Puerto Vallarta Travel and tourism guide with Puerto Vallarta hotel, airport, airline and vacation information. People who take the time to Learn Spanish are able to better enjoy the culture, the people and feel more comfortable traveling.
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Contact Gene at Vista World Travel for the best hotel rates, all inclusive vacation options, charter flights, general airfares and travel insurance options. Planning a vacation for Mexico? Check with me, you may be paying too much or receiving too little for your money. Allow me to help you compare prices for the very best values. I often beat all internet prices and I personally inspect the hotels and services which I recommend. Most important, if you have trip problems, I am available 24/7 to help you.
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Vista World Travel
San Antonio, Texas
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Puerto Vallarta is served by Puerto Vallarta (Gustavo Diaz Ordaz) International Airport (PVR). Airlines serving Puerto Vallarta include Mexicana, Aeromexico, Continental, Alaska, Delta and others. Direct flights are available from many U.S. cities including Chicago, Dallas/ Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Orange County, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma and St. Louis. Within Mexico, air service to Vallarta is available from Guadalajara, Mexico City, Mazatlan, Jose del Cabo. Visit the Mexico Airport or the Mexico Air Travel sections for more information about airports and airlines serving Mexico.
Taxi service from most Mexico airports to the city is a rip off due to airport monopoly (Maybe $10 - $20 bucks extra per normal return fare from town) - always helpful to have hotel pick you up if possible. Look for Colectivos (shuttle vans) that will usually have a much more reasonable rate into town. Some will carry their luggage outside the airport grounds and wait for a non-airport taxi or bus to come by for the savings.
A minimum of two hours should be allowed for all connections at Mexico City airport - a daunting experience for the first time visitor. Heads Up: Departing gate numbers are not posted on airport monitors until 'maybe' 30 or 45 minutes before the flight is scheduled to leave. Outbound international flights from Mexico City are oftentimes loaded and gone 20 +/- minutes prior to posted departure time.
Bus transportation offers a inexpensive way to travel in Mexico. They generally run day and night. If you are able to sleep in fairly cramped surroundings, this is the way to go. Most cities in Mexico have a Primero Clase (First Class) bus station. They are comfortable and safe. Find first class Mexico bus information at Premara Plus or Christobal Colon.
Warning: It is highly recommended that you AVOID all car rentals in Mexico. You can retain a very friendly, bilingual taxi driver for less money per day than a car (10 bucks an hour is high end earnings for most taxi drivers - try 5 buck an hour offer). Ask your hotel for a taxi driver reference and you'll see more, learn more and maybe make a friend.
If you feel you must rent a car, be prepared for the 15 bucks extra that the rental agencies charge for 'theft' insurance or maybe some other explanation. Check and confirm with your credit card company on the coverage which is needed and usually included with your credit card use. Pay particular attention to the pre inspection routine for existing car damage - scratches, dents, etc.. A favorite scam is to charge an extra 50 to 100 bucks for minor scratches and dings when you turn the car back in. Also find safe evening parking as rental cars are a target for free gas - always check your gas tank before taking off in the morning.
Driving in Mexico can be an adventure in itself. It is generally advised to take the toll roads whenever possible. Make sure you have current insurance and be aware that some listed paved roads are not there at all. Avoid driving between towns in the evening, stick to main highways, take short cuts at your own peril, and enjoy the adventure. It is usually a very complicated test to find out where a main highway leaves town as road signs are very limited or non existent once you enter.
Heads Up: Travelers to and from the Mexico will be required to have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. Always retain and safeguard the traveler's copy of your tourist card so you may surrender it to Mexican immigration when you depart. You must leave Mexico before your tourist card expires or you are subject to a fine. A tourist card for less than 180 days may be revalidated in Mexico by the Mexican immigration service. Failure to have your tourist card on departure may cause significant delay and missing your flight and fines. Visit the Mexico Immigration section for more information.
