You can take the water taxi to Yelapa from Los Muertos pier (11am and 4pm), which is south of the Malecon, on the other side of the Rio Cuale.

I’d recommend staying in Yelapa. The hotel lagunita is perhaps too expensive for your tastes, but adorable.

Sorry- but I like staying at Hotel Molino de Agua. Also probably out of your price range, but it’s like living in a jungle. Very cool.