Q: What should I pack?
A: Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hair dryer, travel alarm clock, more than one bathing suit, English/Spanish dictionary or phrasebook, comfortable clothes for multiple occasions (1 casual elegant outfit if you like).

Q: What should I take with me that I can't readily acquire in Mexico?
A: A camera and film. Facial tissue, Band-Aids and antiseptic cream may also come in handy. For your room, a beach towel, especially if you are planning to go to the beach. Sunglasses are essentials especially when driving. Also binoculars may be helpful with your sightseeing.

Q: What should I not take with me?
A: Expensive jewelry.

Q: Do I need a Tourist Card?
A: A tourist card is required for United States and Canadian citizens. It is issued to you free of charge on your flight to Mexico. Presentation of your proof of citizenship is necessary.

Q: What documents should I take with me to Puerto Vallarta?
A: Each time you go to the interior of Mexico you have to go through an Immigration office where you must prove your nationality by presenting certain documents.

If you are from the United States:
Proof of citizenship and photo identification is required for entry by all U.S. citizens. A US passport is recommended, but other US citizenship documents (certified copy of a US birth certificate (This has a raised seal, photocopies are not acceptable), naturalization certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or a certificate of citizenship are acceptable. In accordance with Mexican entry requirements, US citizens boarding flights to Mexico should be prepared to present one of these documents as proof of US citizenship along with valid photo identification. A visa is not required for a tourist/transit stay of up to 180 days. A tourist card, FMT, issued by Mexican consulates and most airlines serving Mexico, is required. You will also have to fill out the free migration statistics form (FMT), which, you will be given during your flight if you arrive by air.

Q: Who should I contact in case of an emergency, lost passport, etc?
A: U.S. and Canadian embassies and consulates should be contacted for emergencies such as a lost passport or tourist card. In a medical emergency seek out an English-speaking doctor.

Q: What about money in Puerto Vallarta?
A: Although dollars are widely accepted (and often preferred), it is recommended that you use pesos during your stay. Exchanging dollars for pesos before eating or shopping, will help you maximize your savings. The worst exchange rates are frequently at hotels. Money can be exchanged at Casas De Cambio's (exchange houses). They provide fast money exchange services.

You can get the best rates by using a Visa check card that access's your checking account at official international exchange rates. There are ATMs visitors can access with some offering English/Spanish language menus. Machines will dispense pesos.

It is a good idea to exchange some currency ($20-$30) into pesos before leaving for Puerto Vallarta. This will provide you with money for taxi fare or tipping upon your arrival. One-dollar bills work great for tipping. Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted.

Q: Where is the airport located in Puerto Vallarta?
A: Puerto Vallarta International Airport is located in the northern section of town, just past the Marina Vallarta area.

Q: How do I get from the airport to Plazamar Condominium?
A: Transportation to and from the airport is provided by taxi (Areomovil) or combi bus (Colectivo minivan). Taxi and combi bus charge rates based on zones of travel. Taxi and combi minivans are paid for before entering the vehicle at a small kiosk located just outside the terminal building exit. Once you have obtained your ticket, the driver will escort you to your vehicle. The ticket is then handed to the parking attendant at the parking lot exit. Charges for Areomovil transportation are a little more expensive than regular taxi service. To save 5-10 dollars US you can walk a few meters to the highway (out the right exit) and flag down a taxi. You can also catch a local bus for 0.30 dollars US (3 pesos).

Q: What concerns should I have regarding the electricity?
A: Mexico is on the same power grid as the USA and Canada (120V 60Hz). Just about any appliance that you have at home will work in Mexico. The only difference is that many places do NOT have 3 prong electrical outlets. If the appliance you are bringing has a 3-prong plug, you should also bring 3 prong adapters, available in most hardware and electrical stores, or in the electrical section of your local supermarket. They are also available at most markets here, if you forget to pack them.

Q: What is the climate like in Puerto Vallarta?
A: On the same latitude as Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta is tropical, with an average of over 300 sunny days per year. The temperature averages 28C (82F). The rainy season is from late June through early October, with higher temperatures and humidity.

Q: What is the best time of year to travel to Puerto Vallarta?
A: When you have the time and can get away. The best months to travel to PV are October through June. While the weather in the U.S. is cold and wet, the tropical climate in PV is seasonally mild and warm. Summer is very affordable, however, it is also usually hot and humid. No matter when you choose to visit, PV is a great vacation destination.

Q: How far in advance should I book my Puerto Vallarta vacation?
A: It depends on the time of year. If you are planning a Christmas vacation with your family or a vacation during other holiday seasons, a year in advance. During the high season it is recommended you make your reservations 6 to 9 months in advance. It is best to plan as far in advance as you can, for this allows you the best choice of dates.

Q: Do I need to rent a car to get around?
A: Not usually, the condo is within walking distance to town and the beach. For greater distances, you can take one of the many taxis, which are inexpensive.

Q: How safe is it to drink the water in Puerto Vallarta?
A: The water purification company of Puerto Vallarta has received certification of purity for human consumption for the past 7 years. This means that the water in Puerto Vallarta meets US standards for drinking when it leaves the purification plant; it is unclear if the pipes carrying the water away from the plant are of high standards. In the condo you will find bottled water for your convenience. In the event you need more bottled water, just let the front desk know.

Q: Is the ice in drinks safe for consumption?
A: Almost every bar and restaurant in Puerto Vallarta receives daily deliveries of large bags of ice, produced by one of the water purification plants in the area. The drinks you are served will contain "ice cubes", which are completely safe.

Q: Is it a good idea to drink bottled water while in Puerto Vallarta?
A: Puerto Vallarta's water is tested regularly and is safe. If you prefer bottled water you will find that every store that sells either beer or soft drinks, also sells bottled water. Again in the condo you will find bottled water for your convenience.

Q: Is the condo handicapped accessible?
A: Yes, there is an elevator and the unit is all one level. The bathroom facility isn't set up as handicapped though.

Q: Is it necessary to get vaccinations before traveling to Mexico?
A: It is not necessary to have any vaccinations before arriving to Mexico. The CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not have any alerts or warnings listed for Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area.

Things to Bring By Month:

January-May:
Light sweater, jacket or cardigan as nights can be cool, sunscreen.

June-September:
Cool, light clothing, sunscreen travel umbrella long sleeved shirt, jacket or cardigan for air-conditioned restaurants.

October:
Cool, light clothing, long sleeved shirt, jacket, or cardigan for cooler evenings or air-conditioned areas. Sunscreen. Umbrella. This month is the end of the rainy season, unexpected rain showers mixed with a few cooler evenings.

November-December:
Cool, light clothing for warm sunny days, light sweater, jacket or cardigan, as nights can be cool. Sunscreen.

Helpful Hints:

Dress in layers on the day(s) you travel, so you can add or subtract for the temperature changes.

Carry a change of clothes and a bathing suit in your carry-on, as well as camera, medications and other necessary objects.

Pack a small compact umbrella for the rainy season. June through Mid-October.

Bring comfortable shoes; rubber soles are best for cobblestones. Remember, in the rainy season, it is best to wear shoes that can get wet, or that dry quickly.

Professional and inexpensive laundry services are available throughout Vallarta, giving you the option to pack less. There is a laundry area at the condo for your use located in an area on the roof near the pool. In this area you will also find a library and shower for your convenience.

It is not necessary to bring mosquito spray, as it is available in most stores and farmacias at a very reasonable price, and usually not necessary in most areas of PV.

There are two basic seasons in PV, the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season starts in June and usually lasts until mid-October. Along with the summer rains, expect high humidity as well. While it does rain frequently in the rainy season, most mornings and early afternoons are hot and sunny. The rain clouds usually build up by mid to late afternoon, leaving the early to late evenings with rain showers and downpours.

During the cooler months, November through May, or the dry season, rain is very infrequent. Most days are completely sunny with the relative humidity is quite low for a tropical climate.

The "winter" months, from January through March, some nights can drop as low to 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 16 Celsius.

Safety

While Puerto Vallarta is generally very safe and hospitable, as with any large city, it is a good idea to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings. Puerto Vallarta has many branches of police and public protection, as well as having tourist police who speak English. Dressed in white uniforms, they are usually stationed in the more touristy areas of the city. More often times than not, their assistance is for nothing more than giving directions and answering questions.

Safety Tips

Don't carry around large amounts of money, not necessarily for theft, but also loss or misplaced purses in taxis or wallets that slip out of shorts pockets.

Make photocopies of your credit cards, traveler's checks, passport, airline tickets, or birth certificate and license. In case these items are lost or stolen, you have the information you need right at your fingertips.

Who are you? Make sure you label your suitcase with not only your home address, but with the condo information. It is also a good idea to tuck into your wallet or purse your name and accommodations in Puerto Vallarta. You should also label your camera or camera case. Many taxi drivers, waiters, and others have spent countless hours trying to locate owners of lost or misplaced items.

Drink with a buddy. If you plan on imbibing more than the normal share of alcohol in a normal evening, make sure you are with someone you trust. Keep a clear head and be aware of your surroundings. Someone who is obviously intoxicated is a blinking target.

Drugs. Drugs are illegal, period. Nothing will ruin a vacation faster than Mexican jail.

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