By Air

Fly to Puerto Vallarta into the Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (airport code PVR), about six miles (10km) north of city up the coast. No altitude issues here; it’s only about 22ft (7m) above sea level! So many direct flights make it easy to get here from other Mexican cities, including Mexico City, but mostly from the US. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, and Dallas are just a few among many.

From the Puerto Vallarta airport either:

• Take a cheap colectivo bus. If you’re traveling light, this is natively economic option. Between US$6 and $9 one-way. Look outside for a bus that says “Centro” on it. The fares are zoned. You’ll of course want to know where you’re going exactly so you can get off close to your destination.
• Take a taxi. If you have more than one bag, you may want to opt for the comfort of a taxi. Once you’re through customs and immigration, look for the desk inside the terminal to buy a ticket for an authorized cab to the centro. These fares are zoned too. For up to three people (your people) expect to pay between US$14 and $23. Good news: You’ll be delivered to your door. Note that there are slightly pricier SUV-type taxis for up to five people at a time too, if you’re coming with more people.
• Have your hotel or school pick you up. Some hotels offer pick-up services. Through one Spanish school, some homestay host families will also pick you up from the airport, so let us check for you if you’ve chosen this option. Another school will pick you up for US$33.
• Rent a car. It’s not hard to get around Puerto Vallarta without a car -- indeed the local busses are filled half with tourists for less than US$1 per trip -- but if you’d like one, there certainly is someone who’d like to rent you one. U-Save, Fox, Hertz, Europcar, Alamo, Budget, Avis, Thrifty, and National all rent vehicles at the Puerto Vallarta airport. It is about six miles (10kms) down the coast to the town center zone.

Coming to Puerto Vallarta by plane? Let us know if you have any questions!

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By Land

You can certainly get to Puerto Vallarta by land too. Take a bus or drive to witness the changes from desert to jungle, valley to sierra, across the ever-changing ecosystems.

• By Bus
  

  The main long-distance terminal de autobuses is also north of town, just past the airport. Whether you’re coming from the States or Canada, or just from Guadalajara, you’ll end up here. ETN and Primera Plus are the two first-class lines, although at least five other lines service Puerto Vallarta too.

  Note that busses leave for nearby destinations, like some beaches down the way, from other, more convenient, places in town. Your Spanish school can guide you once you’re there as to which busses to take where around Puerto Vallarta.

  Once in Puerto Vallarta’s main terminal, either take an authorized taxi to your destination (buy the ticket first) or take a local bus that says “Centro” (but not ”Pitillal”) from the stop just in front of the station. The prices will be about the same as from the airport (see above).

• Driving
  You can certainly drive to Puerto Vallarta too, especially if you’re already in Mexico. Many of Mexico’s modern highways are cuota or toll roads, which we highly recommend if possible. Many are not lit at night, however. For that and for your general safety, we encourage you to drive only during daylight hours. Military stops and abnormally speed bumps are actually normal. Stop for both!

Plan on driving to Puerto Vallarta? Click here to get driving directions.

Need more information on how to get to Puerto Vallarta? Or are you already here, at least in your mind? Contact Teach Me Mexico now to make it a reality!

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