• Airport: book your flight into the Puerto Vallarta airport (airport code: PVR). The airport is officially named Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport

• Passport: you will need a passport that is valid for the entire length of your stay (Mexico does not enforce a buffer period for expiration; it just needs to be valid while you are in the country); also, take a photo of your passport with your smartphone

• Driver's License: bring your driver’s license if you plan to rent a car

• Prescription medications: pack your meds in your carry-on; do not pack them in your checked luggage

• Credit & Debit Cards: be sure you have your PIN # to withdraw cash

• Your TV App Logins: your unit will have a Smart TV, but you will need to log in to your own accounts to watch (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc).

• Electrical plugs: FYI, Mexico uses the same electrical plugs as the U.S. and Canada (so, no need to bring a power converter if you are traveling from there); these are standard Type A (two-prong) and Type B (three-prong, grounded) plugs and sockets

• Bringing Food or Medication?: anything pre-packaged should be okay to bring into the country (snack foods, protein powders, vitamins, medicines, etc.). Do NOT bring any dried meat, fresh fruit, nor nicotine of any kind (cigarettes or vapes will be confiscated and you may be fined!)

• Communication: Most people use WhatsApp in Mexico, so be sure you’ve downloaded it to your smartphone

• Good walking shoes or sandals: La Cruz is a small town that still has several uneven streets & sidewalks

• Portable Music Speaker: it’s nice to have music on the rooftop or at the beach!

• Reusable Water Bottle: we provide large, 6 gal jugs of water, from which to refill your water bottle

When you exit the airplane...

1. Immigration: You will first go through a passport check. These are automated machines where you scan your passport and have your photo taken. The machine will print out a receipt–KEEP THIS RECEIPT IN A SAFE PLACE. You’ll need to present this receipt at the airport again when you leave the country.

2. Baggage Claim & Customs: After immigration/passport check, there is a long walk through the airport to customs (~8 mins). At the end of this walk, there are bathrooms available (just before you enter the baggage claim area). Upon entering the baggage area, you'll see some tall silver desks (photo here); this is where you can pick up a Customs Form (if you did not receive one on the plane); you only need 1 form per household. Pick up any checked baggage in this area, then proceed to the customs line and give the customs form to the agent. Your bags will then go through an X-ray machine.

3. After Customs (Avoid People in Hallway!): After exiting customs, you will walk through a short hallway area, with several people lined up on either side (photo here); they may look like airport employees that want to help you––please avoid them, don't make eye contact, and just keep walking. These folks want to sell you timeshares. They are harmless but annoying. Walk all the way to the very outside of the airport until you see the open air! There you'll find cash machines, restrooms, and even a bar (in case you want to buy the most expensive margarita in Mexico!).

1. Taxis: Many taxis are waiting at the curb, and they are fine to use (cash only); just be sure to negotiate a price before you get inside––pay no more than 850 pesos max to La Cruz.

2. Uber: Uber is also a safe and affordable option, but you'll have to walk to the outside of the airport pickup area to meet the Uber (exit the interior of the airport, take a left, and walk all the way down the length of the airport building past the taxis; you’ll then use the pedestrian walking briddge (see photo here) and meet your Uber driver on the other side of the highway (it’s about an ~7 min walk in total). Uber is probably your most afforable option.

3. Rent a Car: We highly recommend using Gecko Rental Car (we’ve rented from them probably more than 25 times and never had an issue). They will use the “VIP" service desk at the airport to greet you and pay for a taxi to take you to their office and pick up a car (it’s only a 3-min ride from the airport). https://geckorentcar.com/

4. Private Car: For a private car service, we have a few recommendations––you can contact them via WhatsApp or Facebook (they are reliable and will stop at a grocery store for you, but will be more expensive):

   Sam Tejeda (our fav!!), MX +52 311 270 5238

   Humberto Aguilar Moreno: MX +52 322 294 5681, Facebook

   Javier and Christina at Luxury Car Services, MX + 52 322 171 8550, Facebook