Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Tourist Mistakes to Avoid
This guide covers essential travel tips for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, focusing on avoiding common tourist mistakes. Learn where to stay, how to manage money, what to eat, and practical advice for navigating the city like a local.
- Mode
- place
- Start
- Пуэрто-Вальярта, Халиско
- End
- Пуэрто-Вальярта, Халиско
- Stops
- 1
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Пуэрто-Вальярта, Халиско
Useful for your trip
- Where to stay
- Stay in El Centro or Zona Romantica neighborhoods in small boutique hotels instead of all-inclusive resorts to experience local culture, authentic architecture, and better restaurants at lower prices.
- Timing
- Book accommodations as far in advance as possible since Puerto Vallarta is becoming increasingly popular.
- Save money
- Use ATMs attached to banks rather than airport or street-corner ATMs. Look for ATMs charging less than 35 pesos in fees; some charge up to 80 pesos.
- Save money
- Decline the currency conversion rate offered on ATM screens to avoid being double-charged by both your bank and the ATM.
- Transport
- Avoid expensive airport taxis. Use Uber or non-airport taxis instead. Exit the airport, turn left toward the orange pedestrian overpass, and access the Uber pickup zone from the street.
- Transport
- Confirm taxi prices before boarding to avoid surprise charges at the end of the ride.
- Food
- Try street food and local restaurants marked by crowds of locals. Recommended dishes: tacos al pastor (marinated pork on vertical rotisserie), birria tacos with consume broth, enchiladas, and chilaquiles.
- Food
- Sample local drinks: tuba (coconut water, apple cider vinegar, apple chunks - 25 pesos) and agua fresca (sweet fruit water) with flavors like Jamaica (hibiscus) or horchata (rice milk).
- Tip
- Keep small change (5, 1, and 2 peso coins) for public bathrooms, which typically cost 7-10 pesos. Free bathrooms available at the town hall near the malecon during business hours.
- Transport
- Use buses for cheap local transport. Buses run every 30 seconds and go throughout town and nearby areas like Boca or Busurius. Grab a seat immediately after boarding.
- Food
- Assume most restaurants are cash-only. Larger, touristy restaurants may accept credit cards, but carry sufficient pesos.
- Avoid
- Avoid talking to timeshare salesmen in the airport corridor before exiting through glass doors.
Video on this route
DO NOT do these things in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico