Amidst the swirling chaos of an empire in decline, with our 25th anniversary and friends' other personal milestones approaching, we're getting together this coming March for at least one more convergence-style celebration, and of course we'd love for you to be a part of it.
"Convergence" is the name we've come up with for these choose-your-own-adventure gatherings we've been hosting. The idea is that, for a weekend, or a week, or longer, we all enjoy a vacation in the same scenic coastal village, but everything is in walking distance, so we can each stay in the environment we like - an ocean view apartment, "glamping" near the beach, a secluded jungle palapa, or a house in town shared with friends - but meet up for meals or activities or entertainment when we feel like it.
It's been a blast, which is why what we thought would be a once-per-decade anniversary/birthday party instead became the launch of this event series - we didn't want to wait another ten years to do it again (and we saw no reason for it to be all about us). The overall recipe has been a hit, but each time we're learning something new and doing our best to make it even better than before.
As explained below, we're not sure we can promise to keep up this pace after 2026, but whether or not this is a series finale, or the last for a while, we'll make the most of this opportunity to spend unrushed vacation time with so many wonderful people in our favorite little seaside village.
We're aiming for the best of both worlds: you do whatever you want to do (or just relax) on your vacation; we provide some bonus meals and entertainment to choose from; and there are other cool people to do things with if you like.
Two shared hangout spaces have been reserved for an entire week, plus the weekends on either end, for all guests to use. One has a pool, and the other one is right by the cove, closer to the town pier and restaurants. Both houses are centrally located with great views, and both will be stocked with coffee, tea, some snacks, seltzer, beer, and margarita ingredients, as well as a few games. If you feel like it during the day you can go to either place to meet up with people before a meal or activity, or to dip in the pool or play a game or just enjoy a change of scenery.
These shared houses feature some sleeping quarters that we are offering to guests at a steeply discounted sliding-scale flat rate - some of them starting as low as zero dollars. If you are open to sharing common areas with other guests, one of these might be perfect for you.
If you'd like to know more about the rooms we've set aside for guests, get in touch and we can send you photos and more information.
There'll be at least one optional activity or gathering every day we're there, as well as an optional suggested place to meet up for dinner and/or brunch. Join in those if you're in the mood for it, or do your own thing. And if you or other guests want to invite the rest of us to meet up for a swim or walk or kayaking or yoga or whatever, or host a sunset toast or jam session or games night at your place or one of the shared hangout spaces, we can help with getting the word out.
We'll host a festive dinner on the main celebration weekend, and will treat everyone who's around on the previous weekend to a meal as well. Depending on what people are interested in, we'll arrange for some other entertainment too, possibly a boat trip with whale watching or snorkeling opportunities, or whatever else seems most appealing.
Again, it's all optional. We'll only ask for firm RSVPs in advance for events and places that cost us a non-trivial sum to provide (e.g. catered meals, entertainment that involves hiring a boat or buying tickets in advance, or housing we have reserved) or that significantly affect other guests' plans (e.g. claiming one of the subsidized bedrooms we set aside for guests).
Your friends and family are invited too. Anyone you're traveling with is welcome to any of the meals, spaces, or entertainment we're providing for guests.
At least one of us is an introvert, so even though we can personally vouch for how awesome the other guests are, we would never want to impose unwanted togetherness on anyone. Whether you want to spend your time mostly on your own or you get a kick out of meeting new people and want to meet up for games or swimming or singing by the fire or dancing in town, our intention is that you can choose whatever level of sociability and structure you're most comfortable with.
Yelapa, Jalisco, Mexico, is a rustic car-free village about 30-40 minutes from Puerto Vallarta by boat. To get there, fly to PVR, take a cab or bus to Los Muertos pier or Boca de Tomatlán, and catch a water taxi to Yelapa. Once you're in Yelapa, everything is in walking distance, though there are ATV taxis if you're in a hurry or not inclined to walk.
For nature and wildlife lovers, Yelapa is fantastic, especially in the spring, with amazing birds and flowers all over, and sometimes even sightings of whales, dolphins, and manta rays from shore, or enlivening the water taxi ride from Vallarta. It would take too long for us to list all the species we regularly see there, but we can send you a list or a link if you're interested, and more information will be sent out to confirmed guests later.
Yelapa is part of a land grant comunidad indigena, collectively owned by five indigenous families for many generations, so while foreigners and people from other parts of Mexico may hold long-term leases to operate businesses there, all of the land in Yelapa is under the stewardship of native Yelapenses. The local culture is an interesting blend, heavily influenced by those five founding families and a sprinkling of bohemian expats from the west coast of the U.S. and Canada.
Mexico in general is a feast for the senses, especially the taste buds, and for a small town, Yelapa has more than its share of decent restaurants. If you like Mexican food or seafood you will have a great abundance of places to choose from, and there are also plenty of vegetarian and vegan meal options as well as a variety of non-Mexican cuisines.
High temperatures in March may reach the high 70s or mid-80s F during the day and lows at night tend to be in the 60s with a breeze. Average humidity in March is around 60%. The water in the bay is usually warm enough for swimming year-round, and most of the town is on the north-facing side of the cove so it's easy to limit sun exposure if desired.
Popular activities include hiking, swimming, snorkeling, paragliding, parasailing, kayaking, boat excursions on the bay, yoga classes, Spanish language classes, writers' groups, massage, open mics and karaoke, and dancing, among other things. Or if those sound too intense, there's always the option to chill in a hammock and read a book, or just listen to the ocean.
After the sun goes down and the boats are all tied up, open-air dining by candlelight, dance performances in the street by the award-winning kids' baile folklórico troupe, live music in a jungle stage lit by fairy lights or in a palapa overlooking the cove, and other unpredictable surprises can make evenings in Yelapa unforgettably magical. Day trippers will never know what they're missing.
Yelapa is not everyone's cup of tea - it's rustic, there's a lot of walking, there aren't a lot of cultural sites to visit or nightlife opportunities (though March is high season), and the beach is perfectly fine for sunning and swimming but not pristine white sand. But we love it there, as do a growing number of our friends, and if you decide to check it out we hope you will too.
Because Semana Santa 2026 (Holy Week, Palm Sunday to Easter) is the last week in March and early April, and flights and rentals book up and/or become very expensive then, the 2026 convergence will not coincide with the full moon, but we hope the amorous toads in the lagoon will sing for us anyway.
We love hanging out with you.
We love Yelapa.
We'd especially love hanging out with you (again) in Yelapa.
When we held a party for our 10th wedding anniversary and S's 50th birthday in 2020, just in the nick of time before lockdown began, we thought it was a once-per-decade thing, but we had so much fun that by popular demand we did another one in 2022, but with shorter notice and a few more logistical challenges due to pandemic-related uncertainties - and equal emphasis on all participants' special occasions, not just ours. Everyone at that one agreed we should do it again in 2024, and we did, adding a 2nd hangout space right in the middle of town.
Again, in the afterglow of that one, back in summer 2024, we reserved the spaces for 2026. Much has changed since then, especially the meaning and risks of crossing borders, and while we'd love to be able to promise that the series will continue in future years, we are not taking for granted that circumstances will allow it. We very much hope so, but whether or not this is the last one in the series, or the last one for a while, we'll of course aim to make it the best one yet.
We've really enjoyed seeing friends who met at the 2020 Full Moon Fiesta and the 2022 and 2024 Convergences hit it off and become friends, and look forward to more new connections forming and old friendships deepening at the 2026 convergence.
As a lead-in to previous convergences, B and other cyclists have visited hot springs in the mountains and a remote beach town where sea turtles hatch while riding from Vallarta to Yelapa. This time, for those who share B's love for bicycling, she will likely be leading a low-key bike excursion starting in the Vallarta area sometime between the 10th and 12th, possibly involving an overnight or two in another nearby coastal town. Destination(s) and routes still TBD but we know they will be beautiful. This would most likely involve renting bikes in Vallarta and sharing the costs of a vehicle and driver to carry luggage and gear. Inquire with B ASAP if you're interested in more information as plans develop for the bike adventure.
At least a couple people (including S) will be in Yelapa while the cyclists are on their mini-tour, so if someone in your group wants to do the bike thing and others don't, there'll be company and entertainment either way.
We'd like to make this gathering as accessible as possible, so if you can get to Yelapa, we will do our best to connect you with a place to stay that fits your budget, and if you can pick your dates well in advance, we may be able to provide very affordable or possibly even free basic accommodations for you - let us know which days and what you're looking for.
In our experience, travel in Mexico is generally a great value, and while Yelapa is near the tourist-centered beach resorts of Puerto Vallarta, one can enjoy comfortable travel at a relatively low cost there.
From the water taxi on, in general, ventilation is very good. Most buildings including restaurants in Yelapa are open to the breeze (with partial walls, and/or no glass in windows, and/or one side open to the ocean) or are completely outdoors, and the houses we reserved as shared hangout spots are very well ventilated.
If your party includes kids, there may not be other guests in their age group, and the optional group activities may not all be suitable for all ages, but Yelapa is pretty kid-friendly and we will do our best to make sure everyone of all ages has a great time.
If you have mobility issues, there are ATVs providing taxi service in town, and some rentals and restaurants are on the main path level with no stairs required. If you stay in a suitable place and use ATV taxis when needed, you could enjoy Yelapa without doing a lot of walking or climbing a lot of stairs, but we would not recommend Yelapa if you have severe difficulty getting around on foot. If you are wondering whether it'd be manageable for you, we're happy to answer your questions.
Banderas Bay is quite calm compared to the open ocean, and seasickness is not a common problem on the water taxis. But if you tend to get motion sickness even on very calm water, there are larger tour boats that take day trip visitors to Yelapa from Vallarta most days, so it is possible to avoid smaller boats if desired.
If you require ASL interpreting for communication access, please let us know as early as possible and we will do our best to accommodate you. If you are traveling with an interpreter we may be able to cover some of their expenses.
Obviously if you don’t know the language, you will not benefit as much from the cultural opportunities in Mexico or anywhere else, and you may not be able to communicate with any given person you encounter on the street.
Puerto Vallarta is a tourist destination, so taxi drivers, airport staff, and restaurant staff will know enough English for all basic transactions. Likewise in Yelapa, you will be able to conduct essential business at restaurants and water taxis without knowing Spanish.
An app like Reverso Context or SpanishDict might come in handy if your Spanish language skills are lacking.
If there's something else you're wondering about that we might not have thought of, please ask. We will do our best to accommodate you.
Closer to the event we will solicit info on your entertainment preferences, allergies and sensitivities, food and beverage preferences, and any other info you'd want us to know that could help us provide good hospitality, but feel free to bring up anything on your mind sooner.
We'll circulate a full packing list closer to the event, and would be happy to send one on request, but you'll definitely want to bring comfortable warm-weather attire, at least one flashlight or headlamp per person, good walking shoes, enough cash for meals (there are no ATMs in Yelapa, but cabs in Vallarta will stop at an ATM on the way to the water taxi), swim and snorkel gear if you plan to go in the water, and sun protection.
And to the extent possible, please keep us posted on your plans, even tentative plans or vague concepts of plans, so we can make informed decisions about meals and entertainment. When drafting the schedule of optional activities and meal meetup spots, we take into account everyone's dates and preferences, of course, but also factor in the time when people's boats are getting in and how far they'd have to go for their first meal in town and try to schedule so that there aren't any early morning excursions after a late arrival, etc., so it is much easier for us to hold space for this kind of flexible gathering and create the best possible experience for all of us when everyone keeps us in the loop about when they might or might not be coming. No need to wait until it's all definite and final - we very much appreciate updates on tentative plans as they develop.
We're hoping to provide more information here soon(ish), but wanted to get you the dates now so you'll have the option of using airline miles for travel and the fullest range of accommodations to choose from.
For now, we recommend go2yelapa.com and the much older but still useful yelapa.info for the basics on traveling to Yelapa.
March is lovely in Yelapa. Not coincidentally, it's also peak tourist season and a popular time for weddings and events in the Puerto Vallarta / Bahía de Banderas area, so the most desirable rentals do fill up quickly. With Semana Santa (aka Spring Break for many students and teachers) taking up the last week in March 2026, there may be higher demand for the rest of the month too, as a month's worth of people who love going to Yelapa in March all try to fit their visits into the three cheaper non-holiday weeks. If you're considering joining us, we highly recommend choosing a place to stay ASAP.
If you are interested in one of the sleeping quarters we reserved for guests, get in touch ASAP for more information and a list of which rooms are still available.
We of course would like as many of our guests to get as much enjoyment of the places as possible, so first priority for those rooms will go to those who intend to stay the whole time (one week plus weekends on both ends, Friday 3/13 - Monday 3/23) or as much of it as possible. For partial stays, preferably arriving on the 13th or departing on the 23rd would be best so that someone else could use the room on the remaining days. With the special group meals happening on Saturdays, it will be harder for us to welcome you to town if you arrive in Yelapa after 12 noon on a Saturday.
***Now that the 2025-2026 tourist season is about to start up, we'll be sorting through inquiries so that we can make firm commitments to guests about these rooms. In order for us to promise the rooms, we need definite answers about dates, so we're seeking that information now and the sooner you tell us your exact dates the more likely it is that we can promise you a room.***
If you prefer to reserve your own place, there are plenty of great choices, but the very best ones draw repeat visitors who tend to reserve early, as much as a year in advance or more, so again, for the optimal selection, sooner is better. Some proprietors will refund deposits up until 60-90 days before your arrival date, so you could tentatively reserve a place without permanently committing funds.
NOTE: If you're looking on vacation rental sites, note that search results for "Yelapa" will turn up some rentals that are in other towns a boat ride away, so before booking it's especially important to look at the map and make sure the location is actually in Yelapa, walking distance from the town pier. Also note that many proprietors of the houses listed on those sites can be reached directly, which could save you some fees. We may be able to help you find contact information, or you may be able to find it yourself by searching Yelapa-related discussions on social media.
If you get in touch and let us know what you're looking for (dates/duration, number of beds and bedrooms, priorities and preferences), we can recommend some places that might suit you.
When browsing flights, keep the water taxi schedule in mind. If you can't get a flight that lands by 3:00 or 3:30 p.m. local time, there are alternatives, but it's easiest if you can catch one of the scheduled water taxis, and during peak season the last boats tend to leave at 5 from Los Muertos pier (closer to the center of Vallarta, 20-40 minutes from the airport depending on traffic, which has increased lately with construction in town) or 6:30 from Boca de Tomatlán (on the southern edge of Vallarta, 50-60 minutes from the airport).
Hooray, we made it to the end of the invitation! We know it's a lot of information to take in, and if you'd rather just talk to us for 5 minutes to get the gist, we'd be happy to chat and answer any questions.
tl;dr: We'd love to celebrate with you in Yelapa if you can make it, and hope to see you soon regardless.
