Puerto Vallarta Getting there & around

Getting around

Boat

Vallarta’s water taxis serve the beautiful beaches on the southern side of the bay. These beaches that are accessible only by boat. Departing from the pier at Playa de los Muertos, they head south around the bay, making stops at Playa Las Ánimas (25 minutes), Quimixto (30 minutes) and Yelapa (45 minutes); the round-trip fare is M$220 for any destination. Boats depart at 10am, 11am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 4pm and 4:30pm, and return mid-afternoon (note that the last two boats from Puerto Vallarta return in the morning).

A water taxi also goes to Yelapa from the beach just south of Hotel Rosita, on the northern end of the malecón, departing at 11:30am Monday to Saturday (round-trip M$250, 30 minutes).

Private yachts and lanchas can be hired from the southern side of the Playa de los Muertos pier for about US$140 for four hours. They’ll take you to any secluded beach around the bay; most have gear aboard for snorkeling and fishing.

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Bus & tram

Bus

Local buses operate every five minutes from 5am to 11pm on most routes, and cost M$5. Plaza Lázaro Cárdenas at Playa Olas Altas is a major departure hub. Northbound local bus routes also stop in front of the Cine Bahía, on Insurgentes near the corner of Madero.

Northbound buses marked ‘Hoteles, ’ ‘Aeropuerto, ’ ‘Ixtapa, ’ ‘Pitillal’ and ‘Juntas’ pass through the city heading north to the airport, the Zona Hotelera and Marina Vallarta; the ‘Hoteles, ’ ‘Pitillal’ and ‘Ixtapa’ routes can take you to any of the large hotels north of the city.

Southbound ‘Boca de Tomatlán’ buses pass along the southern coastal highway through Mismaloya (M$5.50, 20 minutes) to Boca de Tomatlán (M$5.50, 30 minutes). They depart from Carranza near the corner of Aguacate, leaving every 15 minutes from 5:30am to 11pm.

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Local transport

Taxi

Cab prices are regulated by zones; the cost for a ride is determined by how many zones you cross. A typical trip from downtown to the Zona Hotelera costs M$30 to M$80; the fare to Mismaloya is about M$100. Always determine the price of the ride before you get in. Hailing a cab is easy in the city center along the malecón. There are several taxi stands, including one on Paseo Diáz Ordaz at Papila, one on Juárez at Plaza Principal, and one on Carranza at Plaza Lázaro Cárdenas.

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Bicycle

For a two-wheeled buzz, check out Eco Ride. Itrents out mountain bikes for both guided or self-guided tours, from M$250 per day.

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