How to get from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta
Are you wondering how to get from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta?
Regardless of where you’re planning to head in Mexico, you’ll want to spend at least some time at the beach. Whilst the Caribbean is the most popular, the Pacific also has some idyllic spots like Puerto Vallarta.
Here you’ll find long, beautiful golden beaches filled with palm trees, as well as a variety of great restaurants and nightlife to keep you occupied. It’s also the perfect place to head off on a day tour to the incredible Marieta Islands.
Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta
In this guide we’ll explore 4 unique ways of getting from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta.
As well as this, we’ll also look at how to stay safe, when to visit and other good things to know before visiting Puerto Vallarta so you can make the most out of your trip here.
Puerto Vallarta Quick Summary:
- 📍 Where is it: Western Mexico
- 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Easy
- ⏱ Time needed: 3-5 days
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit: November/February
- 🍴 Top Food/Drink: Pescado Zarandeado, La Tuba
- 🔥 Our Favourite Gem: The Marieta Islands
Quick Answer: Although I (George) did this trip in reverse, I can still confirm that the bus was very much the best way to do this leg.
It’s the cheapest option of all costing just $30, and the buses are pretty reliable with air-conditioning and comfortable seats.
Whilst the travel time of 5 hours may put some off, the flight is not actually saving that much more time (remember; a 1 hour flight followed by 2 hours in the airport, collecting bags then getting to the centre of Guadalajara etc).
What you need to know BEFORE heading to Puerto Vallarta
Staying Safe
Whilst other bigger coastal cities (such as Cancún and Acapulco) can be hit or miss when it comes to safety, Puerto Vallarta will feel like a breath of fresh air when walking around.
Areas like Los Muertos and El Centro (near the Plaza de Armas) are the safest of all, and you can easily walk along the malecón at night with little issues. You’ll want to be careful walking on the beaches though, as they’re unlit which means there’s a risk of either being robbed or mugged.
Another concern is the sea itself, especially as the Pacific Ocean has a reputation of stronger waves and currents. Whilst this can be an issue in some beaches in areas like Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta itself is protected by the Banderas Bay, given its particular shape.
This means most beaches are safe for swimming, although it’s still worth checking out local guidance before taking the plunge.
Getting Money Out
Puerto Vallarta has been a popular holiday destination for decades, and this near-constant influx of international tourists has meant there’s many good value ATMs to use here.
Some of the very best include Banorte, Scotiabank and Banamex, which have lower withdrawal rates. These can and do change frequently, so it’s worth doing some extra research online to see the best options for you.
You’ll find many ATM’s scattered around the Hotel Zone and Marina Vallarta areas, as well as those in El Centro (a couple of blocks in-land from the Malecón).
If you are backpacking through Mexico, you’ll be glad to know that these same ATM branches are found in most destinations, which makes it ideal for travellers.
When is Best to Visit Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is situated on the Pacific Coast, and has both a dry and wet season each year.
The dry season runs from November until May, and has daily average temperatures of 71-79°F. Highs can rise up to 86°F, with evening lows dipping to around 62°F. Rainfall is really low this time of year, making it the perfect time to head to the beach. You can expect anywhere from as little as 0.1-1 inches throughout each month.
The wet season begins in late May, and continues through the summer until October. Daily average temperatures are warmer this time of year, ranging from 82-83°F. Highs can reach up to a toasty 90°F, with lows of around 74°F. Rainfall is really heavy this time of year, with anywhere from 4-10 inches of downpour each month.
This season also marks the beginning of the hurricane season, which are most likely to form from August until October. Whilst less popular, this time of year is perfect for getting cheaper flights and hotel prices.
You can read more about the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta here.
Pre-booking Transport
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to pre-book your transport when heading from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta. This is best for those who are in a rush or are on a schedule, or even those who just prefer having everything organised beforehand.
Buses can easily be booked on sites like BusBud ahead of time, whilst it’s also a good idea to pre-book your flight before arriving at Guadalajara airport too.
There’s also a private shuttle service, where you’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle directly from Point A to B saving time along the way.
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Getting from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta.
Below we will list 4 different ways of getting from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta.
Flying
This is by far the quickest method, and is ideal for those who are short on time. It takes just an hour, meaning you can easily be on the beach Puerto Vallarta in the late morning (if you get up early enough for the first departure).
The cost is also really good too, with the one-way somewhere between $35-45 (without baggage).
To be completely honest there’s no real disadvantages to this option, albeit that the travel time will be more like 3-4 hours if you factor in waiting times at the airport and so on.
Taking the Bus
Most travellers heading through Mexico will be used to the high quality buses, and here is no exception. The ride costs just $30, making it the overall cheapest option to get from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta.
The journey will take between 5-6 hours, which may put some travellers off. In our opinion it’s still worth it though, especially if you take a really early bus and can be there just after midday.
Aside from the extra travel time, we believe this is the best option to make the trip given you’ll save, and also get to see some nice countryside opposed to the flight way overhead.
Renting a Car
Those who love total freedom and independence will be wondering what renting a car is like as an option. We personally think it’s a great idea, and the roads are pretty safe and manageable once you’re out of Guadalajara.
You’ll also find there’s many awesome stops along the way, such as the Tequila distilleries and numerous ancient ruins such as those of Guachimontones. If you’ve got the extra time free before leaving, we highly recommend joining this horseback ride tour to Tequila where you’ll see the blue agave fields and also get to try many different Tequila blends.
There’s many reputable companies to hire rental cars from in Guadalajara (as well as the Jalisco region overall). Some of the best include Sixt, Europcar and Avis, who will charge roughly $20 upwards per day of rental.
Private Transfer
The least popular option of all (especially for budget travellers), will be organising a private transfer.
Having said that, it’s still a viable option, especially for families, those heading here directly from Guadalajara airport or those who just prefer having everything handled for them upon arriving in Mexico.
You can expect the ride to cost anywhere between $240-300, with the journey taking between 4/5 hours.
Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta
And that’s all for our guide on how to get from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta.
A popular Pacific beach town, Puerto Vallarta is a really great place to wind down and relax on the beach for a few days. As well as enjoying the tropical lifestyle, you can also head into the nearby jungle, eat tasty seafood and visit the stunning Marieta Islands.
In this guide we’ve looked at the 4 different ways of getting from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta. This includes the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as what we most recommend.
Also in this guide we’ve covered the most important things to know about Puerto Vallarta, which includes staying safe, taking out money and pre-booking transport.
Be sure to read our 5 Day Puerto Vallarta Itinerary to learn how to best use your time here.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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