We're staying for one week at the Villa del Palmar Flamingos (North of Nuevo Vallarta...very near Bucerias). We'll spend 2-3 days probably relaxing at the resort, taking the walk up to Bucerias, etc. However, we'll want to go into Puerta Vallarta once or twice to walk the malecon, see old town, etc. Plus we'll have to get from the airport to the resort and back. I typically like to have a car to explore -- for example, I enjoyed driving the Ruta Panaramica across Puerto Rico in a rental car. Downsides in PR seem to be difficulty parking and high insurance rates. My insurance company will only cover rentals within 75 miles of the US border. Also, I read in one forum that one gentleman was "shaken down" by the cops who took his 200 pesos because (he thinks) he was an easy target since his rental car said "Thrifty Rental" or some such thing across the back window.
How hard is it to figure our which bus to take? We don't speak much Spanish. Is the bus a fun trip or just something you do to save money?
Should we rent car or use taxis/buses in Nuevo Vallarta/Flamingos?
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You don't need a car. For the airport trips take a taxi, the busses are not set up to take luggage. The ATM line services Nuevo Vallarta and PV, one of their busses service the Royal Decameron in Nuevo, which is right next to Villa del Palmar, see this map:
http://vallartainfo.com/bucerias.html
cost 12 or 13 pesos.
It doesn't go all the way to downtown, you'll have to get off either at the Marine Terminal or the next stop after (the last one in town for this bus line), then just wait for any city bus (6.5 pesos) that has 'Centro' in the window, not 'Tunel' You can follow the maps to downtown and the bus stops are marked.
Total time, about 45 min.
Thanks so much!! I really appreciate the advice and all of the details!
Yes it's fun to get around on the busses. I definitely wouldn't rent a car on a 1st trip to Puerto/Nuevo Vallarta. Or you can bus in and taxi back.
I'm no expert since (in many trips) I've yet to rent a car, but to me seems like it would be more hassles and worries than benefit.
how far is nayarit from jalisco? there is a mayan palace in both cities and I am just wondering the distance between the 2
Those are two states which border each other, so technically Jalisco and Nayarit are side by side.
The Mayan Palace in PV is located in The Marina district fairly close to the airport. The other is out in Nuevo Vallarta (the newer resort area that's been developed in recent years). Guessing 20-25 mins. apart from each other?
My parents have stayed at VDP Flamingos and did not rent a car. They said it is about a 45 minute trip into "town." Another important note: There is a one hour time difference.
Not anymore, that part of the bay and all the way north to Sayulita are now in the same time zone - Central
thanks for the update, cabron! It was an issue for my parents then as they didn't realize there was a time change, and they almost missed their return flight! I didn't want that to happen to anyone else........
I am in the Minority but I would suggest you get a car for at least a day driving either North or South of PV seeing a bit of the country side. I did this my first couple of trips finding it a fun adventure.
I agree with that Stewbear. It's only for downtown I think a car is more trouble than it's worth. Staying outside of the city and driving outside of the city, a car would give you a lot more freedom for sure.
Depends how is your stay and how much are you planning to move around. If you stay mostly in the Nuevo Vallarta area taxi is fine but if venture out of NV then a rental car would be a good idea.
Have fun,
Peter Luhanto
You can go practically anywhere with our bus system, a car can be more trouble than it's worth.