What You Need to Know about Uber in Puerto Vallarta

If you’re planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, you may be wondering if Uber is available in the area. This is a common question for travelers who are looking for reliable and accessible transportation options during their stay.

Firstly, it’s important to note that Uber is available in Puerto Vallarta. The ride-hailing service has been operating in the area for several years and has become a popular choice for both locals and tourists. The Uber app in Puerto Vallarta functions just like it would in your home country. 

As someone who spent a good couple of years living in Jalisco (which includes Puerto Vallarta) and taken well over a hundred Ubers in the area, you’re certainly in the right hands following our tips for Uber Puerto Vallarta. 

Keep reading as we provide you with all the information you need to know about Uber in Puerto Vallarta and whether it is the best choice when it comes to getting around the city.

Is there Uber in Puerto Vallarta?

Yes, there is Uber in Puerto Vallarta and it’s been around since 2017. Uber is one of the best ways to get around Puerto Vallarta and not just in the city center- you’ll also be able to use it to get to popular spots around the city like Sayulita, San Pancho and Boca de Tomatlan. 

You’ll be pleased to know that you can also use Uber to get to your hotel from the airport, once you land in Puerto Vallarta, if you prefer using the app to a private transfer. 

Uber is a reliable and convenient way to get around Puerto Vallarta, especially if you’re not familiar with the area or don’t want to deal with the hassle of renting a car.

One thing to keep in mind is that Uber drivers in Puerto Vallarta may not always be readily available, especially during peak travel times. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and request your ride in advance if you have a tight schedule or need to be somewhere at a specific time.

If you need to get to the airport, for example, and time if tight, it may be a better option to ask your hotel to call you a local cab. 

Using Uber vs Licensed Cabs

Local taxis are widely available in Puerto Vallarta (more so than Uber), but they can be more expensive than Uber. The fares are usually negotiable, and you should always agree on the price before getting in. 

Local cab drivers generally have meters and they are supposed to use them but they don’t, which is why you should always agree on the price first, yet this can be difficult if you don’t speak Spanish. 

The taxis are generally safe, and the drivers are friendly and knowledgeable about the area. However, some may not speak English, so it’s a good idea to have your destination written down in Spanish or a map ready to show your driver. 

Uber is a more popular option for travelers in the area as fare prices and extra charges are transparent and you don’t need to speak Spanish to use it. 

Cost of Uber in Puerto Vallarta

Using Uber in Puerto Vallarta is generally a very cost-effective and transparent way of getting around the city. Generally, rides within Puerto Vallarta are reasonably priced (between 50-200 pesos), making Uber a popular choice for both locals and tourists navigating the area. 

For short distances, such as trips within the downtown area or to nearby neighborhoods like Conchas Chinas, fares can be quite economical, often starting at a base fare and increasing slightly with distance. 

Longer journeys, for example, from the city center to the outskirts of the airport, will understandably cost more but remain competitive when compared to other transportation options. 

At peak times, when demand is higher prices fluctuate wildly. At rush hour or on Friday/Saturday night prices can increase some 40-50%. Sometimes it might be better to wait it out if you’re set on taking an Uber, otherwise, it might be cheaper to take a local cab. 

We’ve had many instances where during Uber peak times, a local cab has proven to be cheaper, however, this does sometimes depend on your negotiation skills. 

Uber Services in Puerto Vallarta

Uber Mexico operates services in Puerto Vallarta similar to that of the US and Europe. Here are some of the most popular options.

UberX– UberX is the most popular service offered by Uber in Puerto Vallarta. It is a standard ride service that can accommodate up to four passengers. The cars used for UberX are typically small to mid-sized sedans, and they are perfect for short trips around the city.

UberXL– If you are traveling with a larger group, UberXL may be a better option. This service can accommodate up to six passengers, and the cars used are typically SUVs or minivans. UberXL is a great option if you need more space for luggage or if you want to travel in comfort. This is a popular service from Puerto Vallarta airport to various hotels and resorts in the city. 

Uber Comfort– For those who want a more luxurious ride experience, Uber Comfort is available in Puerto Vallarta. This service offers newer cars with extra legroom and additional amenities such as phone chargers. It’s our chosen way to travel for longer distances, especially when in Mexico, it’s only a few pesos more. 

Uber Planet– A portion of your fare will go towards offsetting your carbon footprint. 

Top tip: It’s important to note that you’ll be able to call an Uber from the city to take you to popular locations around Puerto Vallarta such as Boca de Tomatlan, Sayulita, Punta Mita or San Pancho. However, you won’t be able to call one back. 

Uber doesn’t function the same way outside Puerto Vallarta so oftentimes travelers are left having to seek out other options for getting back into the city. For this, there are always local cabs available as well as public transportation as a last resort. 

Much like the app back home, you can also book Uber rides up to 30 days in advance in Puerto Vallarta, so you can easily schedule important rides in the app ahead of time. 

Puerto Vallarta Airport Uber

Uber is a convenient way to get from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) to downtown Puerto Vallarta or the hotel zone. The Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) is just a 20-minute drive from downtown Puerto Vallarta, and choosing Uber for this journey can be significantly cheaper than hailing a taxi.

Inside the airport terminal, only licensed cabs are allowed to pick up passengers but their fees are around 2-3 times that of Uber. 

It’s important to be aware that Uber pickups at the airport aren’t from outside the terminal. You will need to walk a little and meet your driver just outside the airport terminal grounds. While this might sound inconvenient, it’s actually super easy. 

Before Arriving in Puerto Vallarta

Before you can use Uber in Puerto Vallarta, you will need to download the Uber app on your smartphone if you don’t have it already. It’s a good idea to do this before leaving home so you’re not using unnecessary data. 

Make sure that all is working well on the app before landing in Puerto Vallarta. 

At the Airport

Upon arrival in Puerto Vallarta, you’ll need internet to call an Uber. You can turn on your roaming, or use airport wifi or your eSim to do this. 

Puerto Vallarta International Airport offers all passengers 30 minutes of free WIFI which you can access by signing into the app and following the prompts once you connect your phone to the wifi network. You can use this free wifi and call an Uber. 

We don’t ever rely on the free airport wifi so I highly suggest getting an eSim instead. Purchase an eSim for Mexico from Airalo here, download and activate it before you get on the plane and you’ll have local data when you land in Mexico. 

Using Airalo for eSims abroad is something our editors have been doing for years, all over the world, and it’s one of the easiest and most convenient ways to always stay connected. 

Where to Meet Your Uber Driver

Once you’ve called an Uber you’ll need to go to the pick up location. The Uber app is pretty good at explaining where it is once you’ve called your ride.

Upon exiting the arrivals terminal, turn left and follow the terminal building until you get to the end. At the end, look towards your left and you’ll see a pedestrian bridge which goes over the busy Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio. Make your way over to the bridge and cross it. 

If you have luggage, it’s worth noting that there aren’t any stairs- it’s all ramps which is super useful. 

As you descend on the other side of the street you’ll see some local shops and a bus stop. The Uber meeting point is just after that bus stop. 

Alternative Puerto Vallarta Airport Transportation

For travelers not inclined to use Uber from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) to their hotel, there are several alternative transportation options available. 

Airport Taxis: Authorized airport taxis offer a reliable and regulated service. They operate with fixed prices based on zone destinations, ensuring a straightforward trip to your hotel. You’ll be able to purchase a taxi ticket from the booth inside the airport. Airport taxis are convenient but generally 2-3 times more than Uber. 

Private Car Services: Pre-arranged private car services provide a more personalized and seamless experience. These services often include meet-and-greet at the airport and can be booked in advance through your hotel or you can book our regular private car service here.

Rental Cars: If you are planning to explore more of the local area, you might want to pick up your rental car at the airport. Several international and local rental agencies operate within the airport, offering a range of vehicles. For car rental in Mexico without any nasty surprises, we recommend Discover Cars. Book a car with Discover Cars here. 

Taking an Uber to the Airport

Uber and other vehicles can drop off passengers directly at the airport’s entrance, but Uber pickups are designated to a specific area across the bridge from the terminal exits.

There is no issue with taking an Uber to the airport in Puerto Vallarta. 

Other Rideshare Apps in Puerto Vallarta

One of the most popular alternatives is DiDi, which is a Chinese ride-hailing service that has recently expanded to Mexico. DiDi is available in Puerto Vallarta and offers competitive pricing and reliable service.

Another option is Cabify, which is a Spanish ride-hailing service that operates in several cities in Mexico, including Puerto Vallarta. Cabify offers a variety of ride options, from standard to luxury, and also has a loyalty program that rewards frequent users. 

In general, Cabify in Latin America is a bit more upper-tier than DiDi or Uber and we found it works well in terms of ride quality but Uber is more readily available in Puerto Vallarta. 

Many people also ask ‘Is Lyft available in Puerto Vallarta?’. Lyft isn’t available in Puerto Vallarta so if that’s your ridesharing app of choice at home, you’ll need to download Uber before arriving. 

Uber Puerto Vallarta – Is it Safe?

After taking hundreds of Uber rides in Puerto Vallarta we can positively say Uber in Puerto Vallarta is just as safe as anywhere else in the world. 

After your driver confirms your trip you’ll get a little more information about them such as how many rides they’ve completed and their review score. 

Make sure to verify the driver and the car details to make sure everything matches what’s listed on the app. 

You’ll also be able to share your trip details with a friend or family member so they can track you in real-time. 

Is Uber safer than local taxis?

Generally, Uber is considered safer than local taxis in Puerto Vallarta due to several factors. 

Uber provides features like driver and vehicle information before the ride begins, a GPS-tracked route that can be shared with friends or family in real-time, and a rating system that holds drivers accountable.

In part this contributes to a sense of security and transparency not always available with a traditional taxi service in Puerto Vallarta. However, it’s important to note that safety can vary and travelers should remain cautious and use common sense regardless of the transportation method chosen.

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