Car rental in Puerto Vallarta
You can walk the Malecon and the Romantic Zone, but almost everything that makes this coast worth the flight sits outside town. Sayulita, Punta Mita and the beaches south of the bay are far enough that three or four taxi runs will cost more than a rental.
We hand over at Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), about 10 minutes from downtown with direct access to Highway 200, the road that runs the length of the coast.
Where you pick up the car
Puerto Vallarta International Airport (Lic. Gustavo Diaz Ordaz)
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
View the location on Google Maps
We send exact meeting instructions and the opening hours matching your flight when your booking is confirmed.
Driving the Riviera Nayarit
Head north and you cross into the state of Nayarit within minutes. Watch the clock: Nayarit is one hour behind Jalisco. Visitors regularly miss dinner reservations, and occasionally flights, because of it.
- Nuevo Vallarta and Bucerias (15 to 25 minutes).
- Sayulita (approx. 45 minutes): the surf town. Parking inside the village is limited and paid, so arrive early in high season.
- San Pancho (approx. 50 minutes): minutes past Sayulita and considerably quieter.
- Punta Mita (approx. 45 minutes): beaches and golf at the tip of the peninsula.
- South towards Costalegre (from 1 hour): Boca de Tomatlan, Mismaloya and a run of quieter beaches.
Yelapa and Las Animas are reachable only by boat; drivers leave the car at Boca de Tomatlan.
Driving on this coast
Highway 200 is two lanes for much of its length and passes through towns with poorly marked speed bumps, so avoid planning long drives after dark. During the rainy season, June to October, expect standing water in places. In the Romantic Zone the streets are cobbled and narrow, where a compact is far easier than an SUV.
Which car works best in Puerto Vallarta
In the Romantic Zone the streets are cobbled, narrow and steep. A compact such as the Chevrolet Spark or Renault Logan drives and parks far more easily there than an SUV, and is more than enough for Highway 200 north to Sayulita or south along the coast.
If you plan to head up into the Nayarit sierra, or reach beaches down unpaved access roads, size up a category. Bear in mind that several southern beaches are reachable only by boat from Boca de Tomatlan, so the car stays parked that day.
Arriving at the airport
The airport sits on Highway 200, about 10 minutes from downtown and 5 from the northern hotel zone, feeding straight onto the coast road: you can head north to Nuevo Vallarta and Sayulita, or south to Mismaloya, without crossing the city. In cruise season the Malecon clogs up, and Francisco Medina Ascencio is the better way around.
Conditions at a glance
- Age: minimum 18. Drivers aged 18-24 and 65-70 pay 5 USD per day.
- Documents: a valid licence, plus a passport if you are a foreign visitor - your entry stamp allows up to 90 days.
- Payment: VISA, MASTERCARD or AMERICAN EXPRESS in the renter's name. We do not accept cash.
- Deposit: 150 USD with TT1 cover, 350 USD with LDW2, or 2,500 USD with no cover.
- Insurance: US liability insurance is not valid in Mexico, and most collision cover issued by US companies does not apply either.
Full detail on cover, deductibles, additional drivers and roadside assistance is in our frequently asked questions.
Frequently asked questions about renting in Puerto Vallarta
Is renting a car in Puerto Vallarta worth it?
If you plan to visit Sayulita, Punta Mita or the southern beaches, it is almost always cheaper and more flexible than booking separate transfers.
Is my US insurance valid in Mexico?
No. US liability insurance is not valid in Mexico, and most collision coverage issued by US companies does not apply either. Claims are governed by Mexican law.
Can I drive into Nayarit with the rental?
Yes. The Riviera Nayarit is the most common trip from Puerto Vallarta and needs no additional paperwork.
See all our frequently asked questions (Spanish).
Book your car in Puerto Vallarta
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