Beaches on foot
- Nearest small beach: 5 minutes
- The beach by the pier: 10 minutes
- Yelapa's main beach: 15 to 20 minutes
Yelapa
Jalisco, Mexico
A small beach town on the Bay of Banderas. You arrive by boat and get around on foot.
The town
Yelapa sits in a cove on the south side of the Bay of Banderas, across the water from Puerto Vallarta. There's no real road in, so everyone comes by boat. In town, people walk, on stone paths through the village.
The main beach is at the head of the cove, where the river meets the bay. Casa Altamar is on the point on the west side, a short walk from the pier.
Beaches
Three beaches are a walk from the house. More are a boat ride away.
Playa Yelapa
The main beach, 15 to 20 minutes on foot. Palapa restaurants line the sand and the water is usually calm. Chairs come with ordering food or drinks.
The pier
The beach by the pier is 10 minutes from the house. For snorkeling, try the north side of the pier, and bring your own gear.
Majahuitas
A small cove you can reach only by boat or kayak. Ask us about a boat.
Quimixto and Las Ánimas
Two more beach villages along the coast toward Puerto Vallarta. Water taxis run to both from Boca de Tomatlán.
Places to eat
Bring cash: few places take cards. Hours change with the season, and many places in town close from June to October.
Café Bahía
Breakfast and coffee by the town pier. Cash only.
Taquería Los Abuelos
Seafood tacos on blue-corn tortillas, in the evening, next to the Yacht Club.
Sirena Morena
On the beach. Brunch, pizza and seafood.
Gloria's
Brunch by the river, in the village.
Manguito's
Seafood and beer by the river, where the trail to the upper waterfall starts.
Café Eclipse
Breakfast and juice, up a tiled staircase in the village. It closes early.
Pie on the beach
Yelapa is known for its pie. Local women sell it by the slice on the beach: chocolate, banana, coconut.
Or eat in
Yanet cooks at the house for $50 per meal, plus groceries.
Things to do
Most of it is on foot or on the water.
The town waterfall
A short walk up from the village. Follow the signs for Cascada. There's a pool at the bottom and a snack bar; bring cash. The flow changes with the season.
The upper waterfall
A real hike: about 5 miles round trip up the river, with two river crossings and some boulder scrambling. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours each way. From July to September the river is often too high to cross, and it's unsafe after rain.
Kayaks and paddleboards
Rentals on the main beach. The house doesn't have its own.
Yoga
Sky Temple holds occasional classes, and Pura Vida runs retreats. Both are near the house. Groups can also practice on the rooftop, which fits 30 to 40.
Out on the water with Felipe
Felipe also takes guests out on his boat. Ask us for prices.
- Fishing trips.
- Boat rides out to the Marietas Islands, a national park at the north end of the bay. Hidden Beach on the islands is open only to licensed tours.
- Pickups and drop-offs at the harbor near the Puerto Vallarta airport: $250 one way, $400 round trip, up to 15 people.
Good to know
When to come
- The peak months, December to April, are the best.
- Every month is good, though.
- Humpback whales are in the bay from about December to March.
- The rainy season runs June to October.
Bring
- Cash, in pesos or US dollars. There's no ATM in Yelapa.
- Bags you can carry. There are no cars, and the paths are stone.
- Any medicine you need. Serious medical care is a boat ride away, in Puerto Vallarta.
- Bug spray, a headlamp and water shoes.
At the house
- This is rural Mexico. Expect some bugs.
- Drinking water comes in garrafones, large refillable jugs.
- The house has Wi-Fi 6E. Phone signal in town is spotty.
- Power and Wi-Fi outages are rare. They happen mostly in hurricane season, and the house has no backup power.
Checked October 2026. Places in Yelapa open and close with the seasons, so ask us what's open when you're here.
