Naturaleza Quelele - Nuevo Vallarta, Luxury ecologically responsible homes

ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES: The Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International airport (code PVR) is located 4 miles north of downtown. There are frequent taxi or van transfers from the airport at reasonable rates. Pay at the taxi booth and they will assign you to a taxi/van that will take you to your destination. Proof of citizenship is necessary to cross the border into Mexico. Either a current passport or birth certificate will suffice. Upon arrival visitors are given a tourist card which must be turned in upon departure at the airport; at that time a departure tax is charged and payable in US dollars or Mexican pesos. Many airlines now include this tax when ticketing, but check ahead to make sure.

CURRENCY, BANKS & MONEY EXCHANGE: The peso is the national currency, although US dollars are widely accepted in businesses through town. Major credit cards are also accepted in most establishments. Banks offer currency exchange during business hours, which are generally Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a few offering at least morning service on Saturdays. Universal ATMs are widely available for cash withdrawals from global cash cards; money exchanges and hotels also offer currency exchange services.

BUSINESS HOURS: Most shopping malls are open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. continuously. Many downtown businesses and shops tend to close between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. for lunch.

CLIMATE: Puerto Vallarta enjoys a warm tropical climate year-round, with average daytime temperatures of 80 F (27 C) and cooler evening temperatures in winter months. Summers are sunny with afternoon rains just enough to cool off air for evening activities.

ELECTRICITY: Mexico operates the same 110 volt current as in the U.S. so electrical adapters are not needed.

FLIGHTS/GATEWAYS: Over 450 flights per week service PV’s International airport, from gateways throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. International carriers include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, America West, Continental Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines and domestic airlines such as Mexicana Airlines, Aeromexico and Lineas Aereas Azteca.

GEOGRAPHY/LOCATION: Located in the heart of Mexico’s pacific coastline, Puerto Vallarta is within easy reach of the U.S. and Canada. It is encircled by the rugged, tropical Sierra Madre mountains to the east and fronted by Banderas bay, Mexico’s largest natural bay and second largest on the Americas continent.

HOTEL ROOMS: Over 18,000 in a wide variety of prices ranges and styles.

MEDICAL: Modern medical facilities are available through several private hospitals, with insured emergency health care and emergency air evacuation services also available.

POPULATION: Puerto Vallarta is a home to 350,000 residents and attracts almost 3,000,000 visitors annually.

SAFETY: This town enjoys a healthy economy and stable political environment. As well special tourist police are on hand to provide assistance and directions.

WATER QUALITY: Purified water is standard in all hotels and restaurants.

Important Links

PUERTO VALLARTA HOTEL ASSOCIATION: This association unites the hotel industry to support the continuing development of Puerto Vallarta as a major tourism destination.

COPARMEX: Union of business people with micro to large businesses of all economic activities. Motivates and acquaints associates in the fulfillment of their ethics, social and economic responsibilities, supporting them with a capable institutional structure of communicating, to influence the study and solution of the problems of the environment.

CANIRAC: It is a business organization of national character that represents, integrates and defends the interests and rights of the establishments that prepare and sell food. It supports the prompt development of the industry by interacting with the government and other sectors to offer diverse services of general interest.

AMAV: The Association of Travel Agencies in Mexico is individuals and businesses who have a specific function that combine the diverse tourist services. The association observes norms of commercial ethics among its associates and the public, establishments, service providers and hotels.

Transportation

• LOCAL BUS SERVICE: There are many bus routes on the town’s streets. You can identify routes by number, but most easily by color; the blue colored buses run the route from Marina Vallarta to downtown. The fare is approximately $.50 US which makes it the most affordable way of transportation during the day.

• TAXIS: Available all around town (with over a 1,000 taxis). They are not equipped with meters and instead divide the city in zones. They charge a minimum fee of approximately $3.50 US and a set amount of approximately $1.50 US at each zone crossing; therefore if you travel from the downtown area to Marina Vallarta you would be crossing 3 zones and the fare will be $8.00 US approximately. Tips are included in the fare.

Assistance

• Police station 290-0507 For emergencies dial 060

• Fire department 223-9478 For emergencies dial 060

• Consumer affairs (Profeco) 225-0000 & 225 0018

• Municipal Tourist Department 226-8080 EXT 230 & 231

Hospitals

• CMQ Hospital 223 1919

• San Javier Hospital 226 1010

• Cornerstone Hospital 224 9400 y 226 37 00

• Cruz Roja 222 1533 y 222 4973

• Private ambulance service 222 0386

• AmeriMed Hospital 222 2080

• Medasist Hospital 223 0656

Puerto Vallarta has become one of the favorite ports on the Mexican Pacific with more than 200 cruise arrivals per year from more than 10 cruise lines, bringing a potential capacity of 250,000 passengers. A program of continuing dock amplification enlarges that capacity with passing seasons.