Trip Report: 1 month in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

I spent a month in Mexico and truly enjoyed every minute of it. Here's a quick summary of the cost of living and what you can expect in terms of infrastructure.

All conversions are based on an approximate exchange rate of 1$≈ 18.5Pesos.

Accommodation

I stayed in Puerto Vallarta and paid Pesos23,025 (about $1,245) for a 1-bedroom apartment for 30 nights. Keep in mind that September is low season, there weren't many tourists around, so prices were quite reasonable. During the high season (roughly December through April), you should expect to pay significantly more.

If you're planning a longer stay, it's worth negotiating directly with the landlord or looking for monthly rentals outside the main tourist strip.

Groceries

I cooked a lot for myself, which meant frequent trips to the supermarket. Here are a few sample prices:

Sirloin steak (prime), 1kg Pesos715~$39

Milk, 1 L Pesos38.50~$2.08

Bimbo sandwich bread, 610g Pesos65.60~$3.55

Victoria beer, 355 ml can Pesos19~$1.03

Papaya, 1 kg Pesos39~$2.11

Wine was not cheap. Prices started at around Pesosos500 (roughly $27) per bottle, so I simply skipped it. Everything below that price point did not look very appealing. Beer, tequila, and mezcal are far better value if you're looking for something to drink.

You will find a good selection of beers in Mexcio!

Eating out is also affordable.

Payment Methods

Having pesos on hand is your best option. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, but always ask about the exchange rate beforehand, it's often unfavorable. I paid by credit card most of the time, and it worked without any issues.

Co-Working Spaces, Internet Speed and Power Outages

My apartment came with a small desk, but it turned out to be too cramped for daily work. I ended up renting a spot in a co-working space for Pesos2,000 (about $108) per month, a nice way to meet other remote workers.

The internet connection was stable and the speed was generally fine. Occasionally, download speeds slowed down, but in general it was ok. Video calls were sometimes a problem.

Download speed was a problem from time to time.

The power grid seemed reliable overall. We had no real blackouts during my stay. There were occasional voltage fluctuations strong enough to reboot the modem, which meant losing internet for about 5 minutes. If you rely on a stable connection, a small UPS or a mobile hotspot as backup should work.

Tourist Visa and Travel Insurance

At immigration, I wasn't asked how long I planned to stay, and I automatically received a 180 day tourist visa.

I always carry travel health insurance, but I wasn't asked for it upon entry.

Conclusion

I'll definitely be coming back to Mexico! The people were incredibly friendly and welcoming, only the police officers and customs agents came across as a bit grumpy. The food was delicious and varied, and if you look around a little, you'll find plenty of co-working spaces and apartments suited to digital nomads.

Puerto Vallarta ofers a great balance between beach town relaxation and everyday practicality. I know there is much more to see, but did not have the time to travel much, I just had a lot of work.