Expert: Tom Plattenberger - 5/7/2009

Question
I am coming to PV on May 16 and will be staying in Nuevo Vallarta. I will then be moving to the Amapas area the following week (yes, I will be a PV resident soon) but will do my condo inspection the Monday after arrival.  I had heard there was a charity that would pick one up at the airport for a donation...do you know about this?  Also is there a bus from Nuevo Vallarta to down town PV? How much does it cost and how long will it take (I think it's around a 20 minute ride...is that right?) Thanks for any help you give me...I usually have been staying in Conchas Chinas so Nuevo Vallarta is new for me.

Answer
Hia Joanne...

Congratulations on your new condo!

Sorry, your question is mostly outside my area of expertise.

What I do know is, the licensing authorities at PVR have really cracked down on unlicensed airport pickups.  I have never heard of the free service you speak of.  If it was in fact, available at one time, it might not still be.

Yes, there are several different classes of buses that run between Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta but I am unsure where you catch one from the airport and not sure where they drop you in Nuevo Vallarta.

Until you get your feet on the ground, I suggest you take an airport taxi to your destination.  Once there, you will find many friendly locals who will get you up to speed on using the buses, colectivos, etc.

If you do not have too much luggage, from the airport, you can walk over the pedestrian overpass and down the other side and catch a taxi from there.  These taxis are less expensive than the ones right outside the airport doors.  The ones right at the airport doors should cost you about (just guessing here) 300 Pesos.

Good luck in your new adventure.

Tom