Getting a taxi in Puerto Vallarta
Grabbing a Puerto Vallarta taxi is the best way to save time during your trip and enjoy this beautiful summer destination. You can find a taxi almost anywhere around the city, especially in the tourist areas around hotels and beaches, making it a great choice anytime during the day.
You can hail a taxi from the street, look for one of the many taxi ranks in popular areas, or download an online taxi-hailing app. If you prefer to arrange everything in advance, you can pre-book your Puerto Vallarta Airport taxi and any other rides to ensure service whenever you need it. Official taxis in the city are yellow and have the typical ‘TAXI’ sign on the roof, while at the airport you may come across mostly white taxis. Taxi rates in Puerto Vallarta are generally low, making it a good value-for-money option but be prepared to use your negotiating skills as there are no fixed fares.
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How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM PUERTO VALLARTA AIRPORT TO HOTEL ZONE | 15 € | 15 € | 10 MIN |
| FROM PUERTO VALLARTA AIRPORT TO ROMANTIC ZONE | 22 € | 22 € | 23 MIN |
| FROM HOTEL ZONE TO PUERTO MAGICO | 2.50 € | 2.50 € | 5 MIN |
| FROM HOTEL ZONE TO PUERTO VALLARTA MALECON | 3 € | 3 € | 10 MIN |
| FROM HOTEL ZONE TO ROMANTIC ZONE | 4 € | 4 € | 15 MIN |
| FROM HOTEL ZONE TO NUEVO VALLARTA | 8 € | 8 € | 20 MIN |
| FROM HOTEL ZONE TO PLAYA PALMARES | 10 € | 10 € | 25 MIN |
| FROM HOTEL ZONE TO LA CRUZ DE HUANACAXTLE | 19 € | 19 € | 35 MIN |
| FROM HOTEL ZONE TO PUNTA MITA | 32 € | 32 € | 50 MIN |
Puerto Vallarta taxi rates
The taxi cost in Puerto Vallarta isn’t fixed or metered and can vary based on the distance to the destination, number of passengers, time of day, and other factors. Drivers use a Puerto Vallarta taxi fare map to set zones around Puerto Vallarta and charge different rates within and across each zone. Taxis will charge around €2.40 (MXN 50) to travel within a zone and an extra €0.50 (MXN 10) every time you cross a border into a new zone.
It’s important to ask and agree on the price upfront to avoid being overcharged as a tourist. After using a taxi a few times and getting an idea of how the fare system works, you can tell the driver how much you expect to pay instead of asking; this will prevent them from overcharging you.
These are the average taxi rates in Puerto Vallarta for the two most popular routes:
Puerto Vallarta Airport to Hotel Zone – €15 (MXN 311)
Puerto Vallarta Airport to Romantic Zone – €22 (MXN 457)
These taxi prices in Puerto Vallarta refer to regular sedan cars that accommodate up to 3 passengers. If you carry light luggage, the driver may allow 4 passengers in the taxi but expect the fare to be higher. For more than 4 passengers, you will need a larger vehicle, like an SUV or minivan taxi, which comes at a higher cost.
Also, keep in mind that there are no fixed fees for things like luggage, prams, pets, or rides during the nighttime; the driver will take all that into account and give you the total fare before you start the ride.
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How to get a taxi in Puerto Vallarta
You can easily find a taxi in Puerto Vallarta almost anywhere in the city as they are available around the clock and eager to take passengers. The easiest way to get a ride is to hail a taxi from the street by simply waving to the driver. If you’re in a more remote area, try to move to a busier street or a central square where taxis are likelier to pass by.
Alternatively, you can head to a taxi rank in Puerto Vallarta and get the first one in line. There are many taxi ranks all over the city, usually in front of major hotels, popular beaches, and central squares. The locals call them ‘Sitios’ so you can ask around if you don’t know where the nearest one is.
How to get a taxi from Puerto Vallarta Airport
You can find the official taxi rank right outside of the Arrivals Hall exit doors. Taxis line up there 24/7, so simply walk to the front and hop in the first one.
You can get a taxi from Puerto Vallarta Airport to the city for around €15 (MXN 311) to €22 (MXN 457). You can also grab a taxi to other popular routes, like Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita, for around €85 (MXN 1767).
How to get a taxi from Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port
The nearest taxi rank to the Cruise Port is Sitio 38. It’s also called Sitio Aurora after the name of the area, La Aurora. After exiting the port, head right onto C. Prisciliano Sánchez; the taxi rank is on the left before you reach Universo Street. If you carry heavy luggage, you can call +52 322 3654088 and ask for a pickup from the port.
A taxi from the Cruise Port should cost around €3 (MXN 62) to the Hotel Zone and €5 (MXN 104) to the Romantic Zone.
How to get a taxi in the Hotel Zone
If you’re at the Hotel Zone, you will find several taxi stands along Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio. There’s one opposite St. Javier Hospital and three more around the Unidad Deportiva Agustín Flores Contreras Stadium.
If you’re closer to the city center than the Hotel Zone, you can head to Sitio 40 on Fidel Velázquez near the Macroplaza Puerto Vallarta Shopping Mall.
A taxi within the Hotel Zone costs around €2.40 (MXN 50) and from there to the Romantic Zone it costs around €4 (MXN 83).
How to get a taxi in the Romantic Zone
If you’re in the Romantic Zone, you can grab a taxi from Sitio 4 near Los Muertos Beach, at the corner of Francisca Rodríguez and Olas Altas. If you’re away from the beach, you can head to Sitio 9 at the corner of Insurgentes and Venustiano Carranza.
A taxi within the Romantic Zone should cost less than €2.40 (MXN 50) for 3 passengers.
Popular Puerto Vallarta taxi apps
A Puerto Vallarta taxi app can come in handy when you don’t see any taxis around and you wish for someone to pick you up from your current location. The most popular apps used in Puerto Vallarta are Uber, DiDi, and InDrive. Note that even though taxi apps give you a fixed quote upfront, it can be higher than a regular taxi and availability can be limited during peak hours.
To ensure reliable door-to-door service 24/7 at a fixed fare, you can always choose Welcome Pickups for your airport transfer or any other ride around Puerto Vallarta. You can easily pre-book any transfer online via Welcome’s website or traveler app and enjoy peace of mind during your trip.
Useful Puerto Vallarta taxi numbers
Another option to get a taxi in Puerto Vallarta is to order one over the phone. If you’re staying at a hotel, the concierge can easily arrange a ride for you but keep in mind that they may affiliate with private companies, resulting in higher fares.
If you decide to call a taxi Puerto Vallarta number yourself, note that it’s more common to call a taxi stand (‘Sitio’) instead of a specific company. Although an English-speaking representative isn’t always available, you can still give it a go if you don’t wish to get a taxi from the street; just make sure to give the correct pickup address to avoid additional charges.
The following numbers correspond to different taxi stands around the city:
- Sitio 23 (Hotel Zone): +52 (322) 222 9401
- Sitio 9 (Romantic Zone): +52 (322) 222 2422
- Sitio 40 (City Center): +52 (322) 224 8585
Benefits of pre-booking your taxi in Puerto Vallarta
Although you can easily find a taxi in Puerto Vallarta during the day, securing a ride late at night can be challenging, especially in less busy areas. By pre-booking your Puerto Vallarta taxi, you can ensure reliable door-to-door service 24/7 anywhere around the city and save valuable time when you need to reach your next destination.
With a top-rated provider like Welcome Pickups, you can arrange everything in advance and enjoy peace of mind throughout your trip. You will have an English-speaking driver pick you up, 24/7 customer support in case you need any further assistance, and a fixed fare without any hidden fees that you will pay upfront. It’s the best way to relax and make the most of your vacation in Puerto Vallarta!
Puerto Vallarta taxi tips
- Don't get in a taxi without agreeing on the price with the driver upfront to avoid being overcharged.
- Many taxi drivers don’t speak English fluently so try to learn a few basic words or write down anything important in Spanish.
- Make sure to avoid unregistered drivers who are looking to scam tourists. Official taxis are yellow in the city and white at the airport with a taxi sign on the rooftop.
- Some hotels affiliate with specific taxi operators who may offer more expensive rides compared to taking a taxi from the street. You can ask around to compare the typical fares for the same route.
- Paying for your Puerto Vallarta taxi by credit card or debit card isn’t always an option; it’s best to confirm with the driver upfront if you don’t carry any Pesos.
- Tipping your taxi driver in Puerto Vallarta is customary; a 20% tip of the total fare is usually the norm for good service.
- Taxis in Puerto Vallarta don’t carry baby/child seats as standard but you can usually fit in yours. Alternatively, you can pre-book your ride online and request a seat.
Wheelchair-accessible taxi in Puerto Vallarta
Even though you can probably fit a foldable wheelchair in the trunk of a regular taxi, finding an accessible taxi service in Puerto Vallarta is highly unlikely. If you require a fully accessible vehicle during your trip, you need to make arrangements in advance to secure safe and reliable transportation. Superior Tours Vallarta is a specialized operator offering pickups from the airport, cruise terminal, or any hotel around the city with fully accessible vans equipped with hydraulic lifts. You can text them on WhatsApp at +52 (322) 135 8055 or contact them via their official website.
Puerto Vallarta taxi safety and complaints
Taxi service in Puerto Vallarta is usually safe if you only take official taxis and avoid unlicensed drivers. Showing the taxi driver that you know the average taxi rates is a good way to avoid being overcharged.
However, if you wish to file a complaint against your driver for scam attempts, unprofessional behavior, or reckless driving, you can call the local Traffic Police at +52 (322) 2900507. Make sure to take down your driver’s name, registration number, and license plate and, if possible, ask for a receipt to have all the details about the ride in one place.