Here you can find two options for public transport in Puerto Vallarta: Bus or Taxi. Remember, despite being a town in development, public transportation is still limited in options such as buses.
Bus to move in Puerto Vallarta:
There are specific routes already determined to move by bus in Puerto Vallarta.
There are routes in most tourist zones and you can reach almost every place you may want to visit by Bus.
Asking for location references: To ask for the right bus is easy, but you may find it hard to find among the locals in the street someone who helps you if you do not speak Spanish, I strongly recommend you to use GOOGLE TRANSLATOR please because what I have seen is that is very annoying for locals to deal with foreigners who consider a fact everyone has to speak in English, please do not do that.
If you have Google Translator on your phone, you can easily write what you need and ease communication with locals. Is something I always do in any country I visit and makes my life easier in fact.
Another option is to check this page, you will find the main routes in Puerto Vallarta: https://rutasvallarta.com/rutas/, where you can see each route, which has a code, (for example C01), usually this code is located on the top of every bus then you can easily identify if you are taking the right one.
Cost of the Bus In Puerto Vallarta: The cost of the bus for a normal ride is around 10 pesos / .050 USD. Is very cheap. It depends on the distance it may increase a bit, but not too much.
How to take the bus to Puerto Vallarta?: There are bus stops everywhere on main streets or avenues. Those stops are not clearly indicated, the way to identify one is to locate a line of local people standing in line close to a corner, that may be a bus stop. Also, you can ask a local for a reference. Remember the always important advice: do not talk immediately to any locals in English, it is NOT polite to assume they will understand you, and is annoying for them, please use google translate on your phone if needed!
When you take a bus to Puerto Vallarta I strongly recommend you pay with the exact amount or spare change in general.
Is it safe to take the bus in Puerto Vallarta?: Yes, but please! Like everywhere else: follow this basic safety rules:
- DO NOT use your phone on the street or during your ride on the bus, to avoid being the target of someone looking to be messy.
- Be prepared in advance with your exact amount to pay for the bus to avoid taking your wallet out and to be again an unnecessary target.
- Be always aware of your surroundings: Something I notice very often is that many foreigners think nothing absolutely may happen to them and: yea it may happen, please, always be aware, and check no one is looking at you too much, or very close or touching or following you. It is so much better to always keep your head up. Being a foreigner always makes you stand up, be careful!
- NEVER put your cell phone or wallet in your pockets
- If you have a bag or backpack ALWAYS put it in front of you and your hands in zippers
- NEVER look lost or disoriented. And NEVER ask random people anything, if you are in an open area ask in a nearby store or ask the police what you need.
REMEMBER TO USE GOOGLE TRANSLATOR PLEASE if you have any questions, it will be easier to communicate, otherwise people won’t be able to help you
Taxi to move in Puerto Vallarta:
You have to take a taxi in Puerto Vallarta, Taxis you can find on the street or you can use Taxi service from Uber or InDriver.
Taking a taxi on the street in Puerto Vallarta: One big difference I find with Mexico City is, here Taxis DO NOT have a taximeter, which makes it a bit complicated to know how much you have to pay, being the taxi driver may determine the amount depending on the distance from the pick-up to the final destination. I do not recommend this option for you as a foreigner, because some locals (not everyone, but it happens) can take advantage of the situation and may charge more.
- The average price of taking a taxi on the street in Puerto Vallarta: The average cost to move from one place to another (talking about a ride of about 10 minutes) can be 3 to 4 USD, The cost may increase because of the distance and also consider that at night it is always a bit more expensive.
- How do I stop a street taxi? Very easy, just check the one driving around and the ones free have a big red sign that says LIBRE if you see one just shake your hand in front of the taxi and he will stop.
Taking a taxi by Uber or InDriver in Puerto Vallarta: This is my favorite option, is safer and the price is already established on the app, you do not need cash and the charge can be straight to your credit card.
- Average price of taking a taxi by Uber or InDriver Puerto Vallarta: The average cost to move from one place to another (talking about a ride of about 10 minutes) can be also around 3 to 4 USD, The cost may increase because of the distance and also consider even by Uber or In Driver at night is always bit more expensive.
Taking from the airport in Puerto Vallarta: If you take a taxi from the airport in Puerto Vallarta you may see the prices are a bit higher, this is very common everywhere as i have seen. The average cost of a Taxi to your destination will also depend on the distance and can be from 17 USD for a ride of about 10 minutes, to 35 USD for a ride of 15 min or more.
Is it safe to take a taxi in Puerto Vallarta?: Yes, but please! Like everywhere else: follow this basic safety rules:
- Do not loose your self on your phone or during your ride on the taxi, to avoid being the target of someone by looking too distracted, always check your surroundings.
- If you take a taxi on the street be sure to have cash try to negotiate first the cost of the trip according to the distance, if you think the taxi driver is taking advantage, let it go, there are many taxis, look for the right one.
- Be always aware of your surroundings: Something I notice very often is that many foreigners think nothing absolutely may happen to them and: yea it may happen, please, always be aware, and check no one is looking at you too much, or very close or touching or following you. It is so much better to always keep your head up. Being a foreigner always makes you stand up, be careful!
- NEVER put your cell phone or wallet in your pockets, thise cal fell off and after if you want to recover them will be impossible.
- Never take a taxi on the street with someone who make you feel unsafe: You can tell about the vibe on people sometimes, follow your gut.
- NEVER look lost or disoriented. And NEVER ask random people anything, if you are in an open area ask in a nearby store or ask the police what you need.
REMEMBER TO USE GOOGLE TRANSLATOR PLEASE if you have any questions, it will be easier to communicate, otherwise people won’t be able to help you
Puerto Vallarta is a paradise, but to live in paradise now has its considerations, stay safe and I will keep posting more useful information about how is to live in Puerto Vallarta, Stay tuned!
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