Quick answer. Get pesos from a bank ATM inside the terminal, not the exchange booths or the independent machines, and choose pesos on the screen. Mexico's Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner is Scotiabank, so a Scotiabank machine avoids the flat non-network withdrawal fee. BoA's 3 percent international conversion charge still applies and is never waived. Then sort out the ride. The taxis licensed to work the terminal kerb charge airport fares. Cross the pedestrian bridge over the highway in front of the airport and ordinary city taxis, ride-hail pick-ups and local buses are on the far side for a fraction of the price. On your way out you will pass desks offering free transport and discounted tours; that ride comes with a timeshare presentation attached.
Where to get Mexican peso at PVR
The withdrawal choices at PVR are ordinary. The costly decisions are paying in dollars and taking the terminal taxi. Here is what each cash route costs to get the peso equivalent of $100.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexican bank ATM with a no-FX-fee card | Arrivals, both halls | Network rate + bank fee shown on screen | ~$102-104 |
| Scotiabank ATM with a BoA debit card | Arrivals and the city | Network rate + BoA 3% (no flat non-network fee) | ~$105-107 |
| Independent machine accepting conversion | Arrivals corridor, Malecón | Higher fee + DCC margin | ~$108-112 |
| Exchange counter in arrivals | Arrivals corridor | 5-15% off the mid-market rate | ~$108-115 |
| Paying resorts and tours in US dollars | Hotel Zone, Malecón | Merchant's own exchange rate | ~$110-115 |
Bank machines at Puerto Vallarta (PVR), and the ones to walk past
Puerto Vallarta's Gustavo Díaz Ordaz airport sits on the coast road north of the city, between the Hotel Zone and Marina Vallarta, and serves all of Banderas Bay, including Nuevo Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit resorts across the state line. After customs, arrivals funnels passengers past a long run of exchange counters and tour and timeshare desks before the doors. Among them are bank ATMs from Mexican banks, and independent machines that charge more and push conversion into dollars. Use a bank machine, and if you carry a US Bank of America card, look for Scotiabank. Mexican bank ATMs show their withdrawal fee on screen before you confirm, which lets you compare and cancel. Choose pesos rather than dollars on every prompt. The city's bank branches along the Malecón and in the Zona Romántica are covered in our Puerto Vallarta money guide, and the national picture is in the Mexico money guide.
International arrivals
US and Canadian airlines and seasonal charters
After customs you walk a corridor of exchange counters and tour and timeshare desks. Keep going to the bank-branded ATMs, decline the offer to charge you in dollars, and withdraw pesos. Politely ignore anyone offering free transport or cut-price tours on the way out; it is a sales pitch.
Domestic arrivals
Aeromexico, Volaris and Viva flights from Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana and other cities
Fewer desks and a shorter walk, with bank machines on the same terms. Choose pesos on every screen.
The pedestrian bridge over the highway
City taxis, ride-hail pick-ups and local buses on the far side
Walk out of arrivals and up over the footbridge across the main road. On the other side, ordinary city taxis and local buses towards the Hotel Zone and downtown stop at the roadside, and ride-hail drivers can meet you there. The same trip costs a fraction of the airport taxi. Have small peso notes and coins ready for the bus.
Do you actually need cash at Puerto Vallarta (PVR)?
Not if you plan the ride. Here is what each way into town costs and how you pay:
Airport taxi from the terminal kerb (a fixed zone fare, well above a city taxi): Bought at the booth inside, often payable by card; the convenient choice with heavy luggage and the most expensive.
City taxi across the footbridge (a fraction of the airport fare): Agree the price before you get in and pay in pesos; expect cash only.
Ride-hail from across the bridge (usually well below the airport taxi): Billed to your card through the app; meet the driver on the far side of the highway rather than at the terminal kerb.
Local bus towards downtown (a handful of pesos): Flag it on the far side of the highway, pay the driver in coins, and allow time for the stops.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta?
Not if you take a ride-hail car or the airport taxi, both of which can be paid by card. The cheap options need cash: a city taxi or the local bus from the far side of the pedestrian bridge wants pesos, in small notes and coins. A bank ATM in arrivals solves that before you leave the building.
Can I order Mexican peso before flying?
Optional. CEI Currency Exchange ships pesos to a US address in 2-5 days, which lets you walk straight past the exchange counters and machines in arrivals. Order small notes: Puerto Vallarta's buses, beach vendors and water taxis struggle to change a 500-peso note.
Should I accept the free ride offered in Puerto Vallarta arrivals?
Only if you want to sit through a timeshare presentation. The desks between customs and the exit are staffed by sales agents who offer free transport, cheap tours or credits in exchange for a few hours of your holiday at a resort sales pitch. Say no thanks and keep walking; the pedestrian bridge outside gets you a cheap ride with no strings.