1 to 6 Passengers Vallarta Private City Tour

This private city tour of Puerto Vallarta is designed for groups of one to six passengers who want to see the city and its surroundings at their own pace, without sharing the vehicle with strangers. You travel in a comfortable air-conditioned van with a driver who also acts as your guide, and the whole outing is planned to last about 300 minutes, or five hours.

The route begins in the heart of the city, where the itinerary sets aside around 40 minutes. From there you continue to the adopted symbol of Puerto Vallarta, a shorter stop of about 10 minutes, and then to the Old Town, the historic core of the destination and the natural place to get a feel for how locals live and move around. The itinerary does not assign a fixed time to the Old Town, so the pace there depends on the group and the guide.

Along the way there are three short picture stops, of 15, 10 and 5 minutes, that give you a chance to photograph the views around the city. The tour closes with a 45-minute souvenir shopping stop. If you would rather skip shopping or spend longer somewhere else, it is worth discussing it with your driver, since the format is private, but confirm any change when you book.

The experience is described as a way to feel like a local rather than a passing visitor, and it suits couples, families and small groups who prefer a personal ride to a large bus. It is rated as suitable for all physical fitness levels, and infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, although infants must sit on an adult's lap.

On the practical side, the price covers hotel pickup and drop-off, the private vehicle with air conditioning, the driver-guide, bottled water and an optional tequila tasting. Gratuities, lunch and souvenir photos, which are sold separately, are not included, so plan to bring cash or a card for those.

If you are arriving on a cruise ship, the operator asks for specific details at the time of booking: the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time. Have them ready so the schedule can be built around your departure. The listing does not list a meeting point, so confirm pickup details with the operator after booking.