Yelapa: Tour or Do It Yourself?
A boat-only village with waterfalls and no cars. Lovely — and often cheaper to reach on your own.
Yelapa is a small fishing village at the southern end of Banderas Bay, reachable only by boat. No cars, a slow pace, a beach, and a couple of waterfalls a short walk inland. It's a classic Puerto Vallarta day trip — and one of the ones you can most easily arrange yourself.
Tour vs water taxi
Organised tours bundle transport, sometimes lunch and a guide, and are hassle-free. But a public water taxi from the Los Muertos pier gets you there for a fraction of the price, on your own schedule, and lets you stay as long as you like. If you're comfortable finding your own lunch and walking to the falls, DIY wins on both cost and freedom.
Rule of thumb: book a tour if you want it organised and social; take the water taxi if you want it cheap and unhurried.
Getting there step by step
There is no airport in Yelapa, and no road. Whatever a search for "flights to Yelapa" suggests, you fly into Puerto Vallarta's airport (PVR) and finish the journey by boat, from the Los Muertos pier in town or from Boca de Tomatlán, further south. From the airport to the Los Muertos pier is a 20–30 minute taxi ride.
The DIY route is simpler than it sounds. Walk to the Los Muertos pier in Zona Romántica, buy a ticket at the booth for the public water taxi to Yelapa, and ride roughly 40–45 minutes down the south shore. Boats run a set number of times a day, so the key is noting the last return departure before you get comfortable — miss it and you're staying the night (which some people do on purpose). There are also water taxis from Boca de Tomatlán, a short bus ride south of town, which are quicker and cheaper if you don't mind getting to Boca first. See getting around for buses and the pier.
What to do there
Yelapa has two waterfalls. The town waterfall is a short, easy walk from the beach through the village — pretty, but small and busy in high season. The upper waterfall (Cascada del Cielo) is a longer, steeper hike inland, bigger, and far quieter; you can usually swim in the pool beneath it. If you only do one, the upper falls reward the effort. Wear proper shoes, not flip-flops, and take water.
- Eat fresh fish on the beach, and try the famous Yelapa pie — the roaming vendors who sell it are a local institution.
- Just sit — the point of Yelapa is that there's no pressure to do anything.
Staying overnight
Yelapa changes character after the day-trippers leave on the last boat. With no cars and limited electricity in places, the evening is genuinely quiet — stars, surf, and a handful of small palapa-roofed guesthouses and rentals. If the slow, off-grid feel appeals, one night here is a very different experience from the day visit. Book ahead and don't expect reliable Wi-Fi.
Yelapa pairs well with a second, very different water day — the Marietas Islands for snorkelling and wildlife.
What to know before you go
- Bring cash — card acceptance is limited and there's no reliable ATM.
- Expect to pay a small fee at the upper waterfall trail.
- It can rain hard in the green season (June–October); trails get slippery.
Yelapa & south-shore tours
Compare organised Yelapa and boat trips if you prefer it arranged.
See bay day cruises →Frequently asked
How do you get to Yelapa?
Only by boat. Public water taxis leave from the Los Muertos pier in Old Town and, more cheaply and quickly, from Boca de Tomatlan.
Is Yelapa worth visiting?
Yes if you want a slow, car-free village with a beach and waterfalls. It is not for you if you want facilities and organised activities.
Do you need a tour to visit Yelapa?
No. A public water taxi is far cheaper than an organised tour and lets you stay as long as you like, provided you check the last return departure.
Can you stay overnight in Yelapa?
Yes, there are small guesthouses and rentals. The village is much quieter once the day boats leave, which is the appeal.
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