Yelapa from the Puerto Vallarta cruise port

Town & walking15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then 45-60 by water taxi

A village on a cove on the south side of Banderas Bay with no road access, reached only by water taxi from Puerto Vallarta or Boca de Tomatlán. It is the classic escape from the city for beach restaurants and a slower pace.

Getting there from the ship

From
Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal
Travel time
15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then 45-60 by water taxi
Allow about 20 minutes to get off the ship first. Puerto Vallarta taxi fares.
Cost
Water taxi from Los Muertos 350 pesos one way or 550 round trip (undated schedule page); 400-500 pesos round trip (2025).

Will you be back for all aboard?

On a typical Puerto Vallarta call you have up to 6 h 20 min there once you allow for getting ashore, travel both ways and an hour's margin before all aboard.

Tip

The timing is very tight on a cruise. Boats from the Los Muertos pier leave at 11:00 and 11:45, and the afternoon boat back to Puerto Vallarta leaves Yelapa at 16:00, which is too late for a typical 16:30 all aboard. Go via Boca de Tomatlán instead, where boats run about hourly and the crossing takes 20-30 minutes, or book a tour that guarantees the return. If you miss the boat, there is no road out.

Puerto Vallarta cruise port: Yelapa FAQ

How far is Yelapa from the Puerto Vallarta cruise port?

From Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal it is 15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then 45-60 by water taxi.

How much does it cost to visit Yelapa?

Water taxi from Los Muertos 350 pesos one way or 550 round trip (undated schedule page); 400-500 pesos round trip (2025).

Can you visit Yelapa on your own from a cruise ship?

Yes, it is easy to do on your own: it is 15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then 45-60 by water taxi from Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal. The timing is very tight on a cruise. Boats from the Los Muertos pier leave at 11:00 and 11:45, and the afternoon boat back to Puerto Vallarta leaves Yelapa at 16:00, which is too late for a typical 16:30 all aboard. Go via Boca de Tomatlán instead, where boats run about hourly and the crossing takes 20-30 minutes, or book a tour that guarantees the return. If you miss the boat, there is no road out.

Tours that go to Yelapa

Checked against a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm call with an hour's margin.

All tours

More things to do near Yelapa

All 12 places
  • Las Ánimas Beach · Beach · 15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then about 25 by water taxi from the pier · 11 km from Yelapa
  • Vallarta Botanical Garden · Nature · 50-70 minutes by taxi from the pier · 16 km from Yelapa
  • Mismaloya · Beach · 30-40 minutes by taxi from the pier · 17 km from Yelapa
  • Los Arcos Marine Park · Snorkeling · by tour boat, or 30-40 by car to the Mismaloya departure beach from the pier · 17 km from Yelapa