Other Useful Info

You will arrive at our modern airport and will be greeted by what seems to be hundreds of taxi drivers. If you're just a few people with not too much luggage, a taxi to Boca de Tomatlan will run about $50 - $ 60 USD. More people and luggage will require a van for about $70. They will take American money. Please do tip for assistance with luggage; people depend on their tips!

Also, there is a man in Boca who, if he is available, will pick you up at the airport for 500 pesos (less than $50).He doesn't speak English so you'd have to tell me if you have to make any stops in town, say, to get pesos! He will not want US dollars. The trip will take about an hour and, for the most part follows the coastline with beautiful views. By the way, when you fill out the forms given to you on the airplane, you can just write "Boca de Tom" on the destination line, since the whole name won't fit!

There is also available a private driver service if you would like a little more service and luxury. You can get more info at their website: http://www.viptaxivallarta.com/index_ing.php

If you're the hardy type with very little luggage you can take a bus into town. If you think you might like to try it, see this website which tells you everything you need to know: www.vallarta-info.com Click on Transport in Vallarta. Beware, the prices for scooter rentals and taxis are outdated. The bus into town will probably say Old Town, or Romantic Zone (Zona Romantica) and will stop at a park. From here you would have to go 2 blocks up on V Carranza St and 1 block to the right on Constitucion to Basilio Badillo to get the bus to Boca de Tomatlan. This, by the way, is now the only bus stop for Boca. If you're like me, you've overpacked even though you swore you would never do so again, and you have too much to carry, never mind getting down the hill into Boca and up to our place!

Regardless of how you get here, follow the road into town, cross the cobblestone road to the road beside the river. Turn left and go all the way up to the concrete foot bridge. Once you've crossed the bridge, turn left, we're conveniently the second place!

About money: the absolutely best way to get pesos is at an ATM machine, but the ones at the airport don't give very good rates; it's best to use one in town. There are about a kajillion OXXO convenience stores, most of which have ATM machines. When we drove here from Maryland with just a Spanish phrase book and no idea of correct pronunciation, I went into a convenience store and said "have tarjeta debito machine"? The woman looked at me quizzically and said "ATM?". So much for my Spanish… Agree to the 7.50 peso charge ( that's only about 60 cents or so) and withdraw the 3000 peso limit to start (less than $300). You can use your card more than once, but your bank will charge an extra surcharge on top of the regular charge. It's a good idea to notify the debit card company that you will be using your card in Mexico. There are NO ATM machines in Boca; it's strictly a cash economy here!

If you want to exchange cash, Banorte Bank gives very good rates. Neither traveler's checks nor credit cards are widely accepted in Vallarta, although some larger places do accept credit cards. As with the debit card, notify the credit card company that you may be using your card in Mexico.

If you have any questions or issues not addressed here, please email me at info@casadepiedra.com We look forward to seeing you!