How To Get From the Airport to Your Hotel in Puerto Vallarta

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.