NEVER
BEEN TO PUERTO VALLARTA? GOT QUESTIONS? WE'VE GOT ANSWERS!
Frequently
Asked Questions
Q:I'm
ready to make my reservation - what next??
A: Check out the calendar,
pick the available dates that are best for you, and then,
Email Kathy Norwine,
(owner of condo #903) or
Call her at (703) 824-0962 and
she will return your call asap!!
Q:Can
I drink the water in Puerto Vallarta?
A: Puerto Vallarta has the cleanest water in
Mexico! The city system was totally updated to a
purified water system 2 years ago and is
considered fine for drinking. In the condo itself,
you can drink out of the tap without concern. That
said, for the comfort level of renters, the condo
is equipped with a water dispenser, and for a minimal
cost, you can puchase a bottle of purified water
from the front desk, which will be delivered to
the unit for you. One bottle will be enough for
your entire stay.
In most hotels and restaurants, you will get purified
water. If in doubt - ASK: "Agua purificada?"
In addition, use your judgement. If you're in a
very small, family run establishment, better to
order bottled water. If you leave Puerto Vallarta
city limits for a day trip, DO NOT drink the water.
Q:What
is the typical climate in Puerto Vallarta?
A: October-May
is warm 80°-85°F, and approx 65°F or
so at night.(27°-29°C/18°C at
night). The typical Puerto Vallarta year has 300+
days of total sunshine! During a very strange weather
pattern, you could have rain - but - generally speaking,
you are safe to assume that you will probably not
have ONE DROP of rain during your entire vacation
during these months! After
April, and until
about June or July it will become increasingly
warmer, to about 90°F/32°C, and more humid.
Around early July,
the "rainy season" begins. This
does NOT mean it will rain all day, every day. During
the rainy season the humidity increases during the
day until the rain comes. Normally, it will rain
for about 2 hours (sometimes with heavy thunder
and lightning) in the late afternoon, evening, or
sometimes in the middle of the night. It hardly
ever lasts long unless there is a weather system
off the coast. The rain is pretty awesome,
and the vegetation gets incredibly green. It's not
cold when it rains, it's still about 80°F. Many
people love being in PV during these months just
to see the amazing "light shows" of the
storms!
PV does not usually have hurricanes, hurricaine
Kenna in 2002 was the exception and that was just
a glancing blow. The waves from it caused a lot
of damage along the shore but we only got 1"
of rain from it and hardly any wind.
Q:Do you allow pets in the condo?
A: The entire building has a NO-PETS
(of any kind or size) policy.
Q:Is smoking permitted in the condo?
A: No. The condo is a NON-SMOKING
unit.
Q:Will I be able to use my credit cards in Puerto
Vallarta? What about ATMs/Cash Machines?
A: Yes, to both questions. All major credit
cards (except Discover) are widely accepted.
In restaurants, it is best to ask before ordering,
not every business accepts credit cards, just as back
home. There are a number of ATMs very close to the
condo, so that is always an option - they will dispense
your money in Mexican currency, so be sure you have
some sense of how much you want prior to stepping
into the booth as it will be asking you how many "pesos"
you want - and you'll be looking at numbers in the
hundreds and thousands...not numbers we are used to
seeing (e.g., $20, $40, etc)
When
exchanging your money, the cheapest way to do it is
at the local bank branch in Puerto Vallarta. That said,
there are often long lines INSIDE the banks. Therefore,
most people use the exchange windows/kiosks found on
many street corners. They are safe, but the exchange
rate can vary from location to location, so shop around
for your best exchange rate. That said, the difference
from location to location is typically a matter of pennies...so
don't spend your day wandering around to save 20 cents.
Q:What
documents do I need to enter Mexico?
A:
A current passport.
Q:What
is the procedure for going through customs upon
arrival in Puerto Vallarta?
A: Upon arrival at the International Puerto
Vallarta airport (airport code: PVR) you are asked
to push a button that will determine if your bags
will be searched. It's a little antiquated, but
if you get a green light you go, and if you get
a red light you are searched, this system is totally
random, and I can say that in 30+ years traveling
to PV from the States, I have never once gotten
the red light or had my suitcases searched!
Q:What
is the blue & white paper that was given to
me on the plane for when I arrived in Puerto Vallarta?
A: In general to enter Mexico you need to obtain
a Tourist Card (FMT). You will be provided a blank
Tourist Card to complete on the plane and then,
upon arrival in PV, you will present your passport
to the officials to prove citizenship and your completed
Tourist Card. They will stamp both and return to
you. IMPORTANT: Be
sure to save the blue copy of your tourist card,
as you must present this copy when leaving Mexico.It
is VERY important that you don't lose it. You can
get another, but the process is complicated, and
you'll spend too much of your vacation in government
offices and line-ups - and probably missing your
flight home! Keep your tourist card in a safe place
until you leave, along with your passport and other
documentation.
Q:I
DO NOT speak Spanish - will that matter?
A: Not one bit!! The Mexican people are so friendly,
and tourism is their main business, so their English (and
helping us with Spanish) is good enough to help us figure
out what we are trying to say! And it's fun!! One thing
to remember: "Mañana" (which translates
as 'tomorrow') does not necessarily mean "tomorrow",
but it definitely means "Not Today"! :)
Greeting
strangers with one of the below phrases is a great thing
to do!
It's
part of the Mexican culture to help English speaking tourists
along language-wise, and NO ONE will laugh at you for trying!
When in a store, if you start out with one of the phrases
above you will be very cool, and very well received. Shaking
hands with people is expected, even if you've already
met before and have seen them three times in the same day!
If you haven't seen them for a week, or more, be prepared
for "un abraso" - an embrace. Male or female.
Other useful phrases: "Una Cervesa, por favor"
Q:Is
it easy to get around in PV?
A: Especially with the condo in the Zona Romantica
- everything you could want is easily within walking distance.
If you want to venture out farther - there are cabs easy
to get. Be sure to negotiate the price before getting
in the cab, because it is much easier then than when you
have reached your destination! Also, you can ask the staff
at the Condo if you know where you are going - they will
tell you what it should cost as they are well aware of
the rates. Generally you can get just about anywhere for
20-30 pesos (about $2-$3 US dollars)! There are also local
buses that run all over the city - for 5 pesos (50cents)
and are a fabulous way to see some fabulous Mexican neighborhoods.
Q:What
is the legal drinking age in México, and what time
do the night clubs close?
A: The legal drinking age is 18. There is no set closing
time, many of the night clubs stay open until the wee hours
of the morning (3 or 4 AM).
Q:Will
my hair dryer (portable iron, electric toothbrush, etc.)
work in México?
A: Yes, if you are from the U.S. or Canada. México
uses the same 110-volt current as the United States. If
you are coming from Europe, or any country that uses 220
volts, you will need the proper adapters.
Q:What
about going topless or totally nude on the beaches?
A: Both are illegal in México.
Q:Can
I buy Cuban cigars? Can I take them back with me?
A: Yes you can buy them, and yes, they are expensive.
No, you cannot take them back to the U.S. or Canada.
Q:Will
my cellular phone work in Mexico?
A: There is local cellular service. Very few cellular
services will allow you to roam in Mexico, without major
cost.
For calls home, you can either place a call from inside
the condo (not inexpensive) - OR - much more budget friendly
are cyber-cafes within walking distance of the condo where
you can call home to the states for a very minimal cost
(about 7 cents per minute!)
Q:Can
I use my laptop computer to get my e-mail and have Internet
access?
A: Yes!! There is a computer room on the first floor
of the condo building where there are desktop computers
and printers for your use. If you choose to bring your own
laptop, there are Wi-fi/cyber-cafes where you can access
the internet via your own laptop.
Q:Can
we get married in Puerto Vallarta?
A: Most definitely, this is one of the most romantic
spots on earth and many people get married in PV! It is
fairly easy to get married here, in the Catholic Church,
Our Lady of Guadalupe, or with an American Ordained
Minister. You can marry on the beach, in the jungle, where
ever you want. Keep in mind, in the case of a church wedding,
in order for it to be legal you would have to have a civil
ceremony. Church weddings in Mexico are not accepted by
the civil authorities as being legal. If you want a legal
marriage there are a few coordinators here who will take
care of everything - from the paper work to the fireworks.
Click HEREto learn more about making it legal in PV!!
Q:Is
it safe to walk around the town at night?
A: Yes, definitely. You should feel much safer in most
parts of Puerto Vallarta than in the United States. 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. Use your common sense of course, and be
careful - as you would at home. Leave your fancy jewelry
at home! After dark, stay on the main streets, do not wander
on the beaches. Never flash large amounts of money.
Q:How
will I know if I am getting a good deal on merchandise?
A: This is one question that nobody but you can answer.
A good rule of thumb is, with street or beach vendors, always
get at least a 30% discount, sometimes more. In most stores
the prices are fixed, just as they are at home. If you are
making large purchases or if there are several people in
your party that are buying something, you can always negotiate
a discount. If you’re happy with the quality and price
of of an item, then you are getting a good deal. Pretty
simple really.
Q:What
about hospitals and doctors?
A: There are outstanding hospitals and many excellent
physicians in Puerto Vallarta. The healthcare system is
excellent (and much less expensive than in the United States!),
and you can feel comfortable that you will receive good
care at any of the name hospitals or recommended doctors.
Many physicians speak English. "Medasist"
is a personal family favorite medical facility where we
have received excellent care. It is just blocks from the
condo, and a quick taxi ride if getting there by foot is
not possible.
In addition, there are a number of pharmacies in Puerto
Vallarta and many medications that at home are prescription-only
can be purchased over-the-counter in Puerto Vallarta, and
often much less expensive than at home. "Farmacia
de Guadalajara": (24 hrs) 222-0101 and "CMQ":
(24 hrs) 222-2941 are the two closest to the condo, and
both are great and should have anything you need!
Q:Are
the beaches safe?
A: Generally, yes. That said, there are not lifeguards,
so you must be smart. Sometimes, there can be large swells,
even in this protected bay so you must be aware that these
can come without notice and can be dangerous. Be careful
and buddy up, swim with a friend, always!
Q:What
is the time zone in Puerto Vallarta?
A: Puerto Vallarta is on Central Time and observes Daylight
Savings time.
Q:Do
you have a map of the area where the condo is?
A: In the condo itself is a notebook and travel guide
for your reference complete with maps of the various local
areas surrounding the condo.
