Puerto Vallarta pairs the architecture of colonial Mexico with the flair of its modern, beach resort city persona. Located in the gorgeous Bay of Banderas, Puerto Vallarta is both a tropical and cultural epicenter. Luxury cruises make it a frequent stop along their vacation routes, for the sandy beaches seem quite endless. Art lovers will find a paradise in Puerto Vallarta as well, for the city holds its own with numerous neighborhoods and districts dedicated to creative expression.
Puerto Vallarta was for a long time inhabited by indigenous groups until the Spaniards came in 1524. But what caused the city to really "boom" in 1964 was the movie “Night of the Iguana," starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Puerto Vallarta, being the setting for this film, consequently appealed to the rich and famous. Tourism started blossoming in the 1970’s when the city put a lot of effort into tourist infrastructure. Ever since, the once quiet town only belonged to the past.
Having so much to offer, it is not strange that people flock to Puerto Vallarta. The charming city has something for everyone; lovers, friends, family, and backpackers. Here you can really enjoy yourself and relax in a hub of culture, food, beaches, and nature.
Puerto Vallarta is just as great for a relaxing holiday as an adventurous one. The Bay of Banderas has a 60 kilometer long coastline filled with secluded beaches, great for water sports, swimming with dolphins and lazy days on the beach. If you turn your head towards land you are facing the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains, a fantastic area for zip line tours and other daring sports. Wandering the cobbled streets of Puerto Vallarta you will be absorbed by art, food, drinks and friendly people. The diversity of things to do and see in Puerto Vallarta will keep you busy for a long, long time.
Puerto Vallarta Boardwalk - Malecon
Bay of Banderas
Aquaventuras Park
Zona Romantica (Old Town)
Las Caletas
Teatro Vallarta
Sailfish & Marlin International Tournament
Plaza Principal
Old Town Vallarta
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Sierra Madre Adventure
Las Marietas Islands
Outdoor Adventures
Los Muertos Pier
El Faro Lighthouse
Being known as a fine dining destination, Puerto Vallarta and its many restaurants will bring you a lot of tasty dishes to the table. Here you will find a great variety of food and prices vary just as much. Choose between the “catch of the day”, genuine Mexican food or snacks from one of the many food stands on the streets. Small places, called fondas and cenadurías, serve great Mexican food. Whether you are looking for something small, a meal on the beach or a romantic dinner while overlooking the ocean, Puerto Vallarta has everything to satisfy your taste buds each day.
Archie's Wok
Bravos Restaurant Bar
Layla´s Restaurant
Café des Artistes
Pancho's Takos
La Palapa
Bistro Teresa
Restaurante Barcelona Tapas
El Dorado
Café de Olla
Daiquiri Dick's
It is easy to find a good cup of coffee, like cappuccino, in Puerto Vallarta and the majority of cafés can be found in the Old Town. Mexico is known for producing high-quality coffee beans and the Mexicans themselves drink about half of it. When in Puerto Vallarta you should try a unique, popular type of coffee called “café de olla," sweetened coffee with cinnamon and cloves.
Dee's Coffee Company
A Page In The Sun
Coffee Cup-Marina
River Cafe
Kubli´s
Puerto Vallarta is a city that never sleeps. Here you will find low-key hangouts, ritzy clubs, and sports bars. The so-called restaurant-lounges are very popular here, combining dining and dancing. Mandala is the most famous restaurant-lounge and a real hot spot in Puerto Vallarta. Most of the dancing, drinking, and bustling club scene can be found downtown and along the Malecon. You will not be bored in Puerto Vallarta.
Murphy's Irish Pub
Bar Morelos Mezcaleria
Andale's Restaurant & Bar
Bar La Playa
Twisted Palms Rooftop Lounge
Mandala
La Palapa Restaurant
Que?Pasa Bar & Grill
Shopping in Puerto Vallarta is fun. The city is mostly famous for its art and silver jeweler, a real joy for everyone interested in handicrafts. The area around Old Town Vallarta, downtown and the Malecon is where to do most of your shopping.
Paradise Plaza Shopping Center
Lucy's CuCu Cabaña
Peyote People
Mundo de Cristal
Olas Altas Farmers Market
El Gato Gordo
Plaza Caracol
Plaza Neptuno
Galerías Vallarta
Cassandra Shaw Jewelry
María de Guadalajara
Gallería Dante
Xocodiva
Puerto Vallarta Airport
Puerto Vallarta is a very popular tourist destination and the busy airport handles numerous tourists and passengers every year. The airport is located approximately 13 kilometers from the city and offers restaurants, shops and other necessary facilities.
To get to Puerto Vallarta from the airport you can order a pre-arranged transfer, go in a taxi, bus or rent a car. Several car rental companies are available at the airport including Hertz and Avis. It is recommended to book a car in advance. Beware that traffic in the Mexican cities can be very hectic, but renting a car could be a good alternative for exploring the surrounding areas. At the airport there are shuttles and transfers to some of the other popular destinations like Cancún, Cabo San Lucas, and Playa del Carmen.
Address: Puerto Vallarta International Airport PVR
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Website: puertovallartaairport.com
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Passport / Visa
Visa exemption applies to citizens of all EU countries, most countries in the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and more. Both tourists and business visitors from these countries may stay in Mexico for up to 180 days. For Russian, Turkish and Ukrainian passport holders, electronic authorisation (SAE) is required, which then grants travellers from these countries the right of a single entry followed by a stay of up to 30 days. Please consult an official source/consulate in your home country for the latest information on visa requirements.
When travelling to Mexico, you will need to fill out a Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM), which is essentially a visitor’s permit for Mexico. All travellers are encouraged to do so online prior to travel, and present the printed out document upon entering the country.
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Website: www.mexicotouristcard.com
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Tourist Tax
Nearly every commercial airline flying into Mexico now includes the Tourism Tax (known as DNI – Derecho No Inmigrante) in the price of each flight ticket. Request an itemised receipt from your tour agent or airline, where the DNI charge is normally listed, and present it at check-in and/or immigration in order to avoid double payment.
If, however, your airfare does not include this tax, or if you’ve been travelling by land, the tax will need to be paid separately. If you’re leaving Mexico by air, the easiest way to pay this tax will be at the check-in counter for your departing flight/the airport immigration office. Note that the tax can only be paid in cash, in USD, Mexican pesos or Sterling. The exact fee is subject to change; at the time of writing, it amounts to just under $30 per person.
If you are departing by land, you are still required to pay this tax, which can also be done at a bank. Note that those arriving by land and departing from Mexico within 7 days are exempt from paying the fee.
The DNI tax is not to be confused with the Mexican Airport Departure Tax, which will be automatically included with any flight ticket purchase, and will also appear on the itemised receipt.
Make sure to hold on to any receipts, slips or documents issued to you by Mexican immigration authorities throughout the entire trip.
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Time Zone
Puerto Vallarta is located in the Central Time zone and all times are reflected in Central time.
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Public Transport
The easiest way to get around Puerto Vallarta is either to walk (short distances) or to catch the local bus or a minivan. Buses in Puerto Vallarta are cheap, easy to use and generally operate along the coastline. Look for the blue and white buses. Each bus fare is one-time use only and make sure you have the correct change ready for the driver. You will see where the bus is headed in the front window. If you are going back to your hotel, look for a bus with a list of hotels in the front window. If you are unsure where the bus is going, just ask the driver.
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Taxi
The taxis in Puerto Vallarta are yellow and easy to use. You can either hail them just about anywhere or find them at one of the many taxi stands. Usually they don't have a lot of cash so you should have small coins as well.
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Post
Mexico’s postal service is called Correos de Mexico and the post office buildings are usually pink and white.
There are several mailboxes located throughout the city of Puerto Vallarta where you can mail your postcard.
Main Post Office is located:
Address: Colombia 1014, Puerto Vallarta
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Website: www.gob.mx/correosdemexico
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Pharmacy
There are numerous pharmacies around Puerto Vallarta. You can also find pharmacies in new supermarkets.
Farmacia Puerto Vallarta:
Address: Manuel M. Dieguez 159-A, Puerto Vallarta
Email: contacto@farmaciapvr.com
Phone: +52 322 223 9319
Website: www.farmaciapvr.com
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Telephone
Country code: +52
Area code: 322
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Electricity
110V, 60 Hz
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