The salty sea air, the white sandy shoreline, and the sounds of a fiesta clashing with the ocean waves. If all of this sounds too good to be true, it's not! Such a place exists and it's called Puerto Vallarta! You can't deny that Mexico doesn't fall short of dreamy paradises. Puerto Vallarta is one of many and is actually among the more popular ones. In fact, some have even gone as far as to move here themselves. But don't think that relocating here is easy! This guide will show that there's a lot to be done!
Overview
Although Puerto Vallarta is, undoubtedly, one of Mexico's most famous and well-visited cities, the population here actually isn't that big. As of 2021, there are only around 530,078 residents living here, which means there's more room for visitors to enjoy the coastal city as well. In terms of the weather, since Puerto Vallarta is renowned for its hot climate, you'll never get too cold here. The coldest month is February, with the temperature going as low as 21.5 °C (71 °F), while the hottest month is August, going as high as 28.7 °C (84 °F).
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Getting Around
Although Puerto Vallarta is famously a coastal city, it remains a standard urban metropolis just like other cities in Mexico. This means that
public transport is alive and well here too! There are various ways to get around the city. The most common and arguably cheapest option is to take the bus. A single-ride ticket costs only $10.00 MXN; double that for a round-trip and you'll only need to spend around $20.00 MXN to get to your destination and back. Taking a taxi or renting cars, scooters, and bikes are also common here but you may need to
use an app to do it!
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Where to Live
It's easy to think that, since Puerto Vallarta is practically a resort town, that it's only made up of hotels, resorts, and the like. But as already mentioned, it's still a standard urban city made up of
various districts, each more different than the next. When you plan to relocate here, it's important that you choose a neighborhood that will best suit your needs and lifestyle. For expats moving to the city, a great place to start is Fluvial Vallarta, a district known for its international community. But if you prefer living by the sea, a nice place in Marina Puerto Vallarta will do!
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Real Estate
There's also the issue of the
living costs in Puerto Vallarta. Although it depends on how much you earn at work, it's easy to think that living here is expensive. Luxurious resorts and upscale hotels do dominate the city, but they're really just for the tourists visiting the place. In terms of actually living here, you ought to know that the common rental fees in Puerto Vallarta range from a minimum of $5,000.00 MXN to a maximum of $35,000.00 MXN a month. At face value, yes, these prices do seem high. But when you convert them to dollars, they're only around $241.89 USD to $1,693.20 USD a month.
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Employment
Now, let's talk about employment. As of 2021,
Mexico's job market seems to be doing fine. The unemployment rate is at a low 6.3%, various industries are thriving, and the economy has stayed relatively stable for a while now. However, working in Puerto Vallarta is a different story. Although the city is urban, it's not necessarily a major business and finance hub of Mexico. Arguably the best industry to work under in this city is the tourism industry. Nevertheless, there are still a lot of opportunities to find here. It's just up to you to
look for the right job!
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Education
With its luxurious yet sort of dubious reputation, it's easy to think that Puerto Vallarta is only suitable for adults. At least, when it comes to those who are relocating here. If you take your kids with you when you move to this city, will they be alright? The answer is yes! You're probably most concerned about their studies, right? There's really nothing to worry about as Puerto Vallarta has
a ton of international schools that will allow them to continue their education. Prominent institutions like the
American School of Puerto Vallarta and
Colegio México Americano ensure they get the high-quality education that they deserve.
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Healthcare
Did you know that Mexico is actually a
top medical tourist destination? Many people go or even move here just to get high-quality treatment. And it helps that
the country's healthcare system is one of the finer ones in the world. So when you move to Puerto Vallarta, know that you'll have nothing to worry about when it comes to ensuring your health and safety. The city has
a few prominent hospitals, many of which cater to international patients too, that are well-equipped and staffed with the right experts and health professionals. One, in particular, you ought to know about is
CMQ Hospital Puerto Vallarta, arguably the best of them all!
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Safety
Don't let the negative stereotypes that surround Mexico fool you! Though there are many dangerous places in the country—as there are in any other country around the world!—the city of Puerto Vallarta itself isn't one of them. On the contrary, according to
the city's crime rates, it's actually safer here than even in some cities in the US and European countries. As of 2021, the general crime rate here is 37.27%, considered low on the scale. The safety rate of walking around Puerto Vallarta, on the other hand, is 87.82% during the day and 60.90% at night. Not bad, right?
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Taxes
It's easy to forget all the serious stuff you'll have to face in living in a city like Puerto Vallarta. However, once you've finally relocated here and become a legal resident of Mexico, you'll automatically have to pay taxes. And the more you know about
Mexico's tax system beforehand, the better! Don't worry, there are similarities between how they do taxes here to how they do it in other countries. The most prominent of which is knowing your income tax rate. Just like in other parts of the world, your annual salary dictates your income tax rate. Don't forget that!
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Relocation Tips
Now, for some final relocation tips! Firstly, to help you break the language barrier here, you might want to learn Spanish in the
many language schools in Puerto Vallarta. Don't worry, many of them are affordable and helpful! Secondly, opening your own
local bank account is a smart idea. This will help you manage your finances better and make them safer and more secure. And finally, why not join a
local mobile network here as well? Only when you get a local SIM card will you be able to keep in contact and connect to others, be they in Puerto Vallarta or other parts of the world.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Puerto Vallarta, a city that almost feels too good to be true! Though it's one of the best vacation destinations in the world, it's not far-fetched to actually move here too! And if you find it difficult, this relocation guide will help you every step of the way!
