Puerto Vallarta Fast Facts, Travel Tips & Information

Blessed with 25 miles of golden beaches within the spectacular Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta offers limitless possibilities for enjoying the town, jungle, and ocean. Here we try to cover most options, and hopefully, all your doubts regarding this city are answered, if not, feel free to contact us.

Money, Tax & Business

Business, Taxes & Money

ATM’s
Banks
Business hours
Currency & money matters
Duty-free allowances
Real Estate
Taxes
Timeshare

Travel, Visa and Location

Travel, Visas & Location

Colonias (Neighborhoods)
Consulates: Canada | USA
Customs
Direct (non-stop) flights to Vallarta
Distances
Embassies in Mexico
Maps
Nuevo Vallarta
Riviera Nayarit
Passport & Visa
Time Zone

Data and Communications

Communication & Data

Demographics
Electricity & plugs
Events
Government offices
Holidays
Newspapers & Magazines
Phone calls
Spanish & Language
Traveler Reviews
Various articles
Weights & measures
Wi-Fi hotspots in town

Some quick facts

Currency, Banks & Money Exchange
The Mexican Peso is the national currency, although USA dollars are widely accepted in businesses throughout town. Major credit cards are also accepted in most establishments (Visa, Mastercard, American Express are standard, some also receive Diners). Hotels also offer currency exchange services, but normally at a lower rate. More at ATM, Banks & Currency.
Business Hours
Most shopping malls are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., continuously. Many downtown businesses and shops tend to close between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. for lunch, but malls and supermarkets are open even longer hours, without the midday rest. Read more.
Climate
Puerto Vallarta enjoys a warm, tropical climate all year-round, average daytime temperatures of 80ºF (27ºC), and cooler evenings in the winter. Summer is sunny, warm, and humid, with some afternoon rains, enough to cool things a bit. Read more in our Weather section.
Electricity
Mexico operates on the same 110-volt current as the United States, so electrical current adapters are not needed, not all plugs have 3 prongs, so you may need a plug adapter reducing from 3 to 2 prongs. Read more.
Flights/Gateways
Hundreds of flights per week service Puerto Vallarta’s International Airport (PVR), from gateways throughout the USA, Canada, and Mexico. International carriers include Aeromexico, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, United, and others. More in the Airport information.
Geography / Location
Located in the heart of Mexico’s Pacific coast, Vallarta is within easy reach of the USA and Canada by air. The city is encircled by the lush jungle-clad Sierra Madre mountains to the east and the Bay of Banderas to the west, one of Mexico’s largest natural bays. To the North is the State of Nayarit and Riviera Nayarit, which includes Nuevo Vallarta. Check out our map.
Hotel Rooms
Over 22,000, in a wide variety of price ranges and styles. All-inclusive (AI) hotels and resorts offer both food, drinks, activities, and tips for one price. EP or European Plan rates only include the room. See more at hotels & resorts
Medical
Modern First-World medical facilities of the highest level. There are several private hospitals in Puerto Vallarta, with insured, emergency health care, and emergency air-evacuation services also available.
Population
PV is home to 255,725 residents (2010 Census) and attracts more than 5 million visitors annually (2019 CVB data).
Safety
This town enjoys a healthy economy and a stable political environment. A special tourist police corps is on hand to provide assistance and directions. Vallarta doesn’t have the violence the media informs about in the border towns and cities between the USA and Mexico, so the city and surroundings are just as safe (or even safer) than most comparable cities and towns in the US and Canada. More on crime and safety.
Water Quality
Tap water is of a very high standard, even so, purified water is available in all hotels and restaurants.

Archie Alpenia, Archie’s Wok and Puerto Vallarta

Archie Alpenia and John Huston (Quimixto) in 1984 Start of the adventure I can still see him there, a serene, solitary Asian man walking the beaches of the Sea of Cortez with his fishing rod in one hand and his wok in the other. He was living his dream. A few months prior, in the spring of 1976, Archie had decided to leave his position as chef at a well-known Santa Barbara resort, the San Isidro Ranch. He packed his most valued treasures—his wife, son Sergio (7), and daughter Kiyoki (3), favorite fishing equipment, and trusted cooking utensils, starting with his wok, into his Dodge van. Cabo San Lucas to Puerto Vallarta Ferry, 1975 "And our family headed south under sunny skies into Mexico on a journey of exploration, to "see how the rest of the world is living." They traveled with no specific destination in mind and drove down Baja California, Archie would fish and prepare the catch along the way. Arriving in Puerto Vallarta In midsummer, we crossed the Sea of Cortez on the ferry from Baja California to the Mexican mainland and cruised into the small port of a small fishing village called Puerto Vallarta. It was a yawning, somnolent town then, with barely a dream of its future as a highly prized tourist destination. Community life centered around the plaza near the small city jail, where the Presidencia now stands. The Malecon was lined with an assortment of family-owned ...

Water Taxis (Pangas) going south from Boca de Tomatlan

[toc] Exploring the beaches of the South Zone When you travel to Puerto Vallarta, beaches are one of the main things you have on your mind. Relaxing at the beach, absorbing warmth, enjoying a stress-free day just basking in the waves, drinking your favorite cocktail, eating some exotic dish of shrimp or grilled fish, you fill in the dots. The beaches close to town can fill up easily, especially during the high season months. If that is the case when you come down to friendly Puerto Vallarta, then a trip down south to the beaches south of Mismaloya might just be what your doctor's recipe has recommended. Many great beaches in the southern part of the bay are wonderful exactly because they aren't accessible by land. You'll need to catch a water taxi (locally called "pangas") to get there and the easiest and fastest way to get one is to go to Boca de Tomatlan. How to get to Boca The easiest and cheapest way is to catch a public transport bus to Boca in Puerto Vallarta on the corner of Basilio Badillo street and Constitución street in Old Vallarta (Romantic Zone), the same place and the same bus that also takes you to Mismaloya beach in the south zone. You'll recognize them by their color pattern: orange and white and they have a sign that'll say "Boca" if in doubt you can always check with the ...

The Papantla Flyers in Puerto Vallarta

[toc] Introduction Each day on the Malecón in downtown Vallarta an impressive and color-filled ritual takes place, the Flying bird-men of Papantla (informally known as the Pole Flyers). Colorful, spectacular, dangerous, but there's so much more beyond what you can see, there are centuries of tradition, prehispanic Gods. Learn more about this event, considered to be one, if not, the oldest in Mexico. To fly, the sweet dream for all mortals, is an ancient reality for the Flying Totonac dancers of Papantla, a small town in northern Veracruz, on the Mexican Gulf of Mexico coast. Papantla Flying Men, Puerto Vallarta The Tradition To be a macaw, an owl, a crow, a butterfly or an eagle is a privilege for the few men who from time immemorial have celebrated their gods in this spectacular dance filled with ancient civilization symbolism, in what some experts consider the most ancient ritual dance in all of Mexico. The Ritual of the Papantla Flying Men was created with a very specific purpose: to offer their gratitude to Chi'chini (the Sun God), Xipe Totec (God of Spring & Fertility) & to Tlaloc (Rain God). It is much a dance as it is a prayer, a ritual expression of love for the Earth, its bounty, and its natural forces. Initially, the ceremony was held during the spring equinox, in the third week of March, but with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors & missionaries, the natives were ...

Where is Puerto Vallarta Located?

[toc] Puerto Vallarta is a city in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. It is located on the Pacific Ocean side of the country, that is, on the west coast. Where is PV on a map? / Why choose Puerto Vallarta? PV or Vallarta (as locals call the place) is a city located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico in the State of Jalisco within a large bay called Banderas Bay (Bay of Flags) or Bahía de Banderas. See it on the map. The city is 3 hours away by plane from Los Angeles, and just over 4:30 hours from Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary, Chicago, New York & Toronto. More air flight distances. Puerto Vallarta is on the same latitude as Hawaii and enjoys nearly perfect weather all year long. On the West coast of the state of Jalisco, between latitudes N20°27’00” and N20°59’00” & between longitudes W104°55’00” and W105°33’00” 6ft (2m) above sea level. Puerto Vallarta is a traditional Mexican town that offers beaches, jungles, and a city full of attractions, restaurants, and activities. Where is Puerto Vallarta? Puerto Vallarta is 220 miles West of Guadalajara (by land, this distance is shorter through Mascota, but takes about the same time because the road is curvy), south of the state of Nayarit and 548 miles NW of Mexico City. In a straight line, PV is 670 miles from San Antonio and 1,100 miles from San Diego, USA. "The Most Beautiful Bays in the ...

All About Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta (population 291,839 - 2020 census) is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican State of Jalisco, within the Banderas Bay (Bahía de Banderas), which is considered to be one of the most beautiful bays in the World and happens to also be one of Mexico’s largest, measuring 26 miles (42 km) from East to West and 20 miles (32 km) from North to South. [Vallarta Map] [Map showing cities close to PV] [Map showing Mexico & USA] City founded on Dec. 12, 1851Population 291,839 (2020 census)Area (Municipality): 1,300.7 km2 (502.19 sq. miles)7 m (23 ft) over sea level Location: Bahía de Banderas (Banderas Bay), Jalisco State, MexicoLongitude / Latitude: 20°37'19" N / 105°13'42" WOver 4.7 million visitors in 2018 and more than 5 million in 2019 pre-COVID.2nd most important tourist beach destination in Mexico Read Magical Puerto Vallarta for a fan point-of-view of PV. Puerto Vallarta is an authentic Mexican destination. A list of awards the city has received. About security and crime in the city Coat of arms of Puerto Vallarta. The northern limit of the bay is Punta de Mita which is also considered the end of the Sierra de Vallejo mountains and in its southern limit, the bay ends at Cabo Corrientes, the end of the Sierra del Cuale mountain range. Puerto Vallarta is the second-most visited tourist destination in Mexico, (only Cancun has more tourists), attracting millions of visiting tourists per year (4.1 million in 2016 and 4.5 million in 2017, ...

General Puerto Vallarta City Information

An overview Puerto Vallarta is a place anyone can enjoy, it not only is one of the most popular and most visited beach destinations in Mexico. About Puerto Vallarta A brief preview of our lovely Mexican town. Our PV Newbie Guide All you need to know if Puerto Vallarta is the place for your vacation. Puerto Vallarta's History From the 1500s 'til today, historical photos included. Why is Puerto Vallarta so famous? Is there something magical about this town. Where is Puerto Vallarta? The info you wanted to know about your friendly city. Puerto Vallarta, a famous love story - The Night of the Iguana Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton helped make this city memorable. Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide Provided by the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Office. In PDF (5Mb). Vallarta is blessed with both generous tropical weather with an average of around 300 sunny days a year. It offers beautiful jungles, nature, and hills give the area character, and a beautiful Bay bathes its clear sand beaches with emerald waters. And then to crown it all, the town is recognized internationally for its friendly Vallarta inhabitants, something that'll make your vacation one for the memory book. Don't take our word for it; these distinctions are accolades from for example Condé Nast Magazine that in 2003 voted Vallarta "the friendliest city in the World" it was also voted "Best Mexican Vacation Destination" by USNews.com in 2010, over Cabo San Lucas and Cancun, the other well-known beach meccas. Read Puerto Vallarta and authentic Mexican ...

About Mexico, traditions and general information

Huicholes or Wixárika, Original Mexican cultures [toc] This section is dedicated to Mexico. We offer general information on traditions, famous Mexicans, food and drink, prehispanic info and more. When you are informed you can enjoy the new Mexican experiences even more. We know you'll find useful information here and that it will help you get the most out of your trip to Puerto Vallarta plus you'll learn a bit more about this very interesting country: Viva México! Mexican Arts & Traditions Traditional Mariachi/Charro dances Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) a party for the living Learn a bit more about this very interesting and refreshing Mexican tradition. La Charreria and the Charro, that's Mexico Jalisco, the state where Puerto Vallarta is located, is the birthplace of most of the traditions that best represent Mexico. Mexico, folklore, and festivities Mexico is synonymous with bright colors, songs, dances, ceremonies, fireworks, original costumes and more... Mexico, heir to two great culture Mexico is the heir of great civilizations like the Aztecs, Mayas and Olmecs and the European Spanish culture... Mexican Rock Music 1 - Part 2 A shortlist of some of the best rock groups and solo artists in Mexico, some you already know, but we hope you find some new inspiration too. Piñatas Though anybody would swear piñatas are Mexican, their history is quite interesting and starts off in China. (Origin of the Pinata; Piñatas in Italy and Spain; Pinatas arrive in Mexico; Modern Mexican ...

Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR)

[toc] Puerto Vallarta International Airport Data Single runway (10700 ft - 3300m: length. 150 ft - 46m wide). Distances to: Downtown Puerto Vallarta: 10 to 15 minutes, 8.5 km or 5 miles. Marina Vallarta: 5 minutes, 2.2 km or 1.4 miles (can be shorter). Nuevo Vallarta: 15 to 20 minutes, 13 km or 8 miles (varies). FlightStats code: PVR IATA code: PVR ICAO code: MMPR Latitude / Longitude: 20.678297 / -105.24898 Passengers per year: 3.52 million in 2015, 4.06 million in 2016, 4.52 million in 2017, 4.76 million in 2018, 5.05 million in 2019, and 2.53 million in 2020. Time Zone: -6:00 hours from UTC/GMT (see the current time) Phone numbers: (322) 221-1325 / (322) 221-1537 / (322) 221-1298 Address: Carretera a Tepic Km. 7.5, Colonia Villa Las Flores, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. Official site General Airport Information Puerto Vallarta's International Airport (Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz [Code: PVR]) is well connected to North America's major airports' hubs both in the US and in Canada. Scheduled flights operate from several U.S. cities: Chicago, Dallas/ Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and more (for a full list: airline routes) and some of Canada's main cities (Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton). Within Mexico, there are regular flights to and from Guadalajara, Tijuana, Toluca, Mexico City, Cabo San Lucas and others (see complete list). From Canada, many direct flights are operated by charter services. Otherwise, flights can be booked through Air Canada ...

Banderas Bay (Bahía de Banderas) the home of Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta across the bay from the hotel zone Based on an article by City Historian Juan Manuel Gomez Encarnación. Our beautiful Banderas Bay (Bahía de Banderas: Bay of Flags) shares beaches with three municipalities: Cabo Corrientes and Puerto Vallarta in the Jalisco state; and Bahia de Banderas in Nayarit state. Marina Vallarta to Los Arcos - partial view of the Banderas Bay and Puerto Vallarta, source: Superego on Vimeo Banderas Bay is located on the west-central coast of the Mexican Pacific, between the southwest part of the state of Nayarit and the western part of Jalisco. The Sierras (mountain ranges) that surround the bay are Sierra Vallejo on the northern part, Sierra Cuale to the East, and Sierra El Tuito to the south and southeast. It is geographically located between the parallels 20°15' and 20°47' N and between the meridians 105°15' and 105°42' W. The bay starts off in the north with Punta de Mita, Nayarit and ends on the south side at Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco. Its coastline, 65 miles long, is divided into the following: the north coast of Punta de Mita to Bucerias is about 15 miles; East Coast, Bucerintos to Boca de Tomatlán is about 24 miles and the south coast from the west side of the river at Boca de Tomatlán to Cabo Corrientes, approximately 32 miles. So as you can see, it currently is a bay that is shared by two separate states, Nayarit north of the ...

About the State of Jalisco Mexico

Jalisco is one of the 31 states that together with the Federal District (Distrito Federal or DF), comprise the 32 states of The United States of Mexico. It is also one of the most important states in the Mexican Republic, both due to the richness and fertility of the land as well as its historical significance. The state is also the 4th most populated states and is one of the most important in economic significance, commerce and also culture. Demonym: Jalisciense Capital: Guadalajara Latitude: 20° 41' N Longitude: 103° 21' O Area: 78,599 km2 (30347 square miles) Average height: 1,540m o.s.l. Weather: Most of the state has a temperate climate, humid summers which are tropical. Population 2010: 7.350.682 inhabitants. Political layout: 125 Municipalities Regions: 12 Coasts: 341,93 km (210 miles) It is found on the western coast of Mexico, borders with Nayarit to the NW, Aguascalientes, and Zacatecas to the N; to the NE with the state of Durango; Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí to the E and Colima and Michoacán to the South. The western coast is comprised of more than 200 miles of Pacific Ocean. It is the land of the charros, the rodeos, palenques, mariachis, tequila and many of the traditions that the world associates with what's considered authentically Mexican. Jalisco awaits your visit and willing to prove why there are very many reasons for this Mexican pride: history, culture, beaches, cuisine and above all, traditions. ...