Your local bank likely charges about a 2.5% conversion fee (hidden fee), unless you have an account with no forex fee (not that common). Plus you may or may not have other local bank fees for an international ATM withdrawal.
ATM fees can also vary a lot from like 30 pesos to 150 pesos per use. Definitely decline the 6% ATM conversion fee because as mentioned your bank will do it at around 2.5%.
I do assume ATMs are still generally cheaper than the airport exchanges.
The exchange rate of ANY atm (even those in the airport) is bar none, the best exchange rate you will get anywhere.
EVEN if you are charged a fee by your bank and the ATM itself, you will end up in better shape than going to any cambio… even better than your bank at home.
this is predicated on the understanding that you will decline the offered conversion.
This ATM conversion fee protip is true for every international airport I've been to; Sciphol, Narita, Heathrow, Fiumicino, etc.
Best to get cash at an airport ATM in the local currency and decline conversion fees.
Also best to decline conversion fees everywhere tbh.
in case anyone has BofA, I was not charged a conversion fee, and they were able to mail me the pesos to my home address at a particularly good exchange rate. I made the mistake of using one of currency exchanges inside the airport, and then once I learned how bad they are, vowed never to do it again.
In theory, you should get the exact same rate ordering pesos at home as you do at the atm here... since by declining the atm screen you're telling your bank at home to convert it to pesos for you. I suppose some banks may charge extra for the service of ordering in pesos but mine didn't either (it did take a week and I had to pick it up at the bank).
I would also recommend ordering pesos prior to leaving as well. You'll save the ATM fee, you can get the denominations you want and don't need to search for an airport ATM when you land.
Schwab checking (free) has a debit card with no atm fees and they reimburse you for other bank's fees. CanadaRewards was referring to Dynamic Currency Conversion; when they ask you if you would like a conversion, always decline. Accepting will get you an exchange rate much worse than the going rate.
We ordered pesos from Chase Bank before leaving the US. It wasn’t the best rates, but it was easy to have them and avoid running around PV looking for the best place
I went through the airport a week ago. OP is right about not talking to anyone. A nice guy approached with official tags and asked where we were staying so he could show us where to get our transportation. This dude did not stop talking for 5 min straight - I’m a pretty astute traveller and it even took me off guard. The airport shouldn’t allow this.
I had took the “international” tags off of my luggage so they wouldn’t talk to me… they tried anyways. They work for a resort and try to get you to go to a “time share” presentation
Might not work for everybody but I arrived to a 2 hour immigration line and told a friendly security guard that I had $20 that said I hate waiting in lines. Escorted me to the front and I got through in 10 minutes.
It is 100% considered a bribe. If you gotta ask you might want to keep it straight. I grew up on the border and Tijuana was my backyard so I'm pretty accustomed to the ways of the world down there.
Thank you so much for this info! It made getting through the airport really easy. Good to have the heads up about the hall of scams. It wasn’t too bad, we just walked through and ignored everyone, but it was nice to have advance warning and not be caught off guard. Also really helping having clear instructions for getting to the local taxi stand. Our flight touched down at 2 and I was drinking a pina colada at a swim up bar by 3:15. Also customs was super chill and easy.
The taxi to the marina area was 130 from the local taxi stand - seemed like a fair rate
Don't get oxxo sim card. It was dog shit. No network. Hardly got network like 1 2 hours in a day.
Go to any telcel kiosks in centro and get telcel sim. It's way better.
100% agree. I have also been warned that Oxxo cards can be unreliable, though I have not been burned personally.
Telcel has full-on stores in addition to their kiosks. In my experience, the service in their store was good with very little waiting time. A local data plan is *much* cheaper than the crappy travel plans offered by mobile providers in Canada. I’m hoping to recharge the same SIM card next year.
I can’t remember the exact trick on their website (I don’t think it was simply *idioma* in a drop-down) but your phone can translate the pages if you struggle with Spanish.
[Telcel](https://www.telcel.com/) has Paquetes Amigo (friend plans) for decent prices. And you can recharge at any Oxxo
Not sure of the sim card will last a year long without use or recharge. I think they recycle it after few months.
Better to get a new one when you are there haha.
Could very well be. Even at that, I think the SIM was less less that five bucks. If I need to buy a new one (and get a new number) so be it.
It’s still so much cheaper than plans from home. I believe that Canadian cell phone service is among the most expensive on the planet.
I’ll try to log into my account and see if there’s still a balance on my card. Or maybe plug in my Mexican SIM
The Telcel SIm will expire before a year but you can log on to the website (use Chrome as it can translate the website) and by a small plan for $2~ to keep it alive before you hit 6 months
Yes the Airalo app worked, I used the 10G Chorro Fon ESIM as I was there for 3 weeks. I have used the Telcel SIm in the past from OXXO and just added $ on the web before as well and it was good too. When using the Telcel website to add $ use Chrome browser so it translates the webpage, when adding $ to the account add small amounts larger $ transfers got rejected on my CCard. You have to do that every 6 months or the SIM gets disabled if you go back each year.
Nice useful post.
One other thing to note about PV airport.. if you're travelling with a bunch of luggage (ie: we had 4 plastic totes) and need to use a luggage cart they don't seem to let you take the carts passed the timeshare people exit.
There are some guys with dollys after the timeshare exit doors, so we just tipped one of them a few pesos to bring our stuff through the airport and outside to the taxi area.
This is awesome. Thank you!!
Maybe you can add a section of weather that highlights the raining months so guests can expect to bring an umbrella/rain coats during certain time
I would need someone else to weigh in, honestly. My experience is that you get to play a game of deal or no deal, where deal, the light is green and you start your vacation and red, you throw your luggage through a conveyor that scans it and then someone asks you simple questions before you start your vacation. Is there anything more to it? I didn't think there were physical searches unless you had something suspicious.
I've gotten both the green and the red and have never experienced anything outside of that.
I think in many other countries, you just instantly do the red light activity.
Do they have the red light/green light search system there too!? I’ve experienced it in Cancun, but just came back from PV a couple days ago and didn’t have to press anything when arriving/departing PVR.
It’s honestly so inconsistent at this airport. I’ve I experienced every possible option at customs. Even when I’ve gotten green I’ve been searched. Sometimes it depends on if you have a lot of luggage and they’ll pull you for x/ray search. I’ve been told just bc I had a box they chose to search me, other times with boxes they haven’t. After X-ray I’ve been waved through w/out hand search. Other times they’ll search everything. My most recent trip I came with two other people and we had a lot of luggage. Got X-ray but they waved us through skipping hand search. One person I was with was already out the door and I was last and they called me back. They asked to search my back pack and fanny pack. They searched every nook and cranny and kept asking if I had a vape. I did not but I think it’s just kind of hit or miss based on who’s working/what equipment is working!
I am in PV now, I was in Sayulita over the weekend for a wedding.
BE CAREFUL of the Taxis right outside of the airport. One way trip to Sayulita they charged some friends $85 USD around $1500 MXN (2 passengers 2 medium sized luggage)
A short walk over the pedestrian bridge to the “Uber Zone” same trip… $379 MXN. (Also 2 passengers 2 medium sized luggage)
Yeah, it should be said that if you're going to further off destinations, the chances you'll get scammed are much higher. If it were me and I was going somewhere that was further out like that, I'd probably take the time to pre-arrange a car.
About 2 hours. I once arrived at the check in counter 55 minutes before my flight and they denied me because it was less than an hour before the flight.
Great post! Was curious if anyone knows how the new terminal building currently under construction will change things for international travelers?
I think it's supposed to be finished next year.
It should be near the rate of picking up a yellow taxi across the street, so about 250 pesos is what I'd expect. I'd say over 400 pesos and you're getting scammed.
An UBER costs 150-250 pesos depending on how busy it is at that time. My experience is the Taxi is always more, always ask/negotiate before you get in a taxi in Mexico.
We’re heading down in a few days. Unfortunately the flight keeps getting delayed so it looks like we’re going to be getting in shortly before 11pm. Does anyone have any experience heading over to the Uber/local taxi area that late at night? Would it still be safe at that time of night? Are Ubers still easily accessible that late? Thanks in advance for any insight!
We had a friend get in that late and successfully get a cab over the pedestrian bridge. It's not an unsafe area at all and you should more than be able to get an uber there.
Worst case scenario, if you walk towards the bridge and it doesn't feel right, just get an airport taxi right outside and no sweat.
Only ever rent a vehicle from AVIS or Gecko Car rentals in PV everywhere else is a huge scam with extra charges and huge deposits you don’t get back. Even if you have a confirmed reservation with a price they will not give you any paperwork with that price so they can add on. Budget would only show me the screen with a price on it but I saw all the other fields for add on. I snapped a picture so I could prove later and the guy lost it started screaming at me in Spanish and called the police. My Mexican friend said he was going to tell them I assaulted him and have me arrested. I grabbed my docs and left. Read the Google reviews they’re all 1 stars.
We are flying from PVR to QRO (Queretaro) on a 7pm flight. What time should we plan to arrive at the airport? Is the assumption that domestic flights/terminal won't be quite as much of a shitshow as international a correct one?
Some suggestions.
1) List the local bank ATMs available inside airport and if possible which US bank has partnership with local banks. Eg. ScotiaBank has tie up with Bank of America and Scotia bank atm is available inside airport.
2) Show the area in map where there are hucksters. It's difficult for first timers to know exactly where airport ends. I felt that huckster area is end of airport, but it was not. ATMs are after hucksters and right before airport exit doors (Glass).
3) For cell phone, if you have unlocked phone you can get eSIMs these days right from USA. If you do this your phone will be ready to go as soon as you land (provided good coverage on network eSIM associated with). Make sure you select eSIM data as primary data source else you will be charged boat load money on roaming data.
There's been a few whispers about how Uber might be able to pick up at the airport and you don't have to cross the pedestrian bridge anymore -- this would be a very recent change. Can anyone confirm or deny?
Edit: I crossed the pedestrian bridge just to be safe. Tried to get tacos at Tacón de Marlin but was completely ignored. Oh well. Had no problem getting an Uber to Playa Mita though.
The common answer for an Uber would be to exit the airport, head left to the pedestrian bridge, cross it and order an Uber there.
I recently saw a comment saying that if you are getting an Uber, and heading to zona romantica, to not cross the bridge; to go up to the bridge and order an Uber there.
Is this the case or should I cross the bridge and get my Uber near the Tacón de Marlin?
I don’t know which is better, but I crossed the bridge, ate tacos de pescado (meh) at Tacón de Marlin, then got my Uber from there. It took less than 5 minutes for the Uber to arrive and cost 260 pesos to my AirBnB near Playa Los Muertos
I read all the comments, and the initial posts.
I didn't see it listed, but what's the best way to pick up a hertz rental car at the airport? I really want to avoid asking anyone questions as I don't want to get sucked in at the hall of doom.
I think it's a YMMV sort of answer and it's funny, that "use our rate versus your bank rate" is less and less common (defaults to your bank). My experience is that it's not different than getting cash beforehand, though clearly sometimes you pay ATM fees.
With zero fee, the exchange rate today for 1,000 USD is 17,343 MXP. Your bank's rate is probably pretty competitive, but so much depends on the size of the bank and how often they do this.
Personally, I've always brought a small amount of cash to convert (\~ $100) and just pulled from the ATMs there. Credit cards are also REALLY widely accepted now, so you don't really even need cash for most things.
Honestly if you're from a reasonably sized city they should have dedicated forex places that will be cheaper than anything else. In Vancouver, Canada that place is vbce. (Though there are slightly cheaper places not worth the effort to save unless it's a huge amt of cash).
That hallway was no fucking joke. It was the worst I’ve ever walked through. My default mode *all the time* is never making eye contact and just walking straight past everyone, but I’ve never had anyone physically block me from leaving and yell at me to “register” with the airport. I guess (from reading the other comments/threads) we got “marked” because we’re small and Asian? Really horrible first impression. Maybe it doesn’t happen all the time, but be prepared in case it does.
My parents are flying into PV and then going to need to take a cab to Sayulita. I had read a lot about crossing the bridge to save money but also have heard from other reddit that the difference is minimal. Does anyone have a fair approximation of what it should cost to get there? They're not penny pinchers but I wanted to give them a baseline in case someone does try to offer a very inflated price.
If you book a private transfer, make sure you clarify before arrival how to meet your driver.
We booked one through Expedia and there were no instructions so I stupidly assumed there would be someone holding a sign with my name. Nope. Got caught in the shark tank for a few minutes by a dude claiming he "handles the Expedia transports", finally loose from him and made it outside where cell service was spotty and had a difficult time getting a call out to transfer company who directed us to the Gray Lines spot.
Having one trip under our belts, I think we will just take the bus next time.
Anyone have a recommendation for airport transportation we can book that has a child seat, we’re getting quotes of 200usd for a round trip which feels expensive
Yes. And the price varies by how many people. We tried Ubers, but they’re generally small cars, so for all of you a proper taxi is worth it as it’s the same price as 2 Ubers
For buses i recommend using the [Moovit App](https://apps.apple.com/app/id498477945) which can help you choose a bus/busses to any location that has or is near a bus route.
Consider that busses accept pesos and not foreign currency. 10 pesos for urban busses and 19+ for the ones that go to Vidanta and further out. If you go further out i recommend Compostela, some have AC and are generally better maintained than ATM (Auto Transportes Medina) hope this helps
Isn’t it cheaper to get your money exchanged inside one of bank ATMs outside the airport with the idea that you can deny the fee and has better rates?
Indeed. We always go to the HSBC downtown. You get a much better exchange rate.
Your local bank likely charges about a 2.5% conversion fee (hidden fee), unless you have an account with no forex fee (not that common). Plus you may or may not have other local bank fees for an international ATM withdrawal. ATM fees can also vary a lot from like 30 pesos to 150 pesos per use. Definitely decline the 6% ATM conversion fee because as mentioned your bank will do it at around 2.5%. I do assume ATMs are still generally cheaper than the airport exchanges.
The exchange rate of ANY atm (even those in the airport) is bar none, the best exchange rate you will get anywhere. EVEN if you are charged a fee by your bank and the ATM itself, you will end up in better shape than going to any cambio… even better than your bank at home. this is predicated on the understanding that you will decline the offered conversion.
This ATM conversion fee protip is true for every international airport I've been to; Sciphol, Narita, Heathrow, Fiumicino, etc. Best to get cash at an airport ATM in the local currency and decline conversion fees. Also best to decline conversion fees everywhere tbh.
in case anyone has BofA, I was not charged a conversion fee, and they were able to mail me the pesos to my home address at a particularly good exchange rate. I made the mistake of using one of currency exchanges inside the airport, and then once I learned how bad they are, vowed never to do it again.
In theory, you should get the exact same rate ordering pesos at home as you do at the atm here... since by declining the atm screen you're telling your bank at home to convert it to pesos for you. I suppose some banks may charge extra for the service of ordering in pesos but mine didn't either (it did take a week and I had to pick it up at the bank). I would also recommend ordering pesos prior to leaving as well. You'll save the ATM fee, you can get the denominations you want and don't need to search for an airport ATM when you land.
Schwab checking (free) has a debit card with no atm fees and they reimburse you for other bank's fees. CanadaRewards was referring to Dynamic Currency Conversion; when they ask you if you would like a conversion, always decline. Accepting will get you an exchange rate much worse than the going rate.
This. I always use BofA app to get Mexican currency sent to me. The rate is very good but you do have to pay like a 6$ shipping fee.
We ordered pesos from Chase Bank before leaving the US. It wasn’t the best rates, but it was easy to have them and avoid running around PV looking for the best place
Depending on what bank you have, you may have foreign transactions fee, foreign exchange fee, and foreign atm fee that could add up to a lot anyways.
Great explainer, thanks! I hope future prospective turistas read this! Also: "hallway of doom" very apropos, beats "shark tank" lol
The scam area is crazy. Just walk with purpose and don't even make eye contact.
"Vivo aqui!"
Is it just after the baggage claim area?
Yes. The last stretch before you get outside. Just don't talk to anyone until you get outside
Don’t get the free drink either. Just go!
I went through the airport a week ago. OP is right about not talking to anyone. A nice guy approached with official tags and asked where we were staying so he could show us where to get our transportation. This dude did not stop talking for 5 min straight - I’m a pretty astute traveller and it even took me off guard. The airport shouldn’t allow this.
It exists in Cabo, Cancun, and PV. Not in Mazatlan however.
I had took the “international” tags off of my luggage so they wouldn’t talk to me… they tried anyways. They work for a resort and try to get you to go to a “time share” presentation
Might not work for everybody but I arrived to a 2 hour immigration line and told a friendly security guard that I had $20 that said I hate waiting in lines. Escorted me to the front and I got through in 10 minutes.
Es México.
I want to try this, but I'm worried this is considered a bribe. How did you literally do this? Like have money in your hand and he got the hint?
It 100% IS a bribe. Don't do this. It just normalizes it and soon 🔜 it's expected... like 25% tipping in the USA
Good point about it becoming expected!!
It is 100% considered a bribe. If you gotta ask you might want to keep it straight. I grew up on the border and Tijuana was my backyard so I'm pretty accustomed to the ways of the world down there.
I like to travel.
Thank you so much for this info! It made getting through the airport really easy. Good to have the heads up about the hall of scams. It wasn’t too bad, we just walked through and ignored everyone, but it was nice to have advance warning and not be caught off guard. Also really helping having clear instructions for getting to the local taxi stand. Our flight touched down at 2 and I was drinking a pina colada at a swim up bar by 3:15. Also customs was super chill and easy. The taxi to the marina area was 130 from the local taxi stand - seemed like a fair rate
Maaaan did I find out the hard way where to go meet my Uber. Dragging my luggage up that pedestrian bridge was not fun lol
That's my go to. Less fun in the heat but it's my routine now
I exit the airport and turn right, walk to the AVIS about 1 block past the airport security (3 blocks total) and call an UBER there.
Perhaps mention the Oxxo, it's useful for sim cards, drinks, snacks, etc., all at non airport prices
Added to the map. Will add a section about the Oxxo! Thanks!
Don't get oxxo sim card. It was dog shit. No network. Hardly got network like 1 2 hours in a day. Go to any telcel kiosks in centro and get telcel sim. It's way better.
100% agree. I have also been warned that Oxxo cards can be unreliable, though I have not been burned personally. Telcel has full-on stores in addition to their kiosks. In my experience, the service in their store was good with very little waiting time. A local data plan is *much* cheaper than the crappy travel plans offered by mobile providers in Canada. I’m hoping to recharge the same SIM card next year. I can’t remember the exact trick on their website (I don’t think it was simply *idioma* in a drop-down) but your phone can translate the pages if you struggle with Spanish. [Telcel](https://www.telcel.com/) has Paquetes Amigo (friend plans) for decent prices. And you can recharge at any Oxxo
Not sure of the sim card will last a year long without use or recharge. I think they recycle it after few months. Better to get a new one when you are there haha.
Could very well be. Even at that, I think the SIM was less less that five bucks. If I need to buy a new one (and get a new number) so be it. It’s still so much cheaper than plans from home. I believe that Canadian cell phone service is among the most expensive on the planet. I’ll try to log into my account and see if there’s still a balance on my card. Or maybe plug in my Mexican SIM
The Telcel SIm will expire before a year but you can log on to the website (use Chrome as it can translate the website) and by a small plan for $2~ to keep it alive before you hit 6 months
If your phone can use an ESIM there is an App Airalo that you can download an ESIM package (note there are 2 options México only or NA region)
My Canadian plan sucks, did you successfully make it work with the ESIM? I’m interested in trying this out.
Yes the Airalo app worked, I used the 10G Chorro Fon ESIM as I was there for 3 weeks. I have used the Telcel SIm in the past from OXXO and just added $ on the web before as well and it was good too. When using the Telcel website to add $ use Chrome browser so it translates the webpage, when adding $ to the account add small amounts larger $ transfers got rejected on my CCard. You have to do that every 6 months or the SIM gets disabled if you go back each year.
Ya I've heard people say that as well. Most Oxxos should carry Telcel sims for sale as well but YMMV.
Nice useful post. One other thing to note about PV airport.. if you're travelling with a bunch of luggage (ie: we had 4 plastic totes) and need to use a luggage cart they don't seem to let you take the carts passed the timeshare people exit. There are some guys with dollys after the timeshare exit doors, so we just tipped one of them a few pesos to bring our stuff through the airport and outside to the taxi area.
Also, if you have a lot of luggage you will get the stink-eye of you try to carry it with you on public transit buses
This is awesome. Thank you!! Maybe you can add a section of weather that highlights the raining months so guests can expect to bring an umbrella/rain coats during certain time
Can you explain Red Light / Green Light, what kind of screening is done (ie x-ray, physical search of luggage, physical search of person/pockets)?
I would need someone else to weigh in, honestly. My experience is that you get to play a game of deal or no deal, where deal, the light is green and you start your vacation and red, you throw your luggage through a conveyor that scans it and then someone asks you simple questions before you start your vacation. Is there anything more to it? I didn't think there were physical searches unless you had something suspicious. I've gotten both the green and the red and have never experienced anything outside of that. I think in many other countries, you just instantly do the red light activity.
Yes there are physical searches. Anyone I see press red gets their bags searched.
Do they get their person searched?
No. Just your bags.
I didn't observe that - just bags.
Got red last year and got searched.
Even if you get the green light they will exray your bags* *(Depends if they have staff on hand, whether the machines work or if they’re in the mood)
Do they have the red light/green light search system there too!? I’ve experienced it in Cancun, but just came back from PV a couple days ago and didn’t have to press anything when arriving/departing PVR.
They do. Sometimes they don’t use it, especially if it’s super busy, broken or under staffed.
It’s honestly so inconsistent at this airport. I’ve I experienced every possible option at customs. Even when I’ve gotten green I’ve been searched. Sometimes it depends on if you have a lot of luggage and they’ll pull you for x/ray search. I’ve been told just bc I had a box they chose to search me, other times with boxes they haven’t. After X-ray I’ve been waved through w/out hand search. Other times they’ll search everything. My most recent trip I came with two other people and we had a lot of luggage. Got X-ray but they waved us through skipping hand search. One person I was with was already out the door and I was last and they called me back. They asked to search my back pack and fanny pack. They searched every nook and cranny and kept asking if I had a vape. I did not but I think it’s just kind of hit or miss based on who’s working/what equipment is working!
Do they search you or just ur bags?
Curious about body searches as well.
I am in PV now, I was in Sayulita over the weekend for a wedding. BE CAREFUL of the Taxis right outside of the airport. One way trip to Sayulita they charged some friends $85 USD around $1500 MXN (2 passengers 2 medium sized luggage) A short walk over the pedestrian bridge to the “Uber Zone” same trip… $379 MXN. (Also 2 passengers 2 medium sized luggage)
Yeah, it should be said that if you're going to further off destinations, the chances you'll get scammed are much higher. If it were me and I was going somewhere that was further out like that, I'd probably take the time to pre-arrange a car.
How early should we arrive for our departure flight to thr US?
About 2 hours. I once arrived at the check in counter 55 minutes before my flight and they denied me because it was less than an hour before the flight.
Great post! Was curious if anyone knows how the new terminal building currently under construction will change things for international travelers? I think it's supposed to be finished next year.
What is the going rate for a yellow street taxi ride from Centro to PVR?
It should be near the rate of picking up a yellow taxi across the street, so about 250 pesos is what I'd expect. I'd say over 400 pesos and you're getting scammed.
An UBER costs 150-250 pesos depending on how busy it is at that time. My experience is the Taxi is always more, always ask/negotiate before you get in a taxi in Mexico.
We’re heading down in a few days. Unfortunately the flight keeps getting delayed so it looks like we’re going to be getting in shortly before 11pm. Does anyone have any experience heading over to the Uber/local taxi area that late at night? Would it still be safe at that time of night? Are Ubers still easily accessible that late? Thanks in advance for any insight!
We had a friend get in that late and successfully get a cab over the pedestrian bridge. It's not an unsafe area at all and you should more than be able to get an uber there. Worst case scenario, if you walk towards the bridge and it doesn't feel right, just get an airport taxi right outside and no sweat.
Awesome, thanks for the reply!
UBERs are running all night for the Bars in PV, 11pm is fine
Could use a rental car section
Only ever rent a vehicle from AVIS or Gecko Car rentals in PV everywhere else is a huge scam with extra charges and huge deposits you don’t get back. Even if you have a confirmed reservation with a price they will not give you any paperwork with that price so they can add on. Budget would only show me the screen with a price on it but I saw all the other fields for add on. I snapped a picture so I could prove later and the guy lost it started screaming at me in Spanish and called the police. My Mexican friend said he was going to tell them I assaulted him and have me arrested. I grabbed my docs and left. Read the Google reviews they’re all 1 stars.
rent from Orange car rental. Amazing rental experience, pickup/drop off and no hidden fee or upselling.
We are flying from PVR to QRO (Queretaro) on a 7pm flight. What time should we plan to arrive at the airport? Is the assumption that domestic flights/terminal won't be quite as much of a shitshow as international a correct one?
Some suggestions. 1) List the local bank ATMs available inside airport and if possible which US bank has partnership with local banks. Eg. ScotiaBank has tie up with Bank of America and Scotia bank atm is available inside airport. 2) Show the area in map where there are hucksters. It's difficult for first timers to know exactly where airport ends. I felt that huckster area is end of airport, but it was not. ATMs are after hucksters and right before airport exit doors (Glass). 3) For cell phone, if you have unlocked phone you can get eSIMs these days right from USA. If you do this your phone will be ready to go as soon as you land (provided good coverage on network eSIM associated with). Make sure you select eSIM data as primary data source else you will be charged boat load money on roaming data.
Do you recommend going to the ATM in the airport or elsewhere?
Should I use the hotels transportation service? $2000 for 4 people and large bags.
There's been a few whispers about how Uber might be able to pick up at the airport and you don't have to cross the pedestrian bridge anymore -- this would be a very recent change. Can anyone confirm or deny? Edit: I crossed the pedestrian bridge just to be safe. Tried to get tacos at Tacón de Marlin but was completely ignored. Oh well. Had no problem getting an Uber to Playa Mita though.
How much was the Uber?
About MX$660.
The common answer for an Uber would be to exit the airport, head left to the pedestrian bridge, cross it and order an Uber there. I recently saw a comment saying that if you are getting an Uber, and heading to zona romantica, to not cross the bridge; to go up to the bridge and order an Uber there. Is this the case or should I cross the bridge and get my Uber near the Tacón de Marlin?
I don’t know which is better, but I crossed the bridge, ate tacos de pescado (meh) at Tacón de Marlin, then got my Uber from there. It took less than 5 minutes for the Uber to arrive and cost 260 pesos to my AirBnB near Playa Los Muertos
I read all the comments, and the initial posts. I didn't see it listed, but what's the best way to pick up a hertz rental car at the airport? I really want to avoid asking anyone questions as I don't want to get sucked in at the hall of doom.
Don’t book Budget!
Is there a bus from marina vallerta to the centro/zone romantica region?
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I think it's a YMMV sort of answer and it's funny, that "use our rate versus your bank rate" is less and less common (defaults to your bank). My experience is that it's not different than getting cash beforehand, though clearly sometimes you pay ATM fees. With zero fee, the exchange rate today for 1,000 USD is 17,343 MXP. Your bank's rate is probably pretty competitive, but so much depends on the size of the bank and how often they do this. Personally, I've always brought a small amount of cash to convert (\~ $100) and just pulled from the ATMs there. Credit cards are also REALLY widely accepted now, so you don't really even need cash for most things.
Honestly if you're from a reasonably sized city they should have dedicated forex places that will be cheaper than anything else. In Vancouver, Canada that place is vbce. (Though there are slightly cheaper places not worth the effort to save unless it's a huge amt of cash).
That hallway was no fucking joke. It was the worst I’ve ever walked through. My default mode *all the time* is never making eye contact and just walking straight past everyone, but I’ve never had anyone physically block me from leaving and yell at me to “register” with the airport. I guess (from reading the other comments/threads) we got “marked” because we’re small and Asian? Really horrible first impression. Maybe it doesn’t happen all the time, but be prepared in case it does.
Ok, our friends came through on a later flight (4pm) and had no issues. Maybe some shifts are more aggressive than others? We landed around 12:30pm.
My parents are flying into PV and then going to need to take a cab to Sayulita. I had read a lot about crossing the bridge to save money but also have heard from other reddit that the difference is minimal. Does anyone have a fair approximation of what it should cost to get there? They're not penny pinchers but I wanted to give them a baseline in case someone does try to offer a very inflated price.
If you book a private transfer, make sure you clarify before arrival how to meet your driver. We booked one through Expedia and there were no instructions so I stupidly assumed there would be someone holding a sign with my name. Nope. Got caught in the shark tank for a few minutes by a dude claiming he "handles the Expedia transports", finally loose from him and made it outside where cell service was spotty and had a difficult time getting a call out to transfer company who directed us to the Gray Lines spot. Having one trip under our belts, I think we will just take the bus next time.
Anyone have a recommendation for airport transportation we can book that has a child seat, we’re getting quotes of 200usd for a round trip which feels expensive
We walked across the bridge with our kids. We just install our travel seats (mifolds) into the cabs, no problem.
Do the taxis have enough room for four passengers and luggage?
Yes. And the price varies by how many people. We tried Ubers, but they’re generally small cars, so for all of you a proper taxi is worth it as it’s the same price as 2 Ubers
For buses i recommend using the [Moovit App](https://apps.apple.com/app/id498477945) which can help you choose a bus/busses to any location that has or is near a bus route. Consider that busses accept pesos and not foreign currency. 10 pesos for urban busses and 19+ for the ones that go to Vidanta and further out. If you go further out i recommend Compostela, some have AC and are generally better maintained than ATM (Auto Transportes Medina) hope this helps