Traveling to Puerto Vallarta

Anytime you travel outside the US, be it to Puerto Vallarta, Merida, London or some other location, you will have to deal with transportation and customs. Border crossings can be particularly onerous if you do not have the right information. No knowing what to do can greatly decrease your enjoyment and increase the level of stress, which is what you are trying to get away from in the first place. In the spirit of making your trip better, here are a few helpful tips.

Passports

You will need a passport to get into Mexico. If you are crossing the border in a vehicle, you will need your passport, as well as your driver's license. If you have children, you may need to bring other forms of identification for them, such as copies of birth certificates, etc. Crossing the border into Mexico is not difficult as long as you have the proper paperwork. The border guard will probably ask your business in his country, as well as how long you intend to stay. Simply providing the authorities with your travel itinerary will most likely be enough.

Air Travel

Puerto Vallarta is served by an international airport, so flying into the city is definitely an option. Once on the ground, you will have to pass through customs. You will need the same paperwork (passports, and ID) as you would if you were coming into the country overland.

Travel in Puerto Vallarta

Once you have arrived, you will need to make arrangements for travel. If you drove to the city, you don't need to worry about this, though you can probably park your car somewhere safe for the duration of your visit. Cabs and public transportation in Puerto Vallarta are a good idea; safe and reliable. If you choose to rent, make sure you understand the local regulations about driving, they are sure to be somewhat different than what you are used to in the States. You can walk many places within the city, as well, so if you do not wish to take a cab or bus, you can most likely get where you need to on foot. There are also other rentals such as mopeds, bikes and scooters.

Food and Water

Take care what you eat and drink in Mexico has been a mantra hammered into the heads of many Americans. It is not necessarily true, though. While bottled water may be a good idea anywhere you go, the food in Puerto Vallarta is some of the finest around. The city invites you to experience their culinary delights.

Things to Remember

Traveling to a foreign country will require certain things that you might not ordinarily take with you on a vacation. If you are not fluent in Spanish, you should definitely take a Spanish-English dictionary. Better than that, a quick Spanish course prior to your trip will help immensely. If you plan to bring jewelry or other valuables, a fire proof safe is a good option, as well. While the hotel may well have a safe, your valuables can be safely stored by you.