Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Yelapa is a small village on the southern shore of Banderas Bay, tucked into a cove where a river meets the sea and jungle-covered hills rise steeply behind. There is no road connection, so the only practical way in is by boat, which has helped the village keep a slower, more traditional feel than the resort areas nearby. It has long attracted artists and long-stay visitors.
The trip itself is part of the experience. Water taxis leave from Boca de Tomatlán, south of Puerto Vallarta, and from the Los Muertos Pier in town, often stopping at the beaches of Las Ánimas and Quimixto along the way. On arrival, Playa Yelapa offers a crescent of sand with palapa restaurants, and vendors walk the beach selling homemade pies. The village and the river can be explored on foot along narrow paths, and the waterfall trail leads up through the village to a cascade with a swimming pool, fullest after the summer rains. In winter, whale watching in the bay is common during the boat ride.
Yelapa suits travelers seeking quiet days, hiking, and swimming. Many visit on a day trip, but staying overnight reveals its calm evenings. Back in Puerto Vallarta, the Malecón and viewpoints over Bahía de Banderas round out a trip.
WiserMap travel guideYelapa Mexico Car Free Cove Beaches and Waterfall TrailPlan a trip to Yelapa, the car-free cove on Bahía de Banderas reached only by boat, with beaches, a waterfall trail, local food, stays and a simple itinerary.Read the guide
The main beach of Yelapa curves around a sheltered cove with palapa restaurants, loungers and calm water for swimming. Water taxis land right on the sand. Day visitors crowd it at midday, so stay overnight or walk to the quieter end of the beach for a calmer swim.
Yelapa has no road access, so its village of footpaths, small shops and hillside houses is reached only by boat. The Río Tuito meets the sea at the far end of the beach, forming a lagoon where you can wade or swim. Wear sandals you can get wet, as paths cross streams.
A 15 to 20 minute walk up through the village leads to a tall waterfall dropping into a rocky pool, with a small restaurant beside it. It is the most popular walk in Yelapa. The paths are uneven and steep in places, so wear proper shoes rather than flip-flops.
Between roughly December and March, humpback whales come into the Bay of Banderas to calve, and they are often seen off Yelapa from water taxis and local boats. Pangueros in the village offer short trips. Keep to responsible operators that respect the distance rules.
Yelapa is famous for its homemade pies, sold by local women who walk the beach with trays of lemon, coconut, chocolate and banana pie. A slice is a classic part of a visit. Buy it when you see it, as sellers usually sell out by mid-afternoon.
Playa Las Ánimas is a long sandy beach between Boca de Tomatlán and Yelapa, reached by water taxi or a coastal hiking trail. It has beach restaurants and activities such as kayaking and banana boats. It gets busy with tour boats, so arrive early for a quieter beach.
Quimixto is a small fishing village with a rocky beach, a short boat ride from Yelapa. From the village, a walk or horse ride of about 30 minutes inland leads to a waterfall with a pool and a small restaurant. Water taxis between Boca and Yelapa usually stop on request.
Majahuitas is a tiny, secluded cove of white sand and clear water between Quimixto and Yelapa, used by snorkelling tours. There is no village here, just the beach and rocks with fish. Bring water and snacks, and arrange your return pickup with the boat before landing.
This small fishing village south of Puerto Vallarta is the main departure point for water taxis to Yelapa, Quimixto and Las Ánimas, and the start of the coastal hiking trail. There are seafood restaurants by the river mouth. Arrive early to get a seat on the morning boats.
No reviews yet. Been to Yelapa? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Yelapa? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: RichardMills65, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Andy Blackledge, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: RL0919, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Steve Hedin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: TerryDOtt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ringrose, Basil, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Another Believer, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Christian Frausto Bernal, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Elias Garcia-Ortiz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: David et Magalie from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Vaquemami, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Andy Blackledge, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Andy Blackledge, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Andy Blackledge, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Andy Blackledge, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
