Arriving from Puerto Vallarta
Cerrito Encantado sits about 75 kilometers north of Puerto Vallarta airport (PVR), in the hill village of Altavista. Here is every way to make the trip, with honest cost estimates for each one.
The one thing to know first: the time changes
Puerto Vallarta is one hour AHEAD of Altavista, all year. Vallarta and the beach towns closest to it (Buceriás, Sayulita, San Pancho, Punta de Mita) run on Central time to match the airport. Our side of the coast (Altavista, La Peñita, Guayabitos) is on Pacific time; the hour changes around El Monteón. Plan your flights and pickups accordingly. The good news: you gain an hour on the way here.
Driving up the coast
There are two ways to drive up: Highway 200, the free coastal road, takes about an hour and a half. The autopista (toll road) is faster but costs real money. We generally recommend Highway 200 unless traffic is heavy.
Heads up for 2026: there is active roadwork on Highway 200 at the La Peñita entrance with lane closures in both directions, so build in some buffer time on that last stretch.
If you take the autopista, know two things:
- Since mid 2025 it works as a closed system: you take a ticket when you enter and pay when you exit, based on how far you drove. Driving the full stretch runs around $660 to $700 MXN (late 2025 rates); exiting earlier costs less. Tolls change often, so treat every number here as an estimate.
- Exit at El Monteón. Google Maps shows an exit at Altavista. It does not exist. El Monteón is the closest real exit coming from Vallarta; El Tonino is the next one north.
Renting a car at PVR? Read this first
Mexico requires third-party liability insurance, and PVR rental counters enforce it even when your credit card covers damage. Expect the online base rate to roughly double once mandatory liability and taxes are added, and expect a large credit card hold (commonly $2,500 USD, sometimes more) if you decline the agency's coverage. Booking a rate with insurance included avoids the counter argument. If your rental has low clearance, park at the top of our entrance road; we meet all guests there.
Rideshare, taxi, or bus
Rideshare
Uber operates in Puerto Vallarta. Airport pickups were legally cleared in late 2025, but most drivers still prefer to meet you across the pedestrian bridge: walk out of the terminal, cross the footbridge over the highway, and request from the far side. It is noticeably cheaper than airport taxis; confirm the driver accepts the full trip north before you get in.
Know that Uber does not operate up here on our side of the coast, so plan your return trip differently. If the car has low clearance, have them drop you at the top of our entrance road; we will meet you there.
Taxi
Estimates from recent traveler reports; kiosk rates are fixed, street taxis negotiate, and either way confirm the price before getting in:
- Official airport taxi: roughly $2,200 to $2,800 MXN
- Street taxi after crossing the pedestrian bridge: roughly $1,000 to $1,600 MXN
- Pre-arranged driver: roughly $1,600 to $2,200 MXN; message us and we can help arrange one
Taxis cannot drive down to the property; we meet all guests at the top of the entrance road and help you down with your things.
Bus
The cheapest way up the coast. Board a Pacifico or Compostela bus at Puerto Vallarta's Central Camionera, the main terminal about a kilometer from the airport (a short taxi hop, around $100 MXN). Buses leave roughly every 20 minutes during the day. Boarding is only reliable at the terminal; the flag stops along the highway are mainly for dropping off.
Buy a ticket to La Peñita de Jaltemba, roughly $160 to $220 MXN. The ride takes about 90 minutes to two hours with stops. From La Peñita, cross the street and take a taxi to Altavista, typically $200 to $300 MXN.
Heading back to Puerto Vallarta
Remember: Puerto Vallarta is one hour ahead of Altavista. Leave with more time than you think you need.
Taxi
Tell us 24 hours in advance and we will arrange a taxi for you. It typically runs $1,000 to $1,500 MXN depending on traffic. Don't forget to tip.
Bus
Taxis take the school kids to La Peñita at 7am, and if there is room you can join; to guarantee a seat, ask us 24 hours ahead and we will arrange a ride, about $200 to $300 MXN. At La Peñita, go into the bus station on the right corner and ask for a Pacifico ticket to Puerto Vallarta, about $220 MXN, cash or card. From Vallarta's bus station, a taxi to the airport is about $100 MXN, or use a rideshare.
Driving back, it is the same two options in reverse: Highway 200, or the autopista entering at El Monteón (the map may suggest entering at Altavista; that entrance does not exist).
Flying somewhere else?
Landing in Tepic or Guadalajara instead? Same step-by-step guides: Arriving from Tepic and Arriving from Guadalajara. Or head back to Directions & Map for the last mile into Altavista.