Review:

Yelapa Beach is the charming public beachfront of the town of Yelapa, located approximately 40 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta near the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range. The town, which is named for the Purepecha word for "the place where waters become a pond," is only accessible via boat or water taxi from nearby Los Muertos Beach or Boca de Tomatlan and has escaped much of the recent development of many of Mexico's hottest tourist beach areas.

Where to eat: Many refer to the beach as Mexico's last remaining authentic beach, home to only a few al fresco bars and vendors along its crescent-shaped stretch of sand. It is known throughout Mexico for its delicious fresh-baked beach pies, available in a variety of flavors, and its unique strong liquor raicilla, a variant of mezcal.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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