Is there Uber in Puerto Vallarta (and is it Safe?)

Are you planning a trip to sunny Puerto Vallarta and wondering about your transportation options? You’ll be pleased to learn that Uber is indeed available in Puerto Vallarta. 

Whether you’re a solo adventurer or exploring with friends, Uber offers a convenient and reliable way to navigate the city. For those who may not know Spanish, Uber makes it easy to direct your driver and track your route as you go.

Since prices are comparable to (and often slightly cheaper) taxis, Uber’s cash-free interface makes it a compelling alternative. 

I just wrapped up a month-long stay in Puerto Vallarta, during which I regularly used Uber to get around the city. I quickly came to prefer it to taxis for the sheer convenience of requesting rides through the app. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s the best option for many travelers visiting this area. 

Below, I’ll share my top tips for using Uber in Puerto Vallarta, how much you can expect to pay for transportation, and insight into how to use it safely. 

TL;DR: Uber is competitively priced, readily available, and easy to use in Puerto Vallarta. Read on for safety tips, average rates, and considerations.

Reminder: You’ll need access to data to use Uber in Puerto Vallarta. Pick up an eSIM from Airalo to stay connected during your trip. 

Is Uber better than a taxi in Puerto Vallarta?

Uber and taxis both have their pros and cons. Uber will be a bit more convenient and comfortable for many travelers. Here’s why:

• You don’t have to worry about giving your driver directions. Uber’s GPS feature is great because it saves you from navigating for your driver, which can be a huge challenge if you don’t speak Spanish and/or know the city well. 

• Payment is cash-free and handled through the app. No need to haggle over prices with Uber or worry about having cash on hand for payment. Just connect your credit card, and you’re ready to go.

• You can share your live location through the app. Sharing your trip status with loved ones is a great way to give them (and yourself) peace of mind when traveling alone in an Uber or taxi. The route tracking feature is a nice perk.

• It’s easy to track your route. I’m a big fan of seeing Uber’s pre-determined route during the ride. It helps me understand the city and gives me peace of mind that my driver isn’t taking weird detours leading away from my end location. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in cars where a driver will turn down a side street, and I’ll think, Is this legit? (it always has been)– You don’t have to worry when you follow the GPS route! 

I took a few taxis while in Vallarta, and they were just fine. They charged about the same rate as Uber, possibly a few pesos more, but it was negligible.

I don’t have anything against taxis in Puerto Vallarta, but I appreciate the convenience of Uber, and overall, I found it to be a little more pleasant (though most of that comes down to the driver). 

How much does Uber cost?

Obviously, Uber prices vary based on the distance traveled, so I’ve included the prices for popular routes in Puerto Vallarta below at the time of writing. This may be overkill, but determining the approximate daily transportation price could influence which neighborhood you opt to stay in, so here you go! 

I found these prices by searching Uber routes for each destination during my stay in Puerto Vallarta. The fares listed below are for Uber Planet (more on the different types of Uber rides below).  

Keep in mind that prices fluctuate depending on the demand for drivers. Typically, evenings have surge pricing. As I write this, the app says these prices are approximately 14% higher than average. 

From the Marina:

• Marina Vallarta to the Hotel Zone: $90 MXN
• Marina Vallarta to Versalles: $120 MXN
• Marina Vallarta to 5 de Diciembre: $130 MXN
• Marina Vallarta to Centro: $170 MXN
• Marina Vallarta to the Zona Romantica: $190 MXN

From the Hotel Zone: 

• Hotel Zone to Versalles: $60 MXN
• Hotel Zone to 5 de Diciembre: $80 MXN
• Hotel Zone to Centro: $100 MXN
• Hotel Zone to Zona Romantica: $120 MXN

From Versalles: 

• Versalles to 5 de Diciembre: $70 MXN
• Versalles to Centro: $90 MXN
• Versalles to Zona Romantica: $110 MXN
• Versalles to Marina Vallarta: $120 MXN

To the airport:

• From Zona Romantica: $250 MXN
• From Centro: $220 MXN
• From Versalles: $190 MXN
• From 5 de Diciembre: $160 MXN
• From the Hotel Zone: $130 MXN
• From Marina Vallarta: $100 MXN

Longer Uber trips:

• A trip to Boca de Tomatlán from the center of town will cost about $450 MXN
• An Uber from the Romantic Zone to Sayulita will cost about $800 MXN

Types of Uber

There are several types of Uber, and choosing one over another may affect the price and size of the car. You won’t always see all of them listed when requesting a ride—it depends on which cars are on the road at any given moment.

Here’s a quick rundown of the most common options:

• Uber Planet: This option supports Uber’s mission to become carbon-neutral by 2040. The app charges an additional $0.37 MXN per kilometer on Uber Planet rides. However, these must be subsidized because this option is always the least costly when I open the app. 
• Uber Comfort: This usually costs a little more than Uber Planet, and you can select whether you want the driver to converse with you during the ride. According to their website, Uber Comfort is meant to offer larger cars with more legroom, but I didn’t notice a significant difference in my rides. 
• UberX: The most basic fare option, usually in compact vehicles. 
• UberXL: A larger vehicle to accommodate more people. This costs more than other options. 
• Uber Black: Ride in a luxury vehicle for a higher fee. 
• Uber Black SUV: Ride in a luxury SUV for a higher fee. 

Can Uber pick you up from the Puerto Vallarta airport?

Uber isn’t permitted to pick you up right at the airport in Puerto Vallarta, but you can get picked up just outside the airport property. All you have to do is cross the highway using a pedestrian bridge and have the car meet you there.

When you walk out of the airport, turn left and follow the pedestrian bridge across the highway. It’s very obvious, and you cannot miss it.  

This is a solid option for travelers with few bags, but I’d grab an airport taxi if you have a lot of luggage. It will cost a little bit more, but the convenience is worth it. 

I’d also opt for a taxi if you’re traveling alone and arriving late at night. Standing alone on the street waiting for an Uber is not something I’d recommend. Puerto Vallarta is pretty safe, but you’ll have all your possessions with you, so I wouldn’t risk it. 

Airport taxis are perfectly safe in Puerto Vallarta. They have to provide a credential to enter the property, so there’s no need to be concerned about their legitimacy. Buy a ticket from the kiosk inside the arrivals area. Rates are fixed, so there’s no need to worry about getting ripped off, and you can pay with a credit card at the kiosk. 

Fortunately, when it’s time to go home, an Uber can drop you off right at the PVR airport. 

Is Uber safe?

Safety is such a tricky topic, especially in Mexico. Stay with me.

I feel that Uber is generally safe. But after thinking about this question extensively, I tend to think buses are the safest way to get around most cities (strength in numbers, after all). As a solo female traveler, I’m aware that I’m taking a big risk any time I get into a car alone with a stranger. 

That said, I believe most Uber drivers are upstanding individuals and that using the service is generally safe. 

Uber has some in-app safety features intended to offer passengers peace of mind. These include:

• Trusted Contacts, which enables you to share your trip details with a loved one
• Emergency Assistance so you can access emergency services right through the app
• Driver Verification so you can check your driver’s credentials on the go
• Speed Limit Alerts that remind drivers to slow down when they go over the speed limit (LOL)
• And more…

These features sound nice in theory, but I have a hard time believing many of them would be truly helpful in an emergency. Sharing your trip details is a good start, though. 

I used Uber extensively during my one-month stay in Puerto Vallarta, and almost all of my drivers were fantastic. A few were too lead-footed for my comfort level, and one asked me some questions that felt too invasive. 

Reckless driving will likely be your biggest safety concern. 

Tips for Uber safety

• Verify the driver and their vehicle match the description shown in the Uber app. This is pretty easy to do at a glance most of the time, but if in doubt, ask the driver’s name to be certain. It’s possible you could hop in the wrong Uber by mistake if you’re getting picked up in a popular area, so always check the license plate. 

• Avoid having the driver drop you off or pick you up directly in front of your accommodation. It’s always wise to be discrete about precisely where you’re staying (unless it’s a big hotel with hundreds of rooms). Instead, set your pickup or drop-off location a few doors down from your actual accommodation. Or, have them pick you up/drop you at a business or restaurant instead of a residence. 

• Don’t discuss personal details with friends in the car or with your driver. Avoid sharing things like the duration of your stay, how much cash you still have in your wallet (these things come up when traveling with friends!), your itinerary for the evening, or any other revealing details that might make it easy for someone to stalk you. I know this might sound like overkill, but trust me, it isn’t. 

• If a driver asks questions that make you uncomfortable, change the subject or end the ride. I’ve had taxi and Uber drivers ask me all kinds of personal stuff that gave me the ick. Everything from whether I have a husband or kids to why I’m not married or which floor of my apartment complex I’m staying on. Do not answer these types of questions, and do not feel obligated to stay in the car if you feel uncomfortable.  

• Call someone from the car. Not only does this shield you from conversing with your Uber driver, but it also ensures that someone is aware if anything goes wrong while you’re in the car. Use the opportunity to phone a friend and catch up for a few minutes! 

Some of these tips may feel overkill, but they’re good to have in your back pocket. It’s wise to be extra cautious if you’re traveling alone. And you can afford to let your guard down a little if you’re with someone else. 

Overall, most Uber drivers I had in Puerto Vallarta were wonderful, and I had some really lovely conversations with some of them. However, more often than not, drivers didn’t make small talk with me (they’re probably tired of dealing with tourists all day!). Of those who did chat, most were very respectful and even shared safety tips or other recommendations with me. 

But when I’m in a car alone at night, regardless of where I am, I play it safe and avoid interacting with the driver. I’m always polite and respectful, but I usually don’t try to engage beyond pleasantries. I’ve had a few uncomfortable experiences with drivers in the past (not just in Mexico), so I don’t take my chances. 

One last tip for using Uber in Puerto Vallarta

Traffic is terrible in Vallarta, especially in the Romantic Zone, where cars must cross a bridge to enter and exit the area. 

If you’re planning to get picked up in the Romantic Zone, expect a longer wait time for your Uber ride— up to 15 minutes, depending on the time of day. During peak hours, you may have a harder time finding a driver who’s willing to pick you up there. Someone will eventually, but it may take some time before the app pairs you with a driver.

To get around this, I would walk along the malecón back to Centro before requesting a ride because it was more efficient. 

Final Thoughts

Uber is a really convenient way to get around Vallarta, especially if your Spanish isn’t great. Always wear your seatbelt, be mindful of your safety by keeping your travel and accommodation details close to the vest, and don’t forget to tip your drivers!