Cassidy

We're going to Puerto next wk and will be heading to San Pancho (San Francisco) for a couple of days. We were planning on taking a cab there from the airport and then another one to Puerto, where we'll be staying for the rest of the trip. Since we want to check out the other towns, etc around San Pancho, it probably makes more sense to rent a car. I don't feel like being attacked by any judgemental readers, I really would just value an honest opinion. I had a very bad experience yrs ago in the Caribbean, where we were chase by another car with a gun. I know the chances of it happening again are slim, but the memory is holding me back. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Little_Man

hi. We rented a car in PV last summer, and enjoyed it. Driving in PV is like any big city, and Mexican signage is not the best, but my hubby is an excellent driver and had no problems. Once you get away from the airport and the big city, which will take only a few minutes, driving around this area is pretty smooth sailing.
Just always make sure to have a full tank of gas; and be careful where you drive and park to avoid nails, construction stuff left on the small dirt streets of places like Sayulita.
We felt quite safe, Mexicans are generally very gracious and kind. This is not at all a dangerous area of Mexico, as far as I know.

suze

A couple things...

I have never heard of people having problems with personal or road safety in the area surrounding Puerto Vallarta.

But if you don't want to rent a car or pay for a taxi, there is bus service as a reasonable alternative to all those towns on the coast to the north.

If you decide to take a taxi a long distance directly from the airport, you can save money if you leave the airport on foot and deal with a regular local taxi (yellow). The only taxis that are allowed to pick up from the airport are regulated (white) and more expensive. So if you want to save a bit on that first trip from the airport, cross the pedestrial bridge to the highway and find a yellow cab.

Cassidy

Thanks so much for your comments. Now we're finding out that because we will only have the car for a couple of days, it might end up costing more than a cab, once insurance is accounted for, etc.
Cheers.

suze

Have a great trip! Enjoy PV and the area! I'm not surprised about the car costs. For me, it would also be more relaxing knowing I was going to use a taxi or take the bus, rather then the responsibility of driving in Mexico (but that's just me).

One year we asked and our hotel front desk person arranged a taxi driver for a 1/2 day for us (the front desk person and his brother shared a taxi business) and he took us around to various places we mentioned interest in. The cost was extremely reasonable.

blondlady

My husband and I have rented a car to go towards San Francisco with no problems. The hotel idea from Suze is a good idea also. One year we paid $200.00 to VISTA travel who took us for an entire day anywhere we wanted to go. They did the driving in a big SUV. WE met some other people in the agency the day we booked the ride, and shared the cost and had a spansific time. (Corner Olas Altas and Basilio Badilla.) I am renting a car in January and am driving with two girlfriends to Guadalajara, so I am not too worried about renting and driving as long as its during the day.

rickzalucki

Cassidy,
I just returned from PV and rented a car for the week. The drive to San Francisco and Sayulito is very easy and enjoyable. Driving between the airport and the main downtown area is a bit tricky, but nothing crazy. Some advice.....San Francisco is in a different time zone(1 hour earlier) and I would recommend full insurance coverage. We parked the car downtown to shop, returned to find the car had been hit. Fortunately, we had full coverage w/National and we had no problems when we returned the car.