THE CROSSINGS
Four ways south
Los Muertos Pier
~75 minutes
We board from the marina closest to where you are staying. Times are at an unhurried cruise — the coastline is the point, not the clock.
Marina Vallarta
~90 minutes
Nuevo Vallarta
~1 h 45 min
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
~2 hours
Full days run from 8 hours out of Los Muertos or Marina Vallarta, and from 9 hours out of the northern marinas.
THE CROSSING
The passage that belongs to no one else
The public route to Yelapa is an open skiff on a fixed timetable — shared benches, a wet crossing, and a last boat back in mid-afternoon that decides your day for you.
Aboard a vetted vessel, the crossing becomes the first chapter rather than the errand. The whole southern shore slides past — Los Arcos, the coves beyond it, jungle falling straight into the sea. Coffee on the bow going out. A swim stop wherever the water looks right. In season, your partner captain will cut the engines for whales. Nothing is scheduled, because nothing has to be.
THE DAY, COMPOSED
A rhythm, not an itinerary
Morning
Board at your marina
Your vessel is inspected and prepared before you arrive. Cast off, and the bay opens south — the coastline unrolls, with room for a swim stop if the mood takes you.
Midday
Anchor in the cove
Yelapa has no dock. Your water taxi, arranged in advance, meets the yacht and carries you the last stretch to the sand — you step out in a few inches of warm water, directly in front of the restaurant.
Lunch
A long table on the beach
Fresh catch, cold drinks, your feet nearly in the water. Two hours pass easily here. The pie ladies still walk the sand with coconut and lemon meringue made at home — say yes.
Afternoon
The village and the waterfall
Your water taxi takes you around to the village pier. Cobblestone paths, no cars, small cafés, a jungle waterfall a short walk from town — full and swimmable in the green season. Horseback rides and ATVs can be arranged ashore if the group wants them.
Golden hour
The crossing home
While day visitors queue for the last public boat, you return to your own deck. The light goes gold over the water on the way back north. This is usually the part guests remember.
A shorter 6-hour day is possible from Los Muertos or Marina Vallarta — the beach and a long lunch, without the village. We will tell you honestly which fits your group before you decide.
STEPPING ASHORE, HONESTLY
Your feet will get wet. That is the whole arrangement.
Your yacht anchors in the cove, and the water taxi we arrange carries you to the sand in front of the restaurant. The last step is into ankle-deep warm water. We tell you this in advance so it is a detail, not a surprise: wear sandals you can carry, and anything you would rather keep dry stays aboard until you are settled.
— Oksana, founder
ASHORE
What the village holds
The waterfall
A short, gentle walk from the village pier. During and after the rains — June through November — it drops into a pool deep enough to swim. In dry months it thins to a thread; still a beautiful walk, and we will set your expectations before you go.
The town
No roads in, no cars inside. Cobblestone paths climb the hillside past small cafés, a juice stand, murals, and family-run shops. It rewards an unhurried hour — and your water taxi waits on your word, not a timetable.
On land, if you wish
Horseback riding along the river, ATVs into the hills, paragliding over the cove. We coordinate any of it in advance through people we know there — one conversation with us, not five negotiations on a beach.
THE EXTENDED VERSION
A night at anchor
Select vessels in our collection are prepared for the night. Dinner on deck as the village lights come on across the hillside. The bay to yourselves after dark. A swim in the morning before the first boats arrive. Overnight experiences are composed individually — tell us your dates and your group, and we will tell you plainly what is possible.
COMPOSED FOR
Who the long day suits
Anniversaries
The village at dusk, the crossing home in gold light, and the option of not going home at all.
Proposals
The waterfall in green season, or the aft deck once the cove empties. We will tell you honestly which suits the two of you.
Milestone birthdays
A long table on the sand, two unhurried hours, and a return that no timetable decides.
Families with older children
The waterfall walk, horses along the river, ATVs into the hills. The crossing is long — best for children who travel well.
Yelapa is the longest day we compose. For very young children, or guests who tire on the water, Las Ánimas is the kinder choice — and we will say so before you book.
Full-day Yelapa experiences begin at 2,500 USD for up to three guests, IVA included.
Every element — vessel, crossing, water taxi, table ashore — itemized before you confirm. Never after.
BEFORE YOU ASK
Questions, answered plainly
How far is Yelapa by boat?
It sits on the far southern curve of the bay: about 75 minutes from Los Muertos pier, 90 minutes from Marina Vallarta, 1 hour 45 from Nuevo Vallarta, and 2 hours from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, all at an unhurried cruise past Los Arcos and the southern coves.
How long a charter do we need?
Eight hours from Los Muertos or Marina Vallarta; nine from Nuevo Vallarta or La Cruz. That covers the crossing each way, a two-hour lunch, the village and waterfall, and room for the unplanned. A 6-hour beach-and-lunch day exists from the southern marinas, but it trades away the village.
Can we swim at the waterfall year-round?
It is fullest during and after the rainy season, roughly June through November, when the pool beneath is deep enough to swim. In the dry months it slows considerably. We will tell you honestly what to expect for your dates.
Can we spend the night in Yelapa on the yacht?
Yes — select vessels are prepared for a night at anchor in the cove. Overnight experiences are composed individually; begin an inquiry and we will tell you what is possible for your dates.
How is this different from Las Ánimas?
Las Ánimas is a beach; Yelapa is a place. Both share the same southern coastline, but Yelapa adds a living village, a waterfall, and the option to stay the night at anchor. Many guests pair them — a swim stop at one, the long afternoon at the other.