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It’s safe to say Puerto Vallarta is having a moment.
Many travelers looking for an unforgettable beach vacation in Mexico have their sights set on Cancun or Cabo, but Puerto Vallarta has earned its place at the table.
Consistently ranked in the top 4 most popular vacation destinations in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is no longer underrated. A big reason why this beautiful beach city has something that Cancun and Cabo lack: a sense of… Real Mexico.
But even then, Puerto Vallarta can get busy as its popularity has skyrocketed.
As you hug the border of Jalisco and Nayarit, there are some sensational beach towns in both states to explore nearby.
In fact, over 200 miles of it lie along the coast of Mexico. But there is one beach town on the Jalisco side that is in the early stages of making a name for itself, where the trip is as much fun as the stay there.
The next time you book a trip to Puerto Vallarta, keep in mind that another paradise awaits you.
Here’s why you should visit the beautiful coastal town Jalapa instead of:
A lesser known paradise Only accessible by boat
Yelapa is a small coastal town hidden in the Bahía de Banderas, away from all major roads. The only feasible way to get here is to board a cheap water taxi from Puerto Vallarta.
That is unless you go to the Naked and scared route and fight your way through the lush Jalisco jungles with snakes and tarantulas… but hey, that makes the beach all the more attractive.
Puerto Vallarta is a great place to visit for a beach vacation, especially if you spend a lot of money on resorts, but that’s where the authenticity is lost.
Yelapa is there to make that right, whether it’s a day out or a week-long holiday.
As many of Mexico’s beaches have risen in popularity, Yelapa reminds us that not every beach resort needs to cater to tourists with luxury resorts, swim-up bars and overhyped restaurants.
To say Yelapa is cultural is an understatement and well worth the fun journey to get here, which is all part of the allure in the first place.
Travelers can depart from Puerto Vallarta with an official tour operator or via water taxi from Los Muertos Pier offered by Go2Yelapa or Water Taxi Jack.
No cars, just donkeys
A visit to Yelapa is more like a trip back in time than a visit to Yelapa Back to the futureis it still okay to say, “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.”
Since there are no roads leading to Yelapa, it is much more common for locals to travel by donkey. Yes really.
This is all part of the authentic appeal of visiting Yelapa.
Although you don’t have to travel around by donkey, the small town is easily accessible on foot, so you can enjoy local flavorful food and drinks before returning to your cozy boutique hotel.
Cheap, comfortable stays on the beach
If shiny, multi-storey hotels are your thing, then Yelapa might not be for you.
If a cozy stay along a pristine beach is your thing, then you can definitely leave the mellow benefits of Puerto Vallarta behind and head to this beautiful beach town.
While Puerto Vallarta is actually more affordable than you might expect, Yelapa is even cheaper with a handful of boutique hotels and rental properties clustered around the U-shaped bay.
This summer, nightly rates range from $40 to $200, ranging from casitas to incredible wellness retreats.
Amazing nature, from beaches to waterfalls
Against the backdrop of lush jungles, travelers with a cold can kick back at beautiful Playa Yelapa cerveza in hand.
The town may be small, but it offers a range of activities to keep you busy in paradise, from snorkeling in the picture-perfect blue waters to an easy guided hike through the jungle.
Here tourists will find the picturesque Yelapa Waterfall, the perfect break from the beach and still a place where you can swim.
Puerto Vallarta may be more popular, but Yelapa offers a more authentic, relaxing experience surrounded by beautiful nature.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
