Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport serves Puerto Vallarta, one of the main beach destinations on the Mexican Pacific, on the Bahía de Banderas.
It is an access point to the Hotel Zone, the picturesque Romantic Zone, and surrounding beaches, including the nearby Riviera Nayarit.
How to get to Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to PVR
Parking near Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport
A multi-level parking structure flanks the terminal.
Rates are in line with standards of a Mexican beach destination.
How to get to Puerto Vallarta from PVR
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport
Major car rental brands all have a desk in the arrivals area.
Prepare your driver's license, passport, and credit card: an IDP is generally necessary for the rental.
Hotels near Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport
Marina Vallarta
Marina Vallarta literally borders the airport: 5-10 minutes by car, the shortest in this guide.
Best for: Short layovers, dawn departures and those who want a beach resort a few minutes from the terminals, without the traffic of the Malecón towards downtown.
- The shortest possible transfer to and from the terminals, handy for the first flights of the morning
- Golf course, marina with restaurants and its own beach without leaving the neighbourhood
- A planned residential and hotel area, with little street life compared to downtown
- For the Zona Romántica or the Malecón you still need 20-30 minutes by taxi
Recommended hotels
- The Westin Playa Vallarta, an All-Inclusive Resort On Marina Vallarta beach, a few minutes from the airport; the first all-inclusive resort under the Westin brand in Mexico, with multiple pools and in-house restaurants. View availability
- Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa CasaMagna resort on Marina Vallarta beach, about 5 minutes from the airport; awarded AAA Four Diamond for over twenty consecutive years. View availability
Zona Hotelera (Las Glorias)
About 10-15 minutes by car from the airport (6.5 km); the Malecón and downtown are a few minutes on foot.
Best for: Those who want a beach resort a few minutes on foot from the Malecón and downtown, without the extra distance of the Zona Romántica or the Costa Sur.
- The Malecón and downtown restaurants within walking distance, with no need for a taxi in the evening
- The resort's beach and pools a few steps from the room
- Some buildings in the area date back several decades, with furnishings less modern than the more recent resorts.
- Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio is busy and noisy compared to Marina Vallarta
Zona Romántica and Downtown
About 20-30 minutes by car from the airport (10 km), along the Malecón; there is no fast direct bus, only taxis or local collective vans with several stops.
Best for: Those who want the historic centre, restaurants and the Zona Romántica's evening life within walking distance, accepting a longer transfer from the airport.
- Restaurants, galleries and the Zona Romántica's evening life within walking distance of the room
- Camarones beach a few minutes on foot, with the historic centre and the Malecón nearby
- Longer transfer from the airport than Marina Vallarta or the Zona Hotelera
- Narrow, crowded alleys in the evening hours, with scarce parking for those arriving by car
Costa Sur
About 25-35 minutes by car from the airport, crossing downtown and the Cuale river before heading up the south coast; both resorts remain within the territory of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, not Nuevo Vallarta.
Best for: Those looking for an isolated all-inclusive resort on the Carretera a Barra de Navidad, south of downtown, with less street life but more peace and quiet.
- A quieter beach, less crowded with venues than downtown or Marina Vallarta
- Recently opened resorts, with pools and restaurants designed so you don't need to go out in the evening
- The longest transfer in this guide, along with the one to Costa Mujeres in Cancún
- No independent shop or restaurant nearby: you stay within the resort
Recommended hotels
- Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive All-inclusive resort on the Carretera a Barra de Navidad, in the Conchas Chinas area south of downtown; among the most reviewed in Puerto Vallarta for location and service. View availability
- Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort, Puerto Vallarta 444 rooms on the same Carretera a Barra de Navidad as the Hyatt Ziva, with two infinity pools and 14 in-house restaurants and bars. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, appropriately sized for strong seasonal tourism traffic, handles numerous direct flights from North America and Europe.
To avoid issues, it's better to arrive 3 hours early for international flights.
Map of Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do Puerto Vallarta taxis have meters?
No, the driver quotes a fare that you can accept or refuse: always confirm the total price before getting in.
Q. How much does a taxi from the airport to the Hotel Zone cost?
Roughly 26 USD per vehicle (1-3 passengers); about 32 USD to downtown/Zona Romántica.
Q. Is it better to stay in the Hotel Zone or the Zona Romántica?
The Hotel Zone offers more convenient beachfront resorts (15-20 minutes from the airport); the Zona Romántica is more picturesque and lively, with boutique hotels (20-25 minutes).
Q. Is Puerto Vallarta close to the Riviera Nayarit?
Yes, the coast of the nearby Riviera Nayarit is easily reached by car from the airport.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
