When you arrive at the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, you will first go to immigration where you will show your passport and get the visa you filled out on the plane validated. Be sure to keep your visa with you at the Villa because you will need it when you check in at the airport for your departure from Mexico. Next you will pick up your bags and go through customs. In customs you will put all your bags through and x-ray machine. You will be asked to press a button (once for your entire family) which will in all likelihood result in a green "pase" light. After this collect your bags and you'll be in your way. If you get a red "alto" light they will go through your bags and confiscate anything that may be considered illegal. If this happens, relax and take your time. If you're following the rules you will be on your way shortly. When you're packing if you're bringing things like alcohol make sure that you don't put more that the maximum amount in any one bag, otherwise you may lose some.

Now you are officially in Mexico and ready to be on your way. You now have to get through all the timeshare salesmen. This will likely be the only unpleasant experience for your stay in Vallarta. They try to talk you into taxi rides in exchange for sitting through a sales presentation and are very persistent and get in your way while walking. Don't fall for it, tell them friends are picking you up and go all the way to the end of the airport and take a “legal” airport taxi from one of the Taxi Stands to Las Terrazas in Conchas Chinas. You will pay for the taxi at the stand inside and they will help you load your bags into one of the waiting taxis. The best stand is at the very far wall with car rentals on the left and people or private drivers waiting on the right. The address is Paseo de las Conchas Chinas #115 Villa #4 in the colonia called Conchas Chinas. You will be greeted at Villa La Casita with Frosty Margaritas (the National drink) and tasty snacks will be served while you are getting settled and learn your way around the Villa.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From the airport, take the main road into El Centro. Go through the center of town and across the bridge over The Rio Cuale River. After the bridge you will be on Ignacio Vallarta, go straight until you come to Basilio Badillo, turn left and go to the stoplight and turn right. This is the road that goes to Mismaloya & Boca de Tomatlán, it is called Carretera de Barra de Navidad “México 200”. Approximately 1/2 block from this turn will be a Pemex gas station on right-hand side. Continue on, you will be heading south, the road has many curves. There are several side-roads that are unmarked. This stretch of road is approximately .5 kms from Pemex to Conchas Chinas turn- off. Watch on the right-hand side for a blue and white road sign that says “Playa Conchas Chinas" and up to the left you will see a "Telmex" building and also on the left a sign that says "Ocho Cascadas", there you turn left to go up the hill at the first entrance to Conchas Chinas. At the “Y’ in the road….bear left on Calle de los Delfines and continue up the hill. Where the road ends, turn right on Paseo de las Conchas Chinas and continue winding around, then take the “low road” to the building Las Terrazas which is #115.

If all else fails…ask someone for “Las Terrazas” or ask a taxi driver to lead you to Las Terrazas for a nominal fee!