Playa Yelapa
NileGuide Expert Says:
During the rainy season the waterfalls are spectacular and swimming holes are abundant. Remember to bring your insect repellent, the jungle is dense behind the small beach town and mosquitoes and no-see-ems come out in full force during the night.
User Rating:
Address:
Highway 200 Km 17
48440 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
NileGuide Expert tip:
For a few pesos more, buy a whole pie to take back with you and share with your family and friends back in Puerto Vallarta.
Description:
If you want to get an idea of what Puerto Vallarta was like in the distant past, you can hop a water taxi at Boca de Tomatlan or from the Fisherman's Pier in Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa and find out. Yelapa is only accessible by boat and only in the last few years was it connected to the local power grid. There are no cars, no massive hotel complexes or large groups of tourists here.
If you are staying for the day, hop the taxi in the morning. You can take a hike or horseback ride up to the waterfall, eat at one of few beachfront palapa-style restaurants and then spend the day sunning and swimming in the gentle waters of the cove (albeit among the fishing boats that tie up there). There are a few shops and vendors if you want to take home a souvenir and there are a few hotels/guesthouses too if you want to spend the night. The one thing you cannot miss is a giant slice of pie from the roving pie ladies of Yelapa. It's the best you've ever had.
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