Puerto Vallarta is located on the west coast of Mexico, right in the middle of the Bay of Banderas, the largest bay in Mexico, a formation of the Pacific Ocean Coastline that includes parts of the states of Nayarit to the north and of Jalisco to the south.

Because of the town’s sheltered location and the topographical protection offered by the Sierra Madre mountains that surround the Bay, none of the hurricanes spawned in the Pacific have entered the Bay since the beginning of the regional record-keeping. Hurricane Kenna did come close, but made landfall in the State of Nayarit north of here. PV-as it is affectionately called by the locals- is situated on the same parallel as the Hawaiian Islands, thus, the similarities in the climate of the two destinations.

 Area

1,300 squared kilometres

 
Population

Approximately 300,000 inhabitants

 
Climate

Tropical, humid, with an average of 300 sunny days per year. The temperature averages 28 C (82 F) and the rainy season extends from the late June to early October.

 
Flora & Fauna

Regional flora is mainly tropical forest: palms, rubber trees, and other tropical species. Nearby Sierra Vallejo hosts a great variety of animal species such as iguana, guacamaya, deer, raccoon, etc.

 
Sanctuaries

Bahía de Banderas encloses two Marine National Parks, “Los Arcos” and the Marieta Islands, where diving is allowed under certain circumstances but fishing of any kind is prohibited. 
Every year, the Bay receives the visit of the humpback whales, dolphins, and manta rays in the winter. During the summer, sea turtles, a protected species, arrive to its shores to lay their eggs.

 
Economy

Local economy is based on tourism, construction and to a lesser degree on agriculture, mainly tropical fruit such as mango, papaya, watermelon, pineapple, guanabana, cantaloupe, and bananas.

 
Means of Communication

Vallarta can be reached by land through Federal Highway 200, by sea or by air.

 
Currency

The Mexican Peso is the legal currency in Mexico although Canadian and American dollars are widely accepted.

 
City Transportation

In Puerto Vallarta, there is a system of urban buses with different routes. Current fare is $5 Pesos per ticket and passengers must purchase a new ticket every time they board another bus. There are no “transfers”. The rate for longer distances –such as to Mismaloya- is $20 Pesos. Try to carry exact change whenever possible.

There are two kind of taxi cabs those at the airport and the maritime port are usually vans that can only be boarded at the airport or harbor. City cabs are mostly Nissan yellow cars and they charge by the ride, not by passenger. It is a good practice to always agree on the price of the ride before boarding the cab.

 
Time Zone

The State of Jalisco is on Central Time, but the neighboring State of Nayarit (Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Punta Mita, etc.) is on the Mountain Time. Nevertheless, most hotels and restaurants there function on Central Time to accommodate tourists to the Bay of Banderas as a whole.

 
Cellular Phones

Most cellular phones from the U.S. and Canada may be programmed for local use, through Telcel and Iusacell, the local carriers. However cellphones work normally in Mexico due to company agreements. To dial a cellular phone from a land line, or another cell, use the prefix 044-322, then the seven digit number of the person you are calling.

 
Local Custom

Tipping is usually 10%-15% of the bill at restaurants and bars. Tips bellboys, taxis, waiters, maids, etc. depending on the service. Taking siesta is a Mexican tradition.

Some business and offices close from 2 pm to 4 pm, reopening until 7 pm or later. In restaurants, it is considered poor manners to present the check before it is requested, so when you are ready to leave, ask “La Cuenta por favor” and your bill will be delivered to you.