Contact E-mail: info@visitpuertovallarta.com
Got a question? Want a brochure? Need a map?
Call: 1-888-384-6822

Entry Requirements/Customs:

In general to enter Mexico you need to obtain a Tourist Card (FMT). To get your Tourist Card you will need to prove citizenship, a passport is best for this purpose. Other forms of accepted proof of citizenship include (Citizens from USA and Canada), certified birth certificate, voter's registration card, naturalization papers or a notarized affidavit of citizenship. A photo ID is very helpful, a passport can serve as proof of citizenship and photo ID. Airlines will provide the blank Tourist Card to fill out.

Canadian Citizens (adults):
1. Passport or
2. Certified birth certificate + photo ID card

USA Citizens (adults):
1. Passport or
2. Certified birth certificate + photo ID card or notarized affidavit of citizenship

When traveling with children (Citizens from USA and Canada), if your children are not included in your family passport, depending on your case you may need one of the following:
1. Affidavit of Sole Custody (in case of a divorced couple)
2. Affidavit of Parental Consent for Unaccompanied Minor (minor traveling alone without either parent); and
3. Affidavit for Other Parental Custody (minor traveling with only one parent, but parents still married).

Minors traveling alone (Citizens from USA and Canada - under 18 years of age) need:
1.Passport
2.Two affidavits, one from each parent authorizing him/her to leave the country, where the minor is traveling from and who will pick the minor up at the airport.

Citizens of other countries please contact your local Embassy or Consulate for Passport and visa requirements.

Be sure to save the blue copy, as you must present this copy when leaving Mexico.The blue piece of paper you are given when you enter the country is your Tourist Card, and it's very important that you don't lose it. You can get another, but the process is complicated, and you'll spend too much of your vacation in government offices and line-ups. Keep it in a safe place until you leave. Along with your passport and other documentation, preferably a hotel security box. Upon arrival at the International Puerto Vallarta airport you are asked to push a button that will determined if you are searched or not, if you get a green light you go and if you get a red light you are searched, this system is totally random.

Foreigners visiting our city may bring gifts of up to $300 US dollars in total value without paying taxes. Over $300 US dollars, for visitors citizens of USA and Canada (due to the Free Trade Agreement) taxation will be of 16 – 18% on the product price - only on those products that are made in USA or Canada.

If the products are from another country the taxation will be 50% of the products commercial value.

Tax free under $300 US dollars you may bring:
• 3 liters of liqour
• 1 carton of cigarrettes (400 cigarrettes)
• Computer hardware you may only bring up to 4,000 US dollars (paying taxes).

You can NOT bring along with you:
• Fresh fruit
• Vegetables
• Meat

Currency:
The peso is the national currency although U.S. dollars are widely accepted in most businesses throughout Puerto Vallarta. Major credit cards are also accepted in most establishments. Banks offer currency exchange during business hours. Universal ATM's are widely available for cash withdrawals at the current exchange rate. Visitors can access ATM’s in several systems such as VISA, MC, Cirrus and PLUS. Many ATM’s have menus in English. The ATM’s only dispense pesos.

You can change money at a convenient casa de cambio (Money Exchange House). These are money exchangers that are open long hours and provide quick service. Although dollars are widely accepted in resort areas (and are often preferred), we recommend using pesos during your stay. Hotels also exchange dollars but these normally give you the lowest rates, use them as a last resort. You will find better rates at the exchange houses, and the best rates at banks. To exchange money in the banks you can only do it between 9 AM and 1PM (even though the banks are open longer). Expect a slightly lower rate for travelers checks. Commissions are not generally charged on money exchanges. While foreign currencies other than U.S. dollars are sometimes accepted – particularly at major resorts—we recommend you use pesos during your stay. We also recommend exchanging $20-$30 into pesos before leaving home. This way you will arrive in Mexico with pesos for cab fare to you hotel and for tipping. Also, carry $20 to $30 dollars in one-dollar bills—they are great for tipping and are quite appreciated.

ATM's - Credit Cards:
Located throughout Puerto Vallarta, ATM's are linked to the Cirrus and PLUS systems, offer service in English and Spanish, and dispense pesos at the current exchange rate.

Credit cards are widely accepted at businesses and hotels in Puerto Vallarta. Visa and Mastercard are the cards of choice but American Express is also widely accepted. There is almost always a 6% charge using American Express cards and often 2 to 3% on Visa and Master Card.

Sometimes using credit cards is beneficial. Purchases will be converted into dollars at an exchange rate more favorable than what you will likely earn by changing dollars into pesos at a hotel. Also, credit card charges are often converted into dollars several days after the purchase is made. This can result in a purchase being converted to dollars at a rate higher than what would have been paid the day the transaction was made.

Electricity:
Mexico operates on the same 110-volt - 60Hz current as the USA, the plug is of the two flat prong type, same as the US but without the third rounded earth prong.

If you are arriving with three prong plug applications, we recommend you bring a three to two prong adapter just in case.

In case you forget it you'll be able to find these adapters at hardware stores or SAMS in Puerto Vallarta.

Language:
Mexico's official language is Spanish, in Puerto Vallarta you'll find that a higher proportion of people can speak or understand Engish. Hotels, restaurants and services in general have staff that handle English in a more or less fluent manner.

Try to learn some Spanish and use it whenever possible, this will be appreciated and nobody will laugh at you, so relax.

Health:
Emergencies & Medical Care
• Intensive Care Ambulance: 225-0386, 222-1533
• Red Cross: Rio de la Plata and Rio Balsas: 222-1533
• Med-Link Air Ambulance: Apartado Postal 68-A, Aeropuerto Internacional, Puerto Vallarta: 221-2200 and 221-2201 and toll free (in Mexico) 01-800-930-2600
• AMERI+MED: Diagnostic medical center offers 24 hour emergency care. Located at Plaza Neptuno, at the entrance to Marina Vallarta: 221-0023 or 221-0024 or U.S. Toll Free (800) 815-1921
• CMQ Hospital: General hospital with emergency services, pharmacy and English spoken. Open 24 hours. Basilio Bodillo #365 at Insurgentes.:222-3572.
• Hospital Medasist: Offers 24-hour emergency services. Some bilingual staff, accept most medical insurance programs for emergency services. Located at the entrance to Mex 200, at the south end of town (across from the Pemex gas station): 223-0444, 223-0656
• Hospital Versalles: Telephone: 224-9292
• Médico de la Bahia: 222-2627, 222-5152
• Regional Hospital: Telephone: 224-4000
• Dr. Jorge Ruiz & Assoc.: 24 Hour Medical Service:222-2880
• Dr. Ignacio Gomez Gutierrez: 24 Hour Dental Care:222-5359
• Clinica Quiropractica - (Chiropractor) Jesus Langaraica.:222-0022
• Fire Dept. Tel. 222-0520, 225-0000, 225-0018
• Police Emergency - Dial 060
• Local Police – 222-0123, 223-2500
• Traffic police - 224-8484

Pharmacies:
• Farmacia California: (24 hrs) 225-0635
• Farmacia de Guadalajara: (24 hrs) 222-0101
• CMQ: Basilio Badillo 365 (24 hrs) Telephone: 222-2941
• Lux: Insurgentes 51 Telephone: 222-1909
• Vallarta: Juarez 547 Telephone: 222-0004

Time:

Puerto Vallarta is Central Standard Time year round.

Climate:

Puerto Vallarta sits on the Costa Dorada of Mexico, at the mid-point of Banderas Bay, where the Pacific Ocean washes the border between Jalisco and Nayarit. The Hawaiian Islands and Puerto Vallarta are both located in the same global latitude 20ºN and share the same tropical climate.

Winter - (December 22 - March 21)
Spring - (March 22 - June 21)
Summer - (June 22- September 21)
Autumn - (September 22 - December 21)

From October through June, the days are usually sunny and dry, with average daytime temperatures of 80 ºF (28-30 ºC), quite comfortable for a stroll on the beach. Coastal breezes blow in from the ocean in the afternoon providing cooler evenings in winter months. Nighttime temperatures range from the 60's to the mid 70's (19-24 ºC). Summers are sunny with afternoon rains - just enough to coll off for evening activities.