Basics of Living in Puerto Vallarta Part Time
Snowbird 101
As temperatures steadily fall in Canada as well as the Northern United States, snowbird season approaches full swing in Puerto Vallarta as they fly south for the winter. A snowbird is an affectionate name for the thousands of North Americans who make Puerto Vallarta their home during the colder months, and these loyal visitors escape their frigid and dreary winters with the bountiful sunshine of this tropical paradise.
The annual influx of snowbirds to the Puerto Vallarta area has become an unofficial tradition and a welcome sight to locals, and the good news for those considering an extended vacation from the frosty white north is that becoming a snowbird is easier than you may think. For most newcomers, becoming a snowbird is an enjoyable, hassle free transition that delivers an unforgettable “winter” year after year.
How Long Do Snowbirds Stay in Puerto Vallarta?
Thanks to Mexico's tourist friendly visa system, which typically allows up to 6 months of uninterrupted residency with basic visitor's documentation, these loyal visitors enjoy what would otherwise be many unforgiving northern winters amidst the sand, surf and sunshine of the Banderas Bay. Some of the local snowbird community has been making their annual flight south for decades.
Most regular snowbirds spend 3 or more months in the area when they visit from their home countries, and as a result many rental properties structure their rates around quarterly contracts. Others take advantage of the full 180 day visitation limit, and these visitors are often able to obtain slightly better rates on accommodations with an extended contract.
Most regular snowbirds spend 3 or more months in the area when they visit from their home countries, and as a result many rental properties structure their rates around quarterly contracts. Others take advantage of the full 180 day visitation limit, and these visitors are often able to obtain slightly better rates on accommodations with an extended contract.
Will Puerto Vallarta be Like Home?
The city as well as the Banderas Bay area at large has recognized its increased snowbird population in recent years by providing them with a full range of familiar amenities to make their stays more comfortable. Availability of imported products has greatly increased and accessibility to the area was substantially improved through improvements to Highway 200, which connects Puerto Vallarta to Tepic in the neighboring state of Nayarit through the major city of Guadalajara.
This means that many of the most popular products and services relied on by the typical American or Canadian tourists are commonly available in the area, and prices have widely lowered thanks to simplified transport. However, it is important to remember that your vacation takes you far away from home, and so there may be some limited unavailability with some specialty products. Therefore, travelers should consider bringing items they find essential and may not be able to find abroad.
Another difference between Puerto Vallarta and the home cities of many snowbirds is its extraordinary walkability. Many of its most popular attractions and points of interest are within a walking radius of 25 minutes or so, making it easy to navigate the best of what the area has to offer on foot. Snowbirds also benefit from a community of fellow seasonal visitors who frequently reconnect during their stay south of the border and provide a true sense of community.
This means that many of the most popular products and services relied on by the typical American or Canadian tourists are commonly available in the area, and prices have widely lowered thanks to simplified transport. However, it is important to remember that your vacation takes you far away from home, and so there may be some limited unavailability with some specialty products. Therefore, travelers should consider bringing items they find essential and may not be able to find abroad.
Another difference between Puerto Vallarta and the home cities of many snowbirds is its extraordinary walkability. Many of its most popular attractions and points of interest are within a walking radius of 25 minutes or so, making it easy to navigate the best of what the area has to offer on foot. Snowbirds also benefit from a community of fellow seasonal visitors who frequently reconnect during their stay south of the border and provide a true sense of community.
What Should I Bring?
Another reason that becoming a snowbird in Puerto Vallarta is a more popular option than ever is that traveling to the country is very convenient. Most rental accommodations come fully furnished with high quality furniture, so extended visitors have no need to bring large, heavy items. In fact, the only personal effects many snowbirds arrive with is a suitcase or two full of summer clothing and a near-permanent smile!
How Much Spanish Do I Need to Speak?
Although it is an inarguable fact that the only way to get the absolute most out of an experience with a different culture is to learn and appreciate the local language, first time visitors will be relieved to know that English is spoken on an exceptionally wide basis in Puerto Vallarta. This is especially true of employees at tourist-focused resources such as entertainment venues and retail stores, but many local residents also speak the language, and so most visitors will have minimal issues communicating during their stay.
How Do I Get Ready?
Once you've decided to make the leap into enjoying an extended stay in Puerto Vallarta, there are a few items of business to handle to ensure a stress free transition. Many long term visitors choose to cover themselves with travel insurance, as the majority of standard health, dental and other benefit plans rarely provide protection for activity outside the country where the policy was purchased.
Other preparations include notifying your banks and credit card issuers about your upcoming long term visit to ensure the availability of your funds during your stay in Mexico. Ordering pesos through your bank in advance of your flight can deliver extremely favorable exchange rates, and should also be considered. You'll also want to cancel or postpone any reoccurring services at your northern home, including newspaper and mail delivery as well as any utilities you may not use for the duration.
With the global climate of today, more people than ever before are considering a long term visit to the sunny oasis that countries like Mexico offer. Puerto Vallarta in particular is a welcome destination for these eager travelers, providing an inimitable blend of beautiful weather, an exchange rate beneficial to both Americans and Canadians as well as an overall excellent standard of living.
Other preparations include notifying your banks and credit card issuers about your upcoming long term visit to ensure the availability of your funds during your stay in Mexico. Ordering pesos through your bank in advance of your flight can deliver extremely favorable exchange rates, and should also be considered. You'll also want to cancel or postpone any reoccurring services at your northern home, including newspaper and mail delivery as well as any utilities you may not use for the duration.
With the global climate of today, more people than ever before are considering a long term visit to the sunny oasis that countries like Mexico offer. Puerto Vallarta in particular is a welcome destination for these eager travelers, providing an inimitable blend of beautiful weather, an exchange rate beneficial to both Americans and Canadians as well as an overall excellent standard of living.
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