Puerto Vallarta stretches along the coast instead of gathering around a centre, so almost everything is a bit too far to walk and a bit too close to justify a taxi.
That gap is where a scooter earns its keep. You skip the bus lines, you park almost anywhere, and a full day of moving around costs about what one cross-town taxi does.
Here is what you need to rent one, where to point it, and a few things about this city that are worth knowing before you turn the key.
Why a scooter makes sense here
Puerto Vallarta is spread along the coast rather than gathered around a centre, so the distance between where you sleep, where you eat and where you swim is usually more than you want to walk and less than you want to pay a taxi for. That gap is exactly where a scooter fits.
You skip the bus lines, you skip the wait for a ride, and you park almost anywhere — which in a city of narrow, cobbled streets is worth more than speed. It is also cheap to run: a scooter uses very little fuel, so a full day of moving around costs about what one taxi ride across town would.
What you need to rent one
Two things: a valid driver's license and an official ID. Bring both with you when you come to pick the scooter up.
Our scooters are automatic — no clutch, no gear changes, no learning curve if you have never ridden a motorcycle. If you can ride a bicycle and drive a car, you already have everything you need to handle one.
How long should you rent it for?
We rent by the hour, for a full office-hours block, or for 24 hours, and the right choice depends on the day you have planned:
- One or two hours — you know where you are going and you want to get there and back
- A full day block — beach in the morning, lunch somewhere else, sunset somewhere else again
- 24 hours — you want it for dinner and the evening too, without watching the clock
The current rates for each option are listed on the rental page.
Where to go on your first ride
Start with the Malecón and the streets just behind it to get used to the traffic. Then head south along the coastal road toward Conchas Chinas and Mismaloya — it is the prettiest stretch near the city and the road is straightforward. North takes you toward the marina, the hotel zone and, if you keep going, Bucerías and the beaches past the state line.
Tell us where you are thinking of going when you pick the scooter up. If a route is better suited to something bigger, we will say so.
Riding tips for this city
- Cobblestones. Large parts of the old town are paved with them. Slow down, keep your weight relaxed, and they are no problem.
- Hills. The neighborhoods behind the centre climb quickly. Take corners on the climb with a bit of momentum.
- Rain. In the summer months it rains hard and briefly, usually in the afternoon. Wet cobblestone is slick — wait it out, it rarely lasts long.
- Helmet. Always. It is the law in Jalisco and it is not the kind of thing to negotiate with.
- Topes. Speed bumps appear without warning and some of them are serious. Watch the road, not the view.
If a scooter is not quite it
A scooter is not the only way to get around on your own. An e-bike does much of the same job with no license needed. A dual-sport motorcycle is the better tool if you plan to leave the city and cover real distance. A bicycle is the cheapest and the most pleasant if your radius is small.
We rent all of them from the same shop, so if you are not sure, come by and we will talk it through.
Pick it up downtown
Everything starts at our shop in downtown Puerto Vallarta, open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00. Come by, show us your license, and you are on the road in a few minutes.
Check the Scooter Rental details, or compare it with our E-Bike Rental and Dual-Sport Motorcycle Rental.
