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*Pretty Valuable Information
- Surviving the Airport!
- Getting to the Inn
- Dinero (Money)!
- Health Issues
- Propinas (Gratuities)
- Keeping in touch while away
- Checking Out the Area
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Surviving the Airport!
Welcome to Mexico! If this is your first visit (or even if it isn't), you will probably
find the following information very helpful! Things work a little differently here!
The following information is for your benefit, with a little advanced knowledge in
you suitcase; you can enjoy your vacation without worries!
- Immigration: The first Mexican airport you land in is where you will go
through immigration. This may be in Puerto Vallarta, or it may be in another city
depending on your flight. Regardless of the city, the procedures will be the same.
They will want to check your identification and see that you have correctly filled
out the tourist card, which you should have been given either at check in or onboard
the plane. You will have one declaration form per family (see customs section) and
one tourist card for each person in your party. Be sure to keep your copy of
the tourist card...you will need to turn it in when you leave. We suggest keeping
it with your airline tickets in your safe in your room. You will not need it anywhere
in town, but you will need it to go home! If you are going through immigrations
in another city, you will now board your next plane to Puerto Vallarta. If you are
going through immigrations in Puerto Vallarta, you will proceed directly to customs.
- Customs: After you pick up your bags, you will proceed to customs. There
you will hand in the declaration form on which you have stated whether you have
anything to declare, like large sums of money, pets, produce, or items of a value
that exceed the $300 USD per person limit. You need only one form per family and
you do not keep a copy of this one. You will then be asked to press a large
button, again only 1 person for the whole family, to see if you get the red or the
green light. Just like a traffic signal, if you get the green you pass through and
if you get the red, you must stop and have your bags searched.
- Timeshare Traps!: Leaving the customs area you pass through glass sliding
doors into the reception room. Don't stop to look at the lovely pictures or listen
to the "free taxi" or "government sponsored" pitch. There
is no such thing as a free taxi! This is "Timeshare Trap #1"! Exit
thru the sliding doors to the left. If you have scheduled an airport transfer with
us, you can expect to see the driver waiting there with your name sign. If you do
not have a pick up scheduled, we find it works best to just say friends are picking
you up, so you do not need a ride. It's a lie, we know, but then again, so is their
free taxi gimmick.
- Money Exchange: Through out the airport reception hall and there will be
others offering you deals for transports. Stick to the "friends are picking
us up" line for minimum hassle. Straight ahead, you will see doors leading
out to the highway and 2 ticket booths for securing taxis. You will head out these
doors if you are going to try the City Taxi route (see City Cabs). Otherwise, look
to your right and spot the Duty Free shop. Just past the Duty Free is a little café,
and then the bathrooms. Past the bathrooms, but before the car rental booth, near
mid-point in the building, is an American Express money exchange and a Banamex ATM
machine. You will get your best exchange rates here. Skip the exchange places
you see on your left immediately after escaping Timeshare Trap #1. The ATM you may
have seen in that area will charge to major credit cards, but you can expect to
see some major fees attached. Get some pesos before leaving the airport. As of mid
January, 2005, the exchange rate at the American Express booth was around $11 Pesos
to $1 US Dollar. Most vendors and restaurants will gladly accept US dollars, but
the exchange rate will not be in your favor. Just for ease of figuring, you will
most likely get only 10 to 1 from a vendor. And since there are no cambios (exchange
houses) near Casa Mirador, you should plan on exchanging enough money to last you
at least your first day.
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Getting to the Inn
You made it into Mexico, now you need to get to us! The following tips are for your
benefit. All of the options may seem like a bit of work, but again, a little know
how can save you from being ripped off. Remember, things work a little different here!
- Airport Transfer: (easiest) We can arrange for an airport transfer on your
behalf. The transfer is $22 for 2 people, paid in advance with your lodging, and
includes the driver's gratuity for helping you to the room with your luggage. Each
additional person is $8.
- Airport Cabs: (easy, but takes some persistence) Welcome to Mexico, starting
now, you will need to stand your ground to get a fair deal. Your best bet for getting
the best available rate is at the ticket booths by the exit doors. Here you will
need to ask for a cab to Lindo Mar for the number of people in your party (Lindo
Mar is the resort right next to Casa Mirador and is your best bet for directing
taxis, both from the airport and during your stay.). Tell them that you want the
government approved rate of $180 Pesos for 2. You may or may not get that rate,
but you should not have to pay more than $200 Pesos. You can always try the booth
next door if they insist that the rate is higher than $200 Pesos.
- City Cabs: (cheaper, but not for those with a lot of luggage) Airport taxis
really do have higher approved rates than City Cabs, because you are paying for
the driver to return to the airport empty. IF you don't have a lot of luggage AND
you want to reduce your fare, AND you don't mind a bit more haggling, you can take
a yellow City Cab. City Cabs are not allowed to do pickups on the airport grounds,
so you will need to get yourself and your bags across the highway. There is a nice
pedestrian walkway for this. Exit straight out the glass doors to get to the ramp.
First, get some pesos as explained above. Negotiating in pesos is always best. Then
head out across the highway. The approved rate from Casa Mirador/Lindo Mar to the
airport is $80 Pesos. One would think the rate would be the same coming the opposite
direction, right? Well, those clever cabbies know you have to pay at least $180
Pesos inside, so they do their best to get as close to that as they can. You will
need to do some negotiating. Let them know that you know the rate from Lindo Mar
to the airport is only $80 Pesos. You won't get that, but it should help bring you
down to a more acceptable rate than $180 Pesos. By the way, City Cab rates are the
same for 1-4 people. Once away from the airport, City Cabs are very reliable and
do follow the rates set by the government. For example, it will be $30 Pesos for
you to take a cab from the Inn to town, and you don't have to worry about getting
ripped off. (Note Cab fare increases were approved in Feb. 05 by the City and will
change soon. Many cabbies are already charging the newer rates, which have not been
released to the public as of yet).
- City Busses: (cheapest, challenging, and for the back pack traveler only!)
For the backpack only traveler, you can also use City Buses. There is a bus stop
just outside the terminal, near the pedestrian walkway. Get a bus that says Olas
Altas on the window to get to the south side of town. The cost is $4 Pesos each.
Once south of town, you will need to catch the Mismaloya/Boca bus at the corner
of Basilio Badilla and Constitution Streets. The cost is $4.5 Pesos. Tell the driver
you are going to Lindo Mar but also watch for the Oxxo convenience store on your
right, about a mile south of town. After passing the Oxxo, ring the bell and the
driver will stop at the next stop. Casa Mirador will be a short walk up ahead. If
you miss the signal, and pass by restaurant El Set and Lindo Mar on the right, ring
the bell immediately. There is a stop just 5 houses past Casa Mirador. You can get
off there and walk back. We wouldn't suggest this route unless you have been to
Mirador before and really travel light. BUT the cost is only 79 cents per person
if you are game. Optionally, you could take the bus into town...any El Centro bus
will do, and then take a cab from there to Casa Mirador/Lindo Mar for $30 Pesos.
Total cost for 2 using that method would be $3.42!
- Driving: To reach us from the airport by car. Exit the airport heading
south (driving away from the airport)…do not take the left hand turn (returno)
which will circle you around to the north (this would put you on the highway passing
in front of the airport). At the stop light by the Commercial Mexicana shopping
plaza, merge left into the south bound traffic. Up to this point things are fairly
poorly marked, but it gets better from here on!
You can just follow along this highway (Highway 200 which has lots of other names)
thru the downtown area. You will run into cobble stone streets and pass thru the
town area where there are many touristy shops (Hard Rock Café, Hooters etc)
on one side and the ocean on the other. You will then pass over a bridge and into
the old town section. 5 blocks ahead, all traffic will turn left onto Basilio Badillo
Street. Go 2 blocks on Basilio to the stop light and turn right. This will put you
back onto Highway 200 heading south and it will be two-way traffic. Proceed approximately
one mile to the B&B. You will pass the first entrance to Conchas Chinas on the
left, a small OXXO market on the right, the second entrance to Conchas Chinas on
the left, El Set Restaurant on the right, and then Lindo Mar on the right. Our parking
and Lindo Mar's are the same…we have the last 3 spaces on the south end. There
is a brick arch and a bell to ring. Please ring the bell so the staff knows you
have arrived. Check-in is at the mid-level, by the pool.
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Dinero (Money)!
Everybody needs it, here are the best ways to get it, and carry it, while in PV! Don't
be afraid to operate in pesos. You will get your best deals this way, and we can help
you cipher until you get the hang of it!
- ATM's: ATM machines are readily available in Puerto Vallarta, but there
are none south of town (near us). Remember when using these machines that the amount
you select is in Pesos, not Dollars, so if you request $100, you will get about
$10 US Dollars. You would have to select $1,000 to get about $100 US Dollars. ATM's
often offer the best exchange rate, and we suggest using this method of exchanging/receiving
money over all others. There are safes in each of our units that you can use to
store extra cash.
- Traveler's Checks: Traveler's Checks are accepted for exchange at banks
and exchange houses, but not normally for purchases. Some banks may require extra
proof of identity to cash Traveler's Checks, and the exchange rate is not nearly
as good as what you would get from an ATM or by exchanging dollars. For this trip,
we suggest sticking to bringing cash or using ATM machines.
- Credit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are accepted in Puerto Vallarta, but
American Express and Discover are not. You will be surprised at how much cash you
will use in PV vs. credit cards. Only the larger restaurants and shops will accept
credit cards, the rest (including most of our top recommendations) are cash only.
We recommend selecting one credit card to use for purchases while on vacation so
that your transactions can be easily traced and monitored once you return home.
We also suggest calling your credit card company before you leave to let them know
you will be using that card while out of the country. We have frequently seen banks
deny purchases after a few uses in an effort to control fraud. We NEVER suggest
using a debit card for purchases (other than withdrawing money from an ATM) as should
there be an incident of fraud, it is much more difficult to trace and recoup your
loss.
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Health Issues
Ok, let's be frank....You may experience some "digestive" issues while in
Mexico. Our experience has been the old "Montezuma" is a little over rated,
but here are a few tips to keep you in the fun and sun!
- Think Pink!: Most people are not affected by the change in foods, but if
you know that you have a sensitive stomach, we suggest purchasing some Pepto Bismal
before you come...liquid, capsule, or chewable tablet, whatever you prefer (the
chewable ones travel well). Pepto is the most effective remedy for mild cases of
tummy trouble. You can even take it preventively if you are prone to stomach trouble
when you travel. 1 chewable 3 times a day, starting the day before you arrive, should
do it. There is apparently a mild antibiotic in the bismuth that does the trick.
You can buy it here, but it will cost more than at home...although you do get a
cherry flavor here, rather than that nauseating unknown mint! If you are traveling
with small children who can not take Pepto, a serving of yogurt a day helps increase
their "good" bacteria, aiding their immune system and helping them adjust
to food changes as well.
- Hand Sanitizer: Next to Pepto, wash your hands! Most restaurants bring
wonderful fresh salsa and chips to your table, compliments of the house! That and
a nice cold Corona are just the ticket after prowling thru the market for great
take-home deals! Just don't "eat" everything you looked at by crunching
that yummy chip before washing your hands. We recommend a little travel bottle of
hand sanitizer...it even comes in little single use packets, perfect for keeping
in your pocket... for a quick hand wash. And, since drinks, snacks, and even full
meals can be delivered right to your chair on the beach, it is easy to indulge without
thinking twice. If you keep a travel size hand sanitizer in your beach bag you can
wash your hands anytime without ever having to leave the beach!
- Water: Puerto Vallarta has a state of the art water purification system.
Unfortunately, the pipes that carry the water are not so "state of the art".
Therefore, we suggest that you do not drink the water that comes from the tap. Bottled
water is standard everywhere you go. All restaurants use bottled water (even for
the ice), and will automatically serve you bottled water if you just ask for water.
Please note, restaurants and hotels are delivered 5 gallon water bottles of water,
not individual bottles, so your "bottled water" will most likely be served
to you already in a glass. There is no need to pay the extra charge to have a bottle
brought to the table.
- Pharmacies: All medicines except narcotics are available over the counter
in Mexico. If Pepto doesn't cure what ails ya', we will suggest that you get to
the local pharmacist who will prescribe the correct medicine. Also, if you have
medication you normally take in the States, you might want to check the prices here.
Often it is considerably cheaper.
- Allergies: If you have seasonal allergies, you might want to bring along
your preferred allergy medicine. Remember that even though it is winter up north,
things are blooming here! Again, most medicines are available over the counter if
you prefer the wait and see approach.
- Doctors and Hospitals: PV has a large number of well trained, English speaking
doctors and dentists just in case you need them. The same goes for hospitals. If
you require care at one of the hospitals, you will need to pay via credit card for
the bill. You will be given a detailed, printed receipt with all the correct information
for your insurance company to reimburse you when you get home. To our knowledge,
none of our guests who have required treatment have had any trouble with the care
they received or their insurance coverage once they got home
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Propinas (Gratuities)
The Mexican people are friendly and eager to help you. They enjoy it, really!! But
that does not mean they also do not enjoy receiving a tip for their services. The
tip, "propina" in Spanish, is the recognized way of saying thank you. It
is not so much the amount, as it is the thought that counts. Tips can be in Pesos
or Dollars, but please NO American/Canadian coins, as they are not exchangeable here,
even in the banks, and thus hold no value. Below are some guidelines for who you should
tip, and how much.
- House Staff: At Casa Mirador, we have two full time staff members to assist
you, one full time massage therapist, and your Innkeepers! Sara provides housekeeping
services, and will also tend to any laundering needs you may have. Roman is also
on site daily to help with housekeeping, general maintenance, and pool maintenance.
If there is anything you need, you can feel free to ask for their assistance. Roman
speaks English well, but Sara's English is limited. The general rule for tipping
the house staff is $2 per day for Sara and $1 per day for Roman. Laundering services
are available for $20 Pesos per load. Marcela is our full time massage therapist.
She speaks fluent English, and would also be happy to help you with any questions
you may have. For Marcela, the only gratuities would be for any spa services you
have (see salon staff below), unless she has done something special, and you feel
it necessary. Guests during the Winter and Spring will be welcomed by Innkeepers
Lynda and Joe Petty, the Inn's owners. In the Summer and Fall, Innkeepers Kristin
and Pablo, are on site to assist you. Guests are never expected to tip the Innkeepers.
- Waiters/Waitresses: Gratuities for wait staff are comparable to gratuities
here. The standard tip is 15%, 20% for exceptional service. As you will likely be
serviced by many people through out your meal, you can expect that the gratuity
you leave will be divided between all of them. Also know that in Mexico, going out
to eat is an event. You will NEVER be offered the check until you ask for it! Do
not assume that the waiter/waitress is being rude or ignoring you, this is simply
customary. When you are ready for your bill, simply signal the waiters with a small
wave, and ask for "la cuenta" (pronounced "la kwenta").
- Taxi Drivers: Unlike here, it is not necessary to tip taxi drivers unless
they perform a service for you (help you with your luggage; wait for you while you
exchange money or get something from a store, etc.). If they do, then your tip should
be appropriate to the amount of service they provided for you ($2 for waiting, $3-$5
for helping with luggage, depending on how much luggage you have).
- Airport Porters: We figure about $1 per bag is a reasonable tip for airport
porters if you use their services. $5 or $50 pesos should be your maximum tip unless
you have an excessive amount of baggage (see note about steps before even considering
"excessive" baggage!!)
- Salon Staff: Similar to the US, the standard tip for salon services (massage
therapy, hair cuts, pedicures etc…) is 10-15%.
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Keeping in Touch While Away
Whether you need to contact them, or they need to contact you, here are a few helpful
thoughts to keep you connected!
- Internet/E-mail: Internet Cafés are prevalent in Puerto Vallarta.
For a nominal fee, you can use their high speed computers to surf the web, check
your email, etc. If you have a laptop which you intend to bring with you, wireless
internet is available at the Inn. We only offer wireless service, as there are not
individual hook ups in the units. If you could care less about your email while
you are on vacation, but would still like to leave an email address for important
matters or emergencies, you can leave Innkeeper@CasaMirador.net, as we check that
email each morning, and occasionally through out the day, for messages. Have the
sender put your name in the subject line, and we will save that message for you
to read at your convenience.
- Calling Home: Casa Mirador is happy to offer free calls home (to
the USA and Canada) as often as you wish! The following phone number may be left
for emergency contact: (269) 216-4156. This is a US phone number, and can be used
with no international fees when calling from the US. Nominal international fees
may apply for those calling from Canada.
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Checking Out the Area
- Car Rental: We suggest you wait and see if you really want a car before
booking one for the week. Cabs are cheap, don't require you to find a parking place
and the drivers generally know where they are going! There are relatively few places
of interest within a day's drive of Puerto Vallarta, so one day to explore the north
side of the bay is probably plenty of car rental time for a 1-2 week stay. Buses
also transport people out to the North Bay, and can be a fun and interesting way
to see the surrounding areas.
- Tours: There are many different tours and tour companies in Puerto Vallarta.
If there is something you are interested in doing while in PV, just ask. We can
make tour arrangements on your behalf, as well as help you decide which tours would
be most enjoyable for you. When we book tours in advance, we receive the greatest
discount, which we can in turn pass on to you. While we can book tours for you just
a day or two in advance, the discount we receive, and can pass on, is substantially
less. Another thing to keep in mind is that some tour operators will not accept
credit cards for payment, and those who do will undoubtedly charge a 6% service
fee to do so. We do not charge service fees to pay your lodging costs with your
credit card, so you can again save money by adding your tour in advance!
- Curves!: PV has a great Curves! on the south side of town. If you are a
member be sure to request a free 30 day visitor's pass and you can check it out.
If you are considering joining, the rate here is rock bottom and as long as you
get in 3 workouts during your stay, your monthly rate will be locked in to the $29
PV rate.
- Wal-Mart & Sam's Club: We have both! If you are members of Sam's Club
in the States, and want to check it out, bring your card. It is fun to compare our
Sam's to yours, and some of the deals can't be beat! Next door to Sam's Club is
Wal-Mart. Be sure to check out the fresh seafood department if you have never seen
fresh (whole!) octopus for sale!! Sorry, no Costco's yet.
- Movies: Vallarta has 3 nice movie theaters with a fourth in the works.
Movies are current US hits in English with Spanish sub-titles and half the price
of home!
- Water Parks: North of PV is Splash!, PV's biggest water park. Tickets are
available at the door for $10-$12.
- Beach Vendors: Fun? Yes! Annoying? Sometimes! Enjoy the beach vendors,
they love to haggle! If you are not interested, simply don't make eye contact with
them, or say "No, Gracias" or "No, Thank you" and they won't
bother you again. But let them catch you sneaking a peek at their merchandise, and
you've opened the door to a fun bout of bartering!
- Bartering: The Mexican's love to make deals! Most business (not just beach
vending!) in Mexico is done by striking deals, this is customary! As a general rule,
if it has a price on it, it's a fixed price, if it isn't priced, feel free to deal!
To barter, begin by asking how much the item costs. To which, you will offer about
half in response. Undoubtedly, the seller will then tell you how special the item
is, or how it is hand made, etc, etc… and then offer a price higher than your
offer, but lower than his first offer. You can then come back with an offer higher
than your original and lower than his second offer, and so on and so forth. We suggest
first having an idea of how much you would really spend for the item in question,
and then working your way towards it. If the seller agrees to your offer, you are
pretty much obligated to purchase it. Bartering should never be insulting. For the
Mexican's it is fun, if it is not fun for you, stick to the stores with price tags
on their stuff! To insult someone's merchandise is down right rude, and will only
make you, and your fellow countrymen, look bad.
- Timeshares: Speaking of rude….actually the timeshare "sharks"
in PV are far less persistent and annoying than they are in places like Vegas (if
you've been there, you know what I mean!). Usually, you just need to smile and say
"No thank you" and that is all. But, as with the beach vendors, stop to
look at what they have to offer, and expect them to do everything they can to sign
you up! They will say all sorts of creative things to get you to make eye contact.
A young couple walking down the street can expect to hear something like "Hello
honeymooners!" to get their attention, or create the opportunity to engage
in conversation. If they do get you to stop, and you can't seem to get away, tell
them that you do not have a credit card, or that you are leaving "tomorrow".
Those are sure fire deal breakers!
- Temperatures: Puerto Vallarta is on the same latitude as Hawaii. One can
expect the warmest months to visit to be July through October, with highs in the
upper 90's and lows in the upper 70's. February , March, and April are the coolest
months to visit, with highs in the low to mid 80's, and lows in the upper 60's to
low 70's. June through September is considered the "rainy season", with
September being the rainiest month of them all. During the rainy season, daily afternoon
showers can be expected, with occasional days of storms. Though storms can ruin
a day at the beach, they also contribute to the lush foliage and fresh fruit, which
is prevalent during these months. The storms coming in off of the ocean can also
be amazing sites! One more tip….don't always believe what online weather sites
say the forecast is. The Weather Channel's website always shows PV to be overcast
or cloudy, when in reality; it's a beautiful sunny day! Check our link on the home
page to a local forecasting site for a more accurate forecast.
- What to bring/wear: Think comfort! You will have the opportunity to do
lots of walking, shopping, browsing, and sight seeing, so be prepared! With the
exception of a few fancy restaurants, there is no place in PV where you couldn't
go in shorts and tennis shoes or sandals. Forget the heels and light duty sandals;
the cobblestones make them uncomfortable if not dangerous! A light sweater for the
evenings in the winter is a good idea. Sunscreen is a must! Don't waste a good vacation
on a bad sunburn! Most people get burned while walking around town, not thinking
that the sun on their unprotected arms and backs is the same sun that they lather
sunscreen on for at the beach!
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For more info about Puerto Vallarta, we recommend the following sites:
www.VallartaSource.com
www.VallartaInfo.com
The above information was compiled by the employees of Casa
Mirador, and is strictly for informative purposes. The thoughts and suggestions above
are strictly our opinions.
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