Yelapa, Mexico - Off the Hook!

Yelapa, Mexico – off the hook!

Sometimes during a long passage, you want a vacation from the boat!  The mantra “A palapa in Yelapa beats a condo in Redondo” advertises the perfect get-a-way during your voyage.  Now don’t get me wrong, I love boating, I have sailed all around the world, literally!  But I do appreciate the joy of a quiet out of the way refuse near the sea.

While there is anchorage available in Yelapa, due to deep water, irregular bottom and exposure to the northwest swell and shifting winds, Puerto Vallarta provides safe and secure moorage only 14 ½ miles away.  You can take your tender (depending on size and comfort) or a water taxi (Cost $11 each way – don’t buy a round trip ticket) for the short trip across Bahia Banderas.  You will rest and enjoy the stay without worry as your yacht rests safely and secure back at the marina.

If you decide to anchor in Yelapa, you will need a bow and stern anchor, due to the shifting winds and nearby pangas.  As you enter the bay, a couple pangas may meet you offering mooring.  I suggest this is a good deal, usually around 200 Peso - $20 bucks!  They will assist you to a safe mooring, assist in placing and taking in your stern anchor, plus provide shuttle service to the nearby beach.  If you chose to go it alone, the best places (marked above) are in 25 to 50 ft water.  Remember, pangas have a right of way here – use caution!

Yelapa

 Yelapa is a quiet village only accessible by the sea.  The only motorized vehicles are a few ATV’s and Motorcycles (off road).  The main transportation is by boat, mule, horse and foot.

The people are friendly and very helpful when approached.  If you wish to be left alone, they respect that as well.  The food is wonderful in and around the village; the main beach palapa food is a little overpriced and served to tourist who come over on the "day boats" from PV (Puerto Vallarta).

Behind the beach restaurants, where the horses hang out, there is path from the big beach which will lead you through the jungle along the river and past working ranches and the Yelapa primary school to El Manguito.  One of the most moderately priced restaurants in Yelapa offering good, fresh food, and excellent margaritas. As the proprietor exclaimed, we are always open, “See – no doors” as he motioned around to the open air restaurant!

Many of the restaurants are off the main path, but worth seeking out, such as the Passion Flower Gardens, which serves home style American dinner and movies Monday evenings and Italian food from 6 to 9 pm on Thursday nights.   The best way to find out about these gems is to ask the locals and check out the posters stapled to the utility poles in the village!

Our Palapa in Yelapa

I believe my wife had chosen this palapa to force me into the dreaded event – exercise!  We hiked along the shore from town past numerous palapas along the beach, suddenly we have left the lapping surf behind  as we climbed the hill to the highest palapa in Yelapa!  After 325 steps and countless switchbacks and one climate change we reached our home for the week!  And it was worth every step!!!

Our palapa was actually two separate thatched roof buildings. The main house had a roomy kitchen, refrigerator, sink, gas stove and oven with a counter bar separating the lower bedroom. 1 queen sized hanging bed and a single daybed both with mosquito netting enclosure.

The next building had the bathroom, looking out over the bay (as did the open air shower).  Upstairs of each building had a loft bedroom, both with queen beds).  Hammocks and chairs faced the spectacular view of the bay!

From out perch on the hill, we watched whales and boats travel past as  birds raced by.  It was worth every step to live on the front stoop of heaven!

Provisioning is easy, shops in village always seem to be open, banana trees at your door step along with lemon trees all around.  Don’t forget the beach, fishing is incredible! 

I thought that a week in this paradise would find me wanting to get back to the sea, but I must admit for the first time in my life, this was a vacation which I wish had no end.

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