Travel tips · Puerto Vallarta · Mexico
Puerto Vallarta travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Microstar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Puerto Vallarta keeps the feel of a Mexican town despite its size as a resort, with Sunday evenings on the plaza, December's Guadalupe processions and families on the Malecón. It has a long tradition of foreign residents and artists, a large LGBTQ+ community and a living craft tradition from the Wixárika (Huichol) people of the nearby mountains.
Key facts
- Language
- Spanish
- Currency
- MXN
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- The municipal utility treats tap water, but pipes and storage tanks in older…
- Emergency
- 911
Things to know
- Greet people with 'buenos días' or 'buenas tardes', and use 'por favor' and 'gracias' generously.
- Cover swimwear when walking away from the beach, especially near the church and in shops.
- Ask before photographing Wixárika artisans and their work in markets.
- Bargain politely at the Río Cuale market, but not in galleries or shops with fixed prices.
- Respect wildlife rules on whale-watching boats and at turtle camps.
- Book Whale watching in the bay ahead: Book a few days ahead in January and February, the busiest months.
- Use city buses for the Hotel Zone, Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán; they cost a fraction of a taxi.
Tipping
Tip 10–15% in restaurants, 20 pesos or so per bag for porters, and tip boat crews, guides and water-taxi drivers who help with luggage. Grocery baggers and petrol station attendants expect small change.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Buenas noches | Good evening / good night |
| ¿Cuánto cuesta? | How much is it? |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please |
| ¿A qué hora sale el barco? | What time does the boat leave? |
| Sin chile, por favor | Without chilli, please |
What to wear
Casual, light clothing works almost everywhere; bring sturdy sandals for cobbled streets and trail shoes for the coastal paths.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- The municipal utility treats tap water, but pipes and storage tanks in older buildings vary, so most visitors drink purified bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is good in town and patchy on boat-access beaches; local SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy.
- Time zone
- America/Mexico City
Strong surf and undertow affect some open beaches in the Hotel Zone, so follow the flags. Petty theft from beaches, overcharging by taxis and timeshare sellers at the airport are the most common problems, and crocodiles live in the marina and estuaries.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Mexico's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Puerto Vallarta?
Tip 10–15% in restaurants, 20 pesos or so per bag for porters, and tip boat crews, guides and water-taxi drivers who help with luggage. Grocery baggers and petrol station attendants expect small change.
+Can you drink the tap water in Puerto Vallarta?
The municipal utility treats tap water, but pipes and storage tanks in older buildings vary, so most visitors drink purified bottled water.
+What plugs are used in Puerto Vallarta?
Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Puerto Vallarta?
Spanish.