A frequently asked question on the Forum is "How much to take a Taxi from the Airport to a particular Hotel?”   

At the Puerto Vallarta airport, taxi fares are federally regulated and non- negotiable.    They are in pesos.   One can pay in either dollars (American) or Mexican currency.    It is usually better to pay in pesos.  ATMs are there (see map.  Link below)

Taxi and Van rates are per vehicle, not per person.   A taxi can accommodate 1-3 people plus luggage.  Otherwise you will need a larger vehicle (small children excepted).   (Fares for vans are approximately the cost of 2 cabs). All prices are listed in PESOS, although you can pay in  US dollars. (see below)

When you exit Customs, turn left and keep walking through both sets of sliding doors and straight ahead to the official taxi booth where you will buy a ticket.    Do NOT talk to the official-looking people in these areas, before you exit the sliding doors.  They are Timeshare Salespeople .   Note,  it´s ok to get a porter to help you with your luggage.  They are now located just past Customs.  Carts are now available in the luggage area before Customs near the baggage claim area.

When you are through the second set of sliding doors, proceed straight to an official Taxi Booth.  The easiest to see is the one located between two tall doors leading to the outside.   Here is a map (courtesy of bzy1) 

http://todopuertovallarta.homestead.c...

 Please note that there are 3 different Airport Taxi companies.   Check more than one booth.   Fares are listed by zone (see below),  There are no meters in cabs in Puerto Vallarta.

For example, if you are going to a Hotel or address in Zone 1, you can either pay 179 pesos or 18 $ (U.S.) for your ticket.    At the Taxi Booth (inside the Airport) you will tell them where you are going and how many you are.  At the moment, fares are by Zone.  In other words, you will pay the same fare to go to any hotel or condo in a particular Zone.   Below is a list of hotels in each Zone and the fare for each.  If your hotel is not listed, or you are staying at a private condo, check out the great Maps at http://www.vallartainfo.com.   And by all means, when you return, please edit this page to update the list to include your Hotel or B&B.   

When you pay the appropriate  fare (see below) you will be issued a receipt.   This is the total payment to your destination.     As your cab exits the airport, the driver will pull off and stop briefly at a kiosk to show your receipt.  If, on the offchance, the taxi driver says you must pay some additional charge, do not pay.   You have paid in full and the clerk at the kiosk is simply there to check the receipt.

Tipping:  Unlike in many other places, taxi drivers do not expect gratuities let alone any particular percentage, but of  they will accept them. 

And remember, the good news is every other Taxi you will take while in Puerto Vallarta will be much cheaper.   Your return fare TO the airport should be app. 100 pesos less than you paid to get  FROM the airport. 

ZONE 1A                                                     (all rates verified as current as of Dec. 30, 2009 )
MARINA VALLARTA                       

Cab: (1-3 people) $163.00   Van:  $315.00 Pesos 
 

Condos like Bay View Grande, Portofino, etc.Flamingos Vallarta
Casa Velas
Marina del Rey
Marina Golf
Marriott C. Magna Mayan Palace
Melia
Mayan Palace
Velas Vallarta
Villas Pacifico
Westin Regina

ZONE 1
HOTEL ZONE / DOWNTOWN             

Cab: (1-3 people) $179.00   Van:  $352.00   Pesos

Buenaventura                                                         
Buganvilias
Canto del Sol
Crown Paradise

Encino
Fiesta Americana

Friendly (Hola) 

Golden Crown Paradise
Holiday Inn

Hotel Rosita
Los Tules
NH Krystal Vallarta

Pescador
Plaza Iguana
Plaza Pelicanos
Villa Premiere
Puerto de Luna
Royal Holiday Club

Rio
Sheraton
Suites La Siesta

Villa del Palmar

ZONE 2
OLD TOWN / ROMANTIC ZONE        

Cab: (1-3 people) $230.00  Van:  $473.00 Pesos

Conchas Chinas                                                          
Costa Sur
Costa Vida
Dreams
Lindo Mar
Los Arcos Hotel
Mercurio
Meza del Mar
Playa Los Arcos
San Marino
Tropicana
Playa del Sol
Posada de Roger
The Abbey
Villa Vista

ZONE 2
SOUTHERN NUEVO VALLARTA                                See above Zone 2 rates

Costa Vallarta
Dreams Villa Magna                                                                                                                                                                                                          Grand Velas
Marina Fiesta
Marival
Mayan Palace
Mayan Sea Garden Occidental Grand
Occidental Allegro
Paradise Village
Solare
Sierra Nuevo
Villa Varadero

ZONE 3
NORTHERN NUEVO VALLARTA            

Cab (1-3 people)  $284.00   Van:  $557.00  Pesos
                                                                                 

Playa del. Sol Grand                             
Royal Decameron
Riu Jalisco

Samba
Villa del Palmar Flamingos

ZONE 3
MISMALOYA

(please see above for Zone 3 Fares)
Condo. Las Penas
Gemelas
Girasol Sur
Barcelo La Jolla Mismaloya Playa Esmeralda
Playa Fiesta
Presidente Intercontinental
Pto. Vallarta Zoo

ZONE 4   PUNTA MITA 

Four Seasons, St. Regis, Porta Fortuna, Hacienda de Mita (plus anything inside the Punta Mita Development ) as well as any condos or hotels in the town outside (El Faro, Punta Vista, El Anclote Condos, Hotel des Artistes).

Palladium

Casa de Mita

Taxi (1-3 passengers):   800 pesos