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 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.

currency

Mexican peso (MXN) 1 = 100 Centavos

phone

060 or 066

newspaper

Vallarta Today
El Faro
La Jornada

hours

Shops are generally open from 9am-5pm on weekdays and Saturdays. In tourist areas shops and larger malls usually stay open until 8pm. On Sundays shops are open at their own discretion. Banks are open from 9am-3/4pm. In the city some banks stay open a few hours on Saturdays as well.

population

256,000

info

Tourist Information Office
Independencia 123, Puerto Vallarta
Jalisco, México
+322 222 09 23

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. Promenade of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. Izabela23/Shutterstock.com

The City

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.

This image shows the malecon in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico Chris Howey/Shutterstock.com

Do & See

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.

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Puerto Vallarta Boardwalk - Malecon

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Bay of Banderas

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Aquaventuras Park

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Zona Romantica (Old Town)

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Las Caletas

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Teatro Vallarta

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Sailfish & Marlin International Tournament

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Plaza Principal

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Old Town Vallarta

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Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

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Sierra Madre Adventure

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Las Marietas Islands

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Outdoor Adventures

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Los Muertos Pier

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El Faro Lighthouse

Shrimp and chicken fajita with flame Png Studio Photography/Shutterstock.com

Dining

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.

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Archie's Wok

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Bravos Restaurant Bar

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Layla´s Restaurant

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Café des Artistes

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Pancho's Takos

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La Palapa

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Bistro Teresa

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Restaurante Barcelona Tapas

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El Dorado

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Café de Olla

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Daiquiri Dick's

Hipster couple eating street food and toasting beer outdoor. Young cheerful people having fun in vacation holidays - Love and relationship concept - Focus on girl face - Warm filter with sun flare DisobeyArt/Shutterstock.com

Cafés

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.

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Dee's Coffee Company

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A Page In The Sun

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Coffee Cup-Marina

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River Cafe

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Kubli´s

Seaside promenade at night in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. karamysh/Shutterstock.com

Bars & Nightlife

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.

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Murphy's Irish Pub

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Bar Morelos Mezcaleria

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Andale's Restaurant & Bar

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Bar La Playa

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Twisted Palms Rooftop Lounge

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Mandala

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La Palapa Restaurant

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Que?Pasa Bar & Grill

Puerto Vallarta shops at night - Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico Diego Grandi/Shutterstock.com

Shopping

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.

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Paradise Plaza Shopping Center

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Lucy's CuCu Cabaña

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Peyote People

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Mundo de Cristal

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Olas Altas Farmers Market

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El Gato Gordo

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Plaza Caracol

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Plaza Neptuno

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Galerías Vallarta

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Cassandra Shaw Jewelry

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María de Guadalajara

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Gallería Dante

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Xocodiva

Colorful apartment building in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. karamysh/Shutterstock.com

Tourist Information

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

More Information:

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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