Puerto Vallarta is a stunning destination located on the Pacific coast of the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Nestled on Banderas Bay, it is a charming city rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Banderas Bay is one of the largest and most beautiful bays in the world, and Puerto Vallarta has a perfect location on its eastern shore.
AIRLINES
If you fly from the U.S., the most common airlines to Puerto Vallarta include: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier, Jet Blue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines.
When flying from Canada, you'll find direct flights on Air Canada, Air Transat, Flair Airlines, Sunwing, Swoop, and WestJet.
If you are flying from Mexico, the main airlines that fly to Puerto Vallarta are as follows: Aeromexico, TAR Aerolíneas, VivaAerobus, Magnicharters, and Volaris.
CRUISES
Puerto Vallarta is the port of call for many Pacific cruise ships. Some of the cruise lines calling at Puerto Vallarta include: Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International.
HIGHWAYS
The highway system that connects Puerto Vallarta to Mexico's major cities has modern highways for safe and comfortable ground transportation.
From Guadalajara, take the direction of Compostela or Autlán, or the pilgrim route, via Ameca-Talpa-Mascota.
The estimated times between different cities are:
The main Bus Lines that run to and from Puerto Vallarta are as follows: ETN, Primera Plus, Futura, Vallarta Plus, and TAP.
Safety is often a top concern for travelers planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta. With an unusually low crime rate, this charming city is one of the top 10 safest cities in Mexico.
With a strong presence of law enforcement officers and commitment to the safety of visitors and residents alike, Puerto Vallarta has long been known as a safe destination for travelers. Violent crime is extremely rare in Puerto Vallarta, and visitors can feel safe exploring the many attractions Puerto Vallarta has to offer without having to worry.
Puerto Vallarta is located on the east coast of Mexico. It is in the Central Time Zone. It is GMT / UTC-5, according to Coordinated Universal Time.
The weather in Puerto Vallarta is nice for most of the year. During the summer months, from July to October, you can expect frequent tropical storms and temperatures between 77°F and 89°F (25°C and 32°C.) During the winter months, you can enjoy temperatures between 62°F and 81°F (17°C and 27°C.)
Puerto Vallarta's rainy season is typically June through October, with August and September being the wettest months. Don't let the rainy season put you off, however. Rain usually comes in short afternoon or evening showers, leaving plenty of time for daytime outdoor activities.
Summer months are hurricane months, but Puerto Vallarta's privileged location, embraced by the bay and surrounded by the Sierra Madre, detours tropical storms ashore. We recommend checking weather reports from official sources such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or Mexico's National Weather Service.
You can also have a look at the daily temperatures here
With 360 days of sunshine a year, Puerto Vallarta’s beautiful beaches are worth a visit in any season. Most of them are great for swimming. Some are better suited for water sports and adventure activities. Or just relax listening to the soothing sounds of waves breaking on Mexico's Pacific coast.
All the beaches in Puerto Vallarta have a unique charm to make your visit unforgettable. Whether they’re located Downtown among countless restaurants, bars and shops, or surrounded by nature and accessible only by boat.
The beaches of Puerto Vallarta are publicly owned by the state. All beaches on Puerto Vallarta's coastline are fairly safe. Since it is a tourist destination, the government takes special care to make sure that our visitors are well taken care of.
Puerto Vallarta is a tourist destination that offers a wide variety of experiences to suit every type of traveler. Whether you're looking for soft golden beaches, outdoor adventures, cultural immersion, relaxation or delicious cuisine, this beach destination has it all.
Visitors to Puerto Vallarta can enjoy the crystal clear waters of the bay, home to a variety of marine life, and outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and whale watching
Of course you can use it! Credit cards, mainly Visa and MasterCard, are accepted at most establishments such as hotels, restaurants, bars and tourist attractions organized by tour operators. American Express is also accepted by most of them, but it is a good idea to check with them in advance. It is always a good idea to carry cash with you as local markets and street vendors usually only accept cash.
The Mexican Peso (MXN) is the currency in Puerto Vallarta. USD and CAD are also widely accepted in a variety of establishments including hotels, bars, restaurants, beach clubs, taxis and private transportation services such as Uber. ATMs are located in many parts of the city, and they primarily accept Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards. For your convenience, some hotels have ATMs in their facilities.
Entry requirements vary depending on your country of citizenship or residence.
Visas are not required for entry into Mexican territory if you are a citizen or legally resident in Canada, the United States of America, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, any of the Schengen countries, and the Pacific Alliance countries (Chile, Colombia, and Peru.)
All visitors are required to travel with a return or onward plane ticket in order to enter Mexico.
To learn more about the specific documents required to enter Mexico, please visit Countries and Regions that Require a Visa to Enter Mexico on the National Institute of Migration website.
Important: Presenting a visa does not guarantee entry into Mexico. Entry into Mexico is subject to the approval of the Health and Immigration authorities at the point of entry, who may verify at any time the requirements established in the applicable legal provisions in the applicable legislation (Source: Ministry of Foreign Relations | July 22, 2015).