Emergency, Police/Fire: 060
Fire Dept: 223-9476, 223-9478
Police Dept: 290-0507, 290-0512
Red Cross & Ambulance: 222-1533
Motor Vehicle Dept: 224-8484
Consumer Protection (Profeco): 225-0000
Immigration Ofice: 221-1380
American Consulate: 222-0069, 223-0074 - After hours: 01-333-268-2145
Canadian Consulate: 293-0098, 223-0074 - After hours: 01-800-706-2900
Hospitals
Ameri-Med: 226-2080
CMG: 223-1919
Cornerstone: 224-9400
I.M.S.S.: 224-3838
Medasist: 223-0444
Regional: 224-4000
San Javier: 226-1010
General Safety
Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful holiday destination, but this is not an excuse to leave your common sense at home. You should not treat the city as if it is a huge beach resort existing solely for your pleasure.
If you choose to wear khaki shorts, sandals and a white tshirt coupled with a money belt be aware that you will look like the perfect tourist and a prime target for opportunists.
Exercise caution here as in any place that you are unfamiliar. Keep an eye on your possessions (purses, cameras, etc) at all times. Do not flaunt large amounts of cash and wear a concealed money belt to secure large bills and your passport. Make sure you always have small bills/ coins on hand to pay for small items.
The beaches and hotels have security people who are familiar with the area and tend to ward off most undesirable characters. As in many "tourist destinations", there is a local "tourist police", who concentrate on keeping the area safe for visitors. They, and the locals, understand the value of visitors and make life very difficult for those who may ponder preying on visitors.
Avoid confrontations with the police. In the event you do have a disagreement with them, expect to be treated poorly and expect to pay many a peso to regain your freedom. Respect and co-operation goes a long way with them, disrespect usually will not be tolerated.--Goldie 08:22, 25 June 2010 (EDT)
For digestive issues, use Immodium. It is sold over the counter & works for most issues.
Beach Activities
Water you have never been to can be dangerous. Leaving your valuables (cameras, purses, passport) alone on the beach, is an invitation to theft at any beach.
Precautions
Observe the warning flags on public beaches. There could be a strong undertow.
Never dive into unknown waters. There may be rocks
Water you have never been to can be dangerous. Leaving your valuables (cameras, purses, passport) alone on the beach, is an invitation to theft at any beach.
Precautions
Observe the warning flags on public beaches. There could be a strong undertow.
Never dive into unknown waters. There may be rocks
Cope
Note that not very many places take credit cards. Some larger hotel complexes, high end restaurants and shops do, but most do not. It is very much a cash only economy with ATMs available in convenient locations and a bank downtown where in-person withdrawals can be made.
For the budget traveler - time your visit outside of peak holiday periods (eg Santa Semana/ Easter week). Accommodation prices during peak times can double or triple and the beaches become insanely crowded.
If you are traveling around Mexico leave your souvenir shopping until Guadalajara as prices in Puerto Vallarta are higher, sometimes bordering on exorbitant.
Note that not very many places take credit cards. Some larger hotel complexes, high end restaurants and shops do, but most do not. It is very much a cash only economy with ATMs available in convenient locations and a bank downtown where in-person withdrawals can be made.
For the budget traveler - time your visit outside of peak holiday periods (eg Santa Semana/ Easter week). Accommodation prices during peak times can double or triple and the beaches become insanely crowded.
If you are traveling around Mexico leave your souvenir shopping until Guadalajara as prices in Puerto Vallarta are higher, sometimes bordering on exorbitant.
