Puerto Vallarta

Languages: Spanish
Currency: Mexican Peso written as $1 = 1 peso
Electric: 110/120 (same as Canada & USA)

LOCAL CUSTOMS & LAWS:

• Tourist Card- when you arrive in Mexico you will require an Immigration document called a “Tourist card”. You don´t need to carry this document with you, but you will need to present when departing the country.
• Legal drinking age – is 18 years. It is illegal to drink in public, but this law is ofther not enforced. Drug laws are harsh.
• Siesta time -2-4pm, many businesses close during this time.
• Tipping – is similar to Canada & the U.S. 15% -20% in restaurants & bars.
• Restaurants – it is considered rude to bring the bill until you request it. To local culture it infers that the client is being asked to leave.

MONEY

• Exchange rates- usually best in the banks, slightly less in the Money Exchanges (Casas de Cambio) & businesses.
• Travelers Cheques – you will need picture ID to exchange
• Bank Machines / Automatic Teller Machines – are bilingual & easy to use, you can access money directly from your account or specified credit card. They usually give an exchange rate as good or better then the banks. Normal service charge is $ 1 - $2 depending on your bank and accessible 24 hrs/day.
• Coins – there are 100c (centavos) in one ($1) peso – thus many coins are not worth much
• Bank hours: average is 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Saturdays 10am – 2pm

WATER

Puerto Vallarta´s water purification system has been certified safe by International standards since 1992. However we still recommend you use only purified bottled water (Agua Purificada) for drinking, brushing your teeth & making ice unless there is a purification system in the building you are staying in.
ICE CUBES – in restaurants & bars are made from purified water.
FRUITS & VEGETABLES – any fruits or vegetables not being cooked or peeled should be treated with MICRODYN (a bacteria killing treatment).
• Wash the fruit or vegetables
• Soak for 20 minutes in a non-metal container in tap water with 1-4 drops of Microdyn for every litre of water
• Rinse with purified water.

All staff in villas & restaurantes will follow this procedure.

TELEPHONE

Please check with the staff for long distance options.

TRANSPORTATION

TAXIS- Local Taxis do not have meters; instead they have set rates per each zone. Within the downtown area the rate is usually about $ 2 USD. All taxis carry official rate sheets, when in doubt ask to see it. Taxi drivers are notorious for not having change, when possible try to be prepared with exact change or small bills.

CAR RENTAL – you must be over 21 years of age and have acredit card to rent a car. Rate start at about $50 USD / day.

AIRPORT TAXI – the Airport Taxi´s are a separate system from the local Yellow Taxis and are only allowed to pick up passengers from the airport, which is a Federal Zone.

MAIL

The post office is located downtown on Mina Street just off the Malecon. Hours are 9am – 7pm Monday – Friday & 9am -12 noon on Saturdays.
Stamps to the U.S. & Canada are about 45c USD. You can also buy stamps in many of the shops & there are mail boxes conveniently located around town.

SHOPPING

FOOD SHOPPING – there are many large food stores in the Vallarta area. They are by area:
South Vallarta
GUTIERREZ RIZO´S (called Rizo´s by the locals) is located on Constitution Street at the River Cuale. Open 8am -11pm daily. It carries a selection of pharmacy & liquor otems as well as the usual food & produce. There is also an import section if you are looking for a special product not made in Mexico.
AGRO GOURMET – a gourmet grocery & health food store has a great selection of fresh produce & specialty doods (prepared appetizers & baked goods). Open Monday –Saturday from 9:30am – 6pm. Basilio Badillo #22
North side of town –Casa Ley, Commercial Mexicana & Gigante.
Sam´s Club: you can get a free day pass to shop if you are from out of town. (You need to show ID to prove ypur address)
The Fine art of Bargaining – is only for beach & street vendors or in the flea Markets. The recommended system is to start at about 60% of the asking price and go from there.
Boutiques & stores – frown on bargaining, but will ofthen accept discreet requests for small discounts (especially for cash purchanses).

CHURCH
The Cathedral in the center of town is a Catholic Church “Our Lady of Guadalupe” Sevices are:
Monday – Friday 7:30 am, 12 noon, 7pm & 8pm
Saturday : 7:30am, 12 noon, 7:30 pm & 8:30 pm
Sunday: 6:30am, 8 am, 10am, 12 noon, 6:30pm 7:30pm & 8:30
Dress appropriately. There is also a Baptist Church, Kingdom Hall & other denominations.

TOURS, CRUISES & SERVICES
Please contact Shannon (221-5434) for information on tours, Cruises or Services. Be aware that the information booths Promoting Tours are actually Time-share promotions.

DEPARTURE INFORMATION
The airlines request that you be at the airport 2 hrs ahead of Dept. Time for international flights & 1 hr for national flights.
• Most airlines have the departure tax prepaid
• You will need to present your tourist card when you depart
• Customs declarations; U.S. citizens $350 USD each time you leave the country for over 7 days, Canadian citizen $500 Cdn each time you leave the country for over 7 days.
• Liquor: 1.5 liters of Alcohol & 200 cigarettes per adult
• It is illegal to take back any plants, produce or products made from an endangered species (Iguana, Sea turtle, boa, Python, Anaconda snakes & Armadillos)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information or assistance please contact our office “a” 221-5434 or contact Shannon direc “a”044-322-8-65-06.
Tours, Activities & Services
MASSAGES, PEDICURES & MANICURES – done in your villa. Rates for Massage start at $35 USD / hour. Pedicure & Manicures aprox. $12 USD each
BALLOON TOURS – sunriseChampagne, depart daily. Rising from 3000 to 5000 ft.
BIKING – explore Puerto Vallarta & area by mountain bike. There Are a variety of tours & packages available, either around town or Into the mountains & jungle. We recommend Bobby´s Bikes.
BOAT CRUISES – choose from whale watching (November thru March), eco-Tours, party cruises, sunset cruises or take the water Taxis. Most cruises include snacks and/or a meal & open bar, Some have snorkel equipment the party cruises often have live Music & entretainment.
For basic water transportation try the Water Taxi with departures at 10:30 & 11am from the Los Muertos Pier (in front of the Marsol Hotel). The taxi goes along the coastline passing Los Arcos and stopping Las Animas, Quimixto, Mahajuitas & Yelapa. The taxi is A speedboad & the trips take about 30 minutes giving you about 3 Hours at whichever destination you choose. Cost $ 15 USD/person.

FISHING – The nearly 2 miles depths & 25- mile circumference of The Bay of Bandera´s makes for some of the best deep-sea fishing in the world, with tuna, marlin & sailfish. Or you can stay closer to shore & catch a variety of smaller fish.

GOLF - in the near furure 3 new Golf courses are scheduled to open. At this time there are. VISTA VALLARTA.
FLAMINGOS GOLF RESORT: located in Nuevo Vallarta this Public 18-hole course offers a driving range, putting green, snack Bar, golf lessons & tennis courts. Located at the north end of Nuevo Vallarta on the highway. They have a free bus service that Runs at 7:30am & departing in front of the Sheraton Hotel.
MARINA VALLARTA CLUB DE GOLF – located in Marina Vallarta Thi 18-hole course offers clubhouse, golf carts, caddies, pro shop, Driving range, putting green, pro service, golf lessons, course Snack-cart, dining & showers. Tel 221-0073

HORSEBACK RIDING – spend a scenic day riding thru the jungles of Puerto Vallarta. Rancho Palma Real offers free transportation From your Hotel or Villa and include: a continental breakfast, Lunch beverages & a ride to a fabulous waterfall in the jungle. Cost about $45 USD/ person

MEXICAN FIESTAS –Traditional Mexican Fiestas are held each Week at several locations.

SAILING –if the big cruises don´t appeal to you, why not a small Private sailboat with only 6-14 persons. Both daytime & sunset Sails. Day trips include meals, open bar, snorkel & fishing equipment. Dos Niños is a 45 ft. Columbia Sailing yacht offers day & sunset sails.

SCUBA DIVING & SNORKELING – although not as well known as The Caribbean for its Scuba & Snorkeling, when conditions are right Vallarta offers some breathtaking underwater scenery.

SPA´S & GYMS –the Qualton Spa & Gym offers the most extensivo services in one location at the Qualton Hotel on Avenida de las Palmas.

TENNIS –Puerto Vallarta is becoming a major tennis destination with several styles of courts available. Ask about private lessons. Continental Plaza Tennis Center 224-4360, Iguana Racquet club 221-0863 and many of the big Hotels. The Hotel Plaza de Oro has one of the better clay courts in Vallarta. If you are staying on the south side of PVR the nearest courts are at the
WALKING TOURS – walking is the best way to get to know Puerto Vallarta, from Historical buildings to trendy restaurants, from Sculptures to botanical interests. Plenty of great photo Opportunities. Must see: The Malecon- almost a mile of charming boardwalk Along the ocean in the center of town. The perfect place to people Watch, Sunday nigth is still the traditional nigth for locals to stroll and visit. See included our 3 walking Tours.

SHOPPING

Everything from Galleries to Cigar Shops, even people who hate to shop find it interesting in Vallarta.
SHOPPING AREAS- there are several areas, which offer a variety of shopping within a few blocks. Tey are the following. THE MALECON- actually some of the best shopping is on the Streets just off the Malecon. Check out Corona, Morelos & Juarez Streets.
ISLA RIO CUALE- a Charming area of pedestrian walkways with Lost of shade trees & beautiful restaurants to stop for a snack.
BASILIO BADILLO – starting at the corner of Constitution going towards the beach.
OLAS ALTAS –coming from Basilio Badillo you will need to walk one block north when you reach Olas Altas.
WORKSHOPS & FACTORIES – relatively new in Vallarta is a growing number of sites where they make their products on site. Everything from blown glass to ceramic tiles.
HUICHOL CRAFTS- see Galeria Piramide on Basilio Badillo & Coleccion Huichol on the Malecon.
BLOWN GLASS- at Mundo de Azulejos (world of Ceramic Tiles)
CASA ADELA – has 4 workshops at one location, copper work, Blown glass, Pottery & woodcarving. Located on Juarez Street.
GALLARYS –Puerto Vallarta is becoming well known for it´s many Galleries and public art. During the winter/high season there are regularly scheduled exhibitions and art walks, but often you can enjoy the art even more on your own. These are some of the local Galleries.
GALERIA ARTE LATINO AMERICA- located on Josefa Ortiz abourt 2 blocks from the Malecon.
GALERIA PACIFICO – on Aldama about 1 ½ blocks off the Malecon.
GALERIA PIRAMIDE- Huichol art, located on Basilio Badillo
GALERIA ROSAS BLANCAS- on Juarez near Corona.
GALERIA UNO – on the corner of Morelos & Corona streets justo 1 block off the Malecon.