ge ..... :) getting in. Take the bus downtown for 7.5 pesos.
IMO 3 weeks is not nearly enough time to appreciate PV.

Yes tom42 is remembering correctly.

Not metered or negotiated either one... Taxi fares are set by zone. Ask at your resort front desk what the fare should be (or they may have a rate sheet posted) then just confirm with the driver before getting into the cab.

Coming in from the airport you buy a ticket for a federally regulated taxi in the lobby of the airport. There are ticket booths with the zones and fares clearly posted. These (are usually white but not always) are a little more $$ than the (usually yellow) taxis around town because of picking up on the airport property (same at the cruiseship port).

Oh and try to have exact change or near in peso. A taxi driver is no place to try to change that 500 note for a 50 peso ride! -lol

I wouldn't go anywhere else in Mexico with 3 weeks but perhaps stay at two different areas in Puerto Vallarta would be my pick. I could stay for months myself without hesitation, but I'm in a condo or apartment, not a hotel room.

If you ask a taxista to take you to 'central', you may very well end up at the bus station. If you instead wanted to go downtown, then you'd want 'centro'.
As far as having 3 weeks in Mexico, it would be a shame to waste all that time just in PV when you can fly to BJX (Leon) via TAR for about $60 in under an hour. From there, you could easily explore Mexico's colonial heartland cities of Guanajuato, San Miguel De Allende, and Queretaro.

Three weeks in November is awesome! I would definitely split it up though. Maybe a week or week and a half in PV and the rest north in Bucerias. Way less touristy and commercialized, cheaper than in PV, great restaurants and much better beaches. And closer to explore the northern cities. Been over 20 times and love it down there!!!

I enjoy Puerto Vallarta so much, I consider it my home-away-from-home, I have friends there, and 3 weeks is hardly enough time to see it all.

Thanks for all of the taxi info. And I appreciate the suggestions on how to spend our three weeks.

I hope you stick with your PV plans.

It's sure nice everyone has their own other ideas of where you should go vacation, but you didn't ask about touring the inland colonial cities or staying out in Bucerias or small towns north of Vallarta.

Maybe you want to change your mind, but I would encourage you to stick with your original idea of a nice hotel/resort and enjoying everything PV. And check dates for when you can get a nonstop flight in & out on Alaska Air.

We all have different paces 7 desires. I personally have no problem staying far longer than 3 weeks at places I enjoy. I have spent up to 4 months at favorite locations.

Kathie, Are you on Trip Advisor? You can find me on the Puerto Vallarta forum there as well.

Suze, I avoid TA like the plague!

We like to go somewhere and settle in for a while and really get to know a place. That said, we sometimes do opt to explore a nearby place. Given all that we have dealt with this year, three weeks in PV sounds like bliss!

Oh, OK. I was just going to say you can PM me there. I'm on the PV forum daily.

If you do decide to book this trip, please let me know and I'll write up some basics about arriving the airport, local currency, taxi/bus, websites for tours or activities, special events in November (I will be there at that same time) & any little insider tips I can think of.

I love PV and continue to go. I just think 3 weeks is a long time in the marina area so would break it up to go where there are better beaches and smaller towns to enjoy. I also really appreciate Suze and all she has to offer, she is the reason I stayed at PDR and was one of my favorite holidays.

Could we possibly have one single thread on this forum without people fighting with each other?

Then maybe people shouldn't attack others opinions and there would have been no fighting:) Just a thought!

Suze, Thank you for your kind offer. I will post here on Fodors once we have made the decision.

Sounds good.

I'll be in Vallarta later this week, staying for 2 weeks in Old Town. Then back again in Oct/Nov (dates not yet confirmed) for another 2-3 weeks.

I know you are an experienced traveler and PV is pretty much a piece of cake, but there are a few tricks that can smooth things out. No need to reinvent the wheel ;-)

I agree, Suze. It's always useful to have local tips.