How to get around in Puerto Vallarta?
With a fantastic walkable boardwalk and downtown areas, convenient taxi-hailing service, and a functional bus system, getting around Puerto Vallarta has never been easier.
No matter where you want to travel, you can easily find a boat, a bus, or a taxi to zip you across the Bay of Banderas. We’ve listed the different types of transportation you can use here, and we show you how to navigate them and the approximate amounts you pay for vehicles throughout the area.
Boat
To visit the small, charming coves and beaches that grace the southern shores of Vallarta, board a water taxi leaving from the Playa de Los Muertos Pier in the downtown area or head out to Boca de Tomatlan and take one of the water taxis from there. The motorboats stop at small beaches like Playa Las Animas, Quimixto, and Yelapa. On average, fares run about 380 pesos round trip or approximately USD 15. The boats run several times a day and probably more frequently during the high season.
Another way to get to these fabulous beaches is to head out to Boca (Boca de Tomatlan)> Boca de Tomatlan is a small fishing village about 10 miles south of town. Most boat owners make trips out to this village’s isolated and magical beach locations several times a day.
However, suppose you’d like a more personal trip to these exciting beaches for your group. In that case, you can charter a private motorboat, sailboat, or yacht to take you out to each of the gorgeous beaches with something different and distinct about each.
Several tour operators, such as Vallarta Adventures, offer snorkeling and diving expeditions. Tours take you to iconic sites such as Los Arcos and the famous Marietas Islands.
Bus
Buses frequently run throughout the city and are easy to catch, get and then get on and get off.
Buses are an affordable and efficient transportation option to reach neighborhoods outside the city center. They operate from 5 am to 11 pm for 10 pesos or about .50 cents USD on most routes.
White-and-orange ‘Boca de Tomatlán’ buses cost 20 pesos or USD 1.00 and run south towards Boca de Tomatlán along the coastal highway. Boca de Tomatlan is only about 20 minutes away, and the buses depart from the corner of Badillo and Constitution about every 15 minutes. You can also catch the “El Tuito” bus at the corner of Carranza and Aguacate. This bus can take you to the beautiful Botanical Gardens, all for about 35 pesos or about USD 1.50. Be sure to bring exact change as buses do not carry change.
The bus stop in front of Walmart across from the cruise ship terminal can take the Sayulita and San Pancho buses. The trip is about an hour and costs about 50 pesos or USD 2.50. There is also b a bus stop just outside the airport.
Car and Scooter Rentals
Even though renting a car can be a bit pricy in Puerto Vallarta, the comfort and convenience are unbeatable, especially when traveling with children. They’re also handy for day trips to Punta de Mita, Sayulita, and San Pancho (aka San Francisco). In addition, you may want a car if you plan on visiting the collection of beach towns in neighboring Nayarit, which is about an hour north of Vallarta.
If you plan a day trip up into the mountains to the small village of San Sebastian del Oeste, you’ll also want to rent a car as you can make stops along the country road lined with bakeries and Raicilla distilleries (a distilled agave drink).
Various car rental companies surround the airport. These offices line Avenida Francisco Medina Ascencio, across from the airport. A daily rate for an economy car with liability coverage ranges from $1200 to 1600 pesos or about $50 to USD 70, depending on the season. Depending on the weather, scooters or motorbikes are also an excellent way to travel around the city, and they cost about 1000 pesos or USD 50 a day.
Taxi and Uber
Due to its no-haggling fares, Uber has become a popular choice among visitors in town since its arrival. You can schedule an Uber pick-up anywhere in town. However, there are towns in Nayarit that don’t have Uber, so you should make arrangements with your driver for a return ride when you visit Sayulita or San Pancho. Uber is also not allowed to pick up arriving passengers from the airport. However, you can always exit the airport via a pedestrian bridge and order an Uber car on the street.
Zones in the city determine taxi fares. Even so, some cabbies may still try to overcharge. When you negotiate the price of a taxi, keep in mind that drivers do not usually expect tips. It costs about $100 to 120 pesos or USD 5 to get from downtown to the Zona Hotelera and Marina Vallarta, while a ride to the airport or bus terminal costs about 200 pesos or USD 10. The cost of visiting Mismaloya or Boca de Tomatlán is about $150 to $200 pesos or $10 UAS. The Vallarta Botanical Garden by taxi costs about 450 pesos or USD 25. Remember that the botanical garden is about 30 minutes from the city.
The cost of a short trip in and around the Centro starts at 50 pesos or about USD 2.50. You can walk out and usually hail a cab from any street in the downtown area. Still, the taxi stands are located on Insurgentes and Cárdenas, Rodriguez and Matamoros and Parque Lázaro Cárdenas. In Puerto Vallarta, hailing a street cab is generally considered safe.
Walking
Downtown Puerto Vallarta retains its old-world charm with cobbled stone streets and hillside backstreets. It is a town made for walking. The boardwalk is about a mile long and dotted with lots to see, everything from public sculptures to stands with souvenirs and jewelry for sale. You’ll also find fabulous street food along the boardwalk, and if staying near the downtown area, you may never have to set foot in a bus or taxi.
Head up the hills to see the older part of town and wander into the famous Gringo Gulch, the old favorite place of the golden age celebrities.
Wheelchair Access
Public areas along the boardwalk have wheelchair access. The cobbled streets may be more challenging to maneuver for people with disabilities.
Private lift vans are in short supply, but Beach Crossers has vehicles for disabilities for rent. Water taxi crews are always willing to improvise and help disabled passengers.
