In Yelapa, like most places, the more you are
willing to spend, the more there is to do.
Yelapa’s charm is that the best things are free.
Here’s a sampling of both:
The Beach ~ As you can tell from the
pictures, the beach is long and sandy with room
for privacy and there is snorkeling at the far
end. There are two smaller beaches only 10
minutes from the house. Scuba diving trips to
outlying areas can be arranged. Ocean kayaks
and wind surfers are there to rent as well.
There are many good and inexpensive
restaurants along the beach. Our favourite is
the Coco Bar, possibly because I can get an ok
Bloody Caesar there and the food is
inexpensive and delicious.
Fishing ~ Several operators provide fishing
services as well as day trips to secluded beaches
& out to the beautiful Marieta Islands for
snorkeling and picnics. Ask Diego for
directions. You can also fish from the rocks
along the point where you will often get strikes.
Horseback Riding ~ Ask anyone in the
village for my old friends Matilde or Abrilado
and one of them will take you on a reasonably
priced ride along the beach, up the river or
wherever you want to go. Mornings and
afternoons are best and make sure you tell
them Scott sent you.
Para Sailing ~ Like Vallarta, but there is
much more to see. This is the best way to get a
view of the village, river, and jungle. Fun and
safe. Feel free to negotiate your own rates.
Para Gliding ~ For the more adventurous
Yelapa has become a destination for those who
launch themselves from two of the local peaks
and spend hours drifting and circling lazily
from their parachutes down to the beach.
Tandem rides and instruction are available
from several qualified operators.
Billiards and Sports Bar ~ Yelapa has a
cool pool hall where the locals like to watch
soccer matches, have an icy Corona and shoot
a few games. It is a fun, laid-back place where
ladies and children are welcome.
Mangita’s Restaurant ~ located 20
minutes upriver where they put on any NFL,
NHL, or NBA game you choose that’s on
satellite TV. A beautiful spot with great hosts,
food and nasty margs.
Day Trips to Vallarta ~ Leave Yelapa in
the morning to shop, and then catch a boat
back in time for happy hour and the welcome
tranquility of what now feels like home.
River Walk ~ Yelapa has a river running
into the bay that you can walk alongside up to
beautiful and secluded waterfalls. The trip
takes about 90 minutes and you will pass by
small homes, ranches, woods and pastures.
When you arrive you can cavort in the pools
and small cascades. Take a picnic because you
are likely to have the various places here to
yourself and it is great for leaving inhibitions
behind. This place is a jungle paradise that is
safe (and you won’t get lost.)
The Waterfall ~ Only minutes from the
house there is a 100-foot cascade with a pool at
the bottom and a small restaurant. A nice place
for a quiet breakfast or late lunch. The best
part is what the tourists don’t see and that is
the pools at the top of the waterfall, which
require a 20–30 minute hike. This is like a
private infinity pool where you can swim and
bask on the rocks as you enjoy the panoramic
view of the bay.
Restaurants:
Even though Grace and I have outfit our
kitchen to high standards and extol the virtues
of shopping for and cooking local fare from the
great village stores, we are weak. Almost all of
the restaurants listed below are within 20
minutes walking distance. There is also a great
little bakery just by our house with muffins,
banana bread, buns, you name it.
Yelapa is blessed with a great variety of
restaurants for all tastes that we think are
often cheaper and better than Vallarta. The
following restaurants will also be happy to
prepare your meals to go!
Please note that many of the village
restaurants are closed from late May 'til
September but most on the beach are open.
Cafe Bahia ~ or Susan's as we call it. A
great place for a quality breakfast and lunch
located right at the end of the pier when you
arrive. Pricier but good cocktails and the girl
can really cook.
Pollo Bollo ~ Yelapa’s own BBQ pit. A hit
with the locals and gringo's alike & just down
the path, this romantic spot with warm service
offers grilled ribs, chicken, seafood, vegetarian
and sides at a great price and atmosphere.
Check out the ½ orders where $7.00 buys you a
satisfying meal.
Mimi’s ~ Walk 5 minutes from the casa to
the center of "town" & you will find Mimi’s
Café. A wide range of menu items are served
at reasonable prices in a romantic garden
courtyard. As usual in Yelapa, there are only
5-10 tables so you are always assured of privacy
and attentive service. A lovely hostess, good
food and jazz & blues nights twice a week.
Eclipse Cyber Cafe ~ Right by Mimi's is a
small restaurant with three computers for us
email slaves. Good coffee and our latest
favourite, cheap & good place for breakfast. Sit
out back where the flies won't bother you.
Yolanda's Tacos ~ This is at my friend
Timo's house and his wife does the cooking 2-3
nights a week. Right beside Mimi's, this is the
place you go for taco's or hamburgers when
you don't feel like more. Super cheap & tasty
chow on the patio.
The Yacht Club ~ One of the great
misnomers of our time, as you will hopefully
see. There is no dock, no yachts and certainly
no pretension. For over 30 years this
restaurant/juke joint on the bay has been the
meeting place for all those who want to dance
like crazy. Only 10 minutes from the casa,
meals are fresh menu and romantic. Wed &
Sat. a dee-jay plus locals & guest musicians
contribute to a unique party until 3:00am. Not
to be missed.
The Vortex ~ At the entrance to the beach
and right on the lagoon is a nice little
restaurant/boutique/internet/fax place with
good food on the deck and fresh baked goods.
La Galleria ~ European cuisine with an art
gallery perched over the main path. A little
pricier but well worth it. A menu is posted daily
with the chef's fresh creations. A beautiful
view of the bay with a garden ambiance.
The Oasis ~ More excellent European cuisine
with a French accent. Situated by the lagoon
with a wonderful plantation atmosphere and a
great happy hour.
Passion Flower Gardens ~ Open 3 nights
a week off the trail that goes by the river. A
mellow garden atmosphere with movie nights
& reasonably priced, tasty eats.
Manguitas ~ One of our favourites located
20 minutes upriver. A cool riverside patio
under a mango tree where Louis & family will
spoil you with great food, cold beer & deadly
marg's. A unique place to watch professional
sports on satellite TV that they will put on just
for you.
Lagunita Hotel & Barracuda Lounge
~ Located at the far end of the beach, they
serve good food at OK prices to mostly guests
of the hotel. A nice change for breakfast, lunch
or dinner if you don't mind the hike back along
the beach at night.
Lupi's Cafe & Bakery ~ Located 2
minutes from the Casa is an excellent bakery
by day that becomes a very good & reasonably
priced restaurant by night. Under the stars,
sand floor and & candles. What's not to like?
yelapa is a state of mind
|
Contact Us:
Grace & Scott Cameron - Vancouver, BC
1-866-990-9307
Toll Free:
The Yacht Club
Beach restaurants
Mimi's Restaurant
Pollo Bollo's
Coco Bar
Waterfall restaurant
View from the beach, past the lagoon & up river
The magical Marieta Islands
Grand Cascade upriver
Horseback riding (on tequila?)
Eclipse Cyber Cafe
Cafe Bahia / Susan's
Writers & Artist Workshops ~ Yelapa has a large creative community of authors
and artists of all kinds whom often provide formal instruction in addition to weekly
workshops that you are welcome to participate in for free.
Spanish Language, Cooking and Yoga Lessons ~ Beginner through expert.
There are few places like Yelapa where so many talented professionals from all over the
world offer you the chance to learn their secrets and skills for such a reasonable price.
There is always something going on to learn about and it is always fun and informative.
Reading ~ you will not believe how conducive Yelapa’s peaceful environment is for
reading more books than you thought possible.
Hanging-out ~ everywhere you turn the local indigenous people are conducting their
daily lives. Hopefully you will appreciate the diversity of personalities and professions
involved in keeping the village stocked & running smoothly by boat transport, everyday.
The Vortex
Yolanda's Tacos
More pictures coming soon! & muchas gracias to my friend Yelapa Dave of
www.Yelapa.info for many of these photos!
Tres Amigos - Hotel Lagunita
The village church where you
are welcome to worship
La Galleria
The Oasis
April & Passion Flower Gardens
Manguita's Restaurant
The end of another day in paradise...
Golden sand awaits you
A paraglider launches above Yelapa
Beach corral
Village pool hall & sports bar