Green palm trees reach up toward the robin’s egg blue sky, the sun shining like glitter off the sapphire-blue Pacific Ocean. The Sierra Madre Mountains tumble down to golden-sand beaches. And bright white villas built into the hills pop out of the jungle-covered hillside.

Sounds like a postcard, right?

But it’s not. It’s the landscape of Puerto Vallarta.

The scenery that could be the backdrop of your life if you moved here.

Even though Puerto Vallarta is a small city, it’s large in vibe and amenities. The beach takes center stage, and the city abuts it.

There is always something going on in this town. From weekly markets and Art Walks to monthly festivals and events, you’ll never be bored. The city is a hive of colorful activity from sun up until the wee hours.

Once you walk out your door, you’ll be greeted by smiling locals selling freshly baked treats or fresh fruit and veggie juice from a stall on the street.

Behind them, a cadre of mom-and-pop restaurants in brightly colored buildings serves up traditional fare.

There are galleries to visit, shopping to do, movies to see, and massages to enjoy. Or you could do nothing but sit on the beach with a good book and gaze at the waves as they crash ashore. 

Lucky for you, Puerto Vallarta has a warm climate all year round.

December through April daytime averages are 70-80°F. As the year progresses, so do the temps. From April through November, daytime temps average from 80-90°F.

What makes the biggest difference in the climate is the rainy season.

Officially, it’s from June to October. But the rainiest months are July through September.

Sometimes the streets turn into rivers and the rivers flood. But they are short-lived. Heavy bursts of tropical rain and summertime heat mean humidity is at its peak. For most people, it’s hardest to acclimate to the humidity.  

The cost of living in Puerto Vallarta is not as low as in some areas of Mexico. And not as high as others. The budget depends on your chosen lifestyle.

If you plan to buy a house or a condo in Puerto Vallarta, your monthly spending on things like food, entertainment, and utilities can be relatively low.

Mexico is known for its street food, and Puerto Vallarta has its fair share of delicious US$1 tacos. If you hang out at the beach for entertainment, bring a picnic, it’s free.

If you use ceiling fans instead of the AC, you could have a very low bill, maybe even under US$40.

However, on the flip side, you can spend a lot of money on those very same things. If you only want to eat out at beachfront and white tablecloth places, you could easily spend over US$50 per person on food and drinks.

If you want to rent a yacht every month, it will cost you. And if you run your AC 24/7, it won’t be cheap. It could very well be more than US$250 a month.

At the end of the day, you can find a comfortable budget as long as you don’t expect to move here and have the lifestyle of the rich and famous for pennies.

There is quite a large expat community in Mexico. Over 1 million North Americans call Mexico home.

Obviously, not all of them are in Puerto Vallarta, but the expat community here is thriving.

In general, there are three groups of expats:

1. The full-timers who have made Puerto Vallarta home year-round. Many are retirees, some are still working, and others have moved here to open businesses.
2. The snowbirds who come from cooler climates up north and make their way here for the warm winters,  returning home in the summer.
3. The digital nomads and remote workers who are coming here in droves.

What they all have in common is they know a good thing when they see it.

So, there are expats of all ages living in Puerto Vallarta—a good majority of them are from North America.

This is why…

Living in a place where you can get home within a few hours for family events and emergencies makes Puerto Vallarta very appealing. No need to miss your grandkid’s 9^th birthday, your nephew’s wedding, or your mom’s birthday.

It also means your family and friends can just as easily visit you. It’s a win-win.

The Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) has direct flights to dozens of American and Canadian cities.

Healthcare is a primary concern for many people when choosing a place to live. Fortunately, anywhere you go in Mexico, you’ll find great healthcare. 

Healthcare in Puerto Vallarta has varying levels of care.

For example: If you think you have a sinus infection, you can walk into a clinic, take a number and be seen by a doctor. Usually, you’ll be tended to within an hour or two, depending on the line.

The cost? A mere US$20. With antibiotics? Tack on a cool US$5.

You can also make an appointment with a doctor or specialist and take yourself there. It’ll cost more, but still a fraction of the cost you’d pay up north.

There are numerous private and public hospitals in Puerto Vallarta to choose from. The private hospitals are every bit as modern and high-tech as any in the US or Canada. And you can be seen at any of them.

But be warned.

The care you will get in Mexico is very different than in the US or Canada.

Here, as the name implies, it is truly health care. The doctor will listen, take as much time as necessary, and won’t push you into the latest drug that his friend, the rep, just gave him. In Mexico, it’s not driven by profit. It’s not the business of medicine.

At the end of the day, if you are unsure if living in Mexico is for you, check out our Dream Retirement in Mexico program—it’s for people just like you and can help you figure it out.

Otherwise, if you’re ready to start your life in Puerto Vallarta, contact us and begin looking at properties today.