Gaining a new perspective in Yelapa

Last week, I had a big change in perspective as my wife, Beth, & I headed to Yelapa, Mexico for our first vacation in years.  I heard about Yelapa from Renee Rangel of RRR Farms when I ran into her at the HOPE Farmers Market.  I asked her where I should take Beth on vacation, and without missing a beat, she enthusiastically said, "Yelapa!".  Elizabeth Winslow, the founder of Haymakers, also had high praise for Yelapa.  Having just spent five days there, I now understand why they love it so much.

Yelapa beach

After flying into Puerto Vallarta, Beth and I got to Yelapa the only way possible: by a 45 minute boat ride.  This truly is the only way in and out, and I think this is part of the reason that Yelapa has remained relatively untouched by the outside world.  It is a "communidad indigena", which means that the land is held collectively by the indigenous people who have always lived there.  Land here cannot be purchased by outsiders, and, as a result, you don't see all of the commercial development that has taken over so much of the world.  In fact, Yelapa didn't even have electricity until 2001.  Now, there is also wifi, and it is not uncommon to see satellite dishes to capture TV & internet attached to thatched-roofed house.  These changes made me a little nervous about the future of Yelapa - I would hate to see such a beautiful place give way to corporate culture.



Although there were signs of the encroachment of modern life, the overall feeling of the place is one of simplicity.  This is exactly what I wanted - something off the beaten path where we could relax.  Yelapa is a tropical dry broadleaf forest, and we arrived just before the start of the rainy season. It is a place with no cars (although now you do see some 4-wheelers), no paved roads, no glass windows (all of the structures had window openings, but no glass), and very few boats (unlike the Gulf coast near where I grew up, there aren't any pleasure boats or sailboats - just small working boats).  It is pretty amazing to be able to look out onto an uncluttered beach and to be free of the constant sound of traffic.

A Yelapan travels by burro.

It is hard to believe that a place like this still exists, and I have to say that it was the perfect place for Beth and I to take a vacation.  Even so, I had trouble relaxing at first.  It is always hard for me to leave the farm, and I felt a little guilty about not working.  It helped that I couldn't make calls on my cell phone, but I do admit that I did tap into the wifi to check in via email a few times - old habits and worries are hard to break.  All in all, though, it was a wonderful vacation for me and Beth as we took in Yelapa's unique way of living and natural beauty.  If you are interested in learning more about Yelapa, I recommend you check out this website: Yelapa History Project.

Farmer Brenton learns to take a vacation