Skip to content
Voykit
Set your trip — dates, party, bagsPlanner

Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Major city · Mexico

Puerto Vallarta

Give Puerto Vallarta 4 nights: base in Zona Romántica, beach mornings, Malecon evenings. Go Nov–Apr; skip Sep–mid Oct for rain.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
MXN
Best months
Nov–Apr (dry, 27–30 °C)
avoid Sep–mid Oct (wettest), Easter and Christmas–New Year (crowded, peak prices)
Airport
PVR
Nights
4
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
  • Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
  • Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
  • Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.

Puerto Vallarta is a Pacific resort city with a real old town: the Zona Romántica keeps its lanes, the Malecon runs along the water, and the Bay of Banderas gives you beaches, whales and snorkelling. English is widely spoken and prices run higher than inland Mexico. Most trips work as 4 nights, split between the old town and one beach or jungle day.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Puerto Vallarta, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeM$40–80 (≈ US$3–5)
  • Sit-down mealCasual sit-down mealM$150–350 (≈ US$9–19)
  • Street or quick mealTaco or street snackM$25–60 (≈ US$2–4)
  • Beerdraught / bottle at a shopM$60–90 (≈ US$4–5)M$25–40 (≈ US$2–3)
  • Taxi, about 5 km5 km taxiAgree the fare before you get in.M$120–200 (≈ US$7–11)
  • Metro or bus rideCity bus rideM$10 (≈ under US$1)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$200–500 (≈ US$11–30)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personMX$350 (≈ US$19)
  • Mid-range bedBoutique or mid-range double room, a night, per roomMX$2,500 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedBoutique or mid-range double room, a night, per roomMX$5,500 (≈ US$300)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$900 (≈ US$50) · Mid MX$1,800 (≈ US$100) · High MX$4,000 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Zona Romántica old townMalecon boardwalkBay of Banderas beachesHumpback whales Dec–MarMismaloya and the south coast
Airports
PVR Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (About 8 km north of Zona Romántica; city bus, taxi kiosk or Uber from the pedestrian bridge)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Puerto Vallarta: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

27°C

16°C

2 rd

Feb

27°C

16°C

1 rd

Mar

28°C

16°C

1 rd

Apr

29°C

17°C

1 rd

May

30°C

20°C

2 rd

Jun

31°C

23°C

9 rd

Jul

32°C

23°C

13 rd

Aug

32°C

23°C

14 rd

Sep

31°C

23°C

13 rd

Oct

31°C

22°C

6 rd

Nov

30°C

19°C

2 rd

Dec

28°C

17°C

2 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Walk the Centro–Zona Romántica core; it is compact and mostly flat. City buses cost M$10 (Jan 2026), paid to the driver, no transfers — buses marked Centro run the coast road, Tunel skips downtown for the old town. Uber covers the city and is usually cheaper than taxis; airport taxis are bought at the kiosk inside arrivals. Taxis have no meters: agree the fare first.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán

go

Door to door: About 30–45 min

White-and-orange bus from Basilio Badillo and Constitución, Zona Romántica, about every 20 min

South-coast beaches and the start of the coastal trail; go early, buses fill.

Islas Marietas

caution

Door to door: About 1 h each way

Boat tour from Marina Vallarta or Los Muertos pier

Entry to the concealed beach is capped and needs a permit through an authorised operator; book ahead.

Sayulita

go

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Northbound bus to the Walmart stop, then a Nayarit bus

Surf town across the state line; a full day, or sleep one night.

San Sebastián del Oeste

overnight

Door to door: About 2 h

Bus or car up Hwy 544 through the mountains

Cool mountain village; too long for a comfortable return day.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Zona Romántica

Old-town lanes, dining and nightlife, walk to Playa Los Muertos; best for a first trip without a car.

Centro

Between the Malecon and the hillside; shops, cafés and the Rio Cuale; 10–15 min walk to Zona Romántica.

Hotel Zone

Big resorts along the highway north of Centro; beachfront pools, but you bus or taxi into the old town.

5 de Diciembre and Versalles

Local, less touristy, cheaper food; 15–25 min walk or a short ride from Centro.

Marina Vallarta

Marina, golf and condos near the airport; quiet, car or taxi for everything else.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
M$900–1,500 (≈ US$50–85) excl. bed
Mid
M$1,500–3,000 (≈ US$85–170) excl. bed
High
M$3,000 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Boutique or mid-range double room1 × 4 nights × MX$2,500MX$10,000
Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × MX$1,800MX$14,400
Airport taxi to Zona Romántica, one way1 × MX$350 · checkMX$350
City bus ride2 × MX$10MX$20
eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$300MX$600
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeMX$2,537
Trip total≈ MX$3,488 per person per day, bed includedMX$27,907≈ US$1,600

2026 estimate in pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeM$40–80 (≈ US$3–5)
Taco or street snackM$25–60 (≈ US$2–4)
Casual sit-down mealM$150–350 (≈ US$9–19)
Beer: draught / bottle at a shopM$60–90 (≈ US$4–5) / M$25–40 (≈ US$2–3)
City bus rideM$10 (≈ under US$1)
5 km taxiAgree the fare before you get in.M$120–200 (≈ US$7–11)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$200–500 (≈ US$11–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

The tourist core is busy and generally safe by day and night. Real risks are rip currents, fast taxis, overpriced bars with no posted prices, and timeshare pressure at the airport — ask the total before you sit, and walk past the touts.
  • Timeshare touts work the two rooms just outside customs at PVR: walk past without stopping and buy transport at the official kiosk.
  • Taxi drivers can drive fast; not all cabs have working seatbelts.
  • Police checkpoints and stops rise around spring break — carry ID and keep rental paperwork in the car.
  • Rip currents on open Pacific beaches: swim where locals swim, and not alone.
  • September and early October are the wettest weeks; some beach businesses close.
  • Hurricanes rarely hit, but the season runs Jun–Nov: check forecasts before a late-summer trip.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Tourist assistance (078)
078
Green Angels roadside help
078

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Puerto VallartaPuerto Vallarta

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Tourist assistance078

Embassy

The US has a consular agency in Puerto Vallarta (check the address); most other countries: consulates in Guadalajara, embassies in Mexico City.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • PVR airport → Zona Romántica, taxi kiosk: about M$400 (≈ US$25), 20–30 min (check)
  • PVR airport → Centro, city bus: M$22 (≈ US$2), 20–30 min (Jan 2026)
  • City bus, any ride: M$10 (≈ under US$1), paid to the driver (Jan 2026)

Say or show

  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
  • La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
  • ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyo)
  • ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
  • No quiero tiempo compartido — I don't want a timeshare (noh KYEH-roh TYEM-poh kom-par-TEE-doh)
  • ¡Ayuda! — Help! (ah-YOO-dah)

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Puerto Vallarta. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Nov–Apr (dry, 27–30 °C) · avoid Sep–mid Oct (wettest), Easter and Christmas–New Year (crowded, peak prices) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for PVR: kiosk taxi, Uber from the pedestrian bridge, and the M$22 Centro bus, with last-bus field checks.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Zona Romántica and Playa Los Muertos, Centro and the Malecon, 5 de Diciembre, Marina Vallarta.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Malecon, Rio Cuale, Playa Los Muertos, Islas Marietas) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Rainy-season and holiday fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Mexico

Sources