FAQs

What should I know as a first-time visitor to Mexico or especially Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta has several popular neighborhoods including:

  • Amapas (Tim’s HQ Penthouse is located here)

  • Centro (Central)

  • Marina Vallarta

  • Neuvo Vallarta

  • Zona Hotelera

  • Zona Romantica

The Zona Romantica (aka Romance Zone or Old Town) is where most of our dinners and group activities take place. It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods and is now home to trendy restaurants and shops plus gay-friendly bars.

The top things to do in Puerto Vallarta are: 1) Malecon boardwalk with shops, restaurants and views; 2) walk around the Centro/Old Town and Romantic Zona to shop and experience the local life mixed in with tourist traps; 3) Church of Our Lady Guadalupe; 4) Bay of Banderas from boating to snorkeling; 5) beach. Other popular attractions include the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, taco and street food tour, pirate sailing cruise, and Rhythms of the Night. Check out Vallarta Adventures and Tripadvisor for more details.

Knowing a few words of Spanish goes a long ways, but is not required. Si = Yes, No = No, Gracias = Thanks, No Gracias = No Thanks, and No Mas = No More. Speaking Spanish is not required in Puerto Vallarta.

These top travel tips apply more so in a tropical, foreign area:

  • Stay hydrated.

  • Drink bottled water, beverages, etc. Water and especially ice cubes from non-filtered sources can lead to illnesses.

  • Use sun protection.

Is Puerto Vallarta safe?

Puerto Vallarta is a very safe area, but like any other destination, exercise these safety precautions:

  • Your hotel or AirBNB lodging will typically require guests to register, so be sure to bring an ID or hotel key.

  • Do not carry your passport. Keep a photocopy with you and lock up your passport.

  • Keep other valuables secure in a hotel safe, with a friend if you are on the beach, or leave at home.

  • Use authorized transportation including yellow taxis or Uber drivers that you’ve verified. Always confirm the cost before getting into the vehicle.

  • Travel in pairs or in a group, especially at night.

  • Stay vigilant in crowded places.

  • Use ATMs at reputable banks such as Banamex, Banorte, BBVA Bancomer, HSBC, and Santander..

What about COVID, Health, and Water?

Here are some health related tips:

  • Emergencies - The Vallarta Clinic is open 24-hours and you can walk in. Address - Ignacio L. Vallarta 333

  • COVID - While you no longer are required to provide a negative test result or proof of vaccination, there may be some establishments requiring masks or people who prefer to wear masks.

  • Medicine (non-prescription) - Bring ibuprofen for headaches. For upset stomachs, buy characol tablets, Pepto, or Treda (local to Mexico), Consider blister bandages if you plan to walk a lot. Bring motion sickness pills if you are going on a boat.

  • Pharmacies - These are plentiful and can be found on almost every other block. Some have doctors that can write prescriptions. Just look for Farmacia and green plus signs.

  • Water - Always drink bottled or filtered water. Be careful of open drinks with ice cubes if not at a reputable establishment. Ask your hotel or lodging if they have filtered water in the rooms/units.

Any advice when arriving at the airport?

Here are some tips after arriving at the airport:

  • Immigration control point is your first stop.

  • Bathrooms are located past immigration, near baggage claim and in the main arrival area.

  • Baggage claim is similar to any other airport. Quickly get your bags since there’s no one checking bag tags.

  • Customs inspection is randomly determined by pressing a button that lights green or red (about 40% of the time). Expect the customs line to be long.

  • Past the customs area is an area known as the “Shark Tank” where timeshare and transportation companies are trying to selling you. Avoid making eye contact and focus on exiting the area.

  • A good meeting location is at the bar inside the airport right by the customs exit. There is a bar outside that is also a good location.

  • ATM machines from reputable banks with affiliations with global networks are located right outside the customs exit by the inside bar.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel or lodging?

There are 4 primary options:

  • Taxis - For taxis at the airport, near the exit to the outside, there will be counters with yellow signage saying official or authorized taxis. State your destination/address, pay, and get a voucher. You will be directed to go outside to the taxi line and then present your voucher. It’s about 400 pesos from the airport to the Zona Romantic (US$20).

  • Uber - Usually the cheapest option, but requires that you walk about 5 minutes to the other side of the main highway across a long bridge next to the airport exit on your far left as you exit. the airport.

  • Hotel Concierge - If you are staying at an upscale hotel, contact the concierge for assistance in booking transportation to and from the hotel.

  • Private driver (you can also ask for a larger vehicle) - Contact one of my preferred car service coordinated by PV Concierge (owned by Aaron Lopez). Contact Briseida Martínez (aka Bris) at bris@pvconcierge.net to arrange for a pick-up at least 48-72 hours in advance. Please pay US$40 through Paypal to the email address sales@pvconcierge.net and email the payment receipt. The instructions to find the driver are:

After clearing customs and passing through the timeshare counters, please look for someone wearing a purple or pink shirt. They will be holding a sign with the drawing of an airplane enclosed in a yellow circle.

What about transportation options while in Puerto Vallarta?

For the most adventurous, the public bus is actually a fun, safe, and cheap way to get around. Buses are available to go between Zona Romantica to Marina Vallarta for example.

Yellow taxis are safe and cheap. Just state your destination name or address, then confirm the price before you open the taxi door and get in. Taxis charge by zones. Within the Zona Romantica, it’s about 60 pesos or US$4 to get around. You can also call for a taxi by calling (322) 223-2285.

Uber operates in Puerto Vallarta and can be much cheaper. You can enter the exact address.

Car rentals are available, but so far hasn’t been necessary on any of our past trips.

What about ATMs, Pesos, Credit Cards, and Tipping?

Most tourist locations, restaurants, stores, and pharmacies accept credit cards. But pesos are also welcomed for tips, shops, etc.

ATMS - get pesos immediately as ATMs tend to run out of cash by Friday night and won’t be restocked until Monday. Decline the conversion rate which allows your home bank to set the dynamic currency conversion rate which is almost always better than the local rate. Quick video tutorial.

  • Airport - several ATMs are located in the main arrivals hall after Customs and Tourism Counters

  • Banorte - Olas Altas 246

  • CIBanco Olas Altas Vallarta - Address: Olas Altas 513

Banks - bring your passport for any money exchange

  • CIBanco Olas Altas Vallarta - Address: Olas Altas 513
    Hours: Mon-Fri: 10 AM-7 PM; Sat: 10 AM-3 PM

Credit Cards - Its typically better to charge using local currency and not convert to US dollars (hotels, restaurants, etc.).

Currency Exchange Rates - Know the exchange rate. Use an app and download the latest exchange rate.

Tipping - It is customary to tip in Mexico and in pesos is preferred. Here is a summary of common tipping etiquette.

  • Bars - You could also tip 20-40 pesos per drink.

  • Restaurants - First, you must ask for the bill/check. Tip can range from 10-20% of the total bill (make sure a service charge hasn’t already been included at higher end resorts and restaurants with large groups).

  • Hotels - Tipping

  • Taxis - First, confirm (or negotiate) your fare before entering the taxi. Tipping is not required, but if the driver helps with heavy luggage or goes above and beyond, tip up to 20%. For Uber drivers, feel free to tip since Uber rides are often cheaper than taxis.

What beach locations are best?

The gay/straight-friendly beach areas include (ordered from north to south):

  • Sapphire Ocean Club - Address: Malecon 1

  • Blue Chairs Resort - Luis and Francisco are friendly servers - Address: Malecon 4

  • Ritmos Beach Cafe (aka) Green Chairs - Address: Malecon 177

  • Mantamar Beach Club - Address: Malecon 169

Does my cell phone plan include Mexico?

Most carrier’s unlimited plans include Mexico. If you have a pre-paid plan, check with your carrier if Mexico is included.

  • AT&T - Unlimited plans include Mexico with no roaming charges and no usage limits

  • T-Mobile - Call, text, and brown in Mexico with no roaming charges or set up if you have an unlimited plan.

  • Verizon - Roaming in Mexico is included in all unlimited plans. Check out TravelPass for $5/day.

What are some recommended restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

Breakfast/Brunch

  • Azul Bistro - Ignacio L. Vallarta 372

  • Coco’s Kitchen - Pulpito 122

  • Fredy’s Tucan (cash only) - Basilio Badillo 245

  • Hotel Mercurio offers breakfasts to non-guests - Francisca Rodríguez 168

Lunch / Dinner

  • Blue Shrimp - Seafood - Calle Olas Altas 366

  • Joe Jack’s Fish Shack - Seafood - Calle Basilo Badilla 212

  • Pancho’s Takos - street tacos - Bassilio Badillo 162 (cash only)

  • Swedes - European - Pulpito 154

  • Tintoque - Mexican/Latin fusion - Aquiles Serena 445

Dinner Only

  • Archie’s Wok - Asian - Francisco Rodriguez 130

  • Barcelona Tapas - Calle Matamoros 906

  • Bravos - Calle Francisco Madero 264

  • Cafe des Artistes - French - Calle Guadalupe Sanchez 740

  • La Cappella - Italian - Calle Miramar 363

  • No Way Jose - Mexican - 5 de Febrero 260