“Where two rivers meet the sea” ~Yelapa~ Jalisco, Mexico 2022
An old fishing village between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre mountains that can only be reached by boat. Yelapa is owned by the locals. One of the few remaining on Earth where the original inhabitants still reside on, own and control their own land as a comunidad indigena. The land is held collectively by the community. Cars are not permitted in the village. The only way to around the village is by foot, bike or the occasional 4 wheeler for transporting larger items around town.
Our group of close friends took a city bus from our hotel in Puerto Vallarta to a local town called Boca. Once we arrived in Boca we met with a local boat owner who agreed, for a small fee, to take us to Yelapa. Upon arrival, the beach was full of umbrella’s, tables, chairs, and several small restaurants selling food and beverages. Our local boat contact advised us of the latest timeframe for departure based on safety and she agreed to wait at the beach with her crew until we returned. Our group started the adventure with a quick adult beverage before our walk across the beach, through a small fishing cove, and up into the mountains where the town resides. The hike to our destination, a popular waterfall, lead us through a street of colorful markets filled with local crafts and food vendors. At the waterfall we enjoyed another well deserved adult beverage.
Once everyone captured their memories, and their breath, we made our way back through the town of Yelapa to the beach for dinner and pie made by one of the locals.