Even though it is located only 17 miles from Puerto Vallarta, it transcends you to a place much farther away in both distance and time. In less than one hour, you can move from the hustle and bustle of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to the tiny village of Yelapa (yeh-LA-pa) where everything moves at a much slower pace.

Yelapa is a blond-colored cresent-shaped beach located in a cove off of Banderas Bay south of Puerto Vallarta. There are several ways to get to Yelapa, however, all involve going by boat.

How to get to Yelapa

The most common way to get there is by a water taxi known as a panga. The two main places to get into a panga are on Los Muertos beach in downtown Puerto Vallarta or on the beach at Boca de Tomatlan south of Puerto Vallarta.

The other two options are to hire a private boat for a day or buy one of the many day-trip boat packages booked through the tour agencies located in many of the hotels. Both of these options leave from the Puerto Vallarta's marina. A private boat costs US$80 to $150 for the day, but it gives you more flexibility as far as when you leave and return. The day-trip package, which often includes a stop for snorkeling along the way costs around US$66 per person. These boats leave around 9:30 and return around 4:30.

Pangas drop you off in Yelapa either at the small pier or directly onto the beach. If you are dropped off at the pier, you don't have to worry about getting wet.

If you are dropped off at the beach, be prepared to disembark over the side of the panga into knee-deep water and walk to the beach. Wearing sturdy, waterproof sandals is advised.

What to do in Yelapa

Once on the beach the most common activity is to do - nothing! Some visitors spread out a towel and lay on the beach soaking up the warm sunshine and listening to the rhythm of the water lapping the shore. For more energetic folks, there is a myriad of activities to do, such as hiking though the tiny village of Yelapa proper (which involves crossing a small river running from the cove to the lagoon) up to the 150-foot waterfall (which runs typically in the rainy season, July through November), riding horseback, bird watching or parasailing high above the cove.

If you get thirsty or hungry, there are many small restaurants located right on the beach. Sit in a beach chair or at a table, dig your toes into the soft warm sand and enjoy a cervasa or your favorite tropical drink along with a traditional Mexican meal selected from the menu. After eating, finish off the meal by buying a piece of fresh homemade pie from one of the pie ladies strolling up and down the beach. Many varieties of pie are available, but the two most popular are chocolate and pecan.

It is easy to forget about time while in Yelapa because it seems as though time itself has forgotten about Yelapa. However, if you want to get back to Puerto Vallarta the same day, you need to be sure get on your tour boat or catch the last panga going to Puerto Vallarta. Otherwise, you will end up staying the night in one of the three primitive hotels located on the beach.

Midway through your stay in Puerto Vallarta, you may be looking for a place to get away from the noise of the city. If so, Yelapa makes a great day-trip destination. In less than one hour, let yourself be transported years back in time. Hasta la vista!