If you’re planning to go to Puerto Vallarta for the first time, you may be unsure of how to get around – more specifically, how to get from Puerto Vallarta’s airport to your hotel. The good news is that there are different transportation options depending on your budget and preferences. 

After a long flight on a tight airplane (unless you’re one of the lucky ones in first class), you definitely want a smooth trip to your hotel to ensure your much-needed vacation gets off to a good start. I’ll show you the top Puerto Vallarta transportation services to and from the airport so you can worry less about how to get there and more about what fun you’ll have this Spring Break. 
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How do I get from the Puerto Vallarta airport to my hotel?
There are three ways to get from Puerto Vallarta to your hotel. The three airport transfer options are below.

1. Bus
2. Taxi
3. Hotel Shuttle

Bus
Taking a bus is the cheapest way to your hotel in Puerto Vallarta. To do this, you’ll walk outside the airport where there are two bus stops, one northbound and one southbound. If your resort is in Nuevo Vallarta, that means you’ll take the northbound bus. To head northbound, you’ll cross the bridge above the highway in front of the airport. Once you cross the bridge, the bus stop is right there. In Puerto Vallarta, the buses have their major stops written on the front window. You will look for a bus that has ‘Nuevo Vallarta’ as one of the stops. You should let the bus driver know which hotel you are staying at. This way they can let you know the fare and when you need to get off. If you are heading to Bucerias, Sayulita, or Punta de Mita, look for buses that have that particular location written on it. 

If your hotel is closer to the city of Puerto Vallarta in the hotel zone, then you’ll take the southbound bus. You will not need to cross the bridge at the airport, but the southbound stop is near the bridge, so head that way and you should see others waiting. You will look for a bus that reads ‘centro’, ‘hotel zone’, or ‘zona hotelera’.  Let the bus driver know which hotel you’re heading to, and they’ll tell you wear to get off at. The people of Puerto Vallarta are incredibly kind and helpful, so if you ever get lost don’t be afraid to ask for directions. It’s a tourist city so many folks speak English, but it also doesn’t hurt to brush up on your Spanish too. 

I wouldn’t recommend taking the bus is if you have heavy, bulky luggage. You may have a hard time getting your luggage up on the bus, and there’s not much space for bringing bulky items. Also, make sure to have pesos ready to go to pay the bus fare. Bus drivers won’t have the type of change on-hand for large bills, so make you have coins. Bus fares can vary depending on if you’re going to Puerto Vallarta central or Nuevo Vallarta. To head south on the 'Centro' bus, this ride costs 10 pesos per person.

Are buses safe in Puerto Vallarta?
Yes, buses are safe in Puerto Vallarta. Taking the bus is actually my favorite way to get around in Puerto Vallarta! 

Taxi
You can take a taxi from the airport to your hotel in PV. Once you exit the airport, there are plenty of taxi drivers available to take you where you need to go. Taking a taxi is an easy, hassle-free option if you have bigger luggage and just want to get straight to the resort. 

How much do taxis cost in Puerto Vallarta?
Taxis are much cheaper in Puerto Vallarta than in the United States. The best part of taxis in PV is that they don’t run on a meter. You’ll need to agree to a price with the driver before accepting the ride though. You can start by asking how much it costs to get to your hotel. If the price sounds a bit too high, you do have the option to try and see if they’ll lower it a bit.

Is it safe to take a taxi from Puerto Vallarta airport?
Yes, it is safe to take a taxi from Puerto Vallarta airport. 

Hotel Shuttle
Hotel shuttles can get you from the airport to your resort. If you know that your resort offers a free airport shuttle, you should take advantage of this offer, especially if your hotel is further north in Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Sayulita, or Punta de Mita. Hotel shuttles are easy to find. After getting through customs and immigration, hotel representatives will be standing around with signs so you can easily find them. 

Does Puerto Vallarta have Uber?
Yes, Puerto Vallarta has Uber. I have not personally used Uber in Puerto Vallarta, but it’s an option. However, because the taxis are more affordable and don’t run on a meter, I would still consider using them over Uber. Plus, you won’t need a Wi-Fi connection when using a taxi. Relying on Uber means you may need to get an international phone plan for your trip.

What’s the best way to get from Puerto Vallarta’s airport to my hotel?
The best way to get from Puerto Vallarta’s airport to your hotel will depend on where you’re staying, your budget, and your luggage size. If you’re traveling with a small roller carry-on or backpack, are on a budget, and are staying in downtown Puerto Vallarta or the hotel zone, I’d definitely recommend the buses. 

If you’re staying further north in Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Sayulita, or Punta de Mita, I’d recommend a hotel shuttle if it’s available, otherwise a taxi. While buses do go this way, it can be a pretty long trip, and you may find that after your plane ride you just want to get to your hotel as soon as possible. 

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a museum dedicated to all things film, particularly the industry's history. The Academy Museum is one of LA’s newest and most-anticipated additions. I will admit I was surprised it took nearly 100 years of the Academy’s existence for a museum to be created, but now that it’s here, LA locals and tourists alike may find themselves wondering if this museum is worth their time and money. 

I recently visited the Academy Museum in Los Angeles for the first time. In this review, I’ll give my honest thoughts about the museum, what it has to offer, and what to know when planning your visit. 

Are Los Angeles museums open?
Yes, Los Angeles museums are open. The covid pandemic caused many tourist spots to close or enforce strict mask and/or vaccine requirements. The Academy Museum opened in September 2021. During my February 2022 visit, guests were required to show proof of vaccination, ID, and wear their masks while inside. California has recently relaxed its mask requirements, with Los Angeles County following suit soon after. However, masks and vaccination proof will likely still be required for a while.

My best advice if you plan to visit the Academy Museum in Los Angeles is to bring your vaccine card, ID, and prepare to wear a mask inside. If you don’t plan for this and the museum requires these items, you could be out of luck and miss out on seeing the exhibits.

What’s in the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures collection?
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures collection features some impressive exhibits, including Oscar statues and ceremony dresses, a Spike Lee tribute, costumes and characters from movies, film scripts, animation drawings, a Wizard of Oz section, and more. 

The Oscars section includes statues won by Clark Gable, Sidney Poitier, and more. They also feature some famous dresses worn by the likes of Cher and Rita Moreno. 

The tribute to Spike Lee focuses on the iconic director’s achievements, as well as his impressive poster collection. Spike has movie posters signed by many of the directors themselves. For example, he’s got a Jurassic Park poster signed by Steven Spielberg himself. 

The costumes from famous films include a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe, Emma Stone’s yellow dress from LA LA Land, Russel Crowe’s Gladiator ensemble, and Brad Pitt’s wardrobe from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. I’m always amazed at how small actors seem when you see the clothes they wear in-person. In addition, there’s an exhibit dedicated to characters from Sci-Fi movies. Among the characters are E.T., C-3PO, and R2-D2, just to name a few.

Early film scripts and animation drawings are among the famous movie memorabilia. Perhaps most impressive, though, is the museum’s Wizard of Oz exhibit. Movie fans can see up close and in-person Dorothy’s ruby slippers, blue dress, the Wicked Witch’s hat, and lots more. 

What is the Oscars Experience at the Academy Museum?
The Oscars Experience at the Academy Museum is an immersive exhibit in which you can experience what it’s like to accept an Oscar. Participants will get to hear their named called and accept their award, with a video recording included. The Oscars Experience is an extra fee, though, in addition to the general admission ticket.

My fiancé and I did not do the Oscars Experience. However, if this museum is at the top of your Los Angeles bucket list, I would say spending the extra money might be worth it. After all, when else can you get this opportunity aside from actually winning an Academy Award?

Is the Academy Museum worth visiting?
Yes, I think the Academy Museum is worth visiting. They have an impressive collection of some of the most famous Hollywood memorabilia of all time, right in the heart of where movies are made. If you love the movies - especially the history of film - I think this museum deserves a visit. 

How much is the Academy Museum?
The prices for Academy Museum tickets are listed below.
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          Adults: $25
          Seniors Age 62 and older: $19
          College Students: $15
          Kids 17 and younger: Free
          Museum members: Free

How much does the Oscars Experience cost?
The Oscars Experience is an additional $15. You must purchase a general admission ticket as well.

How long does it take to visit the Academy Museum?
You only need a half-day at most to visit the Academy Museum. We spent a total of about two hours there, but I think if you do the Oscars Experience, you may spend closer to three hours.

Academy Museum Parking
The Academy Museum is adjacent to the LACMA building. While there is parking available at the LACMA garage, prices can be expensive. My best advice would be to try and find a meter, open street parking, or take public transportation if you want to save money.

Academy Museum Hours
          Sunday: 10am - 6pm
          Monday: 10am - 6pm
          Tuesday: 10am - 6pm
          Wednesday: 10am - 6pm
          Thursday: 10am - 6pm
          Friday: 10am - 8pm
          Saturday: 10am - 8pm 
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