TOURIST TIPS.
CURRENCY, BANKS & MONEY EXCHANGE: The peso is the national currency, although US dollars are widely accepted in businesses throughout town. Major credit cards are also accepted in most establishments. Banks offer currency exchange during business hours, which are generally Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 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 service 24 hrs.

BUSSINESS HOURS: Most shopping malls and stores are open 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.

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 for your evening activities.

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

GEOGRAPHY/LOCATION: Located I the heart of Mexico's western Pacific Ocean 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 price range and styles.

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

POPULATION: Puerto Vallarta is home to 250,000 residents and attracts almost 4 million 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. Many of downtown streets and businesses are wheelchair accessible.

WATER QUALITY: Purified water is standard in all hotels and restaurants, and the municipal water system has been certified for almost two decades.

TRANSPORTATION.

LOCAL BUS SERVICE: Frequent and numerous buses service many routes on the town's streets. They are identified by number and prominent signage ("Centro" for Downtown) but most easily by color: the blue colored buses run the route from Marina Vallarta to downtown. Fare is approximately $.50 cents US which makes it the most affordable transportation daily (6:00 a.m. till approx. 11:00 p.m. daily).

TAXIS: Available all around town (with a fleet of over 1,000 licensed taxis). They are not equipped with meters but instead charge by zones. They charge a minimum of approximately $3.50 US and a set amount of approximately $1.50 US for each zone crossing. Therefore if you travel from downtown to Marina Vallarta you would be crossing 3 zones and the fare will be approximately $8.00 US. Tips are included in the fare.

ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES: The Gustavo Diaz International Airport (code PVR) is located 4 miles north of downtown Puerto Vallarta. There are frequent taxi or van transfers from the airport at reasonable rates. Pay at the taxi booth and you will be assigned to a taxi/van that will take you to your destination. Proof of citizenship is necessary to cross the border into Mexico. A current passport 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 payable in US dollars or Mexican pesos. Many airlines now include this tax when ticketing, but check ahead to make sure.

CRUISE PORT: Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular ports of call for cruise ships on Mexico's Pacific coast. An ambitious renovation and expansion program of the port's facilities was recently completed under strict safety and environmental standards. The cruise port is now able to simultaneously accommodate three full-size cruise ships. Each dock can accommodate ships up to 311 meters (1,020 feet) long.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS & FESTIVALS
PUERTO VALLARTA IS KNOWING AS THE FESTIVAL AND SPECIAL EVENTS CAPITAL OF MEXICO, FROM CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS, TO INTERNATIONAL SPORTS TOURNAMENTS, AND THE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL, THERE IS A SPECIAL EVENT THAT'S SURE TO APPEAL TO EVERY TRAVELER, EVERY SEASON OF THE YEAR HERE. FOLLOWING IS A MONTHLY GUIDE TO SOME OF PUERTO VALLARTA'S MOST POPULAR EVENTS:

JANUARY.

¤ WHALE WATCHING SEASON.
The whale watching season is in full swing every year from December to April. Humpback whales migrate to the area to breed, and you can watch the whales play in the calm waters of the bay. As many as 300 whales have been sighted during one season here. The humpback is the species that breaches most frequently, up to once every 40 seconds for several minutes making them easier to spot. According to marine biologists, the leaps may be for courtship, a challenge or a display of strength.

FEBRUARY

¤ NATIONAL CHARRO CHAMPIONSHIP.
Witness the elegance and originality of Mexican horsemanship. Charros are Mexico's version of cowboys and the National Charro Championship provides the opportunity to see them in full splendor with men dressed in typical outfits and the ladies showing off their "Adelita" dressed.

¤ WINE FEST.
This annual festival – held over several days – includes wine tasting, seminars, and special menus at many participating restaurants and hotels.

¤ MARINA DEL REY- PUERTO VALLARTA REGATTA.
Held every odd-numbered year, 50 California race boats bring in 500 sailors into Banderas Bay. The race begins at the San Diego Yacht Club and ends with a lavish awards ceremony in Puerto Vallarta.

MARCH

¤ NAUTICAL FESTIVAL AND BANDERAS BAY REGATTA.
Puerto Vallarta's privileged location on Banderas Bay sets the stage for an entire month of nautical festivities throughout March. Many arts and musical events accompany the main nautical events along with a fishing tournament. All proceeds raised from the festival are donated to non-profit organizations that work towards the preservation of the ecology of Banderas Bay and to charitable organizations that contribute to improving the quality of life of children who live in the Banderas Bay area.

¤ LATIN AMERICA PUERTO VALLARTA BOAT SHOW.
Gathering together marine equipment, yachts, power boats and related exhibits, you'll also enjoy nautical demonstrations such as search-and-rescue simulations.

¤ NATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL.
The Huichol artisans descend from their surrounding Sierra Madre mountain communities with beaded paintings, sculptures, live music demonstrations and ceremonies held over two-week period.

¤ SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP.
Now an annual event staged at a remote beach on the southern tip of the bay, surfers camp out for a weekend of competition and fun in the sun.

MAY

¤ PUERTO VALLARTA'S BIRTHDAY.
Puerto Vallarta's birthday is celebrated with great fanfare on the 31st of May with a grand parade, free concerts along the malecon and many other festivities. Don't miss the impressive fireworks display in the town's main square.

¤ RESTAURANT WEEK.
Puerto Vallarta is a home to some of Mexico's finest restaurants serving everything from regional Mexican cuisine to creative contemporary Mexican fare and the most varied international options. You can sample some of the city's best cuisine during the last two weeks of May when Puerto Vallarta's most renowned restaurants offer special three-course prix-fixe sampling menus with discounts reaching up to 50% off regular a la carte prices.

JUNE

¤ SEA TURTLE SEAS BEGINGS.
Participate in the protection and conservation of an endangered species – the Olive Ridley sea turtle. From June to November thousands of sea turtles come to lay their eggs on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta. Hotels in Puerto Vallarta hold a Sea Turtle Program where they gather the turtle eggs from the shore and take them for incubation still in their nests to best preserve natural conditions.

AUGUST

¤ SEA TURTLE RELEASE.
By the end of August once the hatchlings are born and ready to be released into their natural habitat, the various hotels invite their guests to aid in the release of the new born baby turtle on the beaches so they find their way into the ocean.

SEPTEMBER.

¤ DAY OF THE CHARRO.
This traditional celebration of rodeo performers takes place around Mexico on September 14. In Puerto Vallarta, the day is celebrated with a parade beginning at 10 a.m. in the Romantic Zone followed by a charreada (rodeo) demonstration. Special dinner/dance events take place in the evening.

¤ MEXICO'S INDEPENDENCE DAY.
Puerto Vallarta's main square and Malecon come alive late night on September 15 with the traditional cry for independence led by Puerto Vallarta's mayor. Live outdoor music shows as well as spectacular fireworks displays follow, giving way to a full night of festivities before the Independence Day holiday.

NOVEMBER.

¤ INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL.
In November of every year, Puerto Vallarta reigns as Mexico's capital of culinary arts with the annual International Gourmet Festival. This ten-day celebration is a true feast for the sense featuring guest chefs from around the world. You can indulge in special tasting menus, participate in cooking classes and wine and tequila tasting.

¤ SAILFISH AND MARLIN TOURNAMENT.
The abundant marine life in the waters of Banderas Bay are known by fishing experts to offer some of the best deep sea sports fishing in the world. The annual Sailfish and Marlin Tournament held every November for over fifty years, brings together some of the most avid sports fishermen from Mexico, the U.S. and abroad. Some of the wide varieties of fish that can be caught in the area include marlin, sailfish, snapper, yellowfin tuna, rooster fish and dorado (mahi mahi).

¤ HALF MARATHON.
Puerto Vallarta's athletic run and half marathon have now become an annual tradition. Held in the month of November when the town comes alive with numerous festivals and sports tournaments, the 5-mile athletic run and 13-mile half marathon not only provide participants with a great competitive sports spirit but the race's routing also offers beautiful glimpses of Banderas Bay.

¤ VALLARTA GOLF CUP.
In addition to having hosted two PGA championship golf tournaments since 2004, Puerto Vallarta is also home to the annual Vallarta Golf Cup held in November. The three-day event is held at the world class Jack Nicklaus and El Tigre golf courses. Amateur golfers from Mexico, the U.S., and Canada compete for cash prizes and the Swing Vallarta trophy, the tournament's top prize.

DECEMBER.

¤ VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE PROCESSIONS.

Like all of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta comes alive with colorful processions in honor of Mexico's patron saints, the Virgin of Guadalupe. Puerto Vallarta's church, a town landmark with its elaborate crown and located across from the main square, is dedicated to her. The twelve-day long celebrations include traditional floats and pre-Hispanic Aztec dancers, chating and praying. The celebrations end with an impressive fireworks display.

¤ PUERTO VALLARTA FILM FESTIVAL.
Puerto Vallarta became famous with the Hollywood set when The Night of the Iguana was filmed in Mismaloya, on the southern shore of Puerto Vallarta. Today, the city continues its cinematic tradition by hosting the annual Puerto Vallarta Film Festival of the Americans. Held in early December, the festival features contemporary full-length films and documentaries with an ecological theme.

¤ NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE MALECON.
A very special fiesta is organized on Puerto Vallarta's Malecon every New Year's Eve where everyone gets together to ring in a special New Year. From the old part town and Los Muertos beach to Los Arcos and Olas Altas, revelers party till the early hours of the morning to the rhythm of live bands and spectacular fireworks displays.