How to Visit Yelapa From Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Yelapa yacht tour from Puerto Vallarta

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars (700+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  6 hours | ✅ Book it!

One of the most fun ways to get to Yelapa is on this all-inclusive mega yacht tour. Instead of squeezing into a small panga, you’ll cruise across Banderas Bay in comfort with open bar service, plenty of space to stretch out, and live entertainment on board. Along the way, the crew keeps things lively with music, games, and activities, so the ride itself feels like part of the adventure.

Once you arrive in Yelapa, you can choose how to spend your time. Hike up to the waterfall for a refreshing swim, wander through the charming village, or just relax on the beach with a margarita in hand. On the way back, the yacht makes a stop for snorkeling and water activities, with kayaks, paddleboards, and even floating water mattresses included.

Living in Puerto Vallarta, I’ve been on plenty of day trips to Yelapa with friends. Sometimes for birthdays, sometimes just because we felt like treating ourselves. Honestly, they’ve been some of my favorite memories here. There’s nothing like dancing on deck with the mountains as your backdrop, spotting whales in the bay, or simply soaking in the sun with your best people by your side.

This experience was the best part of our trip! The yacht was nice, the drinks kept coming and the service was impeccable – Erika (read more reviews)

Speedboat Snorkeling & Yelapa Excursion

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars (30+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  4 hours | ✅ Book it!

If you’d rather skip the big party boats and join a smaller, more intimate trip, this Yelapa Escape & Snorkeling by Speedboat is a great choice. The ride over to Yelapa is quick and fun, giving you more time to actually enjoy the village.

Once there, you can hike to the waterfall, wander the streets, or just stretch out on the beach with a drink in hand. A light lunch with ceviche is included so you don’t have to worry about food.

On the way back, the boat makes a stop at Los Arcos Marine Park, one of Puerto Vallarta’s most iconic snorkeling spots. The granite islands, underwater caves, and schools of tropical fish make it a highlight in their own right, so it’s a nice bonus to end the trip.

I love this option for days when I want a little adventure without being on a huge yacht. It feels more personal, moves faster, and lets you experience both Yelapa and Los Arcos in a single outing.

Yelapa Water Taxi from Los Muertos Pier

The easiest and most popular way to get to Yelapa is by water taxi from Los Muertos Pier in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone. Boats leave four times a day and take about 45 minutes to cross Banderas Bay. It’s a scenic ride, passing jungle-covered mountains, secluded beaches, and sometimes even spot whales along the way.

Water Taxi Schedule (Los Muertos Pier → Yelapa):

• 11:00 a.m.
• 11:45 a.m.
• 3:00 p.m.
• 5:00 p.m.

You can view the most up-to-date schedule here: Los Muertos to Yelapa Water Taxi Schedule

Return public water taxis from Yelapa usually leave in the afternoon around 5:00 p.m., but always confirm before heading out since times can shift with the season. Otherwise, you will have to pay for a private Yelapa water taxi.

We had to hire a private boat to take us back from Yelapa to Puerto Vallarta after missing the last public water taxi, and we paid 220 USD for it (and that was in 2021). It was a costly mistake, but having a private boat while the sun set over the city was an amazing memory.

Tickets cost around 400–500 MXN round trip (about $20–25 USD), and you can buy them directly at the pier. Schedules can change with the season, so I recommend confirming departure times in advance. Typically, boats run every couple of hours, with the last return leaving Yelapa in the late afternoon.

From living in Puerto Vallarta, this has been my go-to way of visiting Yelapa. I love catching the morning boat, spending the day hiking to the waterfall or relaxing on the beach, and then heading back just before sunset. It’s affordable, easy, and gives you that classic local experience of traveling by panga.

Tips:

• Arrive 20–30 minutes early, especially on weekends or holidays.
• Bring cash, as not all ticket sellers accept cards.
• Sit near the back of the boat if you want a smoother ride.

By Water Taxi from Boca de Tomatlan

Another option is to catch the water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán, a small fishing village about 25 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta. You can get there easily by local bus from the Romantic Zone (it costs just a few pesos and leaves every 10–15 minutes) or by Uber/taxi if you want something faster and more comfortable.

The big advantage of leaving from Boca is that it cuts the boat ride in half compared to Los Muertos Pier. If you’re prone to motion sickness, this shorter ride can make a world of difference since it only takes about 20–25 minutes to reach Yelapa.

Plus, you’ll get a more frequent schedule here, with water taxis leaving every hour between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.That flexibility makes Boca a great choice if you don’t want to be tied to a specific departure time.

Boca itself is a cute little town worth wandering before your boat. There are beachfront restaurants, colorful boats bobbing in the water, and a relaxed vibe that feels worlds away from Puerto Vallarta. Sometimes I’ll plan to arrive a bit early just so I can grab a coffee or ceviche by the beach before heading to Yelapa.