Create Your Own Adventure

Yelapa is a fishing village, so no better better place to get some pointers or show off your skills! We work closely with Felipe and his crew, who are phenomenal fishermen. Schedule a half or full day, and see what you bring home for dinner!

If you are looking to relax after your long day of fishing, Yanet is an amazing chef for hire!

There are multiple beaches in and around Yelapa. There is a small private beach directly in front of Casas Journey and Palmas, and another one just on the other side of the pier. The big commercial beach is a 10 minute walk from Casas Journey and Palmas, and a 5 minute walk from Casa Flourish. 

The big beach offers multiple restaurants for snacking or dining, and cold drinks just waiting for you! This is where you will often find the "pie lady" with her tupperware of deliciousness, parasailing, vendors selling their wares, and the beautiful sea ready to accept you for a refreshing swim.

If you are looking for a bit more privacy, or wanting to try out a variety of beaches, there are many beautiful beaches near Yelapa. We recommend making arrangements with Felipe and his crew to get you where ever you like. Here are some options: Playa de Quimixto (where you can also hike about 30 minutes to another waterfall), Playa de las Animas, Boca de Tomatlan, Mismaloya, Playa Palmares, Playa de los Muertos, or Playa Conchas Chinas, just to name a few!

Just a 10 minute walk from all casas you will find the Small Fall. This is a gorgeous waterfall with a pool to swim in at the bottom. Along your walk you will find local vendors and restaurants, and a bar & restaurant at the waterfall where you can sit and take in Mother Nature's beauty.

The Marietas Islands are visible from Yelapa, and just a short 30-45 minute boat ride to get to. This is truly a bucket list activity! The Marietas are protected, so no one is able to build there. They are known for the amazing snorkeling, and especially for the main island that boasts a tunnel you can swim through to reach a private beach in the center of the island. We cannot stress how amazing this is!! Felipe and is crew can assist you in making this dream come true.

Do you like lobster? If so, we have the perfect excursion for you! Felipe and his crew can arrange to boat you 30-45 minutes south to Chimo where you order lobster by the kilogram. This tiny fishing village is beautiful and waiting to serve you a delicious feast. An added bonus is that you get to enjoy unique sightseeing boat ride along this fascinating coastline.

There are no cars in Yelapa, but there are several other modes of transportation available. Walking, of course, is the most common, but if you are looking to treat your feet to some R&R then you might be interested in horseback riding. One of the more common horseback riding excursions is to ride up to the "Big Fall" waterfall. This waterfall is upriver, roughly 60-90 minutes on foot, and is an amazing place to take a swim! The big fall is shorter and wider than the town waterfall, and offers a large pool for swimming at the bottom. 

The hiking opportunities are truly endless in Yelapa! Here are a few hikes we recommend:

• Yelapa Tapa: hike to the "top", near where the para gliders take off, and see the breathtaking 360 degree view
• Small Fall (town waterfall)
• Big Fall
• Hike upriver: there are restaurants, homes, the school, and so much nature to take in!
• The Point: hike out to the edge of the Yelapan bay and see casas and small secluded beaches along the way

Some hikes are easy and short, some are longer and more difficult. Be sure to consult someone knowledgable before hiking a trail you aren't familiar with. We recommend good shoes, bug spray, sunscreen, and lots of water.

Yelapa is a wonderful place to enjoy watching all sorts of marine life, including whales and dolphins. It's not uncommon to see whales and dolphins frolicking about on your boat ride to/from Yelapa, and even from our casa balconies! The best time for whale watching is winter, usually November through March. Felipe and his crew can arrange for a whale and/or dolphin watching cruise for you if you are interested in some dedicated time with our favorite marine creatures.

Yelapa offers many water activities, including:

• Snorkeling
• Kayaking
• Swimming
• Paddleboarding
• Fishing

Do you like heights? If so, there are several options to get your high-flying fix!

• Parasailing from the beach
• Paragliding
• Hang gliding

For a small fishing village of roughly 1,500 people, the number of delicious restaurant options is mind-boggling! With a wide variety of options, from juice stands on the side of the path to the burrito stand by the church to more formal sit down restaurants in town, on the beach or on the river, you will be hard pressed not to find the perfect spot to feed your hunger!

Yelapa has such a rich culture that they happily share with visitors. If you are interested, ask around (Felipe and Yanet will certainly know) to find out what events you might be able to witness or even take part in! The Museo de Historia, Arte & Cultura de Yelapa is right in town and is amazing to experience. If you are lucky enough to be in town when the folkloric dancers perform, drop everything and make sure not to miss this! There are often singers, players and bands at different restaurants around town, typically around dinner time. Bonfires on the beach are commonplace. You just never know what you might run onto!

Yelapa has long been known as the perfect escape back into nature; a place to rest your body and mind. There are many opportunities to take part in yoga classes, sound baths, spa treatments and more! In fact, Yelapa is well known as a Yoga Retreat destination.