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About
#4 of 9 in Yelapa
Location
4.7
Cleanliness
4.2
Service
4.5
Value
4.5
El Jardin consist of 4 casas and a big oceanfront communal space that includes, kitchen, living and dining room. Our common area, kitchen, living & dining room, is about 1600 square feet. Our kitchen is also fully equipped and for guests to use. We have filtered ice and we also have water to drink directly from the sink or if preferred from big 5 gallons. All casas are ‘’Palapa’’ except casa Hibiscus witch has a normal roof. All are open air with mosquito nets.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Beach
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Hidden Gem
Charming
Location
Full view
57Somewhat walkable
Grade: 57 out of 100
17Restaurantswithin 0.75 miles
3Attractionswithin 0.75 miles
Contact
Huachinango 63, Yelapa 48440 Mexico
Name/address in local language
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+1
Yelapa is undoubtedly paradise. As if an island, the tiny friendly community seems to exist in a place without time or outside stresses. We arrived at El Jardin after easily navigating a cab then water taxi, as per the clear instructions we received beforehand. The casas are straight out of a kid's dream of the perfect treehouse. Just the right balance of open air ocean views and privacy, with tons of artful design details, cubbies and comforts. Coming from the American southwest, I was kinda concerned about the lack of sealed walls, but the fauna of Yelapa is just as chill as the village. Very few mosquitos or flies, just hummingbirds, butterflies, geckos and the occasional iguana flitting in to say hola. We enjoyed the common area and local produce so much, we ended up staying on and cooking with the ocean view most nights. The local eggs and fruit are delicious. We also checked out Los Abuelos and Café Bahia for a few fantastic meals, and Micheladas de Vicky for some margaritas. Going for a boat ride to a secluded beach further west with ceviche made by the skipper onboard, hikes to the waterfalls and just blissing out watching dolphins, rays and sardines in the water and little coati throwing mangos in the trees. Many many thanks to Seb and Sue for making it such a smooth and memorable trip. I'm jealous of you both for the time y'all get to spend there! I would recommend El Jardin to anyone who would enjoy and respect this little slice of heaven. …
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Date of stay: April 2017Trip type: Traveled
Helpful
What makes El Jardin so special is the heart and sense of freedom that flowed out of every moment of our stay. Lots of other people have written about its amenities, so I'll focus on the "small moments" and perceptions that made this place. First of all, its location at the edge of Yelapa's "U" shaped geography makes it feel like the last stop before the vast ocean beyond, which is breathtaking while you hear the waves smash rock and feel the salty ocean mist during long, cool nights in the Eagle's Nest outdoor balcony room. Dolphins cruise through the bay as the sun peeks through the jungle valley overlooking the beach at first light. The room has its own hot water tank in its outdoor shower, which is glorious after a hike to the nearby waterfall or ocean swim at Playa Isabel, a semi-private beach two minutes from the door. You are greeted for coffee and conversation in El Jardin's full kitchen and lounge (hammocks and library with good books, games, and ping pong tourneys) by Mike, El Jardin's keeper, whose warm smile, useful information about the Yelapa community, and true attentiveness to your day-to-day needs, space, and positive vibes make the feel light and easy at all times. Heard horror stories about bugs but didn't see one, might be because we travelled in November and there was no rain all week. In any event this is a place we could really unwind, decompress, and refresh. Don't miss it.…
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Date of stay: November 2016Trip type: Traveled
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Eagle's Nest is ideal for couples, with private bath and ocean balcony
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Where to start? The clean ocean air? The brilliant flowers spilling out from the jungle that meets the water's edge? The multitude of butterflies flitting around, or the iguanas sunning themselves on the same rock every day? Or how about the total lack of cars and traffic? What a dream. The Eagle's Nest room in El Jardin was just what we needed after living in a congested city all year. This quiet outdoor room is just meters above the ocean, which means gorgeous views first and foremost, as well as the sound of waves 24/7, not to mention soft breezes and sparkling stars over the bay. We felt like we were floating on the sea, our bed being suspended from the ceiling. This room also has its own bathroom attached (other rooms share a bathroom). We loved that El Jardin had an outdoor kitchen so we could enjoy the communal atmosphere while making breakfast. Every morning we drank our coffee by the ocean while watching pelicans and boats go by. Michael, our host, was simply wonderful - very hospitable, friendly, and warm. What a great guy! We stayed for a week and wished we could stay longer! If you do go, do the hike up to the waterfall farther away...it's easy and long (bit less than 2 hours to reach the waterfall), and you don't need a guide. You will enjoy the total peace and quiet, not to mention the tropical birds flying overhead. To get here, you get dropped off at Playa Isabel, a tiny, sweet little sandy beach and walk to the right along a cobblestone path right near the edge of the sea. You must bring a flashlight for night walking from the village to the hotel.…
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Date of stay: November 2016Trip type: Traveled
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Eagle's Nest is the best room. It has its own balcony and bathroom, as mentioned.
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Helpful
I love this special spot! Perfectly situated on the water, with charming thatched palapas, and a tranquil, comfortable large open common space, well equipped with everything one could need to enhance their experience, including snorkeling gear, kayaks, hammocks, ping pong and really comfy couches, all open to the magnificent views of the clear, aqua bay. The icing on the cake is Micheal, the manager extraordinaire, who is incredibly gracious, wonderful company, and knocks himself out to make each guest feel special and cared for. Micheal will also tell you everything you need to know about Yelapa, where to swim, snorkel, hike and eat. Even is you are traveling alone, Micheal will make sure you have a friend. His love for this jewel is so obvious and contagious and palpable; you will feel immediately welcome and at home. Don't miss it!…
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Date of stay: November 2016Trip type: Traveled
Value
Cleanliness
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Helpful
I don't think I can say enough about this great gem of a place in Yelapa. My husband and I stayed at El Jardin for 4 nights. It's right by the water and about a minute walk to Playa Isabel. We chose the Eagle's Nest for our room and it was fabulous. It's located almost right above the water with a little deck to sit out on and gaze at the view of the bay. The bedroom and bath are both open air which was wonderful allowing us to be able to feel the ocean breeze. The common area is great too! It's surrounded by lush, tropical vegetation and views of the water. Guests are welcome to use the fully equipped kitchen and relax at any one of the tables or sofas. It's great that El Jardin is away from the hustle and bustle of the main playa. It's about a 15 to 20 minute lovely walk there and then only about an 8 to 10 minute walk into town. Sebastien, one of the owners, and Michael, the manager, made our stay extra special. Both so helpful, kind and just awesome people in general. For more than a reasonable price, Michael made us a delicious breakfast each morning. Such a treat! We couldn't have asked for better hosts. Another perk was being able to use the two kayaks El Jardin has and paddle around the bay. So fun! I do want to make a note about Yelapa. It's beautiful with beautiful people who work and live there. It's a fairly calm but happy atmosphere. Say "hola" to the locals even if it's the only Spanish you know. Be kind and courteous to all you meet and your holiday will turn into a magical one. This is the kind of place to get in touch with nature and people. There are small tiendas not large super markets. There are fans not air conditioning. There is the ocean not infinity pools. So decide before hand if this is the place for you. Your feet will get dirty. You will get bug bites. But you will have an amazing experience if you're open to it. We can't wait to get back to Yelapa & El Jardin!…
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Date of stay: October 2016Trip type: Traveled
Location
Cleanliness
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2 Helpful votes
Helpful
+1
My one week at El Jardin was very refreshing and relaxing. The main room/kitchen area is open air and very beautifull and nice to be in. Wonderfull light in the kitchen in the morning! I think the open area, that is covered in sand, is one of the nicest spot in yelapa. I stayed in Bamboo and it was confortable and clean. It was also very private. Staff/Owners where great!!
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Date of stay: November 2015Trip type: Traveled
Rooms
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Service
Room Tip: Eagles nest and Bamboo for more romantic.
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Helpful
I brought a small group here for a yoga retreat. The setting absolutely can't be beat. It is right on the ocean, just a short walk or boat ride to town. Chrissi was a wonderful host. She worked really hard and cooked the group 2 delicious meals every day. She also took care of arranging all our excurions and special requests, like a last minute birthday cake. She was gracious, extremely easy to communicate with and clearly had her entire heart in making sure we had a wonderful time, which everyone did. The palapas are basic. It really is a step up from camping, so as long as you and your group is prepared for that experience, you will have a wonderful time! Will book again!
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Date of stay: October 2015Trip type: Traveled
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
A business meeting required I be in Guadalajara (GDL), so I searched for an off the beaten path option on the closest beach, to piggy-back a short vacation onto the business trip. Boston had 100 inches of snow this winter and the chance to get away was alluring. Puerto Vallarta (PVR) is a 50 minute flight from GDL, a 4 hour drive. The small village of Yelepa looked intriguing to me – which is a 45 minute boat trip from Puerto Vallarta. There might be an overland road but no one seems to know for sure, and if they suspect there is a road from PVR, word is only burro’s can forage through. I will describe the logistics after I tell you about Yelepa. It is a little town that hugs Banderas Bay with one stone foot path that goes from one end of the “U” to the other. Small inns, B&BS, and casita’s hug the curve of the bay. There are two docks on either end of the Bay, and a town with one “boutique,” a handful of cafes (one has music at night…lots of fun), a waterfall, yoga retreats, a small beach (no waves), and a few places to buy tequila and groceries. There is a stone path beyond the one that circles the bay and turns into a sort-of road that leads out of town toward the jungle, which follows the river for about 1.5 miles with haciendas, stables, and homes on either side. No room for cars. Most of the locals have burro’s or horses and an occasional ATV. Once you hit the end of this path…it turns into a trail that the intrepid hiker can continue on for about an hour or two, to a spectacular, secluded waterfall and gorge, with pools big enough to do laps in – it is amazing. I did not see a soul the whole day. Gratefully, my new Yelepa friend Rocky took me there –while the high gorge is a simple trail walk – getting down to the pools is a more twisted path. But if one follows the river…it will lead to the falls. This experience is alone worth the trip. There is also snorkeling I’m told that is pretty good, and nice little tidal beaches along the bay as well. I stayed in a B&B called El Jardin, a bunch of small casitas and a lodge on the hillside. It is absolutely beautiful, spotlessly clean with a big, well outfitted kitchen that guests can use to make their own food. The lodge is a generous and comfortable space where there are many private corners, so that even when others staying there are in the public space…there is room. The highlight…is the ping pong table. What a treat. The casita I stayed in is called Eagles Nest. Perfect view of the ocean, totally private with open walls, a thatched roof, a clean beautiful private bathroom, the bed is hanging beneath a mosquito net. Protected from the rain, it feels wild in a real non-Disney way. The casita had everything needed and was totally simple. A bed a table 2 chairs and places to put clothing. It has electricity and a fan was available, but I did not need it. You will need a flashlight however – you don’t stand a chance at night unless the moon is full. Everything is built many flights up and the roads and steps are all stone and hand made…rough going. There is a group of ex-Pats on Yelepa; many own businesses and inns. Nice bunch of people and they are making their own wishes come true in this off the beaten path getaway. The locals are lovely people and are gracious and patient with tourists. Not many people speak English. There are scorpions, killer bee’s, bugs (but I did not get even one bite despite hours trekking in the woods), snakes and all the things that you would expect. Travel light – no rolling bag, bring a flashlight, benedryl, some bug stuff and have fun. No need to dress up in Yelepa and only bother with shoes that are good wet or dry and wont’ hurt when you climb. The only downside is the boat trip from PVR to Yelepa. They pack people into these boats and they are an accident waiting to happen. Next time, I would hire a private ride.…
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Date of stay: March 2015Trip type: Traveled
Value
Location
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Helpful
El Jardin is beautifully and thoughtfully designed. Yelapa is gorgeous, low key and lovely. This is a terrific vacation for people who want to get away from city life and live simply. Personally, I enjoyed having an iguana hanging out in our bathroom! El Jardin and Yelapa are gracious hosts and I hope to return one day.
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Date of stay: March 2015Trip type: Traveled
Helpful
We enjoyed our stay but were travelling with our kids and felt out of place. We were constantly worried that (as they are small children) they would disturb <the peace and quiet>. It is definitely an interesting concept that I would enjoy alone or as a couple. Was not cheap for the level of service and amenities offered.
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Date of stay: February 2015Trip type: Traveled
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
LOCATION
MexicoJaliscoCostalegreYelapa
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about El Jardin Yelapa
Which popular attractions are close to El Jardin Yelapa?
Nearby attractions include Yelapa Waterfalls (0.5 miles), Yelapa Beach (0.6 miles), and Museo de Historia, Arte & Cultura de Yelapa (0.4 miles).
What are some restaurants close to El Jardin Yelapa?
Conveniently located restaurants include taqueria los Abuelos, CAFE BAHIA - YELAPA, and Tacos y Mas!.