$1,000 USD Monthly Budget + Lifestyle
cost of living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Living in Mexico can be significantly less expensive than living in the United States and Canada, or just as pricey if you prefer living in a high-rise building, demand ocean front property or spend a majority of your monthly budget on meals at some of the fancier restaurants in town.
In 2020, AARP ranked Puerto Vallarta the #1 place to retire for American citizens, mostly because of Puerto Vallarta´s inexpensive cost of living, short flights to the USA and the year around sunny weather that the snowbirds flock to every winter.
Puerto Vallarta offers great diversity in lifestyle choices and can cater to most needs and budgets. Most foreigners that live in Puerto Vallarta are digital nomads working abroad, or retired snowbirds that spend 6+ months a year on our sunny beaches.
Can i work in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico?
Working in Mexico still requires a work visa, but has different laws for owning a US based business, working online for US companies and so forth.
Getting sponsored to work in Mexico is possible but not worth it as Mexican salaries are much lower than most foreigners are used to.
More people are working from home now more than ever, opening opportunities to explore new lifestyles abroad - making Puerto Vallarta one of the most popular places to work remotely.
I recommend finding work online before you come to PV, or if you are more of an entrepreneur in spirit, opportunities include opening your own business such as a restaurant, nightclub, travel blog or tour company.
Where your talents meet the needs of the people - that is Business 101.
Driving in Puerto Vallarta
The public transportation in Puerto Vallarta is the most popular form of transportation for the locals and foreigners that reside here.
Some people have chosen to bring their vehicles from the USA while others have rented a car for a few months, but I found it to be an unnecessary expense when walking or taking Uber or the bus is so convenient.
Read Article: How to safely use public transportation in Puerto Vallarta
What is the weather like in Puerto Vallarta?
Our high season runs from December through April with the average daily high temperature around 81 degrees. Mornings are cool and brisk until the sun reaches its high point around noon. Nighttime temperatures hover around 65 degrees, which is just cool enough for us locals to need a sweatshirt and no air conditioner needed!
Rainy season in Puerto Vallarta is from June 15th through the end of October, where the weather and humidity change significantly. This is my favorite time of year because the rivers and waterfalls are full and the jungles transform from thirsty and dry to lush and green. Most travelers to Puerto Vallarta try to avoid the rainy season because the humidity feels unbearable unless acclimated, but the lightning and thunderstorms make for some of the best sunsets for the entire year.
budget & lifestyle
Budget is really important for many people when they make the move to Puerto Vallarta, and many do not want to spend a lot of money on rent, utilities or transportation.
Real estate prices for rentals and sales are increasing quickly in Puerto Vallarta as a large influx of Americans and Canadians flock across the border to the fun side of the wall after COVID-19 changed the worlds views on travel, freedom and politics.
A 28 year old local PV resident, Virginia native and solo male traveler was kind enough to share his expenses & bachelor lifestyle for one month of living on a $1,000 USD budget in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Itemized Expenses for one month in Puerto Vallarta on a
$1,000 USD budget:
Rent & Restaurants
Home Supplies | Hygiene | Leisure | Other
Atm fees | bars | clothes
Groceries
Total Expenses for one month:
Mexican Pesos: $19,146.86
United States Dollar: $961.70
Savings: $38.30 USD or $853.14 MXN
Monthly Rent: $6,500.00 MXN or $325.00 USD
Rent an Apartment in Puerto Vallarta
watch the video below
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Yelapa Waterfall Tour by horseback - Book now!
Where is Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta follows the coast of the Pacific Ocean & shares the same latitude line as Hawaii, making it the best year around weather in the world. Most tourists visit the East coast of Mexico first because they assume that the Caribbean Sea will provide a better ambiance, but once those same people come to Vallarta they realize it’s the only place in Mexico where the tropical ocean is lined with the lush jungle of the Sierra Madre Mountain range.
