The resort city of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is a dream destination for those seeking a sun-and-sand tropical vacation. Set along the Banderas Bay on Mexico's Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta is home to a number of beachside resorts that bring thousands of tourists to its sandy shores each year. The small city is still able to maintain an authentically Mexican feel, with cobblestone streets, colonial-style homes and laid-back restaurants serving tasty regional dishes.

Private Transfers

Many prearranged vacation tours include private transfer services to get you from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport (puertovallartaairport.com) to your hotel. You can also arrange for private transfer services yourself before you arrive in Puerto Vallarta. Companies that provide these services include Puerto Vallarta Tours (www.puertovallartatours.net), Amstar (amstardmc.com) and Superior Tours Vallarta (superiortoursvallarta.com). Most prearranged transportation includes a driver waiting for you in the arrivals area, holding a sign with your name or your group's name. You can also opt to take a shared minibus shuttle from the airport to your hotel, costing between $6 and $25, depending on how far you are going.

Airport Taxis

Taxis licensed specifically for the airport are available outside the terminal. Prices are regulated by the government and depend on the the zone you are traveling to in Puerto Vallarta. A trip to the closest zone costs about $14 and fare to the farthest zone costs about $25, at the time of publication. To take a taxi from the airport, you will need to prepurchase a ticket inside the terminal at one of the taxi booths. Let the agent at the booth know exactly where you are going and he will give you the price in pesos, then direct you where to wait for your taxi outside the airport. When you return to the airport, you can take a regular city cab. These tend to be a little less expensive than the airport ones.

Rental Cars

Several well-known car rental agencies are available at the airport if you choose to rent a car for your stay in Puerto Vallarta. This includes Hertz, Budget, Alamo and Thrifty. Smaller, local car rental services are also available. You only need your U.S. driver's license to rent a car in Puerto Vallarta, and you must be at least 25. Keep in mind that drivers used to the roads are known to be very aggressive and do not necessarily follow all driving rules. This can make driving a nerve-wracking experience for the uninitiated. If you do choose to rent a car, be sure to purchase insurance. Make sure your hotel has a secure parking lot or structure for you to park the car overnight as well.

Public Transportation

If you are looking for the cheapest transportation option for traveling from the airport, you can take a local bus from the bus stop right outside the airport under a pedestrian bridge. Many different bus companies provide bus service throughout Puerto Vallarta. There is no universal system, although the cost of a ride, about 50 cents as of publication, is regulated by the government. Keep in mind that the bus experience is not glamorous in any way -- the buses are typically very old, do not have air conditioning and get crowded. However, for the budget-savvy traveler, it gets the job done. From the airport, look for buses that are labeled "Centro," because these stop at most of the area hotels and the downtown area.

About the Author

Based in Los Angeles, Zora Hughes has been writing travel, parenting, cooking and relationship articles since 2010. Her work includes writing city profiles for Groupon. She also writes screenplays and won the S. Randolph Playwriting Award in 2004. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in television writing/producing and a Master of Arts Management in entertainment media management, both from Columbia College.

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