Bucerias
Located 12 miles north of the airport, Bucerias, or “Place of the Divers,” is popular with Canadian and North American visitors. This old-fashioned Mexican town has plenty of local color with its many shops and town square market. Literally dozens of open air restaurants line the beach on one of the four main streets that run for miles parallel to the water.
Bucerias enjoys a 5-mile stretch of white sand beaches that is the longest along the entire coastline of Banderas Bay. This beautiful beach comes alive on Sundays when locals bring their families for a day at the shore. Its long shallow shoreline is perfect for body surfing, boogie boarding, surfing and shell collecting. The relatively new sport of kitesurfing has also become a regular feature of Bucerias.
^Back to the Top^
Business Hours
Normal business hours are Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, often with a two-hour break from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Some public offices work from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM without breaks and close after that.
México, like most Latin American countries, has a more relaxed view of work schedules. Some businesses, such as banks and supermarkets are very strict, but retail shops and others can have working schedules that vary, opening earlier and/or closing later.
^Back to the Top^
Cars and Driving
DRIVING INFORMATION
Your current U.S. driver's license is valid in Mexico. All vehicles, including rentals, must be covered by Mexican insurance (See "Automobile Insurance" below.)
The Mexican Government strictly regulates the entry of vehicles into Mexico. For detailed information on how to bring a car into Mexico, consult with the Mexican Embassy or the nearest Mexican consulate in the United States prior to entering Mexico.
AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE
You can purchase Mexican auto insurance in most cities and towns on both sides of the border. Your U.S. automobile liability insurance is not valid in Mexico nor is most collision and comprehensive coverage by U.S. companies. Therefore, be sure to purchase auto insurance adequate for your needs in Mexico. A good rule to follow is to obtain coverage equivalent to that which you carry in the United States. If you are involved in an accident, you will likely be taken into police custody until it can be determined who is liable and whether you have the ability to pay any penalty. Your Mexican insurance company should be contacted to intervene in your behalf. If you do not have Mexican liability insurance, you may not be allowed to leave the country even if you require serious medical attention. It is almost a certainty that you will spend some time in jail until all parties are satisfied that responsibility has been assigned and adequate financial satisfaction received. Motor vehicle insurance is considered invalid in Mexico if the driver is found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers may also face criminal charges if the injuries or damages are serious.
^Back to the Top^
Fishing
Puerto Vallarta offers not only some good deep sea sportfishing, fresh water fishing in the local mountains is also available for the true sportsman. All types of fish inhabit the waters around Puerto Vallarta at different times of year. Marlin, sailfish, dorado, snapper, all of which can be chased (and caught) on a wide variety of fishing boats, from established fishing fleets or from pangas that can be hired at almost any of the more popular beaches.
^Back to the Top^
Hospitals
Amerimed Hospital
Fco. Medina Ascencio s/n. Tel: 226-2080
Plaza Neptuno Local D-1 Fax: 226-2060
Marina Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
C.P. 48333
Website: www.amerimed-hospitals.com
CMQ Hospital
Basilio Badillo 365. Tel: 223-1919
Col. Emiliano Zapata Fax: 223-2423
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
C.P. 48399
Website: www.hospitalcmq.com
Hospital Versalles 
Lucerna 145 Tel: 224-9898
Col. Versalles Fax: 224-9292
Puerto Vallarta Jalisco
C.P. 48320
Cornerstone Hospital
Ave. de los Tules #136 Tel: 224-9400
Colonia Diaz Ordaz Tel: 224-8122
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
C.P. 48310
Patient Services Coordinator – Pamela Thompson
E-mail: pmt@hotmail.com or thompsonp@hospitalcornerstone.com
Website: www.hospitalcornerstone.com
Hospital Medasist
Manuel M. Dieguez 358. Tel: 223-0656
Col. Emiliano Zapata. Fax: 223-0747
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 223-0618
C.P. 48399
Hospital San Javier Marina
Fco. Medina Ascencio 2760 Tel 226-1010
Zona Hotelera Fax: 226-1010
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
C.P. 48314
Website: www.hospitalsanjavier.com
^Back to the Top^
Internet and Email
Internet Cafes are all over Puerto Vallarta, with prices ranging from 10 pesos(a little less than a dollar U.S.) an hour and up. We recommend PVnet, across from the Sheraton Hotel. Upon paying for one or two hours of service, you receive a receipt. On that receipt is your user code, and if you don't use up all of your minutes on the computer, you can come back anytime, tomorrow, in a week, in a month, and enter in your user code and continue using your minutes. Open 24/7. Printing services available.
High speed internet service is available for a good price. Wireless hotspots also abound in Puerto Vallarta.
^Back to the Top^
Laws and Regulations
CRIMINAL PENALTIES
U.S. citizens are subject to Mexico's laws and regulations while in Mexico. These often differ from those in the United States and may not provide you the protections available to you under U.S. law. Americans who commit illegal acts are subject to full prosecution under the Mexican judicial system. Punishment for breaking laws can be more harsh than in the United States for similar offenses. Violating Mexican laws, even unknowingly, may result in arrest, expulsion, or imprisonment.
^Back to the Top^
Home
