SUMMERTIME IN VALLARTA…
Vallarta is a tropical area, so in the summer the climate is tropical with frequent downpours that can last for hours. The rain helps to cool things down and reduce the humidity. The heat and rain bring about the greening of Vallarta and allow the flowers to bloom to full glory.
Summer brings the most amazing collection of bugs. It’s an entomologist’s paradise. Some, like the mosquitoes, bite. Household ammonia dabbed on the bite will eliminate the itch and aid healing. Use a bug repellent, either chemical DEET based, or a natural essential oil repellent like citronella, cedarwood, lemongrass, pennyroyal, peppermint or eucalyptus. These can vary a lot in efficiency, experiment to find one that works best for you.
Drink lots of plain bottled water, more than usual, to replace your body’s fluids. Avoid gorging on free booze and fresh fruits to keep your stomach in line.
Use sunscreen, preferably natural, even on cloudy days to avoid a nasty burn.
Mexicans use those little green lemons for almost everything. Lemonade, disinfectant, cleanser, spot remover (whites only), bug repellent, room freshener, Margaritas, fish marinade, salad dressing, and much more.
TOURIST POLICE
The Puerto Vallarta Policemen/women in the white uniforms and the black caps or white pith helmets are special, bilingual Tourist Police. Call them if you need to, they're there for you. Tel. 060
WATER
Most of the hotels in Puerto Vallarta have their own water purification systems, as do many restaurants. Those who don’t generally use bottled water that has been purifird, and the commercially produced ice for your drinks is made from purified water also. Vallarta is very fussy about its water.
For the past 17 years, SEAPAL, the city’s water agency has received a certificate of water quality from the national
Secretary of Health.
CAUTION
Most of our taxi drivers are honest, hard working people, but there are a few who will try to take you to where they are getting a commission, rather than where you want to go. Be firm, insist that they take you where you requested and if you have a problem, report them to the Municipal Tourist Offices Downtown. Taxi fares are set by the local union, and all taxis are zone based. If you feel you’re being overcharged, ask to see the cabby’s rate card, or check with your concierge on rates beforehand. Always try to have enough change with as cab drivers don’t always have change. (Bigger tip) Some drivers may ask for additional charges for night fares. This is
not authorized
by the union. The price for the taxi is for the taxi, not per person and tipping for taxis is not required.
GREEN ANGELS
I don't recommend driving after dark, because visibility can be very poor on roadways and animals can be hard to see at night, try to stick to the main roads because if you run into mechanical problems you'll get help faster. Green Angels, the government sponsored bilingual travelling mechanics patrol the main roads in their green trucks.
ABOUT OUR BUSES
Buses run in PV from 5am til 11:30pm. Destinations are marked on the windshield in white. Marina buses are marked Marina Vallarta, to downtown -Centro, through town to the south side. Tunel means go through the tunnel to the south side & bypasses the city center. Fares are $5.5 pesos in town, $11 pesos to Nuevo Vallarta, $20 pesos to El Anclote, to the north, and $6 to Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlan on the south side. Catch the Mismaloya bus at the corner of Basilio Badillo and Insurgentes, the el Tuito bus ($20 pesos) at V. Carranza and Aguacate, and the Nuevo Vallarta bus across from the Sheraton, or in front of Walmart. To get to the Centro Camionera (bus depot) for buses to other parts of Mexico catch the Las Juntas or Ixtapa bus with Centro Camionera on the windshield. (Prices in effect at time of printing) Be prepared to hang on to your seat as this can be a wild ride.
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Telephone #'s
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CONSULS
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LOCAL NUMBERS
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US
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222 0069
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City Hall
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223 2500
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Canadian
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222 5398
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City Tourism
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Ex 173,182
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British
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01 3 647 2826
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State Tourism
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221-2676
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Holland
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01 3 673 2211
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Airport
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221 1325
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Deutschland
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01 3 6139623
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Immigration
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224-7653
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Tourist Police
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060
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Fire Dept.
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224-7701
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Consumer Protection
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225 0000
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Telegraph Office
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222 0212
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AA (Angela)
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222 3906
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Ambulance +
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222 1533
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