Puerto Vallarta travel guide

Air

International Ordaz Airport (PVR), 6 km from centre, T322-221 1325. There is a sporadic local bus service to the airport. In high season, there is a hotel shuttle bus service for those staying at the hotel. Otherwise take a taxi. Excellent international connections to the USA, Europe, Central and South America.

Airline offices

AeroMéxico, T322- 2242777. Alaska Airlines, T95-800-426 033. America West, T800-235 9292, T800-533 6862. American Airlines, T91-800 90460. Continental, T91-800-90050. Delta, T91-800-90221. Mexicana, T322-224 8900. United, T911-800-00307, T800-426 5561.

Local

Mismaloya–Marina, US$0.35, but complicated routing. The main southbound artery through town is México–Morelos– Vallarta; the main northbound is Juárez– Insurgentes. Plaza Lázaro Cárdenas is the main terminal in the south of town and starting point for Mismaloya–Boca buses going south. Buses marked ‘Olas Altas’ go to South Central, those marked ‘Hoteles’ or ‘Aeropuerto’ go to North Hotel Zone and beyond. Buses are also marked for ‘Marina’ and ‘Mismaloya/Boca’ (Boca de Tomatlán). The ones marked ‘Centro’ go through town, those with ‘Túnel’ take the bypass. Buses to outlying villages with Medina bus line, terminal at Brasil, between Brasilia and Guatemala, regular (15-20 mins) service to Nuevo Vallarta, San José, San Juan, Bucerías, Manzanilla, Punta de Mita and others. Fares US$1.25-3.

Long distance

All buses leave from bus station almost opposite the airport (turn left when you exit from arrivals, then it’s a short walk). To get to the bus station from town, the only option is by taxi.

There are frequent services to Guadalajara, 6 hrs, US$31. To Tepic, every 20 mins, 3 hrs, US$13-14.50. To Barra de Navidad, 4 hrs, 1st class, 0915 and 1315, 4 hrs, US$19; 2nd class 0900, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600 and 1800, 5½ hrs, US$15.50, and Manzanillo, 4½ hrs, US$17.90, every couple of hours. Other regular services to Acapulco, Aguascalientes, Ciudad Guzmán, Ciudad Juárez, Colima, León, Mazatlán, San Patricio Melaque, Mexico City, Monterrey, Querétaro, Tecomán, Tijuana and Zihuatanejo.

Banks

Casas de cambio on nearly every street in tourist areas. Rates inferior to Guadalajara. Check Bancomer’s cambio at Juárez 450, for good rates, open late. Banks offer slightly better rates (but slower service) and ATMs for Visa, MasterCard.

Embassies and consulates

Canada, Edif Vallarta Plaza, Zaragoza 160, 1st floor, T322-222 5398, daily 1000-1400. USA, Paseo de los Cocoteros Local 14, Int 17, T322-222 0069, Mon-Fri 0830-1230.

Immigration

In front of the Marina terminal, T322-224 7970.

Internet

Numerous internet cafés normally charging around US$2 per hr.

Laundry

Practically one on every block in South Central; numerous throughout the resort.

Medical services

Dra Irma Gittelson, Juárez 479, speaks French and English, very helpful. Emergency: T915- 724 7900.

Post office

Mina entre Juárez y Morelos.

Telephone

Long-distance phone (casetas) and fax at Lázaro Cárdenas 267, daily to 2300, also in lobby of Hotel Eloisa. Many shops bear ‘Larga distancia’ sign, check tariffs.