December 2007

Here's way too much information for your upcoming stay in Yelapa.

Items to bring
The most useful item for visitors of Yelapa is a flashlight. A small compact LED light is best. Other useful items are antibacterial lotion for bites, cuts and scrapes. If you drink coffee, bring some. A pocket-size pad of paper for remembering directions and taking notes is always helpful. Snacks from home are a treat to have here. Earplugs are a must for animal sounds, stereos and other new sounds. Also bring a mask and snorkel for playing with fish. June - October packing tip... pack your goods inside a plastic bag and then pack that into your suitcase, ensuring dry passage.

Airport
Like cattle you are herded to the various lines for you to receive your 90 day Visitors Visa. Be prepared to show your ID and paper work that you completed on the plane. After passing through, your next task is to find your luggage. If you have more than you want to carry , hand signal a porter to assist you. He will cost 15 pesos per bag. Next, the customs agents will have you push the button for the stoplight. If you get the green light, you leave. If you push the red light, you get your luggage searched. It is a pretty random process, and the search is quick and nothing to worry about. You now will enter a room with a bunch of friendly smiling faces. These are mainly, time share representatives. They may sound like they are you taxi driver, your concierge or your tour rep, but no.. they are there to get you to tour their hotel. Kindly, ignore all, unless you are being met by Hugo.


Our Taxi Service
Hugo Garcia, Sergio's brother works at the airport offering private pickup for our guests and visitors of Yelapa. As soon as you pass through customs, he will be waiting with a Yelapa sign. He will carry your luggage to his Suburban that holds 8 people or his smaller taxi for 2 or 3. He can handle any size group. Hugo is willing to run an errand, if needed or he will head directly to the Los Muertos Pier and our office. Using Hugo's service, costs only $10 more than a regular taxi. Your on vacation, why not let us take good care of you ? Call or email me for reservations.

Taxi
On the far left side of the airport, you will see the booths marked TAXI, go buy the ticket there. This way you are guaranteed the correct price for the zone you are going to.The cost to Los Muertos Pier is roughly 200 pesos or to Boca is 350 pesos.You can pay in US Dollars.

Pesos
The currency of Mexico is the peso. The best money to use for all purchases is the peso. US dollars are widely excepted in Yelapa, but you will then be at the mercy of their exchange rate which is often times ten pesos to the dollar, where as at a bank or casa de cambio is often higher. (Taxis, bars, shops and restaurants do not take CDN money for the most part) So in essence, exchange your money, or use an ATM card at one of the many ATM machines in Vallarta which are in English and in Spanish. All change from USD dollars is given in pesos. Foreign coin is not accepted anywhere and has ZERO value.

Money Exchange
Changing Dollars for pesos is available in many locations. For years I recomended the airport, but the lines have grown with long waits. My friend's Sergio and Roger, usually offer money exchange at a great rate, at the office located on the far left of the Los Muertos Pier. It is so convienent to exchange money there, as this is where you can board the water taxi to Yelapa. If not there are two different ATM's within a block of the pier.

Payment
Payments for our rentals are to be paid in US Dollars upon arrival. There is no ATM in Yelapa .Only the Hotel Lagunita, Galeria and Chicos accepts credit cards for services. Travelers Checks can be cashed, at one location but I recomend it as a last resort.

Los Muertos Pier and catching a boat to Yelapa
Upon Arrival to Los Muertos, you will be instantly greeted by the men in white. They make their living as salesmen. They already know you are going to Yelapa and will pressure you to buy a roundtrip ticket. It is my recommendation that you kindly and firmly tell them you are buying a ticket from Sergio or Roger. The office is located on the left as you walk, to the pier, the second business. You will see the white sign saying "Hotel Lagunita Office ". Sergio or Roger will sell you a ticket, either one way or roundtrip. Most but not all water taxi's, work together in Yelapa. So it might be better to buy a one way ticket, so you can return on the boat of your choice. The cost of a one way ticket is 110 pesos. Many water taxis are no longer allowing visitors of Yelapa to pay the boat directly.

As a service to our guests, Sergio or Roger will call me and tell me that you have arrived and I will confirm where to meet you. This contact is how I will know to meet you in Yelapa. They will also assist you getting on the water taxi.

On the right side of the pier, you will see the boat launch. Currently, Water taxis leave Los Muertos at 11am, 11:40 am, 12:30, 4:00 and 5:30 pm. Be there at least 15 minutes early. Watch your bags while waiting. Once the boat arrives, it will have Yelapa somewhere on the side of it. It usually has an awning. There are different taxi's on different days. The boatman will assist you with putting your bags on the front of the boat. If you have anything fragile keep it with you. Note that water runs through the center of the boat, so be careful not to put things there that you don"t want to get wet. Sit as far to the back of the boat and on the left side for best views and comfort. Always keep your hands in the boat. Many people smash their hands between the boat and dock. While the boat is moving, if you touch the water, all behind you will be splashed. Sit back and enjoy as you pass the Pueblos of  Boca de Tomatlan, Las Animas, Quimixto, Majuahuitas and Caletas. Yelapa is a short 40 minutes ride.


Boca de Tomatlan and catching a boat to Yelapa
If the ocean is rough or you get into Vallarta at an in between time, Boca is a good option to use as a port. It is a 45 minute taxi ride from the airport.They will let you off at the bottom of the hill and to your right. Water Taxi's leave at 9am, 10 am, 1, 2, 4, 5 and 5:30pm. For late arrival, private boats can be chartered for approx. 600 pesos. While waiting for a taxi, wait in the restaurant located up to the right. Be careful of sitting on the beach or you will become "bocadotted" with noseeums and mosquitos.Take off your shoes and roll up your pants, if you are wearing them, chances are you will be getting a bit wet. Cost of a one way ticket to Yelapa is 60 pesos and is 20 minutes via Water Taxi to Yelapa. Note: much of Boca's Beach has washed away.

If your plane is late
If you somehow get delayed and will not be on the boat that we discussed, I ask that you please try and contact me. Go to a store and buy a 30 peso Telmex card. Follow the instructions on the card. Contact me at 209 5096. Another option is to get a hotel and spend the night. I stay in Old Town at the Hotel Azteca., 473 Madero Phone: 222 2750  It is very bare-bones but cheap, clean and safe. There are other budget Hotels on the same street.

Arrival to Yelapa
If you made a reservation with me, I will be planning to meet you when you arrive in Yelapa. Please make sure to visit our office, off the Los Muertos Pier and they will contact me.

Once in Yelapa, usually the first stop is the beach or Hotel Pier. Do not get off here, ask the boatman or driver to let you off "esquina la playa" and help by pointing to the right side of the main beach. This is another time to stay calm. Concentrate on getting off the boat safely. Constantly bracing yourself, slowly move to the very front of the boat and exit the boat when the boat comes to it's low point and exit in one move. Do not hesitate in between. Some boats have stairs, to make it easier.The boatman will hand your bags to you after you get off the boat. If the ocean is rough, get off at the next stop, the pier in town. Remember to keep your hands in the boat, you don't want them to be pinched in between the dock and boat. There will be many kids and teens fighting to carry your bags to your casa. Costs are roughly 40 pesos per large bag. Make sure all your bags are all accounted for. At that point, they or I will guide you to the casa and to your stay in Yelapa. Finally, If you are staying in Casa Pedrana, ask that you be let off at Playa de Isabel or la Puntilla. This also a beach landing. The cost of carrying your bags to Casa Pedrana is 100 pesos per large bag.

Reminder...If you are meeting me and can't get off in front of my office...get off at the town pier and have the kids bring you to me.

Safety and Health
In general, Yelapa is very safe. Most casa's offer some sort of locked bodega. Keep money, expensive cameras and ipods with you. If you have a loss, report it to the police or the comisario quickly. The police are seldon now in Yelapa and if in Yelapa they live off the basketball court and the comisario/sheriff, Jamen Vallastero Rodriguez lives upriver. His phone number is 209 5116. Spanish only spoken.

Drink and Eat in Moderation. Don't try a lot's of new foods and drinks, all at once. Alcohol in Yelapa can be very strong. If you over do it, visit my mother in law, Alicia at Casa Del Sol. She is a master Herbalist and can usually heal you, quickly. The local medical clinic can handle most procedures. Visitors are asked to make a donation for services.

Scorpions
yes... Yelapa has scorpions. Good chances are that you will not see one. Scorpions or Alacran's live under brush and in crevices and in general, spots that are not usually touched daily and do not want to be found.They are about two inches long and are usually golden, in color. Scorpions can move fast but are not aggressive and will run from you. Basic precautions are to wear shoes at night and to not hang towels over areas that touch the ground. Avoid placing wet towels or clothes, on the floor without inspecting them when picking them up. Another tip is that Scorpions put out a strong energy when they are close to you. If you get a feeling to look somewhere, follow your intuition. Also, it seems the more you concentrate or worry about them, the better chances you will meet one. If you find one, take off or find a shoe and kill it. In the rare chance of being stung, go to the nearest, local Yelapense. They will help you. Oh yeah... stay calm.