Getting Around

By Bus
City buses serve downtown, Zona Hotelera, and the southern beaches. Bus stops -- marked by blue-and-white signs -- can be found every two or three blocks along the highway (Carretera Aeropuerto) and in town. Buses to Playa Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán run about every 15 minutes from the corner of Avenida Insurgentes and Basilio Badillo downtown.

By Car
As in any crowded city, driving in PV can be unnerving. From December through April -- peak tourist season -- traffic clogs the small cobblestone streets downtown. During the rainy season, from July through October, the streets may become flooded and the city's steep hills muddy and slippery. Parking is also a challenge, so unless you're planning extensive exploring outside the city center or are truly married to your vehicle, consider using taxis and city buses.

Car Rentals
In Puerto Vallarta, rates begin at $35 a day and $200 a week. This doesn't include tax on car rentals, which is 15%, or insurance, which runs about $100 a week. While shopping for a good deal, avoid local agencies; stick with the major companies because they tend to be more reliable.

Mexico manufactures Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan, and Volkswagen vehicles. With the exception of Volkswagen, you can get the same kind of midsize and luxury cars in Mexico that you can rent in the United States and Canada. Economy usually refers to a Volkswagen Beetle, which may or may not come with air-conditioning.