travel and stay in puerto vallarta
Best Puerto Vallarta Tips
If you plan a trip to Puerto Vallarta, don’t forget to check our list of the Best Puerto Vallarta Tips. We hope you have a great time in this beautiful place
Best Puerto Vallarta Tips – 2022
Quick Puerto Vallarta Travel Tips
Airport: Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR)
Currency: Mexican Peso
Language: Spanish, although English is common in hotels and tourist places
Time zone: Central Standard Time (GMT-6).
Mexico Visa: Most travelers don’t need a visa for Puerto Vallarta; however, we encourage you to check the requirements before planning your trip.
Electricity socket: Electric converters are unnecessary for U.S. and Canadian travelers because Mexico operates on the 60-cycle, 120-volt system; however, some vacation rental homes may still have outlets that have not been updated to accommodate three-prong plugs. For visitors from other countries, you’ll need a universal travel adapter.
What’s the best time to travel to Puerto Vallarta?
The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta is between April and June, when the weather is pleasant, and the room rates are affordable.
January to March
During this time, Puerto Vallarta is at its best. The temperature usually stays around 29 Celsius (mid-80s) with very little rain and cool evenings. Therefore, expect higher price tags and larger crowds. However, you can still find some good deals if you book early. Check out some of the best accommodations in Puerto Vallarta here.
April to June
During this time, the tourist crowds have started to taper off, the accommodations start having pretty good deals, and the temperature is not that bad, which is around 32 Celsius (low-90s). Take into account that during Easter and Semana Santa (Holy Week), Puerto Vallarta receives a lot of international and national tourists, so if you don’t like crowds, avoid this time.
July to September
This time you will get the best value as airfares and accommodations are at their cheapest levels. Temperatures remain at 32 Celsius (low-90s); however, there are often brief bursts of rain, creating a humid climate. Please note that Hurricane Season in Puerto Vallarta is from June 1 to November 1; however, hurricanes are rarely an issue. The last hurricane to directly hit Puerto Vallarta was Hurricane Kenna in 2002.
October to December
October is a decent time to visit Puerto Vallarta. The temperature is comfortable, and the accommodations and crowds are still relatively low. However, November is high season due to several festivals. December marks the start of the prime whale watching season, so you should expect large crowds and higher price tags.
Where is Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta is in Central Mexico off the Pacific Ocean in the state of Jalisco. This is one of Mexico Pacific states, along with other well-known and visited states like Nayarit, Oaxaca, and Guerrero. Jalisco and Nayarit have some of the best beaches in Mexico.
What’s the best way to get to Puerto Vallarta?
The Puerto Vallarta Airport is one of the biggest airports in Mexico, and you can find direct flights to Puerto Vallarta from many places worldwide.
Many people reach Puerto Vallarta by bus from Guadalajara, which is five hours east of Puerto Vallarta. We recommend ETN, one of the best-known and largest bus companies in Mexico.
Going from the airport to the hotel is easy; you can either book a private shuttle, catch a taxi, an Uber, or take a bus. All options are safe.
Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta?
This city has different neighborhoods with accommodations for all types of travelers.
If you want local charm and colorful buildings, check the Zona Romantica & Viejo Vallarta. These two neighborhoods are among the oldest in the city, so they still retain some of that vintage charm. Check out some options to stay in Puerto Vallarta here.
For five-star, all-inclusive resorts, check the Zona Hotelera and Marina Vallarta.
If you want something more exclusive with posh resorts and properties, check Punta Mita on the Riviera Nayarit. Just consider that Punta Mita is an hour away from Puerto Vallarta.
Is Puerto Vallarta safe?
Mexico does have a bit of a bad reputation due to drug-related crimes and violence. That said, these incidents typically occur in the north, particularly along the U.S. border. The bad reputation is mainly due to the sensationalized media stories of violence in Mexico. However, in general, Mexico is safer than popular cities in the U.S., including Atlanta, Washington DC, Baltimore, St Louis, New Orleans, Buffalo, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Chicago, and Miami. Like in almost any country, petty crime and pickpocketing can be an issue, so it’s best to stay vigilant of your belongings. Exercise caution and common sense:
- Don’t drive alone at night.
- Don’t flash large amounts of cash.
- Don’t wear flashy jewelry or watches.
Puerto Vallarta is one of the safest parts of Mexico. That’s not to say bad things don’t happen; they do; however, they rarely involve tourists. In Mexico, most violence is related to cartels, which don’t have much presence in Puerto Vallarta or most tourist cities.
Given the mainstream media’s coverage of Mexico, movies, and shows about Mexico, travelers might think Mexico is a very dangerous country. But, as in most places worldwide, there are safe, less safe, and unsafe places.
One of the best articles on this subject comes from Forbes. In it, Carlos Barron, a 25-year FBI veteran, offers a sound perspective about overall Mexico travel safety:
“Millions of Americans go to Mexico on vacation every year, so if we play the numbers game, the number of incidents is very small… When I’m asked if Mexico is a safe place to go travel on vacation, my response is yes.” —Carlos Barron (Source Forbes)
Of course, bad things occur in Puerto Vallarta; however, they rarely involve tourists. In Mexico, most violence is related to cartels, which don’t have much presence in Cancun, Yucatan, or most tourist cities.
Some other less-obvious things you’ll want to watch out for in Puerto Vallarta are dehydration, sunburns, mosquitoes and hangovers! Puerto Vallarta is hot year-round, and the mosquitoes are pretty bad in the summers.
Is Puerto Vallarta expensive?
Like most places, you can visit Puerto Vallarta on a budget or take a luxury vacation.
Travelers can expect to pay roughly $1,500 for a weeklong vacation in Puerto Vallarta, including lodging, meals, and activities. You can find a whole range of different accommodation prices in Puerto Vallarta, from about $10 per night to $1,000 or more per night.
The cost of your flight will vary too. If you’re flying economy and don’t mind long layovers, you can get a good flight for a few hundred dollars.
Food costs can differ widely as well. In Puerto Vallarta, regional cuisine is usually much more cost-effective If you eat where the locals do. Alcohol can also pad your bill, so consider sticking to soda or water if you want to save.