Essential Services

This section covers critical logistical details that will enhance your trip, help you avoid unnecessary hassles, and increase your fun. If you find we have missed a resource worth mentioning, or have other suggestions on how we might improve these pages, please e-mail us with your comments.

What to Bring
Weather
Tipping
Postal Service
Office Hours
Key Contact Information

Other Related Pages:
Banking
Medical
Phones

What to Bring

• Light clothes
• Sun hats and/or sunglasses with leash
• Comfortable walking shoes (lots of cobblestone streets)
• Hiking boots if you plan on exploring
• A sweater in the winter
• An umbrella or rain gear in the summer and fall
• Swimwear
• Beach or water shoes
• Waterproof sunscreen (if you are picky about the formulation)
• Dental floss (hard to find in Mexico)
• Pocket notebook or calendar (see Banking)
  
• Spanish-English dictionary
• Maps (see Maps & Directions)
  
• Good books or reading material
• Good friends and children—Mexicans love children and make them feel welcome
• Passport, pen, and paperclip (see Transportation)
  
• NOTE: Children will need their own passports
• NOTE: Your passport expiration date must be six months later than your return date
  

What Not To Bring

• Nylons or polyester
• High heels (lots of cobblestone streets)
• Heavy formal clothing (elegant summer dresses, shirts and slacks are fine even at the nicest places)
• Diapers, wipes and other basic supplies for children are easy to find in the farmacias, so you do not need to over pack on these items
• Unnecessary valuables
• Meat and dairy products
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Anything made of straw
• Anything illegal
  

The Mexican electrical system is the same as in the US and Canada; however, in older buildings you may need a two-prong adapter for three-prong devises. Consider bringing a surge protector (possibly even a battery back-up) for sensitive or critical electronics. Surges and blackouts do happen.

Weather

San Pancho averages 320 days of sunshine per year. The weather tends to be dry except from November to May. This is prime time here with moderate temperatures and fresh sea air. Mornings and sunsets are mostly magical.

The rainy season runs from June to October. In can be hot and muggy during the summer. Rain tends to fall in the afternoon, evening, or at night. The heat and humidity tend to build up and then release in big rain storms followed by relatively cooler weather. The off-season has its charms if you like the absence of tourists and enjoy standing on the beach during a monumental deluge of bathing-temperature rain or like to watch massive electrical storms out over the ocean. Toward the end of the rainy season, the estuary tops the beach and cuts a channel out to the ocean.

Check out the current weather in San Pancho

Tipping

It is a good idea to have a selection of coins and small bills with you at all times.

Do Not Tip

Don’t tip beach vendors, timeshare flacks, beggars (especially children), hotel performers, or unsolicited help. Tipping taxi drivers is only done if you receive help with your luggage or other extra care; rounding up to the nearest MXN $5-10 is normal.

Do Tip

In general, tipping is appropriate and appreciated for small services. However, the customary amounts are modest. Here are some general guidelines:

• Hotel maids (MXN $10-20 per day)
• Bellboys and baggage handlers (MXN $5-10 per bag)
• Tour guides, public bus, and malecón performers (how much fun did you have?)
• Hair stylists, spa, and massage therapists (5-10%)
• Grocery baggers, car park and restroom attendants (MXN $2-5)
• You may choose to tip delivery people or service-call workers, but only if they have done an exceptional job

If you see children bagging groceries, do not worry that they are being misused. Supermarkets operate carefully designed programs to provide children with extra income while they are attending school. Give them a modest tip and a smile.

Restaurants

If you are part of a large party in a restaurant, the tip may already be included. Check this to avoid tipping twice. Restaurant tipping is the same as in the US and Canada (10-20%).

Musicians that serenade at your table are often not compensated by the restaurant and will expect to be paid after performing for you. Politely decline before they start if you do not want this entertainment.

Filling Stations

All stations are full service. Be sure and tip if you accept additional services beyond a simple fill-up. This can range from MXN $2-5 for a kid who cleans your windshield, up to 5-10% of your gas bill for a full check of engine fluids and tire pressure.

Postal Service

The Mexican postal service is slow (especially to small villages), so except for postcards you are better off either e-mailing or using one of the standard shipping services (DHL, FedEx, UPS) to ship packages or documents. Shipping to the US this way is not cheap, but it is reliable and fast.

Many goods brought from the US to Mexico arrive via airline luggage. So, if you want to become popular with your San Pancho friends, call them up before you come down and ask them if they need anything.

Office Hours

Commercial offices are usually open:
M-F 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 to 7:00 PM

Government offices are generally open:
M-F 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Banks are generally open:
M-F 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM and Sat 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

KEY CONTACT INFORMATION

Emergencies

• Police 060
• General emergencies 066
• Fire or Ambulance 080
• Highway Emergencies 078
• Environmental Emergency (322) 135-5808
• Tourist Security (55) 5250-0123

Mexican National Tourism Office

• Main Number (800) 446-3942 or 44-MEXICO
• Security Issues Hotline (55) 5250-0123
• General Information (55) 5658-1111
• Puerto Vallarta Information (322) 223-2500
  Located in the Municipal Building at the NE corner of the main plaza

Government Offices

US CONSULATE
Nuevo Vallarta (322) 222-0069 or 223-3301 (mornings only)
24-Hour Emergency Hotline (Gaudalajara) (33) 3268-2145

CANADIAN CONSULATE
(322) 222-5398

PROFECO (MEXICAN CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY)
Main Number (525) 211-1659
Puerto Vallarta (322) 225-0000
Tepic (523) 212-3457 or 212-8458

MEXICAN VISAS
www.sre.gob.mx
www.migracion.gob.mx

RESIDENCY PERMITS
(322) 224-7653

IMMIGRATION SERVICES
Attorney Jessica Riedesser
(322) 221-0724

Taxes and Permits

MUNICIPIO DE BAHIA DE BANDERAS (County Government)
Property taxes are due in January.
(329) 291-0818

MEXICAN SOCIAL SECURITY
To register any domestic help you hire.
(329) 296-5140

PROPERTY RENTAL PERMITS
(329) 298-1806

AUTO PERMITS
www.banjercito.com.mx/site/tramiteitv_ing.jsp

Utilities

TELEPHONE BILL
Due monthly; you can also pay at some banks and grocery stores.
(329) 295-1686

ELECTRIC BILL
Due every other month.
(322) 225-5555

International Associations

US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce (Gaudalajara)
(523) 123-1514 or 123-1293

International Friendship Club of Puerto Vallarta
(322) 222-5466