Taxi Tactics in Puerto Vallarta: Navigating Fares and Finding Fair Drivers

In Puerto Vallarta, taxis are a convenient way to get around for many residents and visitors opting to live without a car.

After meeting a friend at the cruise terminal, one local passenger decided to walk to Chedraui to avoid the higher prices of the terminal’s authorized taxis. Yet, the quotes from regular yellow taxis ranged wildly—from 300 to 400 pesos for a short ride to the Malecon, which usually costs around 120 pesos. Determined to get a fair rate, the passenger eventually found a driver quoting 80 pesos and rewarded him with a generous tip for his honesty.

These discrepancies underscore a wider issue. Official taxi syndicate fare sheets do exist, with prices based on regional zones across the city: 50 pesos within a region, 100 pesos for inter-regional trips, and increasing amounts for longer distances. But outdated pricing sheets make it difficult for passengers to know what’s reasonable, leaving room for wildly varied quotes.

For a quick comparison, many check Uber, which often shows lower prices—sometimes just slightly less than taxi fares but occasionally far below. In one case, a ride quoted at 300 pesos by taxi was only 90 pesos on Uber. For residents and tourists alike, fare transparency could go a long way in providing peace of mind on daily commutes without surprises.