Last month our local nurses and doctors, with the help of a volunteer doctor from Europe, visited the schools to give free checkups. The most prevalent problem encountered concerned the children’s mouths. About 50% of the kids had dental problems. There was also a fair amount that had lice or fleas as well. Fortunately there were not many bone problems to report. The clinic will have a dentist in house covered by Seguro Popular, but they do not expect him/her to be here in the very near future. Until then they tried to encourage regular cleanings. There is a new dentist in town that can provide these services.
Note from Kendra Garcia:
Health Clinic: A great effort was made by community members to clean up the grounds at the health clinic on Feb 15th. Lots of leaves were swept up (and composted), trees were cut and/or trimmed, construction remains were thrown out, moved, or organized, a few plants were planted and more.
The little health clinic in Yelapa has transformed into a beautiful, big building complete with an access ramp. Roberto Hernandez Viorato, our health clinic head nurse, spearheaded this project. The secretary of health and representatives from Guadalajara visited the clinic on Feb 15 to determine what is left to be completed. Examination rooms will be furnished, screens will be put on the windows, curtains will be added as well as mosquito nets, landscaping, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: The clinic is fully operational, but they will soon be fully operating as an institution that serves folks with Seguro Popular insurance. This is government provided insurance. The clinic has yet to receive this mandate, but have been notified to expect it. What this means is that if you do not have this insurance, you will no longer be able to be treated there when the change if made. If you need a consultation, you will be able to meet with the local doctors, but they will not be able to provide you with any medications or additional services. They will be able to do provide you with services like stitches – but again, they won’t be able to provide any medications. However, if you have FM2 or FM3 status or are a citizen, you can get this health insurance nearly for free. Yes, at almost no cost to you. There is no annual/monthly charge at all. The only expense would be the processing fee for the paperwork. You will need to gather up your CURP number (listed in your legal Mexican paperwork), your birth certificate, a local bill indicating your address of residence, and passport. As mentioned, there will be a small processing fee for the paperwork – I do not know just how much this will be yet. Nurse Roberto will help complete the paperwork, process it for you, and let you know when you can expect to pick up the insurance document you need. Roberto helped me process my paperwork for this about a year ago and it wasn’t difficult. Obviously this change will impact our tourists in the future, but, please, no need for mass panic yet. The Health Clinic and our local doctors are thinking about and working through solutions for how this impacts our very important and large tourist population.
Our current local doctors are David Bonilla Lara MPSS (here until July 31) and Robert Cesar Riguez Sanchez (here on contract). They are pictured in one of the attached photos. Dr. David Bonilla Lara is standing.
Women’s Health: On Feb 22 and 23 the health clinic is providing FREE cervical and breast cancer exams for women with seguro popular insurance. Please, please help spread the word to all your local lady friends in town. Their health is so important!
Yelapa is part of the Costa Dorada of Mexico, on Banderas Bay. On the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, Yelapa enjoys a sub-tropical climate — pleasant and temperate most of the year. Surrounded by jungle, Yelapa receives its rain primarily in the summer, September being the rainiest month. The weather is nearly ideal November through May. During the long dry season, daytime temperatures are in the mid 70s to low 80’s F (28-30 C), while nighttime temperatures cool to the 60s. Though rainy and hot, don’t overlook the summer months as a time to visit. Temperatures may reach 90 degrees F (32 C) but rates are considerably cheaper. If you are a naturalist you will enjoy the many species of birds that migrate here during this time. If solitude is what you desire you will nearly have the village to yourself. Typically the mornings are clear and bright, with the rain coming in the afternoon. When it rains, the storms can be quite beautiful, with the rain moving gently across the hills while lightning illuminates the sky. What could be more romantic on a summer evening by the sea than the sound of rain falling on a palapa roof?
Yelapa is located at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains, near the home of the Huichol Indians. This peaceful native culture was left nearly undisturbed when the Europeans were busy searching for gold among the Mayans. The name, Huichol, means “healer.” A little local culture is available on your trek to the local waterfall. When you reach the top you will be greeted by local artisans at Javier’s Rosewood Factory. While you’re enjoying yourself in this paradise, you can also improve your Spanish.Yelapa EnglishSpanish Instituteoffers many opportunities for all ages.
A visit to nearby Puerto Vallarta is a must during your stay. Here is where you will find the shopping, nightlife and big city activities conspicuously absent from the quiet, peaceful life in Yelapa. There are many fine restaurants in Vallarta, as well as many cultural opportunites. Art is everywhere: along the “malecon” with its sculptures, in the plazas and the galleries presenting Mexican Art. Puerto Vallarta has become a favorite spot for deep sea sport fishing. Baderas Bay is Mexico’s largest. Two miles deep, it is home to sailfish, mahi-mahi, dorado, marlin, tuna, roosterfish and red snapper, just to name a few. There are a variety of options for boat trips, including a Pirate Cruise!
Whether you’re an “adventure traveler,” in search of high-impact outdoor activities, or you’re more comfortable lounging on a beach with a fruity-drink and a trashy magazine, Yelapa has plenty to offer. Isabel Beach is just a ways down the path from El Jardin and is always available for a swim. The snorkeling is amazing at our own front door! El Jardin also has kayaks available if you’d like to go for a paddle. If you want to be more social, you might want to walk the half mile along the scenic footpath through the pueblo to the main beach. The main beach is very pleasant, with several restaurants conveniently located and more than willing to place a cool drink in your hand and bring you a plate of chips and fresh guacamole.
Yelapa is a fishing village with a sizable art community. There are a few galleries, and if you inquire, you can find a number of local artists who will be glad to show you their work.
If you are into fishing, half-day or day-long fishing trips can be arranged. Or, if you’d simply like to explore the area a bit, boat trips to surrounding areas can be arranged. One popular excursion is to the Marietas Islands, where you can see a number of types of birds, including the blue-footed boobies, whose only other habit is located in the Galapagos Islands. Whale watching trips can also be arranged, or just a jaunt down the coast a bit to secluded beaches.
If you like to hike, Yelapa has numerous opportunities for getting out and experiencing the countryside. For starters, a pleasant walk through town and a short way upriver, south of the pueblo, you come to the base of a stunning waterfall, which begins its descent approximately 200-feet above you. Depending on the time of year, the base of the waterfall is a large-but-shallow pool. Having one’s picture taken beneath the falls is a time-honored Yelapa tradition! There is a lovely cafe at the base of the falls, where you can get a margarita and some chips and guacamole and enjoy the scene.
For those who seek a more adventurous hike with a spectacular payoff, there is the hour-and-a-half hike up river to the “big waterfall.” Plan on making a day of hiking to this fall and back, but definitely plan on making it a part of your visit, it’s worth it!. Finally there is a very challenging half-day hike to a village of indigenous people. There are many other hiking opportunities in the surrounding area.
For the the truly adventurous, para-sailing behind a boat or a para-glide off the top of the mountain might be more your style.
After a hard day spent in paradise, you could have a massage from the capable and loving hands of either of our local masseuses, Beverly, or Kate, while literally watching the dazzling ocean under coconut palms.
Maybe lying in the hammock is more what you are looking for or perhaps enjoying the local cuisine (including the famous home-made pies available daily),
If you want to be pampered, two hotels in Yelapa, Lagunita and Verana have luxury spas.