Where are the US/Canadian Consulates?

Although very unlikely that you would ever need to visit the US or Canadian Consulate, it is always good to know where they are! They can assist in emergency situations who are visiting the area and assist with passport issues, births abroad etc.

Their standard hours are 8:30 to 12:30 Monday through Friday except of course for US and Mexican Holidays for the US Consulate and for the Canadian Consulate their hours are 9:00 to 1:00.

For the US it is Paseo de los Cocoteros #85, Sur Paradise Plaza, Interior Local L-7 in Nuevo Vallarta and their phone numbers are (322) 222-0069 with a 24-Hour Emergency Number at
(33) 3268-2145

For the Canadian Consulate it is Plaza Peninsula, Local Sub F Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2485 Zona Hotelera Norte and their phone numbers are (322) 293-0098 and 293-0099.

What also may be helpful to know is where to get tourist information. We do provide a comprehensive list of restaurants and activities in the local area and many of the villa's staff can be of service but for more info just visit www.visitpuertovallarta.com or call (322) 224-1175!

Dia de los Muertos and Halloween in PV

The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Puerto Vallarta and the rest of Mexico from October 31st until November 2nd, overlapping with of course Halloween as we know it in the US. October 31st is Young Souls Day, the 1st of November is All Saints Day and the 2nd of November is All Souls Day.

Dia de los Muertos is a day in which Mexicans honor and celebrate their deceased relatives and loved ones. It is a wonderfully colorful and festive holiday, not dim and somber event as you may think. The belief behind the holiday is it is one day that the spirits of those who have passed return to the world for just this short period of time.

The Day of the Dead and Halloween to share similarities as both are based on the idea of spirits returning, but with Halloween, customs seem to stem more from the idea that those spirits were wicked and evil rather than spirits that are accepted as family.

Halloween festivities are becoming more prevalent in Puerto Vallarta and the rest of Mexico. You can find masks and costumes sold in stores as well as sugar skulls (gifts for the departed young souls of children) and pan de Muertos (bread of the dead). Some children even will dress up and go trick-or-treating.

If you are going to be in Mexico, enjoy the wonderful celebrations, just be sure to be respectful since they are honoring the deceased. You'll see calacas and calaberas (skeletons and skulls) all around, people will be eating, drinking, partying and enjoying themselves! You may see lanterns hung on trees, firecrackers set off, pathways of flowers (which are intended to guide the souls home) and elaborately decorated altars and graves. Of course with tourists, you'll likely see them dressed up, partying in the clubs around town!

Cuban Cigars in Puerto Vallarta

Yes you can purchase Cuban Cigars in Puerto Vallarta. Yes they are still expensive! If you do purchase them in Mexico, please note, you can not bring them back to the US with you so you must enjoy them on your vacation. The other thing to be aware of is counterfeits, so make sure you are doing your homework and if it seems like a too good to be true deal, it is probably a fake. Check out Casa del Habano owned by Gerry Cohen and his wife Martha in downtown on Calle Aldama. They have a good selection of Cubans and are extremely knowledgeable.

Can I get married in Puerto Vallarta?

Of course you can! Puerto Vallarta is definitely one of the most gorgeous and romantic places on Earth! Many choose to get married here, including Jordan MacPherson, our owner, herself! You'll absolutely have a wonderful time and we do recommend it to everyone looking for a destination wedding. Even if you weren't thinking about Mexico, after seeing photos from other weddings and finding out how affordable it can be, you may change your mind!

Renting out a villa that allows events is the best way to go (rather than one of the all inclusive resorts). You'll need to hire a wedding planner who has good reviews and lots of experience, speaks fluent Spanish, is local in Puerto Vallarta so they understands legal requirements and procedures as well as have trusted and established vendors such as caterers and DJs. You won't want to be running around doing this by yourself and planners can be quite affordable! 

Planning a wedding from a different country is possible, even if you can't visit the venue before your big day. 3D virtual tours, skype or facetime and the ability to email, send photos, etc. make this possible, we promise!

How are the beaches?

We get asked a lot, what are the beaches like, which do I vist? Are they public or private? Are they safe to swim in? Are there any nude beaches? Let us answer these all for you!

What are the beaches like and which should I visit? The beaches in Puerto Vallarta are beautiful and they are all wonderful in their own ways. Playa Los Muertos is the most popular beach in PV due to its size and location in the heart of Old Town or the Romantic Zone. You probably can't help but visit it! Tons of great beachfront restaurants, lots of vendors trying to sell you things, the brand new pier is there and if you want to rent jet skis or go parasailing, this is the place! Playa Conchas Chinas is another great option to visit and is just slightly south. Much less busy and in my opinion, one of the most picturesque options! Worth a day trip would be to head over to Punta de Mita (more north) or Sayulita (even more north) to visit their beaches (technically you are no longer in Jalisco, but the next state over Nayarit!)

Are the beaches public or private? The answer here is simple, yes! All beaches in Puerto Vallarta are open to the public and are public property. Even beaches in front of hotels are considered public and they don't mind having visitors walk through the grounds. The only exception I can think of here, is people who have put in man made beaches on their private property (example of this is the PVBC) but you wouldn't be able to access anyway because it is in a locked complex.

Are the beaches safe? Generally yes. As with anywhere you travel to, there are a few exceptions but for the most part, the beaches are nice and clean and perfectly swim-able. Keep in mind rarely will you see lifeguards on duty so you are swimming at your own risk. If a storm is coming through or the waters look a little rough, just use common sense, buddy up, and let others know of your plans, but the Bay of Banderas is very protected and the water is generally pretty calm. Local authorities and some local associations work hard to keep our beaches beautiful and clean so you can kick back and relax and enjoy the sunshine.

Nude beaches? We laugh when getting asked this question, but to answer it, no there are not. Avoid problems with local authorities and keep your swimsuits on! Mexico is a very catholic country so nudity and semi nudity are not just frowned upon they are illegal.

What will the weather be like in PV?

Of course I'm not a weatherman and cannot predict the weather but do make sure to look up averages for each time of year to get an idea of what to expect.

Peak season (November to April) is absolutely lovely and is when you can expect the best weather, that is why it is peak season.  Within peak season people tend to love the months of January, February, and March the best. During peak season you will get very little rain, if any, lots of sunshine, and not too much humidity. Perfection.

Non peak season (May to October) is considered the rainy season, not hurricane season as some of you may have heard. Because of Puerto Vallarta's location in the middle of Banderas Bay, surrounded by mountains on all sides, PV is quite sheltered. That doesn't mean we are magically free of hurricanes, sometimes they do pass through the area, but we have been quite lucky. If you compare PV to say Cancun, the average number of direct hits on Cancun is one every 7 years, PV is more like one every 35 or so years! The most damaging hurricane was back in October 2002 which had very strong rain and heavy winds, we lost some amazing statues along the Malecon and much of the Malecon itself and some local restaurants and hotels were badly damaged but thankfully no deaths were reported.

In non peak season it doesn't rain all day every single day! You still get lots of sunny days and many people do come down and of course still have a great time. What you should expect are the occasional tropical rain storms that only last an hour to three hours, and typically this is in the evenings. You may even get some pretty awesome lightning shows looking out over the water! That being said, some of our busiest months are the ones that border peak season (May, June and October) and they are a pretty decent time to come on down, get great weather, but enjoy reduced prices.

What are your top 5 favorite restaurants in PV?

Puerto Vallarta offers some of the most amazing restaurants in all of Mexico. The culinary scene has exploded in the past few years and there are so many fantastic options around the city that it is hard to have a bad meal. From Mexican to Italian, Spanish to French, Mediterranean to Thai, I mean they have it all. And it isn't just the food that is amazing. The service from the wait staff is phenomenal and the atmosphere of some of these spots is really to die for. 

I'm hard pressed to come up with a top 5 favorite but here they are:

A trip to Mexico is not complete for me until I have been to Cafe de Olla for dinner. Their location is convenient and right in Old Town, and they have been around for what seems like forever! Some of the staff has been there from the beginning and it feels like coming home when you see their faces. Prepare for a potentially long line if you don't go early, but fear not, you can order a margarita while you wait! Their seafood platter is an incredible deal and can be shared by at least two people, at don't forget to order some queso fundido con chorizo to start!

A newer restaurant to the PV scene, ok maybe it has been a few years now, is No Way Jose. I'll be the first to admit that I avoided the place when I first heard of it because the corny name, but don't let that stop you. Sit up on the rooftop and enjoy contemporary Mexican cuisine including the amazing guacamole prepared table side. They have a passion fruit margarita as one of their signature drinks that is worth a try, and their original margaritas are amazing as well. For dessert, you must order the bananas flambe (even if you don't like bananas!) because it is worth watching the small fire show that comes along with it!

A bit off the beaten track, El Brujo, is one of the great Mexican 'hole in the wall' spots down in Puerto Vallarta. It is extremely affordable and they serve truly authentic Mexican cuisine. The inside is nothing glamorous, but I have a special place in my heart for them as I remember the first time I went, they only had four small tables, a tiny kitchen, and a couple bottles of tequila behind the bar. Since then they have expanded (both the number of tables and the bar's selection) but the food has stayed true to its roots. The garlic shrimp in foil and the beef fajitas won't disappoint.

When you have had all the Mexican food you can handle (if that is even possible..) swap over to some Spanish food at Barcelona Tapas. This restaurant sits high above the malecon which offers some of the best views of the city (and quite a few stairs on the way up!) The made to order small plates are great to share with the table and you can just keep ordering until you are full! The bacon wrapped dates are downright delicious, actually everything is, so just get one of everything!

If you are up for an adventure, Ocean Grill is restaurant you can't miss! It is a bit of a trek to get there either by bus or taxi, and then by water taxi or hike, but I can assure you it is well worth it! Once you are in Boca, a water taxi picks you up and takes you around the bend to a secluded beach for a once in a lifetime experience. This IS the best margarita you will have on your trip to Mexico, I can guarantee it! You are required to make reservations and there are only three time slots a day when it is open. Not ADA or handicap accessible by any stretch of the imagination, children are not allowed, and they only take cash, but if you can,  you should go. Even the bathroom is a trip to remember!

What do I do about money in Puerto Vallarta?

The peso is Mexico’s official currency, but many places will take US dollars, however be aware that larger bills can be harder for vendors to break so bring plenty of $1’s, $5’s, and $10’s so you'll always have change. If you go on an adventure way out of the main tourist areas, it will be best that you bring enough pesos along.

Avoid changing too much money at the airport as you don’t get as good of a rate! Banks give the best rate, but there are plenty of ‘Cambio’ stations where you can trade US bills for Pesos at good rates. You will also find a number of ATMs around the city as well, just be cautious as you may have a daily limit for what you are able to withdraw and there is the potential for a small fee if it is not your banks ATM.

I get asked a lot "Will I be able to use my credit cards in Puerto Vallarta?" The answer is that credit cards are being accepted now at more and more places in touristy areas. If you are going out to eat, ask beforehand or just bring cash to be safe. Don’t forget to call your credit cards in before you leave so your card doesn’t get frozen, and remember some cards do have a international transaction fee of 3%. Lastly, if you are staying at a villa property, the staff will not be able to accept credit cards to pay for groceries and a tip at the end of your stay, so do make sure you have planned ahead and have enough cash for that.

Is Puerto Vallarta Safe?

In one word... Yes! But to expand....definitely, I wouldn’t go down there with my family if I didn’t think so! You will feel much safer in most parts of Puerto Vallarta than in the United States or Canada. There is very little crime here, and what does exist is usually petty compared to the U.S. The tourist police here are friendly and very helpful. Obviously use your common sense and be aware, and at night stay on main streets. Some people are concerned about the "drug war” in Mexico, we want to emphasize that the issue is fundamentally linked to USA-Mexico border towns and is an issue far from important in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas. One word of warning, do not attempt to purchase marijuana or other drugs as the police here have a vigilant “sting” program in operation and you don’t want to be in a position of bribing yourself out of jail.