How to book affordable flights from the US to Puerto Vallarta. To find the most affordable flights from the U.S. to Puerto Vallarta, here are some of the best strategies and current options available:
1- Best Airline Options
Several major and budget carriers fly into Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). For the lowest fares, look at: Budget Carriers: Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit often offer competitive rates, especially from hubs like Houston, Phoenix, or Los Angeles.
Major Carriers: Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, and United frequently run routes from major U.S. cities. Alaska Airlines often has strong pricing for West Coast departures.
Mexican Carriers: Check Volaris or VivaAerobus, which sometimes offer cheap connections through cities like Mexico City or Guadalajara.
2- Strategic Booking Tips
Use Google Flights: It is the best tool for comparing prices across different dates and airlines. You can view current flight options here.
Google Flight Prices Track and Compare https://promovisionpv.com/google-flight-prices-track-and-compare/
Book in Advance: Aim to book at least 1 to 3 months before your trip. For peak season (December–April), book even earlier.
Be Flexible with Dates: Flying on Tuesdays or Wednesdays is almost always cheaper than flying on weekends.
Travel During the “Shoulder Season”: The cheapest flights are usually found during the late summer and fall (August–October). While this is the rainy/hurricane season, prices for flights and hotels drop significantly.
3- Top U.S. Departure Hubs
If you aren’t flying from a major hub, consider a positioning flight to one of these cities, which often have direct, low-cost flights to PVR:
Los Angeles (LAX)
Houston (IAH/HOU)
Dallas (DFW)
Phoenix (PHX)
San Francisco (SFO)
4- Use Price Tracking
If you have specific dates in mind, go to Google Flights and toggle the “Track Prices” switch. You will receive email alerts when the fare drops, allowing you to book at the absolute lowest price.
Pro-Tip: If you are traveling from Southern California, check flights out of Tijuana (TIJ) and use the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) bridge. Flights from TIJ to PVR are often considered domestic Mexican flights and can be significantly cheaper than flying internationally from San Diego or LAX.
5- Optimize When You Book
A. Clear Cookies / Use Incognito
There’s limited evidence for huge price changes, but searching in a private browser can prevent repeated search inflation.
B. Book 2–4 Months Before Travel
Domestic to Mexico: Prices often rise within 6–8 weeks of departure.
Holiday travel or peak season: Book earlier (3–5 months advised).
C. Consider One-Way vs. Round-Trip
Sometimes buying two one-way tickets (even with different airlines) is cheaper than a round-trip fare.
6- Use Rewards and Points
A. Airline Miles
Use credit card or frequent flyer miles to offset cost.
Partner award charts (e.g., U.S. carrier partners) may offer better value.
B. Travel Credit Cards
Sign-up bonuses can generate enough points for flights.
Many cards offer travel credits that offset booking costs.
C. Combine Cash + Points
Some programs let you use points to reduce fare rather than cover it fully.
7- Explore Alternative Airports
A. Nearby Mexican Airports
If Puerto Vallarta is your destination, flights into:
Guadalajara (GDL) — cheaper option sometimes
Then transfer to Puerto Vallarta by bus/shared ride (~4 hours) or domestic flight.
B. U.S. Nearby Alternatives
Compare fares from:
San Diego (SAN)
Phoenix (PHX)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Even with a connecting domestic flight or repositioning cost, the total trip may be cheaper.
8- Book at the Right Time of Day
Some studies suggest fares can be lower when airlines release inventory early in the week or during off-peak hours. While timing isn’t a guaranteed advantage, mid-week price checks often yield better deals.
9- Watch for Sales & Special Offers
A. Airline Newsletters
Subscribe to:
Airlines flying to PVR
Fare deal alert services (Scott’s Cheap Flights, Dollar Flight Club, Airfarewatchdog)
B. Social Media & Deal Sites
Deal postings on Twitter/X, Reddit (r/TravelDeals), etc., sometimes reveal mistake fares or deeply discounted routes.
10- Evaluate Total Trip Cost
When comparing flights, include:
Baggage fees
Seat selection fees
Transfers to/from airport
Cancellation/change policy
A slightly higher base fare with free carry-on/baggage and flexible changes can be less costly overall.
More direct flyghts from other cities in Mexico and South America
https://www.alternativeairlines.com/direct-flights-to-puerto-vallarta
https://www.puerto-vallarta-airport.com/airlines.php
Airlines Arrivals schedule: https://www.puerto-vallarta-airport.com/arrivals.php
Airlines Arrivals schedule: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airports/pvr/arrivals
PromovisionPV.com Ranks #1 Travel Guide vs … https://promovisionpv.com/promovisionpv-com-travel-guide-ranks-1-vs/ #PuertoVallarta #RivieraNayarit #travelguide #traveltips #visitpuertovallarta
We provide information and resources for visitors to Puerto Vallarta, areas of The Riviera Nayarit and other destinations in both states of Jalisco and Nayarit . You will find variety of content, including articles, blog posts, videos, photos, descriptions and interviews, all of which are designed to help visitors plan their trip, including attractions, restaurants, and events. Follow: https://promovisionpv.com/
Visit and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more Puerto Vallarta – Riviera Nayarit 220+ videos: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@promovision/videos
Puerto Vallarta – Riviera Nayarit Archives 2024 Follow: https://promovisionpv.com/puerto-vallarta-nayarit-archives-2024/ Over 1,000 pages: Somethings you may not know about Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Mexico archives puerto vallarta, arts, bucerias, cirque du soleil, costa alegre, culture, destination wedding, events, events schedule, gastronomy, gay pv, gay vallarta, informations, insurance, Jalisco, lgbtq, medical care, mexican food, Nayarit, news, Nuevo Nayarit, Punta Mita, Rincon de Guayabitos, safety, San Blas, San Pancho, Sayulita, tourism, tours, travel, travel blog, travel guide, travel tips, wedding, YouTube videos, attractions, beaches, blog,
Follow: Web site: https://promovisionpv.com
Subscribe: YouTube: https://youtube.com/promovision/videos
Subscribe: Instagram: https://instagram.com/promovisionpv/
Follow: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-dion-48861926/
Follow: X: https://x.com/promovisionpv
Follow: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@promovisionpv
Follow: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576061534287
Follow: Blue Sky Social: https://bsky.app/profile/promovision.bsky.social
Promote Your Tourism Business, Restaurant, or Tour Puerto Vallarta on PromovisionPV.com https://promovisionpv.com/promote-your-tourism-business-restaurant-or-tour-puerto-vallarta-on-promovisionpv-com/
