| Getting Around in Puerto Vallarta |
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| Buses Getting around the city on bus is a very inexpensive way to travel. Fares anywhere in town are about six pesos, which equals about 60 cents depending on exchange rates. Buses can be caught at many corners and run from early morning until 11 p.m. See Puerto Vallarta Transportation for current rates. There is even bus service for out-of-town trips. Larger more comfortable buses make the 5-hour trip to Guadalajara for around 325 pesos or to Mexico City in 12 hours for approximately 750 pesos. |
| Weather Puerto Vallarta is on the same parallel as Hawaii, thus shares the same tropical weather patterns. PV enjoys nearly 300 sunny days a year, with temperatures averaging 28C or 82F. During the winter months daily temperatures are between 78-85F , cooling to around 70F mid-October, bringing tropical rains and temperatures in the 90s with very high humidity. The hottest months are August and September. Local Time Puerto Vallarta is in the Central Time Zone (the same as Texas), which is two hours ahead of California and one hour behind New York. |
| Taxis With more than 1,000 taxis in town, there is no problem hailing one. Taxi fares are set in PV; the average fare is around 30 pesos or Beach-will run about 60 pesos or $6.00 USD. Fares are posted in each taxi, the daily newspaper and most major hotels. Asking about the fare before you get in may save you a few pesos. |
| Consulates The American Consulate Kelly Trainor Zaragoza 160, second floor Tel. 222-0069, Fax 223-0074 The Canadian Consulate Lyne Benoit Zaragoza 160, second floor Tel. 222-5398, Fax 222-3517 Documents When you enter Mexico you are given a tourist card, which you must return when you leave. If you lose the card, you will need to go to the Mexican Immigration office at Marina Park to obtain another. You will need proof of how you entered the country–such as a plane ticket–and identification–driver’s license, passport, birth certificate or voters registration card. These are the same means of identification needed to cross the border into Mexico. Tourist Office The Puerto Vallarta Tourist Office is located downtown in the Presidencia Municipal building. They can answer travel questions and are a good resource for information about Puerto Vallarta. The local number is 222-0242 or 222-0243. From the U.S.A. call 011 52 (322) 222-0242. The Mexico Tourist office can be reached at (800) 446-3942. |
| Utilities Water While the water in Puerto Vallarta is some of the best in Mexico and is tested regularly, it is wiser to stick with bottled water. Most restaurants, bars and hotels use purified water, to be sure just ask. If cooking or preparing vegetables for salads, use products such as “Microdyn” to purify the water you soak them in. Electricity Mexico uses 110 volt-60 current, the same as the U.S.A. and Canada. No adapters are needed, however three-prong adapters are good to bring along. |
| Telephones Telmex is the only telephone company in Mexico. Rates are higher here for long distance than in many other countries. If calling to the U.S.A. or Canada with a calling card, any of the toll-free numbers listed below will connect you to an English-speaking operator. Canada Direct 95-(800) 010-1900 AT&T (US) 95-(800) 462-4240 MCI (US) 95-(800) 674-4000 Calling without a card after 8 p.m. will save you 33%. If using a public phone, dial 95 then the area code and number. The Mexican long distance company is Ladatel; they have phones on nearly every street corner and in many hotels. You can purchase phone cards at local vendors around town for use in these phones, a much less expensive way to call home given the 60% tax placed on all international calls. To call Puerto Vallarta from the U.S.A., dial 011 52 (322) then the local number. For dialing to the U.S.A. from Mexico on a private phone line, dial 001+ area code and number. |
| Emergencies Police Tel. 060 (similar to 911 in the United States); for non-emergencies, call 222-0123 or 223-2500. Fire Department Tel. 060; for non emergencies, call 225-0000 or 225-0018. Hospital and Medical Services Ameri Med American Hospital: 221-0023 or 221-0024 San Javier Hospital : 223-1919 CMQ Hospita:l 223-0878, 222-3572 or 222-4395 Private Ambulance: 225-0386 Cruz Roja (Red Cross) Ambulancia: 222-1533 or 222-4973 Cuban Cigars Are available for purchase in Mexico. They are generally expensive and are not allowed back into the United States. However, they can be taken back to Canada. Getting Arrested We recommend you not get arrested while in Mexico. There is no reason why you should worry about this of course, unless you are purposely doing something illegal. Mexican drug laws are harsh. Don't be tempted to buy or use drugs here. Be respectful; be careful; be courteous and obey the laws. Mexico is under Napoleonic law, which means, more or less, you are guilty until proven innocent. Being an American or Canadian citizen does not exempt you from the Mexican justice system. |
| Money and Consumer Affairs Pesos are the currency used in Mexico. Bills come in denominations of $500, $200, $100, $50 and $20 pesos. Coins and 50 centavos. At the time of this writing in September 2009, the exchange rate is 13.3 USD; 12.18 Canadian. The exchange rate fluctuates daily, so check before you go. Exchange rates vary widely from exchange booths and from bank to bank. Banks and Credit Cards If your hometown bank card is one with “Interact,” ”Cirrus” or “Plus” printed on it, you can use it at cash machines located throughout PV. Funds are withdrawn from your account in pesos according to the exchange rate that day. All major credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and shops. The dress in Puerto Vallarta is very casual. Shorts and T-shirts are the order of the day. At night, men can be seen in casual slacks at the more upscale restaurants and events, ladies in light summer-type dresses. In the winter months, bring a sweater for evenings. Sun hats and cover-ups are a good idea, and don’t forget the sun block. |
| For More information about Puerto Vallarta, please click here Simply Puerto Vallarta |