<b>Useful tips</b>
TEMPERATURE: The weather in Puerto Vallarta is semitropical and humid. Spring and fall provide mild temps and a rainy season that stretches out from June to September. The ideal thing to do is dress in cotton, fresh and snug clothes, perhaps something more sophisticated at night if we want to change our look.
FLIGHTS & CUSTOMS: The Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport receives flights from around the world, especially from the U.S. Regulations may vary depending on the country of origin, so speaking to consular or embassy officer before traveling is suggested. Once in Puerto Vallarta, we must push a button in the customs area to find out whether we’ll be registered or not. A green light or a red light will give us the answer.
CURRENCY: The official currency is the peso. Most credit cards are accepted in stores and restaurants. There’re telling machines and banks for hard currency changes and daily peso exchange rates.
OPENING HOURS: Opening hours in Puerto Vallarta are resilient, so you can have a meal at any time of the day. There’s a multitude of stablishments. Small stores close from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
TRANSPORTATION: Transportation is simple and abundant. You can choose from buses that shuttle you everywhere for only a $4.5 fare and at a good –sometimes excessive- frequency. It’s easy to ask in the hotel or anybody about how and where to get on. This is a great experience to learn more about the town’s lifestyle and residents.
Cabs have reasonable fares and charge by areas. A taxi ride in the downtown area shouldn’t set you back more than 30 pesos. It’s good to ask the cabdriver before hopping on, though generally speaking there’s no problem at all and taxis are easy to find at any time. There are different car rental companies in case we prefer driving our own way around town.
POWER: Power supply is 110 volts at 60 Hz. Power jacks have two simple blades. Travelers are recommended to bring three-pronged to two-pronged converters, though they can be bought in any hardware store.
WATER: There’s filtered or purified water in all establishments. You may either ask for it or buy bottled water.
MEDICAL SERVICES: Puerto Vallarta relies on topof- the-line medical services. There are several hospitals and physicians equipped with cutting-edge technology. Drugstores, some of them open 24 hours a day, are easy to find.
TELEPHONES & INTERNET: Making phone calls or getting hooked up to the Internet is really simple. There’re plenty of places in every area around town. Regular fare is 10 pesos an hour for Internet connection. Phone calls can be made using prepaid cards or from private booths.