Puerto Vallarta Airport Plane

How to get an UBER from Puerto Vallarta Airport?

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Let’s start off by answering the most important question. Can I order an Uber from the Puerto Vallarta Airport? The short answer is: yes! You can. Well, maybe not right from the airport, but you’ll see at the end of this article that it’s pretty much the same thing. There are still a lot of taxi drivers and airport shuttles, but if you choose this option, you may end up spending more money than you need to.

So, you might be wondering how to get an Uber from Puerto Vallarta Airport. Well, it’s easy once you know how, but you should be ready ahead of time because Uber isn’t allowed to pick you up directly from the Puerto Vallarta airport. Don’t worry, it’s not that complicated, and we’ll show you step-by-step how to do it. Let’s get to it!

DOWNLOAD THE UBER APP BEFOREHAND

This should go without saying, but make sure you have the Uber app downloaded ahead of time in case the airport wifi is not working properly or your connection is too slow to do it properly at your destination. Also, if you have never used Uber before, you should familiarize yourself with the app to make the process of calling an Uber at the Puerto Vallarta Airport much smoother.

There is free wifi at the Puerto Vallarta airport, but it is only available for 30 minutes, so don’t spend that time looking at funny cat memes and then forget to schedule your ride.

Funny Uber Cat Meme
via cheezburger.com

You can also use the Airalo app, which lets you purchase a temporary eSIM mobile data plan when traveling abroad. This is a really easy way to stay connected when traveling abroad, and it’s a great way to make sure you’ll always have access to the internet when you need it. I have checked the current Airalo prices and found that you can get two data plans in Mexico: a 1GB plan for $9.50 or a 3GB plan for $27.

Airalo App Mexico

Tip: Whenever you travel abroad, always make sure to use a VPN to encrypt your online activity and hide your data from hackers who often lurk on public wifi networks. Our favorite choice is Surfshark, which is easy to download and an absolute must-have if you want to stay private and secure online.

PUERTO VALLARTA AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION + WARNING ⚠️ 

When you arrive at the Puerto Vallarta Airport, you have several transportation options, including taxis, shuttles, and buses, but there is one thing you should be aware of to avoid being taken advantage of right away before we get into the main topic. It’s called the Shark Tank.

What is the Shark Tank, then? Well, as you pass through all of the immigration officers and pick up your bags, you will notice many people trying to wave you down and offer you things on your way towards the exit. They often try to offer you a free ride to your hotel if you listen to their “short” presentation. Do not accept this offer! Just smile and keep on going. Or don’t smile, but the best thing to do is still to keep on going. They’re trying to sell you a timeshare, so the best thing to do is put your horse blinders on and walk right past them.
timeshare funny meme
via quickmeme.com
As if that wasn’t enough, as soon as you step outside the airport, you’ll notice another group of people. These are frequently the drivers who are picking someone up or who will try to wave you down to offer you a ride. And while you can use them to get to your destination, it will most likely cost you twice or three times as much as taking an Uber.

TIP: Personally, I don't like to ignore people, so what we did to avoid being bothered by anyone was to follow a large group of people who looked as if they knew where they were going. It turned out that they were actually heading straight to the bus station and the Uber pick-up location! The drivers seemed to know that these people weren't even worth their time, so it appears that all you have to do is walk as if you know where you are going and they'll leave you alone.

GETTING AN UBER FROM THE PUERTO VALLARTA AIRPORT

Now that you know the most important details, I’ll walk you through the entire process of how to get an Uber from the Puerto Vallarta Airport. At first, when I found out that Uber can’t pick you up right at the airport, I thought it would be way too much hassle to try to figure out where to go and to walk through the city with all of our luggage. But trust me when I say that there is nothing easier than getting Uber from Puerto Vallarta airport. Well, maybe getting an Uber directly from the airport. Anyway…
Because Uber drivers are not allowed to pick up passengers directly from the Puerto Vallarta Airport you will want to follow these directions:

DIRECTIONS: The first thing you will do after you walk outside the airport is turn left, pass all of the divers trying to offer you the much more expensive ride, and turn left again after you reach the end of the building. Following that, you will notice a pedestrian bridge that goes over the road; you want to cross that bridge, and once you are on the other side and see the bus stop, that is where your Uber will pick you up from. Well, right behind the bus stop.

Puerto Vallarta Airport Uber Pickup
turn left, pass all of the divers trying to offer you the much more expensive ride, and turn left again after you reach the end of the building.
Puerto Vallarta Airport Uber Pickup
after you turn left, you will notice a pedestrian bridge that goes over the road
Puerto Vallarta Airport Uber Pickup Bridge
you want to cross that bridge
WHERE TO MEET YOUR UBER DRIVER?

Before you get picked up, your driver will most likely give you a call to coordinate the correct pickup location. It is usually behind this bus stop, which you can see in the picture below. All you have to do is walk a little further, and that’s where they’ll stop and pick you up to take you to your destination.
Puerto Vallarta Airport Uber Pickup Location
once you are on the other side, you will see little restaurants, shops, and the bus stop. Right behind the bus stop and the power pole is where your Uber will pick you up from.

Tip: If you don't have an international data plan, you can use the Airalo app to purchase international data or the airport's 30 minutes of free wifi to call Uber. From there, it should take you about 5 minutes to get to the Uber pick-up location.

STORY TIME: If you think that drivers who want to give you a ride ends at the airport, you couldn’t be more mistaken. Once we got across the bridge and were waiting for our Uber to arrive, another “Uber driver” came up to us and said he could take us wherever we wanted to go, but it would have to be off the app.

If that ever happens to you, I would strongly suggest that you don’t take this offer because you have no way of knowing if it is genuine and there are a lot of things that could go wrong. It’s definitely not worth it for a $1 savings, and unless you know and trust the driver, you should always use Uber through the app.

HOW MUCH DOES UBER COST IN PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO? 🇲🇽 

So, how much does Uber cost in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico? Well, Uber in Puerto Vallarta is extremely affordable. Most of our short-distance rides cost around 60 pesos, which is about $3 US dollars. Our drive from the airport did cost us a little bit more due to the distance, and it was a whopping 169 pesos, which is about $8 USD. If you want to save even more money, you can always take the bus. A one-way trip usually costs between 10 pesos and 25 pesos, which is about $0.50 US to $1.25 US.

We’ve decided to use Uber over a bus while exploring Puerto Vallarta because we love to get around on our own schedule, the prices are affordable, and it’s easy and comfortable to get around.

TIP: One time, we were in a hurry and Uber wasn't available for a long time due to the rush hours, so we decided to take a taxi, which, to our surprise, turned out to be much cheaper than Uber at that time. There are times when Uber prices go up (it is called "surge pricing"—meaning that the prices are higher during the rush hours). If you want to make sure you get the best price possible, you should check the Uber app often to see what the standard rate should be for a specific location.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT TO GET PICKED UP?

Getting an Uber in Puerto Vallarta is definitely easy, but it may not always be as fast as in other places around the world. There is not one right answer to this question, because it all depends on the availability of the driver when you order your ride. Sometimes we would have to wait 15 minutes for the driver, and other times they would be there within a minute. And that’s just for Puerto Vallarta. Now, the story will be completely different anywhere outside of Puerto Vallarta.
Waiting for uber funny meme
via makeameme.org
We love to explore, so we would drive out of the city quite a bit. For example, we went to Jorullo Bridge or Mismaloya beach, and let me tell you, getting there was a breeze, but getting back was definitely challenging. You have to be very lucky to even find an Uber driver outside of the city.

Often, your best bet may be to take a taxi back, which could end up costing a lot more than you would like to pay. The taxi drivers are well aware that there are no cheaper options available, so they will charge you higher prices to take you to your destination. You can always go with the cheapest option and take a bus, which should cost around 10-25 pesos.
Puerto Vallarta Mexico Jorullo Bridge
Jorullo Bridge
Puerto Vallarta Mexico Mismaloya Beach
Mismaloya Beach

A FEW IMPORTANT TIPS:

#1 We met a wonderful driver in Puerto Vallarta who was always available to pick us up from places where it was nearly impossible to get a ride back. If you're traveling to Puerto Vallarta and would like to know how to get in touch with our amazing driver, you can send us a message via our Instagram (@twosolesabroad), and we'll be happy to share his contact information.

#2 If you are going to visit Sayulita City, make sure to note that Uber does not operate there, so while getting to Sayulita is sure easy, getting back may be a bit challenging and definitely pricey if you do not have transportation figured out beforehand. Once again, we're happy to share our amazing Puerto Vallarta driver's contact information.

#3 If you are going to explore the Jorullo Bridge on your own, getting an Uber back is close to impossible. There are tours that leave back to the city quite often, so if they have some spots available, they may be able to help you out and take you back to the city.

#4 Don't worry too much. Even though it might seem challenging, it really isn't. We've never really had any trouble getting back from anywhere, and there are always a lot of friendly locals who will help you out if needed. No one will leave you stranded anywhere.

IS UBER CHEAPER THAN A TAXI IN MEXICO?

Most of the time, Uber and taxis cost about the same, but it depends on where you are going and what time of day it is. Uber tends to be cheaper, especially if you’re traveling longer distances. Also, note that many taxis in Mexico don’t have meters, so it may be more convenient to take an Uber if you want to make sure you’re getting an honest rate.

WHAT IS THE INDRIVER APP?

The inDriver App is another ride-sharing app in Puerto Vallarta. We haven’t tried it because many locals advised us that this app is not regulated in Mexico, there is no insurance in case of an accident, and the drivers often drive very recklessly. We have decided to stick with Uber, but you can give it a try and let us know how it goes in the comments below!

IS LYFT AVAILABLE IN PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO? 🇲🇽 

No, Lyft is not available in Puerto Vallarta.

CAN UBER DROPP OFF AT THE PUERTO VALLARTA AIRPORT?

Anyone, including Uber, can drop you off at the Puerto Vallarta airport, so don’t worry; you won’t need a separate guide on how to be dropped off there.

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Hey! Maja & Marcel here!

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Our goal is to inspire you and simplify your travel planning by sharing practical tips from our years of traveling around the globe. Join us as we reveal unique experiences and amazing destinations through engaging travel blogs, photos, and videos.Are you ready to join our exciting and unpredictable journey?

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3 comments

Corina Burciaga March 28, 2023 - 3:27 am

I would love to have your PV driver information we are going to be there Sunday April 2 for 1 month so I could definitely use a trusted driver.

Reply
Two Soles Abroad March 28, 2023 - 4:45 am

Hi Corina! Thanks for your comment! Just shoot us a message on Instagram at @twosolesabroad or via our contact page and we will share it right away. For privacy reasons, we prefer not to share our driver personal information publicly. Thanks 💕

Reply
Steve Gerbson February 6, 2024 - 1:19 am

Would like to have your driver’s info. I do not have an Instagram account. Please use my email. Thx.

Reply