Puerto Vallarta

Where ships dock

Taxi, Uber or city bus; about 10 min by car to downtown.

• Terminal Marítima cruise piers (Muelles 1–3)

Best time to go

Ships call year-round, but most come October through April. In 2022, calls fell to four or five a month from June to September.

The rainy season runs June through October, usually as afternoon or evening storms, and the Pacific hurricane season runs from mid-May to the end of November. Humpback whales are in the bay from about mid-December to mid-March.

How far from the pier

One way. Short call OK means 20 minutes or less.

• Puerto Mágico plazaWalk5 min
• El Salado EstuaryTaxi5 min
• Downtown Puerto VallartaTaxi10 min

Ship tour or go independent?

Booking your own tour or going on your own is straightforward here, and it gives you more choice, smaller groups and your own pace, often for less than the ship's version. Taxis are among the terminal's services, Uber operates in the city, and city buses stop in front of the terminal. The ship's tours suit anyone who would rather leave the timing to the cruise line, or who would rather not manage the ride back from longer outings such as the botanical garden.

• The cruise pier is outside downtown, so every outing starts with a ride. Allow extra time for traffic on the way back, and pick a tour that ends well before all-aboard.
• Jalisco, the state Puerto Vallarta is in, is rated Level 3 (Reconsider travel) by the US State Department because of terrorism, crime and kidnapping. The US does not restrict its own staff from traveling to Puerto Vallarta, but the Level 3 rating covers the whole state.
• Use a regulated taxi stand (sitio) or an app such as Uber rather than hailing taxis on the street.
• Beaches can have strong currents and rip tides, and dangerous beaches are not always marked, so swim where it's calm and ask locally.
• For bay trips, pick licensed, insured boat operators. US advice warns that excursion boats may lack accident insurance, life jackets or radios.

Getting around

Rideshare available

• WalkFrom the ship it is about a 5-minute signposted walk inside the port to the Puerto Mágico plaza; a shuttle cart also runs. Downtown is a 10-minute drive away; once there, the Malecón, old town and Romantic Zone are easy on foot.
• TaxiTaxis are one of the terminal's listed services. Use the regulated stand rather than flagging a cab in the street, and agree on the fare before you get in. No official fare list was found.
• RideshareUber operates in Puerto Vallarta, and rideshare drivers drop off at the terminal's main access. Uber says pickups can take longer than in big cities. Check the driver and plate before you get in.
• BusCity buses marked Zona Hotelera or Marina Vallarta stop at Zona Hotelera Norte, in front of the terminal entrance; cross at the pedestrian crossing. Buses on the Centro route go to the Malecón. No official fare was found.

Uber lists Puerto Vallarta as a city it serves, and the US State Department recommends rideshare apps or regulated taxi stands over street taxis.

Money, tipping & phones

Money

The Mexican peso (MXN) is the local currency. US and Canadian dollars are widely taken at hotels, restaurants, bars, beach clubs and taxis, but markets and street vendors usually want pesos in cash. Visa and Mastercard are the main cards accepted. There is a currency exchange at the terminal. Use ATMs inside banks or malls, in daylight.

Phones

There is free Wi-Fi at the Puerto Mágico plaza, and on the Malecón and the main plaza downtown.

Must-sees

• The MalecónRide neededThe city's seafront promenade, first built in the 1930s, with sculptures, galleries, cafés and big sunset views over the bay.
• Our Lady of Guadalupe churchRide neededDowntown's landmark church, known for the crown on its bell tower, a few steps from the main plaza. Open to visitors daily.
• Romantic Zone and Los Muertos PierRide neededThe old neighborhood south of the river, with cobblestone streets, Basilio Badillo's cafés, Los Muertos Beach and a pier with a sail-shaped top.
• Cuale River IslandRide neededA leafy island in the river between downtown and the Romantic Zone, with a craft market, a cultural center and a statue of John Huston.
• El Salado EstuaryRide neededA state-park estuary about 5 minutes from the terminal, explored on guided boat rides to spot birds and reptiles.
• Vallarta Botanical GardenRide neededA garden on the Los Horcones River about 45 minutes' drive south of downtown, with forest trails, an orchid conservatory and good bird-watching early in the day.
• Los ArcosRide neededA rock formation rising from the sea south of town, now a marine park and a dive site over one of the deepest parts of the bay.

Free & cheap near the pier

• The MalecónFreeTwelve blocks of seafront promenade lined with sculptures, including the 1976 boy on a seahorse known as El Caballito. Popular at sunset.
• Our Lady of Guadalupe churchFreeThe landmark church with a crowned bell tower, a few steps from the main plaza. Open to visitors daily.
• Cuale River IslandFreeA shaded island in the river with a craft market, a cultural center and a statue of film director John Huston.
• Los Muertos Pier and BeachFreeWalk about 100 m out over the bay on the sail-topped pier, then spend time on Los Muertos Beach.
• Vallarta Botanical Garden300 MXN adult entryTrails, an orchid conservatory and more than 200 bird species, at km 24 on the coast highway south of town. Adults pay 300 pesos, ages 5–10 pay 150 and under-5s are free.

Eat like a local

• Pescado zarandeadoWhole red snapper coated in a red sauce, wrapped in foil and grilled, and served with rice and tortillas. Eat it with a fork or build your own tacos.
• RaicillaJalisco's own agave spirit, made by hand in coastal and highland styles.

Rainy-day backups

• Naval History MuseumSteps from the main plaza, with five exhibit areas on the sea, the port and Mexico's naval history.
• Puerto MágicoThe terminal plaza has shops with textiles, ceramics and jewelry, cafés and a tourist information desk.
• Cuale Cultural CenterOn Cuale River Island, with exhibitions, evening events and painting, dance, drama and music workshops.

Safety & scams

Official advisoryUS State Dept: Level 2 — Exercise increased caution (as of May 29, 2026). Jalisco state, which includes Puerto Vallarta, is Level 3 — Reconsider travel.

• Jalisco is Level 3 because of terrorism, crime and kidnapping. The US warns of violence from cartels and criminal groups in the state and says US citizens have been kidnapped there. It places no travel restrictions on its own staff in Puerto Vallarta or neighboring Riviera Nayarit, but the Level 3 rating still covers the whole state.
• Canada and the UK do not include Puerto Vallarta in their Jalisco no-go areas. The UK notes that travelers have been assaulted in major resorts, Puerto Vallarta among them.
• Don't hail taxis in the street. Use a regulated taxi stand or a ride-share app, and check the driver and plate.
• Watch your drink. Sexual assaults and drink spiking have happened in resort areas, especially at night.
• Rip currents are common, and many beaches have no lifeguards or warning flags. Stay out of the water when red or black flags are up.
• Tap water isn't safe to drink in many areas. Ask for bottled water.
• Pickpocketing is common, including on buses. Carry little cash and leave expensive jewelry on the ship.
• In an emergency, dial 911. Not all operators speak English.

From official government and port sources. Check the latest advisory before you travel.

Accessibility

At the pier

Ships dock at the Terminal Marítima; in 2022 only one of 186 calls anchored instead. The Puerto Mágico plaza says it has ramps, wide walkways and routes for wheelchairs and strollers, and a shuttle cart runs from the pier to the plaza entrance.

• The Malecón was rebuilt with a wider pedestrian walkway after hurricane damage in 2002.
• The Romantic Zone and the old streets above downtown are cobblestoned, which can be hard going with wheels.