Arriving in Puerto Vallarta is coming to Mexico as well, a huge, passionate and contrast-packed country that will certainly make you take notice. This guidebook intends to be a means of information and aid about the daily going and a faithful companion during your stay in these unique and thrilling lands. Before touching down in Vallarta –the target of our trip- we’d like to give you a few tips of where we are and what this all means.

Puerto Vallarta belongs to the state of Jalisco, in central Mexico, overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the Bay of Flags (Bahia de Banderas), one of the world’s largest bays with 40 miles around and 20 miles deep. The fact that it’s perched on the Sierra Madre and its high eastern mountains provide wind protection and make its weather semitropical and humid, yet mild and out of the hurricane beltway. This explains why Spanish galleons used this port for heading northbound.

On the northernmost tip stands Punta Mita, while Cabo Corrientes lies in the south. The Ameca River divides the states of Jalisco and Nayarit behind the bay, splitting the territory into two different time zones. The state of Jalisco’s north coastline stretches out for 174 miles. It starts in Bay of Flags, running through Cabo Corrientes all the way to the southeast in Bay of Chamela, Tenacatita and Barra de Navidad. The state of Jalisco is home to the symbols that have put Mexico on the map: mariachi, charreria and tequila.

TIPS

TRANSPORT: Transportation is simple and abundant. We may choose from either buses (called locally camiones) that take you everywhere for only 5,5. Cabs have reasonable fares and charge by zone. A ride around the downtown area shouldn’t exceed 40 pesos. It’s recommended to ask before hopping on. There are several car rentals in town in case we want to drive our own way around town.

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.

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 establishments. Small stores close from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

POWER: Power supply is 110 volts at 60 Hz. Power jacks have two simple blades. Travelers are recommended to bring three-pronged to twopronged 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 top-ofthe- 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.