Villa Tayrona: Guidebook

Buses run along the highway regularly from around 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily, are safe to use, and cost between 8-25 pesos per trip. The large buses will take you to the other towns in the bay, and the smaller combi vans pass more frequently and are convenient for getting around within Bucerías. To go to La Cruz, Punta de Mita, or Sayulita, catch a northbound bus on the same side of the highway as Villa Tayrona. To go to Puerto Vallarta, catch a bus on the opposite site. Always make sure it has the name of your destination written on the windshield.

-As you exit Villa Tayrona, turn left and you will see a corner store at the end of the block. This is a great, family-run option that sells most basic products. There is a 24-hour convenience store called -Oxxo two blocks away, right at stoplight closest to Villa Tayrona (alcohol is sold here). -Chedraui is the large grocery store at the south end of Bucerias. For an even bigger selection, Mega and La Comer are the two huge grocery stores in Flamingos, about a 5-minute drive from Villa Tayrona.

-Getting your laundry done is easy. Just bring your clothes to a lavandería, where they will weigh them, then wash, dry, and fold everything for you. Average cost around 15 pesos per kilo. -We have had great experiences at Canada Clean, which is exactly one block up (away from the highway) Obelisco. The owner, Karla, charges $17 pesos per kilo, is open 7 days a week, and typically has laundry ready for pick-up within 24hrs. -Eco Clean Lavandería (turn right at the highway and walk one block) has machines you can use with coins, if you prefer doing your own laundry.

-We recommend taking pesos out of an ATM with your debit card once in Mexico. -Use ATMs associated with a bank, not the ones simply labeled “ATM,” as the bank-owned ATMs have lower fees and are more secure. The Banbajío or Santander banks right on the highway at the stoplight closest to Villa Tayrona are great options. -Some ATMs will ask if you’d like to use their exchange rate when pulling cash; if they do, hit “no” and the ATM will automatically apply your card’s exchange rate to the transaction, which is more favorable than the ATM’s exchange rate.

While the airport taxis are easy and safe, they cost about $40 each (max 4 people) and don't have large vehicles available. If you'd like private transportation, we'd recommend Superior Tours. They gave us the following price list for airport transfers to Villa Tayrona: Mini Van, max 5 pax*: 80USD Luxury Suburban, max 6 pax: 120USD Regular large Van, max 9 pax: 110USD Small Mercedes Sprinter, max 11 pax: 180USD Large Mercedes Sprinter, max 17 pax: 225USD *Passenger count reflects COVID adjustments. If interested, please contact them directly at transportation@superiortoursvallarta.com.

Private Chefs Edgar and Travis from the beloved, local cooking school called My Mexican Kitchen have been catering meals for our groups at Villa Tayrona. They are extremely COVID-conscious and can prepare any type of cuisine (though traditional Mexican dishes are their specialty) for groups of 6+ right at Villa Tayrona. Contact them directly for quotes: mymexicankitchen@gmail.com.

Asking about tipping culture can be awkward, so we thought we'd share our insights: - At a restaurant, tips range from 10% - 20% depending on the quality of the food and service. - It is appropriate to tip taxis and drivers about 10% of the fare. - While leaving a tip for Luisa and Dulce is of course optional, $100 to $300 pesos per room (depending on the length of stay) would be considered very kind. - Tour guides generally expect some sort of tip. Again, 10% is a good standard. Keep in mind: tipping is one of the easiest ways to channel your resources directly to local families.

Renting a car here is a COVID-safe, logistically feasible option! We'd recommend asking for a car that isn't too low to the ground, though, as the roads in Bucerías leave a lot to be desired. We love recommending local companies (as opposed to those international brands) and a good one in town is called Gecko Car. Contact Lalo directly at geckorentcar@hotmail.com for inquiries and quotes.