Frequently Asked Questions
Airport
Procedures at PVR can change anytime, so be prepared. Upon arrival, follow signs to Immigration and Customs. Tourists scan their passports and should keep a digital copy of their FMM receipt. Residents use the left lane with passports and residency cards. After Immigration, collect your luggage and proceed through customs for scanning. Exiting the terminal, you’ll pass through a room where timeshare agents offer promotions. Transportation options include rental cars, ATMs, official taxis, and prearranged pickups.
When departing from Puerto Vallarta Airport, arrive at least two hours before your flight, or three during peak travel seasons. Residents must have their passport stamped at the INM kiosk before checking in. Tourists need to present their FMM receipt or a stamped passport. If you’ve overstayed your permitted days, you may need to pay a fine at a local bank. After check-in, proceed upstairs to security. Once cleared, you’ll enter the duty-free area with shops and restaurants before reaching your gate. The process is usually smooth, but allow extra time during busy travel periods. Safe travels!
Money
It’s best to withdraw pesos from an ATM in Puerto Vallarta rather than exchanging money beforehand. ATMs typically offer better exchange rates than currency exchange booths or banks in your home country. Several ATMs are available at the airport and major banks like Banorte, Santander, and BBVA have ATMs throughout the city with reasonable withdrawal fees. Always notify your bank before traveling and decline “Dynamic Currency Conversion” for a better rate. While small USD bills can be useful in emergencies, most places prefer pesos. Using ATMs in Puerto Vallarta ensures you get the best value.
Some businesses in Puerto Vallarta accept US and Canadian dollars, but it’s best to pay in pesos. Hotels, restaurants, and tourist shops may take foreign currency, but they often offer poor exchange rates, meaning you’ll likely overpay. Most businesses, street vendors, and taxis usually only accept pesos, and if you pay in dollars, you’ll receive change in pesos at an unfavorable rate. Using an ATM or exchanging money at a bank ensures better value. Paying and tipping in foreign currency doesn’t help locals, as they must exchange it at a loss. Using pesos supports the local economy directly.
Transportation
It’s best to withdraw pesos from an ATM in Puerto Vallarta rather than exchanging money beforehand. ATMs typically offer better exchange rates than currency exchange booths or banks in your home country. Several ATMs are available at the airport and major banks like Banorte, Santander, and BBVA have ATMs throughout the city with reasonable withdrawal fees. Always notify your bank before traveling and decline “Dynamic Currency Conversion” for a better rate. While small USD bills can be useful in emergencies, most places prefer pesos. Using ATMs in Puerto Vallarta ensures you get the best value.
Some businesses in Puerto Vallarta accept US and Canadian dollars, but it’s best to pay in pesos. Hotels, restaurants, and tourist shops may take foreign currency, but they often offer poor exchange rates, meaning you’ll likely overpay. Most businesses, street vendors, and taxis usually only accept pesos, and if you pay in dollars, you’ll receive change in pesos at an unfavorable rate. Using an ATM or exchanging money at a bank ensures better value. Paying and tipping in foreign currency doesn’t help locals, as they must exchange it at a loss. Using pesos supports the local economy directly.
Medical
It’s best to withdraw pesos from an ATM in Puerto Vallarta rather than exchanging money beforehand. ATMs typically offer better exchange rates than currency exchange booths or banks in your home country. Several ATMs are available at the airport and major banks like Banorte, Santander, and BBVA have ATMs throughout the city with reasonable withdrawal fees. Always notify your bank before traveling and decline “Dynamic Currency Conversion” for a better rate. While small USD bills can be useful in emergencies, most places prefer pesos. Using ATMs in Puerto Vallarta ensures you get the best value.
Some businesses in Puerto Vallarta accept US and Canadian dollars, but it’s best to pay in pesos. Hotels, restaurants, and tourist shops may take foreign currency, but they often offer poor exchange rates, meaning you’ll likely overpay. Most businesses, street vendors, and taxis usually only accept pesos, and if you pay in dollars, you’ll receive change in pesos at an unfavorable rate. Using an ATM or exchanging money at a bank ensures better value. Paying and tipping in foreign currency doesn’t help locals, as they must exchange it at a loss. Using pesos supports the local economy directly.
Technology
It’s best to withdraw pesos from an ATM in Puerto Vallarta rather than exchanging money beforehand. ATMs typically offer better exchange rates than currency exchange booths or banks in your home country. Several ATMs are available at the airport and major banks like Banorte, Santander, and BBVA have ATMs throughout the city with reasonable withdrawal fees. Always notify your bank before traveling and decline “Dynamic Currency Conversion” for a better rate. While small USD bills can be useful in emergencies, most places prefer pesos. Using ATMs in Puerto Vallarta ensures you get the best value.
Some businesses in Puerto Vallarta accept US and Canadian dollars, but it’s best to pay in pesos. Hotels, restaurants, and tourist shops may take foreign currency, but they often offer poor exchange rates, meaning you’ll likely overpay. Most businesses, street vendors, and taxis usually only accept pesos, and if you pay in dollars, you’ll receive change in pesos at an unfavorable rate. Using an ATM or exchanging money at a bank ensures better value. Paying and tipping in foreign currency doesn’t help locals, as they must exchange it at a loss. Using pesos supports the local economy directly.