Puerto Vallarta FAQ & Answers

• Round trip airfare**
• 4 or 7 nights hotel of your choice
• Transportation to/from hotel
• All hotel taxes
• 24 hour onsite staff and emergency assistance
• Welcome Orientation to tell you everything you need to know about safety, your location, and most importantly, where the party’s at!
• Free daily beach parties hosted exclusively by StudentCity
• Discounts on Exclusive Party Packages
• Free StudentCity wristband

Available weeks of March 3rd, March 10th, & March 17th only

When traveling to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico you WILL need a passport.

Please visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html for more information.

• On January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.
• As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

If you do happen to lose your passport, whether you lost your luggage or just misplaced it while you were down at your destination you will need to go to the American Consulate or the Embassy to get a new one. You will be able to find a StudentCity.com staff member while you are at your destination that will be able to help you.

Travel tip: make a copy of your IDs, passports or birth certificates and leave it with a family member for emergencies. They can always fax you a copy if you lose something.

Based off of averages from Weather.com during the month of March and the height of Spring Break Puerto Vallarta typically has highs around 82 and lows of 65.

Make sure to pack sunscreen!!! The sun is extremely strong in Puerto Vallarta so bring sun-block and use it! Tan gradually or you will spend the remainder of your vacation in your hotel room, in a doctor’s office with sun poisoning, or extremely red and looking ridiculous.

The national language in Mexico is Spanish though in the tourist area most of the locals speak English and you will be able to communicate with them. Please be aware that there is a language barrier and if you need help to contact a Staff member for assistance.

You will find that some clubs have stricter dress codes while others will leave you to wear anything in your suitcase. With the StudentCity CityPass we do use clubs on a few nights that require a dress code including closed-toed shoes, pants, no cut-off sleeves or hats for men. For the clubs with dress codes the girls can usually get away with anything, except wearing just a bathing suit as a top. Clubs that follow these codes include, but are not limited to The Zoo, and Hilo. Mandala StudentCity CityPass may also provide some theme parties in Puerto Vallarta in which you may want to wear a certain color or follow a certain theme. Before packing please check the StudentCity CityPass schedule for the updated themes.

Yes, electrical outlets at our provided hotels have 110V connections which means you can use your hairdryer, etc., however, you may want to bring adaptors just in case.

Puerto Vallarta is located in the Central Time Zone.

Calling cards purchased in the United States (ie: Sprint or MCI) do not work in Mexico! StudentCity offers calling cards that you can pre-purchase before you leave or purchase when you arrive in Puerto Vallarta. The cards offered are $10 (20 mins) or $20 (40 mins). These cards can be used ONLY at Telmex phones, which you can find all over Puerto Vallarta. When dialing home from Mexico, you will need to follow the directions on the back of the card, and finish by 001-(US area code)-7 digit number. (Example: 001-920-555-4642) For parents wishing to call Mexico, you will have to dial: 011-52 before the rest of the number you wish to call. (Example: 011-52-624-334533) If you have any questions concerning the phone cards or would like to purchase one please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-888-777-4642.

The amount of money each person needs onsite is specific to the amount of money you traditionally spend. If you have purchased an All Inclusive Room Option, you most likely won’t be spending much money on food and drinks. The same goes for the StudentCity CityPass; if you pre-purchased this before your trip, drinks are included in each of the night events. As for transportation in Puerto Vallarta, almost all students use the bus service during the day for $0.45 (or 4.5 pesos) and at night they will use taxis which run about $1-$2 dollars per person with 4 people in a car. In general, our experience has been that on average, most students use about an additional $350 for food and activities for a full week.

StudentCity recommends that you bring a combination of both. You will need some cash during travel and upon arrival, however for security reasons we recommend that you keep the bulk of your spending money in the form of travelers' checks. You may use travelers’ checks to pay for additional StudentCity CityPasses, add the Meal Plan, or purchase Phone Cards from StudentCity.com representatives. If travelers’ checks are lost or stolen you will be able to get your money back.

The exact exchange rate in Puerto Vallarta can fluctuate daily, but the average rate to use as a guide would be 10 pesos to 1 dollar. As an example, 100 pesos equals 10 dollars. ** There are also ATMs located in Puerto Vallarta that your debit cards will work in. Getting money directly out of an ATM in Puerto Vallarta will give you a better exchange rate rather than using American money directly and using a certain establishment’s exchange rate. Most establishments also accept most major credit cards for purchases.

Upon arrival to Puerto Vallarta, you'll need to clear Customs and Immigration. You will have already filled out all appropriate entry documents on the plane (asking for your passport number, reason for travel, and address where you'll be staying). When you deplane, you'll be channeled through to inspectors who will check your papers, ask the purpose of your visit, and sign off on your documents. Then follow the other travelers to the baggage claim area, pick up your things, and continue through the portal marked "nothing to declare". Once you have exited the terminal a StudentCity.com staff member will be waiting for you with a transfer to bring you to your Welcome Orientation. If you do not see the StudentCity.com staff member please be patient! During high volume traffic times you may need a few minutes in order to locate each other. Please do not take another form of transportation including another transfer company or taxi. You will NOT be reimbursed for these extra costs.

Once picked up from the airport you will be brought to a welcome orientation before you reach your hotel. It will take about 10-15 minutes to reach your hotel for the Welcome Orientation.

All StudentCity.com travelers are brought to a Welcome Orientation upon arrival into Puerto Vallarta. StudentCity.com staff will give you everything you need to know about safety, your location, and most importantly, where the party’s at! They will address the ins and outs of the program, tell you what and what not to do, where and where not to go, as well as provide you all the essential party information! If you have pre-purchased the StudentCity.com CityPass and/or received the Free Meals and Happy Hours bonus, you will be given your coupons immediately following the Orientation. It is important to attend so you are given the specific dates and times of each StudentCity.com sponsored event, a StudentCity.com wristband, important medical and emergency contact information, and if you did not purchase the StudentCity.com CityPass ahead of time, you can do so before you head to your hotel.

All customer service issues are handled on-site. If you have customer service issues please use the number on your StudentCity.com wristband and a staff member will assist you. You will also find StudentCity.com staff at ALL StudentCity.com hosted events, meals and hotels. DO NOT CALL OUR CORPORATE OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES!

During Orientation you will receive a destination guide which will help you know what’s going on, when it’s happening and where. It will provide you a list of do’s and don’ts of Spring Break, emergency numbers, the meal plan and free drinking hours. As well, each StudentCity.com hotel will have a bulletin board posted in the lobby to help update you on emergency numbers, daily and weekly events, flight departure times, transfer pick-ups and any other pertinent information we feel you may find useful during your stay. Check these boards daily for important updates!

Yes! Sorry about the tan lines, but it is very important that you keep your StudentCity.com wristband on from the moment you receive it until you depart. The wristband helps identify you as a StudentCity.com traveler so that our on-site staff may assist you and help answer any questions you may have. The wristband also entitles you to discounts at various clubs, bars, restaurants and retail stores around Puerto Vallarta.

You will also be given a hotel wristband to help them determine who their customers are as well. Again it is important to keep both of these wristbands on for identification purposes.

If your StudentCity.com wristband were to come off you can get a replacement by finding a Staff member or going to StudentCity.com’s office. Times and location will be given to you at orientation.

If you are to lose your hotel wristband you will need to ask them if it is possible to get a replacement as their may be a cost associated with it due to hotel specific policies.

The StudentCity.com CityPass provides the ultimate party schedule, put together specifically for Spring Breakers, at the best price with huge savings! Don’t miss out on the best theme parties in town including Anything Goes But Clothes, Mardi Gras Madness, Black & White New Years Eve Ball, a Bonfire Beach Bash and Foam Fest!

Puerto Vallarta’s Gold StudentCity CityPass is available for purchase at the price of $169 and includes no cover, express entry, and OPEN BAR at places like Roo, Strana, Hyde, Mandala, Collage, Hilo, and more!

Puerto Vallarta’s Platinum StudentCity CityPass is available for purchase at the price of $199 and includes no cover, express entry, and OPEN BAR at places like Carlos O’Brian’s, Christine, Senor Frog’s, Collage, Hilo, and more! Plus, enjoy the OPEN BAR Party Cruise. The Platinum StudentCity.com CityPass also includes a reduced cover the 7th night in addition to day parties and the hottest after hours parties at places like the Zoo and High After Hours Bar.

Please note that schedules are based on anticipated parties for 2011 and are subject to change.

Available weeks of March 3rd, March 10th, & March 17th only

You can add the StudentCity Pass to your account up to the day before you leave for Puerto Vallarta by accessing your account on our website, or by simply calling 1-888-777-4642 to speak with any one of StudentCity.com’s representatives. If you miss out on the pre-purchase option, you will be given the opportunity to buy it onsite at your Welcome Orientation, or by speaking with any of the Onsite Staff members throughout your Spring Break week.

Unfortunately, to avoid duplication/sharing of these coupons, lost or stolen meal coupons and City Pass coupons have to be re-purchased at the original price. The Gold StudentCity CityPass is $169, and the Platinum StudentCity.com CityPass is $199.00. These coupons are as good as cash, so DON’T LOSE THEM!

The drinking age is 18.

No you will not your ID when going out at night. When you arrive at your hotel, please place all of your valuables, IDs and travel documents and even StudentCity.com CityPass and Meal coupons in the safe provided to you by the hotel.

In Puerto Vallarta we recommend that you drink bottled water just to be safe. However the water, ice and any food in contact with water at all of our events or restaurants we work with is purified. It is also safe to shower and brush your teeth in any of the hotels StudentCity.com uses.

The most common form of transportation in Puerto Vallarta is the bus service during the day for $0.45 (or 4.5 pesos) and at night they will use taxis which run about $1-2 dollars per person with 4 people in a car. Depending on your hotel/location, a lot of places/events you will be attending with StudentCity.com are within walking distance.

There are many things to do in Puerto Vallarta if you want to get away from the regular beach scene and try something new. In Puerto Vallarta the most popular excursions are: canopy tour, ATV, whale watching, bull fights and many more. StudentCity.com works with a local ground handler and representatives are located in specific hotels during specific times either given to you during your orientation or posted at the StudentCity.com bulletin board at your hotel. By using their services they can help you make reservations with ease and will provide discounts and specials.

In Puerto Vallarta you will not be allowed into any other hotel unless you purchase a day pass.

The answer to this question can vary among hotels and can be combined with the question of whether you can bring outside food into their hotel as well. Most of the time you can bring food/alcohol in, but in the end it is up to the hotel. Alcohol requirements may also include the ability to bring plastic or cans in, but not glass.

If you or any of the people you are traveling with get sick or need medical attention please contact the StudentCity staff right away! You will be able to find them at all StudentCity hosted events, during lobby hours or 24 hours a day by calling the emergency number provided to you on your StudentCity.com bracelet. The staff will assist you in accordance to the level of medical attention you may need. In Puerto Vallarta, StudentCity.com works closely with AmeriMed, a private hospital with American trained doctors. ALL medical costs will need to be covered by the traveler and paid up front. If you have purchased the Travel Protection insurance you will be covered up to a certain amount, but you still need to pay the costs up front and keep the receipts to file a claim with the insurance company upon your arrival home.

If you do have to leave the trip early and you booked one of our standard flights it will be your responsibility to find your own flight home. If you purchased the Optional Travel Insurance you may be eligible for a refund but will have pay all costs up front then contact the insurance company upon your arrival home to file a claim. If you have booked the flight lock option you will be able to contact the airline that you traveled on in order to change your flight. (Flight Change fees will vary depending on airline) Please contact the StudentCity.com staff onsite for help with changing your flight.

You will have your return flight information before you even leave for your trip. It will accompany your departure information on your travel vouchers. Transfers are typically scheduled 3 hours prior to your flight time. StudentCity.com will post on the hotel bulletin boards the time you need to check out of your hotel as well as when and where your transfer will pick you up on your specific day of departure.

Standard hotel check-out times are 11am, but please check. You are responsible for paying any late check out fees. Most of the hotels have a courtesy room for you to keep you luggage until you leave.