Rental cars can be quite expensive, and taxis and Ubers are abundant and most are really not that expensive, but what are the other transportation options?
Hi, it’s Maya! Many people have asked me what would be a really good day-trip to do in Puerto Vallarta? Well, there are many different fun and interesting things you can do in one day such as shopping, sight-seeing, adventures, day-cruises, water parks, zip lines, eating and drinking, or just hangin’ out on the beach with your toes in the sand. Most of these are just a few minutes from downtown and a short ride in a taxi, Uber, or city bus. Quick FYI; if you are leaving from the airport or ship terminal the taxis that are permitted there are more expensive than the yellow city cabs that you can find just outside. And don’t worry-Puerto Vallarta is just like any civilized city, it is mostly good neighborhoods with a few questionable outlying areas, and for the most part good family people, just like anywhere else. Just use the same common sense you use at home and you will be fine, and I promise I won’t send you anywhere that I wouldn’t feel safe myself. What you should really be watching out for while walking around is uneven pavement and protruding sharp objects that may be electrically active.
Well, you can ride the bus. I know what you’re thinking, the bus? The Mexican bus? Yep! Sure, it’s not the fanciest thing, but it is a whole experience on it’s own, and an interesting one at that. There are many different buses though, and most of them have different hours, and they all stop at different places, so sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly which one to take. And that’s where I come in!!
There’s dozens of different busses, but there are only 7 bus routes. There is the Marina Vallarta route, Aurora Portales route, Joyas del Pedregal route, Mojoneras route, Ramblases route, Mismaloya route, and the Nuevo Vallarta route. The routes and their stops are printed or painted right on the passenger side windshield of each bus, and all the busses at least at some point have a stop on the main highway through town. All you have to do is hang out at the appropriate stop that you can get from my list below, and wait for the bus marked with the place you want to go. Fares around town are only 10 pesos.
They all will stop at the end of the block for you to get on or off, as they hear or see you, and they pass by many different places. It would be ridiculous to name every single road name or colonia, but I will mention some significant areas and landmarks they pass by and therefore can stop at, and most routes have a passing bus about every 15-20 minutes. Most of them run along the main thoroughfare of town and can be caught at any of their stops.
The Aurora Portales route is pretty much the main route through the downtown area, and passes by Walmart, Sams, Puerto Magico, La Isla, the hotel zone, Mega, Estadio Municipal, Ley’s, Parque Hidalgo, and the Malecon. This route runs from 6 am-11 pm.
The Marina Vallarta route also goes through downtown, and includes the yacht marina, passing by the Marina whale statue, Galerias, Walmart, Sams, Puerto Magico, La Isla, Plaza Caracol, the hotel zone, Estadio Municipal, Ley’s, and the Malecon. This route runs from 6 am-10 pm.
The Joyas del Pedragal route takes you to Pitillal and Coapinole, and passes by La Lija, Plaza Pitillal, Macroplaza, Puerto Magico, Plaza Peninsula, Plaza Caracol, Bugambilias, Sheraton, Estadio Municipal, and the Malecon. This route runs from 5 am-11 pm.
The Mojoneras route passes by Plaza Peninsula, Plaza Caracol, Plaza Las Glorias, the tunel, and the Romantic Zone. This route runs from 5 am-11 pm.
The Ramblases route takes you up into the residential communities of Ramblases and Palo Seco, and passes by the Estadio Municipal, Mega, and the Malecon. This route runs from 6 am-10 pm.
The Mismaloya route passes by Punta Negra beach, Palmares beach, Las Gemelas beach, Conchas Chinas, the Mismaloya arcs, Mismaloya, and Boca de Tomatlan. You can catch this bus at the South Terminal at Constitución and Basilio Badillo. This route runs from 6 am-11 pm.
If you are going further south to visit the Botanical Gardens or El Tuito, you can catch this special bus at the corner of Aguacate & Carranza. It costs a little more as it takes you much farther, 25- 50 pesos depending on your trip.
The Nuevo Vallarta route passes by Estadio Municipal, Plaza Las Glorias, Walmart, the airport, Las Juntas, Splash, Aquaventuras, Sonoras, El Coleguita, La Regadera, Paseo de los Cocoteros, Velas hotels, Marival, Hard Rock, and Paradise Village. This route runs from 6 am-10 pm.
Here is a map I found showing local bus routes:
And here is a great website where you can enter your location and destination, and it will tell you all about the bus or busses you need to get there, when they are scheduled, and all the stops in between:
Another website that may help, though it is in Spanish, is:
If it still seems like a confusing and uncertain challenge, there is also a hop-on/hop-off bus that follows 2 routes providing a tour of the Puerto Vallarta area. You can stay on the bus and just enjoy viewing the stops as they come, or you can hop off, stay a while, and hop back on the next one.
Their day tour includes:
Tourist information in 2 languages.
Comfortable audio seats.
Air Conditioning.
Panoramic View.
Entry to Puerto Magico.
Tequila tasting at Oscar's.
Entry to Mangos Beach.
The route stops at:
- The Naval Station
- Gallerias Shopping Mall
- Puerto Magico Cruise Ship Terminal and Shopping Center
- La Isla Shopping Mall
- Fluvial
- Genovesa Plaza
- Las Glorias
- Vallarta Theater VALLARTA THEATER.
- Hidalgo Park
- Lady of Guadalupe Church
- The Malecón / El Centro
- Emiliano Zapata
- The Romantic Zone / Conchas Chinas
- Las Palmares Beach
- Las Gamelas Beach
- Los Arcos of Mismaloya
- Sameoya Beach
Day tours are every day, 3:00 hours duration, 10 am to 9 pm
Adults and Kids over 12 yrs 340 pesos
Kids 5-11 yrs 170 pesos
Website: https://vallartourbus.mx
Phone: +52 (322) 293 8563
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vallartourbus/?ref=page_internal
If you enjoyed this article or found it useful, CLICK HERE to visit my other Day Trippin’ suggestions. And speaking of suggestions, if you plan to visit Vallarta, allow me to give you two. First, especially if you come between December and March, whale-watching season, get yourself good quality, compact binoculars that you can carry around with you, and BRING THEM! Second, especially if you are in a poorer area, tip well and don’t haggle them down too far, they have families to feed! Have a Great Trip!!