Getting Around Puerto Vallarta
With its eminently walkable downtown, convenient ride-hailing services, and an efficient bus network, getting around the ever-expanding Pacific coast resort town of Puerto Vallarta has never been easier. Moreover, even when venturing out on day trips to remote jungle-backed beaches, you’ll have no problem finding boats to zip you across the sprawling Banderas Bay. Here’s how to navigate Puerto Vallarta and its environs.
Boat Transportation
To visit a string of sublime beaches that grace Vallarta’s southern shore, board a water taxi departing from the Playa de los Muertos pier in downtown’s Zona Romántica. The motorboats make stops at:
- Playa Las Ánimas (25 minutes)
- Quimixto (40 minutes)
- Yelapa (55 minutes)
Round-trip fare costs M$380, and boats run at least four times daily, often more frequently during high season. For departure times, inquire at the water taxi office in front of the pier. Water taxis in Boca de Tomatlán, a fishing town about 16km (10 miles) south of downtown, also provide service to the southern beaches with greater frequency.
Additionally, you can charter private motorboats, sailboats, and yachts. Tour operators run diving and snorkeling expeditions to emblematic sites such as the wildlife-rich Islas Marietas and Los Arcos National Marine Park.
Bus System
Buses present an affordable and efficient transportation option to reach neighborhoods beyond the city center. Operating from 5am to 11pm on most routes, tickets cost M$10. Plaza Lázaro Cárdenas near Playa Olas Altas serves as a major departure hub. Northbound local buses stop on Insurgentes near the corner of Madero. Look for buses marked ‘Aeropuerto,’ ‘Hotelera,’ ‘Mojoneras,’ and ‘Juntas,’ as they head north to the airport and Marina Vallarta. Notably, the ‘Mojoneras’ bus also stops at Puerto Vallarta’s long-distance bus terminal.
White-and-orange ‘Boca de Tomatlán’ buses (M$10) travel south along the coastal highway through Mismaloya (20 minutes) to Boca de Tomatlán (30 minutes), departing from the corner of Badillo and Constitución every 15 minutes. For a visit to the lovely Vallarta Botanical Gardens, hop on an ‘El Tuito’ bus (M$35) at the corner of Carranza and Aguacate.
Buses to Sayulita and San Francisco (M$50, 1 hour) frequently depart from a stop in front of Walmart, across from the cruise ship terminal. They also stop under a pedestrian bridge just outside the airport.
Car and Scooter Rentals
While rental cars can be somewhat pricey in Puerto Vallarta, they offer unmatched comfort and convenience, particularly for families. They are particularly useful for day trips to Punta de Mita, Sayulita, and San Francisco (aka San Pancho), laid-back surf towns about an hour north of Vallarta in the neighboring state of Nayarit. Moreover, auto rentals facilitate mountain getaways to the nearby mining town of San Sebastián del Oeste, allowing travelers to stop at family-run bakeries and raicilla distilleries along the scenic route.
Rental companies have offices in and around the airport, with numerous options along Avenida Francisco Medina Ascencio. Rates for an economy car with liability coverage range from M$1200 to M$1600 per day, depending on the season. Scooters or motorbikes (M$1000 per day) are also a fun alternative for getting around town, conditions permitting.
Taxi and Rideshare Services
With the advent of Uber, many visitors prefer this ride-hailing service over traditional taxis, as it eliminates the hassle of fare haggling. While Uber is authorized for airport drop-offs, it is prohibited from picking up arriving passengers. However, you can always exit the airport via a pedestrian bridge to order an Uber from the street.
Taxi fares are set by zones, but be cautious, as some drivers may attempt to overcharge. Always agree on a price before entering a taxi. A typical fare from downtown to the Zona Hotelera and Marina Vallarta runs about M$100 to M$120, while rides to the airport or long-distance bus terminal cost approximately M$200. Furthermore, trips heading south will typically cost M$150 to M$200 to Mismaloya or Boca de Tomatlán and around M$450 to the Vallarta Botanical Garden. Short trips in and around the Centro start at M$50. Several downtown taxi stands are available, including those at Insurgentes and Cárdenas, Rodríguez and Matamoros, and Parque Lázaro Cárdenas. Generally, it’s safe to hail street taxis in Puerto Vallarta.
Exploring on Foot
Downtown Vallarta’s charming cobbled roads and scenic hillside streets invite exploration. With a mile-long boardwalk adorned with public sculptures, a traffic-free river walk, and an abundance of street food options, you can navigate the city center easily without utilizing buses or cabs. Up in the hills, enjoy the historical Hollywood celebrity haunt of Gringo Gulch or take in magnificent sunsets from the La Cruz del Cerro lookout point.
Even from Vallarta’s somewhat removed hillside hotels, downtown’s beaches are conveniently within walking distance. If you’re inclined to explore the tranquil southern coast on foot, a jungle trail from Boca de Tomatlán to Playa Quimixto leads you to stunning coves and palm-fringed beaches.
Accessible Transportation in Puerto Vallarta
A growing number of hotels, restaurants, beaches, and public spaces offer wheelchair access in Puerto Vallarta. However, downtown’s hilly and uneven cobbled streets can be challenging for individuals with disabilities, as many intersections lack streetlights or crosswalks. Some local buses operating along primary routes from the airport to the city center are equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Although private lift vans are somewhat limited, Beach Crossers provides several vehicles for tours and transportation, along with rentals for amphibious beach wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. Water taxis are willing to accommodate the transportation of disabled passengers to Vallarta’s remote coastal villages like Yelapa and Quimixto, but be aware that neither the beaches nor the motorboats have specific accessibility features. For optimal accessibility, consider visiting Playa Palmares, a Blue Flag-certified beach equipped with wheelchair ramps and ample parking.
