When potential homeowners start their search for a second home in Puerto Vallarta or Riviera Nayarit, they frequently ask not just about the cost of housing in the Banderas Bay region, but about the real cost of daily living here.
The cost of living can be a very relative concept depending on the type of lifestyle one is searching for and Puerto Vallarta is certainly a much more affordable option for most Canadians and North Americans when comparing comparable lifestyle in their countries of origin. And that is one of the reasons that Puerto Vallarta is consistently mentioned by ex-pat magazines and in surveys as a top destination for Americans and Canadians to purchase a second home.
But, let’s get down to numbers about what things really cost in Puerto Vallarta. We’ll use USD as our currency based on the exchange rate at the time of writing, which is 21.71 MXN to 1.00 USD. All costs are based on approximations of our real-life experiences living here, and are considered per couple, but can vary depending on personal lifestyle preferences.
Dinner / Dining Out
• Fine Dining – including 2 appetizers, 2 main courses, and 2 glasses of wine: $65 to $80
• Casual Dining – including two appetizers, two main courses, and four beers: $30 to $45
• Street Food – like two orders of 3 tacos and 2 soft drinks: $7 to $10
Electricity
The cost of electricity for a two-bedroom condo unit, assuming responsible usage and averaging over the span of the year, is around $100 to $150 per month, with higher usage in the summer months for air-conditioning and lower usage in the winter. But this number is very dependent on the appliances in your home and how often you use them.
Many homeowners in Puerto Vallarta opt for installing solar panels, which is not only a great eco-friendly option that adds value to your real estate investment but can also lower your electricity bills to virtually nothing.
Gas
Most homes in Puerto Vallarta use gas stoves and gas for their water heaters and clothes dryers. For a couple, around $15 to $20 per month should cover the gas bill for your home. For some condo owners, the HOA will include the cost of gas as part of the monthly maintenance dues.
When it comes to gasoline for your vehicle, a 4-cylinder, mid-sized SUV costs about $45 to fill up from empty, on average.
Water
Many condo buildings include water in the Homeowners Association maintenance fees, but if not, a couple would expect to spend about $12 per month on the water for home use.
Internet
For a high-speed connection that will allow for multiple screens to stream simultaneously without lag, expect to pay about $25 per month.
Cell Phone
For a single cell phone that has a large data package, free unlimited social media platform access (generally Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and Twitter), and unlimited calls throughout Canada, the USA, and Mexico, an average plan costs about $25 per month.
Groceries
Again, this number is very dependent on your particular diet, but an average couple would expect to spend about $325 to $375 per month on groceries and small household items.
Puerto Vallarta is not only a great place to live economically and to really stretch retirement savings or income gained by working remotely, but it is also a fantastic destination to live a much more luxurious lifestyle for less. No matter what your needs, living well begins here.
Come…relax and experience the charm and culture of Puerto Vallarta Mexico with quaint cobblestone streets, the fragrant scent of Bougainvillea, beautiful beaches, Mexican cuisine, outstanding golf courses, and a host of activities for everyone to enjoy!
Who says Five Star Services along with great value can’t go hand in hand? Let Casa Bay Villas help you find that special vacation villa rental that is just perfect for you!
We specialize in luxury villa vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita Mexico. Our villas are spacious yet intimate with personal staff to pamper your every need. Whether you are planning a destination wedding celebration, a vacation with family, or just getting away with friends, let us show you the beauty of Puerto Vallarta in your private villa vacation rental.
Your vacation time is valuable and that is why we inspect every property we represent for the owners and we are familiar with the accommodations, amenities, and staff to help you select the best rental property in Puerto Vallarta. The results…vacation rentals that won’t leave you with unwanted surprises.
Our private vacation rentals offer a full range of services during your stay from full staff services including a chef who will prepare two meals a day.
Our concierge services will personally contact you with information on activities, tours, or spa services in the privacy of your villa rental, to the best restaurants for dining out in Puerto Vallarta. We have the most current information to guide you for your holiday in Puerto Vallarta from our daily weather report to maps and directions.
For more information about renting a villa in Puerto Vallarta visit our website at https://www.casabayvillas.com/ or email Jennifer at info@casabayvillas.com or call us at 203.386.8022.
We hope you will visit one of our luxury vacation rental villas soon and experience the Magic of Puerto Vallarta!
Our mission at Casa Bay Villas is to exceed your expectations, listen to your needs, and to assist you in selecting the best villa rental for your vacation in Puerto Vallarta Mexico.
