YELAPA DAY TRIP
For a break from the tourist crowds of Puerto Vallarta, head about 20 miles south to Yelapa. Considered by travel experts to be one of Mexico's few "undiscovered" beach towns, Yelapa is only reachable by boat, which is part of the reason why it sees relatively fewer travelers than other popular areas along Bahía de Banderas.
Many travelers come to Yelapa for its unspoiled beach, but if you're looking for a little more adventure, you won't be disappointed. There's a waterfall not too far from town that you can reach via a paved walking path. Recent visitors suggested swimming in the pool beneath the waterfall, praising the clean, refreshing waters. Because of the paved path and short hike, many said it was suitable for children. However, a few visitors were disappointed with the unimpressive size of the falls.
Several organized snorkeling and scuba diving tours explore the waters surrounding Yelapa and Majahuitas – another popular beach town just a few miles north of Yelapa. Vallarta Adventures is one well-reviewed operator that offers day trips from Puerto Vallarta – a good option if you're looking for organized transportation to Yelapa and don't want to deal with the water taxi schedule. Chica Locca is another traveler-approved operator that offers several different sailing trips to Yelapa that depart from Puerto Vallarta.
To reach Yelapa from Puerto Vallarta, hop on a water taxi. Water taxis from Puerto Vallarta's Los Muertos pier depart several times daily starting at 11 a.m. The trip takes about 45 minutes and costs 500 pesos (or about $25) round trip. You can also take a water taxi from the small town of Boca de Tomatlan, but that will require that you take a local bus from the Romantic Zone to Boca de Tomatlan. According to recent visitors, there are several vendors walking along the beach offering everything from food and drinks to tours. There are restaurants in the area, but if you're hoping to save a little money, plan to pack your own food and drinks.
