Air Canada Vacations

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

We have been made aware that certain individuals are approaching passengers in the arrivals area at Puerto Vallarta Airport to aggressively promote time-share units. Although you are free to get information from these individuals, we wish to inform you that transfer buses to your respective hotels are awaiting outside the terminal building. These individuals may offer to bring you to your hotel; however, Air Canada Vacations has already made arrangements for your transportation and therefore recommends the following: Once you have cleared your luggage through customs, go through the doors, turn immediately to your left, pass the counters and walk directly out of the area until you meet your uniformed Air Canada Vacations Representative holding the Air Canada Vacations sign. Make sure not to stop at the counters outside of customs or you may miss your transportation to the hotels.

Before you leave Canada

Entry requirements

It is your sole responsibility to ensure that you - and any child travelling with you - have all the travel documents necessary to enter in, or transit through, each country on your itinerary. Please ensure you verify the requirements for each country as the required documents for the outbound portion of your travel may differ from those required on the return.

Please refer to aircanada.com for complete information on travel requirements.

Baggage

Please refer to aircanada.com for Baggage Information.

Airport check in

It is recommended that you present yourself at the airport counter of the airline indicated on your voucher 3 hours prior to departure. Air Canada representatives are available to assist you, or you may contact an Air Canada Vacations representative at 1-800-296-3408.

Airport procedures

An Air Canada Vacations or our ground representative will meet your flight and assist you with ground transportation once you have gone through immigration and customs. (note: porters expect US $1 or equivalent per bag)Air Canada Vacations strongly cautions all passengers arriving at Puerto Vallarta International Airport, Mexico to avoid contact with time-share representatives inside the arrivals area. Scheduled shuttle buses are on standby outside the terminal building for a limited time only ready to transport you to your hotel.

Transfer

For passengers having purchased a complete holiday package, the Air Canada Vacations Representative will guide you to your bus or taxi for the transfer to your accommodation. Air only passengers must arrange their own transfers by taxi or bus.

Hotel check in

Upon arrival at your hotel, please identify yourself at the front desk with your Air Canada Vacations voucher. You will then be assigned your accommodation. Most hotel check ins are between 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. It is recommended to pack essential items in your carry on luggage.
Your departure from destination

Departure information

Your Air Canada VAcations Destiantion Representative will provide you with your departure details. The day before you leave and the day of departure, remember to consult the Air Canada Vacations bulletin board or binder in your hotel for details on your departure procedures and return flight. Should there be a flight change, information would be posted in the bulletin board/binder the day of departure.

Hotel check out

Hotel check out times may vary depending on the property, but generally you must vacate the room by 12 p.m. (noon). For passengers with late flights, every effort will be made to provide you with a hospitality room, however, this cannot be guaranteed particularly during high season.

Duty-free shopping

Duty free shops are located at the airport. After an absence of 7 days or more, Canadian residents are permitted to return with a maximum of $750 CAD of merchandise per trip without paying duty. Each time you leave Canada for at least 48 hours, you are eligible to declare up to $200 CAD of merchandise. A written declaration may be requested. Each adult is allowed 1.1 litre (40oz.) of liquor, 200 cigarettes, 200 tobacco sticks, 50 cigars or 50 cigarillos, and 200 grams manufactured tobacco. To calculate the number of days absent, do not count the day you left Canada, but include the day you return. If you include cigarettes, tobacco sticks and loose tobacco in your personal exemption allowance, only a partial exemption will apply. You will have to pay a minimum duty on these products unless they are marked “Canada - Duty paid”. Canadian made products sold at a duty-free shop will be marked in this way.

Airport check in

Procedures are the same as for departure from Canada.

During your holiday

Customer Care

To reach Air Canada Vacations Customer Care, call toll-free 1 800 296-3408 or e-mail us at: prevoyageclientele@vacv.com. We are at your service seven days a week: from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, eastern time.

Local Air Canada Vacations office

Air Canada Vacations is represented by Bestours in Puerto Vallarta. See the Air Canada Vacations bulletin board or binder in the hotel for the representative’s schedule. Should you require their services please call:

Puerto Vallarta • Bestours
Telephone: 011 52 322 221 3066
Fax: 011 52 322 221 2823

Long distance calls

Please note if placing the call from your hotel room, ask the hotel operator about connection service charges. Using a pay phone will avoid these service charges from the hotel.

Emergency

You can ask for a doctor or dentist through your hotel. Please contact your Air Canada Vacations Representative if you require assistance. Keep all your receipts.

Banking

Banking hours are normally from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays only. Please check at your hotel for the hours of the nearest branch office. Visitors are likely to find easy access to ATM’s throughout Mexico, which only dispense pesos. You can also change money at a convenient casa de cambio (Money Exchange House). They are open long hours and provide quick service, but you require photo ID. Hotels also exchange dollars but they normally give you the lowest rates.

Currency

The Mexican currency is the Peso. Travellers cheques are honoured by most hotels and stores. US dollars are accepted.

Credit cards

Credit cards such as Visa, American Express and MasterCard are widely accepted.

Shopping

Most shops are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays. We also recommend that you visit traditional Mexican markets where it is common practice to bargain. Best buys include silver, pottery handicrafts, woven fabrics and tequila.

Public transportation

The local buses are a very convenient and economical way to get around town in Puerto Vallarta. Taxis are readily available in Mexico and are fairly reasonably priced. However, we recommend that you confirm the fare with the taxi driver before boarding it. Almost all hotels have a taxi price board either in, or just outside the lobby area where you can get an idea of prices.

Car rental

Air Canada Vacations and AVIS* offer you the possibility of a car rental. Kindly contact your Destination Representative for rates and details upon arrival.
*Renter must be over 25 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license and a major credit card.

Sightseeing

Optional excursions are a great way to enhance your Air Canada Vacations holiday. Choose from a wide variety of activities and excursions available at your destination. For more information or to reserve your excursion, please see our local Air Canada Vacations Representative or Ground Handler Partner.

Tipping

In Mexico you should give a 15% tip in restaurants or bars. It is also common to tip bellboys and chambermaids.

Water

Tap water is safe to drink. If in doubt, bottled water is readily available in almost any store.

Electricity

110, same as Canada.

Language

Spanish. English widely spoken in tourist areas.

Religion

Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, but other religions are represented. For more information please contact your Air Canada Vacations representative or your hotel front desk.

Time zone

When it is noon in Puerto Vallarta, it is
2 p.m. in Halifax
1 p.m. in Montreal or Toronto
12 p.m. (noon) in Winnipeg
11 a.m. in Calgary
10 a.m. in Vancouver
The above times are for the winter season only ; it does not take into account Daylight Savings time.