through October — the jungle is lush and crowds are thinner, but afternoon showers are common and the waterfall can be harder to access.
We were there the end of March, and the weather was perfect!
Yelapa Day Trip vs. Overnight: Worth It?
Day trip boats run from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa, but from what we saw, they drop people at the main beach and that’s basically it. You miss the town entirely. You miss the waterfall. You miss Los Abuelos. You miss waking up to that view.
If you’re going to make the effort to get there, stay — it’s worth it!
Quick Logistics Recap
- Water taxi reservations: go2yelapa.com + WhatsApp to book
- Airport tip: Exit and turn left across the sky bridge for cheaper taxis
- Where we stayed: MiraMar (~$200/night, ocean view, highly recommend)
- Best time to visit: November–April (dry season)
- Don’t miss: The waterfall hike, shrimp burrito at Los Abuelos, beach lunch, the magician (if you’re lucky)
Have you been to Yelapa? We’d love to hear where you stayed — drop it in the comments.
Leave a Reply