Water Taxi

You already are aware that Yelapa is generally only accessable by water taxi either out of Puerto Vallarta or Boca de Tomatlan. During the dry season, there is FWD access from El Tuito to the top of the ridgeline above our village. The one hundred fifty minute trek is used primarily for delivery of building materials. The Yelapa Water Taxis are our  life line to the outside world; our public transportation.   

The schedule during the high season (November thru April) offers thirteen daily departures to
Boca; seven of these power on to Vallarta. With the completion of Los Muertos Pier, travelers off- load directly onto the pier versus wading ashore via some Normandy Beach style assault.  Service commences at 7:45am-ish and continues almost hourly until 6:00 pm-ish. Bear in mind that time here in Yelapa is not precise, more an estimate. This service operates daily regardless of sea or weather conditions. While all of the pangas have overhead awnings, little protection is afforded from horizontal winds which blow thru bearing sea mist or rain. Generally the rides are pleasant and uneventful. Locals are all greeted by name as they join the group. People even say “thank you” to the Captain.  Older people are respectfully helped onto and off the panga while packages are stored and then retrieved at the destination.

There are two loosely organized driver groups, referred to as cooperativos.  They seek to provide all passengers assurance that the taxi is safe (life jackets are on board) and that the vessel is seaworthy. Do mechanical breakdowns occur? Of course. Is there the odd occasion when the driver miscalculates his remaining fuel? Yes. But these are exceptions.  The drivers are local men who have grown up, in and around the sea. They, no doubt received their training from a father, uncle or older brother.  During  new moon/full moon phases when the tides and sea swells are the most extreme, their full  seamanship capabilities are demanded. They must be able to “decode” the sea, calculate wave height, swell timing, and recall the location of shallow rock croppings while adjusting their speed and direction to minimize passenger discomfort. They are masters at their trade, gracias a todos.

Buying taxi tickets whether at Los Muertos Beach Pier or Boca de Tomatlan may create an awkward moment for the unknowing traveler. Accept the fact that as you head down the street to either of the piers, you are a “marked” traveler. You will be asked repeatedly if you are traveling to Yelapa. Just lie and say “no.” That’s right, you’ll need to lie. The taxi cooperatives engage vendors to sell tickets at both departure points. If you buy a ticket, it will only identify passage on that particular coop’s group of boats; it is not transferrable. This means that your return voyage will be limited to that coop’s pangas and travel times. Here’s what we ‘sorta-locals’ do. When approached to buy a ticket, we shake our heads and proceed to the end of the pier. We have a rough idea when the next taxi is departing. When the taxi arrives, you simply board. You may be asked to pay prior to getting on the boat, that’s ok.   Then the timing of your return is in no way limited. Once you board the taxi, reach up grab on to the center support pole, use that for stability, and step onto the benches and then drop down when you reach your selected spot.  Suggestion: move as far to the rear of the taxi as possible and then sit in the center of the bench. These two items will assure that you experience the most comfortable ride possible.

Local News: Susan Pasko, Café Bahia, has set up a new FaceBook open access page entitled “Yelapa Visitors.” It is intended to be a hub for new and repeat visitors alike. Check it out, and see what is happening that day or in the week ahead. It features a current Water Taxi Schedule; that alone is a reason to check it out.

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Go online this week; check out a short kayak video. Notice how happy all the people appear, then find a way to check in with Memo on the Playita and experience the real item. Happy Paddling.