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Currency, Banks & Money Exchange:
The peso is the national currency, although
US dollars are widely accepted in businesses
throughout town. Major credit cards are also
accepted in most establishments. Banks offer
currency exchange during business hours,
which are generally Monday through Friday
from 9am to 5pm, with a few offering at
least morning service on Saturdays.
Universal ATMs are broadly available for
cash withdrawals from global cash cards;
money exchange and hotels also offer
currency exchange services.
The exchange rate is about 10 to 1.
Basically drop the zero on all prices you
see. If you go to the grocery store
and they ring up a price of $950 don't have
a heart attack, it is actually $95.
Bring PLENTY of small bills in cash!
Merchants give you change in Mexican
currency, which can be very confusing when
you try to spend it. Having close to
the exact amount is easiest solution. |
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Electricity: Mexico operates
on the same 110-volt current as the United
States, so electrical adapters are not
needed. |
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What
is Puerto Vallarta's time zone?
Puerto Vallarta is Central Standard Time
year round. Use this map to figure the time
difference
Timezone Map |
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Postal
services, stamps and snail mail?
Stamps can usually be purchased at
the same time as postcards. They are also
available from the post-office (Oficina de
Correos). Open Monday to Friday: 8am - 3pm,
Sat: 9am - 1pm. A stamp for a postcard
is currently aprox. $4.00 pesos, an takes
approximately 2 weeks to arrive to its
destination (sometimes more). |
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Where and how can I
make International phone calls?
International
telephone calls from Mexico can be very
expensive, it is better to use your own
national phone credit card service (ask for
Ladatel phone cards, they come in different
denominations, 30 - 50 and 100 pesos) or
simply call collect. We advise not to use
the telephones on the street offering
international dial ups. You may be charged a
connection fee if you use your phone card
from your hotel room. To dial direct to the
United States or Canada you dial 001, the
area code, then the local number. Long
distance calls to other parts of the world
are preceded by 00 and then the country
code, city code and the corresponding
telephone number. |
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Can I
drink the water? Puerto
Vallarta recently received certification for
quality drinkable water - one of the few
places in Mexico to receive this honor. But
that doesn't mean you should drink it! It
means it's safe when it leaves the water
plant, but after going through the water
pipes and system.- it may not be! Stick to
purified water, which is now served in
nearly all restaurants, hotels, and bars
throughout Vallarta. But it doesn't
hurt to ask. The
water in Grand Marina Villas IS PURIFIED.
In most hotels and restaurants, you will get
purified water, if in doubt - ask: (Agua
purificada?) Eating in the local restaurants
is safe, but be very cautious of outdoor
vendors who do not have refrigeration for
their food. |
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Will
my cell phone work in Mexico?
There is local cellular service. Very few
cellular services will allow you to roam in
Mexico. Most cell phones will work, but they
must be reprogrammed by the local service
provider. |
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Email
and Internet access?
You can bring your laptop
computer, you will have to contact one of
local ISP's who will provide you with
temporary Internet access for your limited
stay. Verizon's laptop cell cards DO
have signal. There are quite a few
Cyber Cafes in PV. Paradise Village
Mall (just 100 feet from the unit) has a
Cyber Cafe with computers. |
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