Electricity
Mexico uses the same electrical system as the U.S. and Canada: 120 volts (60 cycles). Outlets are also the same. That being said, most outlets in Puerto Vallarta are of the 2-prong variety, so it’s advisable to bring a few adapters so that you can plug in your 3-prong electronics (the ones with a round prong at the bottom in addition to the two rectangular prongs). If you don’t bring any, these adapters are also widely available at local supermarkets and electronics stores.
Most visitors from outside of North America will need both an adapter to change the shape of the plug and a converter to change the voltage of any appliances they bring from home.
Long-term visitors to PV should also consider investing in a voltage regulator (regulador de voltaje) to protect important electronics like computers from voltage spikes, especially during the rainy season when thunderstorms are frequent. Voltage regulators are available at office supply stores and the larger supermarkets.
Tipping
For the most part, tips (propinas) in Puerto Vallarta are similar to that in the U.S. and Canada. Many people in the tourism and service industries depend on tips to make a living. Here are some rough guidelines.
Waiter: 10% to 20%, as long as no service charge has already been added.
Bartender: 10% to 15%.
Grocery bagger: 2 to 5 pesos, depending on the number of bags.
Tour guide: 10%.
Bellhop: 10 to 20 pesos per bag.
Hotel maid: 10 to 30 pesos per day.
Taxi driver: Tips aren’t expected, but they’re appreciated if you were helped with bags.
Water
Puerto Vallarta has some of the cleanest tap water in Mexico, comparable to the tap water in the U.S. and Canada. That being said, most locals use bottled water for drinking – there are many cheap Mexican brands available in sizes all the way up to twenty liters. Tap water is fine for brushing your teeth and washing dishes. Fruits and vegetables can be washed in tap water as well, but it’s recommended that you first soak them in water with a few drops of a disinfectant like Microdyn, which is available in the produce section of most supermarkets. Look for a small blue bottle.
Time Zone
Mexico is made up of three time zones: Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST).
Most of Mexico, including Jalisco, the state that Puerto Vallarta is in, follows Central Standard Time. This is the same as Houston, Chicago, and Winnipeg.
Two things can lead to confusion. Mexico follows Daylight Savings Time, but on a slightly different schedule than the U.S. and Canada. Clocks in the U.S. and Canada move ahead on the second Sunday in March, but in Mexico, it’s not until the first Sunday in April. In the fall, clocks are turned back on the last Sunday in October in Mexico, but not until the first Sunday in November in the U.S. and Canada. In other words, Daylight Savings Time starts a few weeks earlier and ends one week later in the U.S. and Canada.
The other issue is that Nayarit, the state directly to the north that contains Nuevo Vallarta, runs on Mountain Standard Time. However, since Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta are so closely linked economically, many businesses in Nuevo Vallarta choose to use the same time as Puerto Vallarta. If you’re going to a hotel or restaurant in Nuevo Vallarta, you can ask whether they’re on Jalisco time (hora de Jalisco) or Nayarit time (hora de Nayarit) just to be safe.
Currency
Mexico’s unit of currency is the Mexican peso, indicated by the universal currency sign ($). Paper bills come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 pesos. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and the rarely seen 20 pesos. There are also coins for 10, 20, and 50 centavos (there are 100 centavos in a peso).
Larger bills can be difficult to break in small stores and restaurants. Try to keep a supply of smaller bills and coins to use for small establishments, as well as for tipping and buses.
Exchanging Money
U.S. dollars are accepted in many stores and restaurants that are geared to tourists, but you’ll almost always save money by exchanging money yourself and paying for everything in pesos. There are a number of options for exchanging.
You’ll usually get the best exchange rate at an ATM (cajero automático), especially if you take out larger amounts to make up for the transaction fee. Banks are also a good option, but not as convenient since most banks are closed on the weekends. Exchange houses (casas de cambio) have good rates, and usually have longer business hours than banks. Hotels and airports are convenient, but often offer slightly lower rates than the places mentioned above.
When exchanging money, make sure to count your pesos in front of the teller before getting out of line. Ask for any ripped or taped bills to be replaced, as they can be difficult to spend.
Alcohol
The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18. Beer, wine, and liquor are widely available in supermarkets and convenience stores.
City Buses
Cheap and convenient, taking the bus is an excellent way to see town. Rides are 6.5 pesos, and it’s rare to wait more than five or ten minutes for the appropriate bus. Bus stops are sometimes marked with blue and white signs, but not always. If in doubt, just look for a group of people waiting near a street corner. Major destinations will be written on the windshield of the bus; some common examples are Wal-Mart, Centro (Downtown), Marina, and Aeropuerto (Airport). Also, you can always ask the driver if he’s going past your destination.
Pay the driver as soon as you get on the bus. Of course, giving smaller amounts of money is best, but many drivers will make change for 50 or even 100 pesos if you’re in a pinch. Along with your change, you’ll usually be given a ticket – hold onto this until you get off, as inspectors occasionally get on the bus and check passengers’ tickets.
If there are no seats available, hold onto one of the bars. Rides can be bumpy.
During your ride, don’t be surprised if musicians or clowns get on the bus and perform. After they’re done, they’ll walk down the aisle, collecting money. You’re under no obligation to give any money, but if you enjoyed the performance, a few pesos are always appreciated. People will also sometimes try to sell things like magazines, candy, or herbal remedies on the bus. You’re welcome to look at the products before you buy. If you’re not interested, a simple “No, gracias” is all you need.
When you’re ready to get off the bus, either push one of the red buttons marked “timbre,” or pull the cord. Both are located above the windows. The driver will let you off at the next stop.
