Travel Tips to Villa La Sirena, Boca de Tomatlan, Mexico

Packing, flights, immigration/customs, getting to the Villa, Spanish required, transportation, and an estimated budget.

Planning your trip to Villa La Sirena in Boca de Tomatlan? This guide covers packing, flights, immigration/customs, getting to the Villa, Spanish language tips, transportation options, and an estimated budget. These suggestions come from travel experts and seasoned visitors to help you enjoy a stress-free vacation.

Boca de Tomatlan offers some temp help vs. Puerto Vallarta. Because its heat signature lacks roadways or structures that hold and radiate heat, it is a bit cooler. Its topography helps funnel the offshore breezes across Boca, which helps as well.

It’s a slower pace, and an adjustment is recommended. Boca de Tomatlan is pretty close to a real Mexico vibe - you won’t be in a typical tourist-oriented environment or resort. Forget about Starbucks, Taco Bell, and McDonald's. Virtually every business in Boca is family-owned or operated.

Packing is number one on the list to make things easier. You only need a carry-on, no matter your length of stay. There is a laundry service a few steps away if needed. Suggest a soft side unit that stores easily in the overhead bins. If you find yourself wandering around Boca with your backpack, having shoulder straps will help on the cobblestone streets. The rolling option makes life easier if you are changing planes en route with long airport walks or just meandering about a large airport.

Add to the backpack a generous purse or small shoulder bag for travel docs, laptop, book, snacks, etc.   The combo strap and wheeled bag speed you through immigration and customs going and returning.  No need to struggle to find a cart.  Importantly, it just reduces travel stress if you tend to worry about your luggage.

Best Time to Visit Villa La Sirena

Boca de Tomatlan is beautiful year-round. May to October brings hot and humid weather, but the summer rainy months offer lower rates and pleasant mornings. Evenings often feature fun thunderstorms off the ocean. Villa La Sirena's air conditioning ensures a comfortable afternoon siesta and a restful night’s sleep.

Boca stays cooler than Puerto Vallarta because its heat signature lacks roadways or structures that radiate heat. Offshore breezes funnel across the village, creating a comfortable tropical climate. This slower pace allows you to enjoy an authentic Mexico travel experience, away from typical tourist resorts.

Packing Tips for Villa La Sirena Guests

Packing smart is key to an enjoyable stay. Only a carry-on is needed, no matter your length of stay. Laundry services are nearby if required.

For All Travelers:

• Soft-side carry-on for overhead bins

• Shoulder straps for navigating cobblestone streets

• Purse or small shoulder bag for travel documents, laptop, books, and snacks

Passport & Travel Documents:

• Make a copy of your passport (digital and hard copy)

• Keep your passport accessible during security checks

• Travel cash in Mexican pesos (avoid airport exchange windows)

• Limit credit cards and notify your bank of foreign travel

Ladies' Packing List:

• Lightweight pants/shorts, casual blouses

• Sneakers or sandals

• Lightweight jacket for flights

• Carry-on items: shorts, T-shirts, casual shirts, dresses, swimsuits, cover-ups, water shoes

Men's Packing List:

• Lightweight pants/shorts, casual shirts, sneakers, or sandals

• Lightweight hoodie or windbreaker

• Carry-on items: shorts, T-shirts, casual shirts, swim trunks, water shoes

  
  

Avoid blue jeans; they are heavy and not ideal for travel. Mexico uses the same electrical outlets as the US/Canada, so adapters are not necessary.

Flights & Air Travel to Puerto Vallarta

Book early for the best rates. Saturday flights are typically cheaper. Non-stop flights from Southern California, including Tijuana via the CBX bridge, make travel convenient. Morning to midday arrivals simplify your trip to Villa La Sirena, avoiding a full day spent on travel.

Immigration and Customs

Upon arrival at Puerto Vallarta airport, you will go through immigration and customs. With only a carry-on, your wait is minimal, and the chance of baggage inspection is low. Limit electronics to your phone and laptop to avoid potential duty charges.

Transportation to Villa La Sirena

Several options exist to reach Villa La Sirena in Boca de Tomatlan:

• Villa Manager Pickup – Preferred for convenience and direct service

• VLS Designated Taxi Service – Recommended alternative to official airport taxis

• Car Rental – Useful for longer trips outside Boca

• Uber – Usually cheaper than taxis

• Bus – Adventure-friendly and economical

  
  

Directions for Villa Pickup: Turn left after leaving the airport, cross the highway bridge, and proceed to the designated pick-up area for buses, taxis, and Uber. The Villa team provides the driver’s contact information.

Tip: A car is optional for most activities, including zip lining, botanical garden visits, ATV rides, and local dining. Parking is available at the Villa.

VLS designated taxi service

This is our recommended transportation service if the Villa Manager is not available. We have an associate taxi driver who will pick you up at the “across the bridge” location with a direct trip to the Villa. He offers a reasonable fare, nearly half of the official airport taxis. It requires a short walk from the main terminal to a designated location for Uber, Bus, and Taxi pickup. The following are the directions to the pickup location:

Photos from www.twosolesabroad.com

Turn left as you leave the airport. You will see the bridge. Take the highway, and it will drop you at a location for buses, Uber, and Taxis. Your driver will be on the access road to the left of the bus lane. The Villa will forward you details and the driver's contact info.

Car rental

If you are staying at Villa La Sirena in Boca de Tomatlan, a car is not necessary. You can still avail yourself of the many activities without a car. Vallarta Gardens, Canopy Tours, Zip lining, dining in Los Veranos or Mismaloya, ATV, and Horseback riding are easy and inexpensive taxi trips. Ziplining also has a Boca bus pickup. If you have adventures to San Sebastian, Sayulita, Mayto, or other longer distances, a car rental would be advised. The Villa will provide parking for your vehicle. Google Maps works well in and around Puerto Vallarta and Boca. Villa La Sirena is easily located – just type in Boca de Tomatlan as a destination.

Non-airport affiliated taxi & Uber

You can hail a taxi in the off-airport pickup location, but I would compare their designated driver fare to be better. Be cautious of others trying to solicit a ride. If you have arranged an Uber trip, this will be the pickup location. Uber is typically a better rate than a taxi, but more than the Villa's designated taxi driver.

Note: Presently, Uber is not available for a return trip to the airport.

Bus

There are two bus stop locations for pickup. Just before the bridge and also on the other side of the highway. They will make stops and bus changes getting to the Orange Bus in Old Town, which offers timely trips to Boca and beyond to El Tuito. It is very economical with multiple buses, but would be for the adventure-oriented Spanish-speaking visitor, unconcerned about schedule.

Spanish Language Tips

Minimal Spanish is needed for most interactions in Boca. The Villa’s onsite manager, Rafael, speaks English and Spanish and can assist with local communication. Adding WhatsApp to your phone is recommended for quick messaging in Mexico.

Local Transportation

Boca de Tomatlan offers reliable bus service to Puerto Vallarta Old Town. Luxury buses are available for longer trips, providing a comfortable and inexpensive travel option.

The Boca stop is on Hwy 200 where it connects with Pelicanos, the only route into the village. It’s a moderate walk to the Villa. More luxurious buses offer service to almost every city for those on lengthy visits. It is inexpensive and comfortable.

Tipping Guidelines in Mexico

Mexico is very similar to the US.  Listed below are some rough guidelines.  If you are using a credit card, it is very helpful to your server/helper if you leave your tip separately in pesos.

• Restaurants and Bars.  Your meal server, 10-15%.  It is customary in Mexico to ask for your bill (la cuenta).  Your bartender, 20 pesos per drink.

• At food stalls, street locations, and low-cost eateries without a server, most patrons do not tip, but a small gratuity would be appreciated.

• Taxi drivers do not typically receive tips, but extra service or a long wait for your late flight would qualify for a gratuity.

• Housekeeping 20–50 pesos per night, depending on the level of service.

• Concierge service/breakfast delivery, and depending on the level of helpfulness, would be 100-200 pesos per day.

Travel Budget Estimation

For a week-long stay for two people, costs can vary depending on activities and dining:

Food & Drinks:

1. Food – in village or Los Veranos; breakfast, lunch, or dinner - 120 to 170 pesos per person per day x 3 days x 2 people = 900 pesos

2. Food – Palapa beach restaurants – breakfast, lunch, early evening before sunset – 180 to 210 pesos per person x 2 days x 2 people = 800 pesos

3. Food – upscale at Vallarta Gardens, Canopy Zip lining, El Jacalito – 300 pesos per person x 2 days x 2 people = 1200 pesos

4. Add alcohol (cerveza) – with 4 meals x 300 pesos x 2 people = 2400 pesos

5. Oceanfront restaurants (Ocean Grill and Le Kliff are expensive – check prices before going.  Not included

6. Cerveza at liquor stores – 130 pesos per 6 pack x 3 = 390 pesos

7. Misc. Snacks 7 days x 100 pesos = 700 pesos

Activities & Tours:

1. Half-day Fishing trip (2 fishermen) – 6000 pesos.  Cost is good for 4–5 people.  Find a couple to share with, and the cost would be 3,000 pesos. 

2.  Half-day Panga tour of South Shore (2 people) – 6000 pesos.  Sharing can reduce cost.

3.  Ziplining – 3-hour venture, 2 people – 4000 pesos (with Villa discount)

Transportation:

1. Taxi (not official airport) – Airport to Boca and return 800 pesos, Boca to/from Old Town PV by taxi - 300 pesos, Boca to Vallarta Gardens, Ziplining, Los Veranos  400 pesos, etc. 

2. Orange Bus – to/from Boca to Old Town PV – 15 pesos (it's less than a dollar per person each way)

Optional Savings:

• Breakfast with Villa La Sirena, complimentary coffee, and Pan Dulce

• Quick village tacos or quesadillas (~$5 USD per person)

• Using the Villa kitchenette for snacks or meals

• Surf or Kayak fishing equipment from Villa – NC

•  Bottled/potable water at Villa – NC

•  Wi-Fi/TV – NC

•  Use of Villa air conditioning – NC

•  Gym use - NC

•  Vehicle parking at Villa – NC

Total Estimated Budget:

• Full itinerary (activities, dining, beverages): ~24,000 pesos (~$1,266 USD) (based on 19-1 exchange rate.)

• Simplified plan: ~15,000 pesos (~$790 USD)

  
  

This is a full itinerary with the majority of the cost from adult beverages, restaurant dining, a fishing trip, zip lining, and a shoreline tour.  Simplifying to reduced alcohol, fixing a few meals at the Villa, and eliminating fishing, zip lining, and south shore panga tours would put the estimated budget at around 15,000 pesos, 790 USD.  Probably cheaper than staying home!

The above reduced budget adopts many of the suggestions listed below:

You will have great coffee and Pan Dulce at your door each morning.  Pick up some prepared fruit from the vendor on Hwy 200.  The market next door is a good spot to get cream/sugar for your coffee or some fruit to expand your breakfast.  This will provide a nicer, more extensive breakfast and eliminate a meal from your budget.

If lounging on the beach for lunch at one of the Palapa restaurants is not a biggie, there are village quick spots for tacos or a quesadilla coupled with some aqua fresca that will only cost about $5 USD per person.

A nice outing is visiting Vallarta Gardens.  It has a nominal entrance charge (300 pesos per person).  It’s a quick, inexpensive taxi ride.  Keep it in your itinerary.

Hiking along the South Coastline is enjoyable and budget-friendly.  It takes about 40 minutes, and you are at Colomitos, or you can extend to Los Animas.  Food and activities are available in Los Animas, or you can pack a lunch for a stop at the many little beach locations along the way.  The Villa can provide a cooler and whatever beach equipment you might want to take.

Your budget evening meal can be prepared in the Villa kitchenette from purchases at local markets, but meals from locations like Concas, Esperanza, or others are very reasonable and very convenient.  You will be hard-pressed to spend over $6 USD per person.  Cerveza and wine for the refer are just a few steps away at the liquor store.

Villa La Sirena stay has the flexibility to suit any budget.  You are not stuck in a resort or highway hotel that holds you hostage to their dining.  Boca is an ideal and easier location than PV for easy access to many different activities. 

Final Tips for a Stress-Free Stay

Villa La Sirena’s team prioritizes a stress-free experience. They assist with transportation, tours, dining suggestions, and beach/fishing gear. Enjoy your sunset with a cerveza from your fridge, lounge on terraces, and soak in Boca’s authentic atmosphere. You can go crazy with some chips and quac as avocados are cheap.  Plus, sunsets are a great price. 

They will arrange getting you to/from the airport, setting up any activities on your to-do list, helping with any transportation needs, and offering shopping and dining suggestions.  The Villa's informal concierge service is available 24/7.  It is one of the main reasons we rate with the very best.  Check Google Maps for some reviews. 

Boca de Tomatlan provides a unique experience away from crowded resorts. Villa La Sirena offers luxury Boho chic apartments with terraces, balconies, and private views of the Rio Horcones and tropical forest, all while keeping a personal, local touch.

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