Yelapa is surprising in many ways.  It feels natural and remote, but it’s a 40 minute water taxi ride from busy Puerto Vallarta.  It has been discovered by tourists, but the locals are friendly, helpful, and sincere.  There is almost no crime, and since there are no cars (or roads) local and tourist children safely roam the paths and often strike up impromptu soccer games in a plaza.  There is a good population of American ex-pats, artists, and musicians, many who have lived full-or-part time in Yelapa for decades.  The beach is clean and just delicious!  There are umbrellas and palapas for shade, and you can spend the day in a chaise or hammock for the price of a couple cervezas. If you see the "pie lady", be sure to grab a slice.  I love the coconut.

There are hikes and walks that will take you to two different waterfalls, a quirky vegetarian restaurant a couple miles upriver from town, or along a rugged seaside trail that takes you to a luxury spa where you can get a Thai Peppermint Body Scrub or an Aloe and Green Tea Wrap, among other things.  There are a couple yoga studios on the hillside above the town that offer spectacular views that will certainly distract you from your downward dog.

The village is a maze of stone-paved “streets” lined with houses, small restaurants and cafes, and other small stores.  There is no Starbucks or any other chain store, in fact there are very few tourist-oriented shops besides a handful of good local restaurants.