Puerto Vallarta in Mexico is already a great deal for visitors from the United States and Canada with a host of budget airlines traveling during the high season as well as reasonably priced hotels and vacation rentals. Therefore, a vacation in Puerto Vallarta is cheaper than most destinations even before you arrive.

Once you are in Puerto Vallarta, there are many ways for you to economize to make your vacation even cheaper. The first thing to do is make a list of all the free activities that you could enjoy in Puerto Vallarta, such as walking the Malecon, spending the day on a public beach, window shopping in Old Town, enjoying the free Artwalk on Wednesday evenings and much more. Then think of the tours you would like to do and consider how you could do them yourself by hiring a car or taking a water taxi. For example, perhaps the idea of a boat trip appeals but hiring a yacht and crew for the day is just too expensive, you can take a water taxi charging local prices to secluded beaches and get a free boat trip included in your day at the beach.

Other expenses that you can avoid in Puerto Vallarta are internet charges in your hotel room. Why not go to a local cafe that offers free internet and connect while having breakfast. Once you have the code, it is very unlikely that it will change again during a week long vacation, so next time you can just stand outside the cafe and connect to check your emails.

Taking the bus and walking as much as you can will stand to save you a few dollars in Puerto Vallarta. Taxis are not expensive in Puerto Vallarta but the buses are very cheap by comparison and you will gain an adventure to boot. The buses are very easy to navigate in Puerto Vallarta as you always have the mountains and the ocean to stop you from getting lost.

Another way to spend less in Puerto Vallarta is to use pesos rather than dollars. Many places in Puerto Vallarta accept dollars but you will find that the exchange rate you are offered is less favorable than you will get in a bank. In fact, using an ATM while in Puerto Vallarta is probably the best way to exchange money as it gives you the bank’s rates of the day and some cards don’t charge a fee. If your bank charges a fee, make sure you withdraw larger qualities to make the fees worthwhile.

And that’s all there is to a cheap vacation in Puerto Vallarta!