Useful Information

Passport Requirements for U.S. Citizens
There may be new requirements for travel documents since you last traveled abroad. Please see this important information for full details. Or, click here for information about how to apply for, or renew a U.S. passport.

Dialing from USA to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
From the US to phone a local number, dial 011-52-322+Local 7-digit number.

Banking, currency and credit cards
Banking services are provided during the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., while some branches remain open until 5 p.m. Credit cards are easy to use at most establishments, although some will add on a surcharge. If unsure, ask first. For cashing travelers' checks, be prepared to present your passport or other official ID. In addition, numerous currency exchange offices handle the same transaction without service fees and possibly with a shorter wait. Exchange rates are usually posted for U.S. and Canadian dollars. Ask for other currencies. If you have cash remaining when you return home, save it for a future trip rather than paying the extra fees for changing it back. Better yet, you can contribute it to the UNICEF fund.

Electricity
In Mexico, electrical outlets may vary from two- to three-prong varieties, but the current is 110 volts (same as in the United States and Canada). Converters may be purchased locally.

Language
The official language in Mexico is Spanish. While most tourist establishments attempt to employ people who have some command of English, those who may not be comfortable speaking English will usually at least have studied it at some level. Speak clearly and carefully rather than loudly if communication seems problematic.

For those who speak Spanish, this romance language isn't the only language in Mexico. This immense country is home to more than 50 other languages and dialects, the most common in the local area being Nahua, the tongue of the Wixarika, also known as the Huichol.

Medical needs Puerto Vallarta is proud to offer medical services to rival any international destination. Several full-service hospitals and clinics are able to handle any emergency, including special needs such as dialysis. Many visitors plan their visit to coincide with dental work, plastic surgery and other elective surgeries. A number of villas and boutique hotels provide services such as special catering packages for those who require an extended recovery period. Several drugstores are open 24 hours with a large variety of medications in stock.

Newspapers
A number of Spanish-language newspapers serve the area such as the Vallarta Opina and Tribuna de la Bahía, while the English alternatives are the daily Vallarta Today and the weekly Tribune. For events and other local coverage, look for your free copy of Bay Vallarta, a bilingual magazine published by Vallarta Online twice a month.

Post offices
Postal rates are inexpensive. The rate for letters and postcards is less than US$0.50 to the United States and Canada.

Public holidays
Holidays are sacred in Mexico, but primarily banks and government offices are the only closures that may affect your travel. Some businesses may either open late or close early on certain holidays. Watch for signs or announcements to that effect. New legislation as of 2006 allows certain holidays to be taken on the nearest Monday to provide a three-day weekend, those being Constitution Day, Benito Juárez Day and the Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution (Feb. 5, March 21 and Nov. 20, respectively).

Religious services
A list of religious services in local churches and elsewhere is printed in the weekly Tribune in English, French and Dutch. Ask at your hotel for services nearby.

Shipping
Shipping from Mexico can be processed locally in Puerto Vallarta at a number of outlets. Centrally located on the hotel strip is DHL, which offers reasonable rates, but other national companies also ship to most areas as well.

Shop to your heart's content and ship it all home. Local fine arts and crafts as well as trendy fashions are all available in Puerto Vallarta. Find out where and what to buy, here.

Internet
You'll find Internet access at many hotels, as well as in a great number of cyber cafés in most neighborhoods. Ask at your hotel for more information.

Tipping
Tipping is generally 15-20 percent of the bill when dining out. Baggage handling can be easily figured at one dollar or 10 pesos per bag, with a minimum handling fee of 20 pesos. It's not necessary to tip taxi drivers unless they assist with bags or perform any other service outside their normal call of duty.

Transportation
For local transportation, the bus system is not complicated. Each bus is marked with the main destination, while routes indicate if they pass through downtown (CENTRO) or the tunnel bypass (TÚNEL). The fare is currently $5.00 pesos per person, with children under two riding for free. Facilitate your travel by having correct change on hand. When boarding as a group, it's appropriate for one person to pay for all. If unsure where the nearest bus stop is located, ask around or at your hotel. You'll find that people are generally very helpful.

Before boarding a taxi, specify your destination and ask for the rate. There are no meters since the city is divided into rate zones. Ask at your hotel for approximate rates before heading out.

Transportation within Mexico by bus generally departs from the Camionera Central, or main bus station, located just beyond the airport going north. A number of companies compete for destinations, some offering senior and student discounts with appropriate identification. Be aware that cheaper rates often indicate that the bus will make frequent stops en route for additional passenger pick ups.

Get more details and rental car agencies here.

Emergency telephone numbers

Note that all local numbers listed below are in area code 322 unless otherwise indicated. When dialing long distance, remember to include the area code. Local calls do not require it.

Government information and services, for US citizens traveling to Mexico, click here.