Geography

Located on the west coast of Mexico in the middle of the Bay of Banderas, it is a formation of the Pacific Ocean coastline that includes parts of the states of Nayaric to the north and Jalisco to the south. PV is a safe, friendly city where Spanish is sometimes helpful, but not absoutely necessary. Most shops and restaurants welcome US dollars. It is advisable to convert dollars to pesos to enjoy the favorable exchange rate. Walking in the downtown area is very safe. There are always taxis available at any corner.

Topography

Because of the town's sheltered location and the protection offered by the Sierre Madre mountains surrounding the Bay, none of the hurricanes spawned in the Pacific have entered the Bay since the beginning of regional record-keeping

Water Supply

PV boasts one of the two cleanest water systems in Mexico. Restaurants serve purified water and purified ice. Vegetables and fruits are sanitized in better restaurants and most hotels and condos provided purified tap water and/or bottled water.

Climate

Tropical, humid with an average of 300 sunny days per year. Temperatures average 82-degrees F and the rainy season extends from late June to early October.

General

There are many great restaurants in PV. Taxi rides average $3.00 within the central zone. Airport trips run $10-$12 US, plus tip. $5.00 (or about 50 pesos) makes a good total ride, including tip within downtown, Alta Vista, or the Amapas area.