Frequently Asked Questions
What is the procedure for reserving a villa?Once you have select the villa or condo of your choice we will confirm availability for your dates and will place a Tentative HOLD on the villa of your choice for 72 hours. We will send you an email confirmation confirming your reservation and require a 50% deposit. Attached to your email confirmation will be our Rental Agreement Terms and Conditions, Waiver of Responsibility, Guest Arrival Information, Menu Selections for your First Morning Breakfast along with the necessary information on your rental and Puerto Vallarta. Final Payment on your reservation will be due 60 days prior to your arrival at the villa or condo. All owners require a Refundable Security Deposit due with your final payment. Your Security Deposit will be returned to you two weeks after your return from your vacation providing no damage occurred during your stay.
What are the services of the full-time staff?Most all our luxury villa rentals include Full Staff Service including a cook, maid, and houseman during your stay at the villa unless otherwise specified. The cook will prepare two meals per day breakfast and lunch or breakfast and dinner (except Sundays and Holidays - unless prior arrangements are made). Once at the villa you will make your menu selection from the villa menus. The villa cook will do all the food and beverage shopping and submit the receipts for reimbursement. Cash or travelers checks please. Please Note: There is No Sunday Service at any villa as it is the staff's day off. If you would like to have Sunday Service we can arrange this for you at an additional fee paid directly to the staff. PLEASE BE SURE TO SEND YOUR MENU ARRIVAL INFORMATION SIX WEEKS PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL TO ENSURE THAT YOUR PREFERENCES ARE RELAYED TO THE STAFF.
What documents are needed for travel to Puerto Vallarta?
ALL TRAVELERS MUST PRESENT A VALID PASSPORT WHEN TRAVELING TO PUERTO VALLARTA. TRAVELERS MUST PRESENT THEIR PASSPORT AT AIRPORT CHECK-IN AND TO THE MEXICAN IMMIGRATION AT THE AIRPORT UPON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Upon arriving and departing Mexico you will need proof of citizenship. ALL TRAVELERS MUST PRESENT A VALID PASSPORT TO THE MEXICAN IMMIGRATION AT THE AIRPORT WHEN ENTERING PUERTO VALLARTA accompanied by a photo ID. If your last name is different on any documents you will need to show proof denoting name change, such as a marriage certificate or court papers. Children under 18 traveling with one parent or alone will also need a notarized affidavit for permission to travel. This document is absolutely required when entering Mexico or re-entering the U.S. All visitors will complete a Tourist Card to enter Mexico. This card will be provided to you by the airline carrier and must be completed on both sides prior to arrival in Mexico. Sign both places on the back of the card. Immigrations will stamp your card upon entering Puerto Vallarta and give you the bottom portion. You will need the bottom portion of this card for your departure from Puerto Vallarta. Upon check-in at the airport you will present this Tourist Card to your airline carrier. This card must be turned in upon leaving Mexico.
Transportation from the airport to your villa or condo
We can arrange for Private Transportation for you and your guests upon arrival at the airport. Your driver meet you in the main terminal of the airport just outside the baggage pick-up area and after you pass through Airport Security. Your driver will be holding a sign reading your last name and will drive you directly to yuor villa. Payment is made directly to the driver in US Dollars.
What is the average temperature?Temperature average around 80 degrees year round but humidity and chances of rain increase from June through October. Light, comfortable, casual clothing is recommended.
What is the Currency?Mexico currency is the Peso. Most businesses will accept payment in United States dollars so there is no need to exchange money before leaving the states. Carry Traveler’s Checks instead of cash although you may need a supply of small bills for tipping. ATM's are available and credit cards are widely accepted and you will get the best exchange rate by using them. Mexico does not accept U.S. coins.
What time is check in and check out? Check in time is 3:00 p.m. - Check out time is 11:00 a.m. An extension may be requested one week prior to arrival if needed and we will do our best to accommodate you. You may also store your luggage at the villa before or after check in and check out.
What can we expect at the villa when we arrive? Your staff will greet you upon arrival at the villa and your houseman will carry your luggage into the villa. The villa will have a light appetizer and refreshments and a nice cool beverage for you and your guests upon arrival. The houseman will answer any questions regarding the operation of the villa. Your first evening dinner and first morning breakfast food will be stocked at the villa. We can assist you with any special arrangements such as Birthday Surprises, Anniversaries, etc.
What if we need to cancel our reservation?
In the event of a cancellation after the deposit is received all payments and deposits are non refundable unless the property is re-rented by Casa Bay Villas for the exact dates and number of bedrooms and at the discretion of the villa owner. A 25% facilitating fee will apply. Cancellations with less than 60 days prior to arrival - no refunds will be issued. We recommend trip cancellation insurance on all private villa and condo rental through Travel Guard.
Are children welcome in all the villas?
There are only a few villas that have restrictions for children. More importantly we recommend you let us make a few suggestions as certain villas are more child-friendly than others in terms of safety and bedding considerations.
What about gratuity/tipping in Mexico?
A Gratuity/Tipping is a personal preference and is usually well earned, always appreciated and heightens the morale of the staff for a job well done. You may want to keep in mind that most workers depend on tips for a large portion of their income. An amount of $10.00 to $15.00 per guest/per day divided among the staff is acceptable. If you prefer 10% of your total rental accommodation expenses divided among the villa staff is also customary. Your gratuity should be divided and given to each staff member individually in person in a sealed envelope at the end of your stay. (Taxi drivers regularly include tipping charges in their fee you do not have to tip the taxi drivers.)
What is included in the nightly rate?
The rates are per night for the entire villa. Some larger villas can be rented on a 3 bedroom minimum at a lower nightly rate except over Holidays. The rate includes a full staff unless otherwise specified. Most rates include the 17% Mexican IVA Sales Tax except where specified. Cost of food and beverage is not included in the nightly rate. Guests will reimburse the staff for food and beverages purchased and any other shopping trips made during your stay (receipts will be provided). The villas are always stocked with bath towels, linens, dish towels, etc. Gratuities for the staff are also not included. All Rates are subject to change without notice.
What form of payment is accepted?
Check payable to Casa Bay Villas or Direct Deposit into our bank account or Bank Wire Transfer (we will provide you with instructions for our bank).
What is the minimum night stay?Most villas require a 4-7/Night minimum stay. All Holiday Reservations require a 7/Night stay for Christmas and New Year’s reservations. The rates are per night for the entire villa. Some larger villas can be rented on a 3 bedroom minimum at lower rates except over Holidays.
Is there air conditioning and do I need electrical adapters?
All of our properties have air conditioning in the bedrooms. A few villas have central air conditioning. With spring-like climate almost year round and open architecture you will find very little need for air conditioning in winter months.
We ask that you please be considerate of the use of electricity and water. Turn off the lights and air conditioning when you leave the room. Close curtains and bathroom doors when using air conditioning. As an emerging nation Mexico has shortages of water and electricity and rates are very high.
The electricity in Mexico is the same as the US and Canada 22o Volts so you do not need adapters.
Can you drink the water?All our properties have purified water systems and purified bottled water is always available. The staff uses purified water for ice, cooking and food preparation.
Are discounts available on last minute reservations?
Discounts on last minute villas reservations depending on the time of year and availability can result in a savings of 10-20% on your reservation.
Will I be able to watch my favorite sports team on TV?
All of our properties provide TV and DVD. Some have local cable service others Satellite. Local cable service includes several English stations including CNN, WGN, TNT, KTLA and an ABC affiliate out of New York. If unable to find that important playoff game on local cable there are an abundance of sports bars in Puerto Vallarta with direct feed in English.
What is the difference between Full Staff and Partial Staff?
One of the best parts about your vacation will be the staff at your villa. Your villa rental includes maid and cook service daily except Sunday and Holidays. Gratuities and cost of food and beverages are not included.
Full Staff Service includes houseman, cook and chambermaid with cook service twice daily except Sunday and Holidays. Some of the ultra luxury villas have additional staff members: cook's assistants, laundry staff, waiter's etc.
Villas with partial staff include one or two staff members, usually a cook/housekeeper and a chambermaid/cook's assistant. Partial staff service includes cook service for one meal per day, breakfast or early lunch (before noon). Dinner service is available for an extra fee, usually around $50-$65 USD in addition to the cost of groceries
Can the staff pre-stock the villa with groceries before I arrive?
If your villa has Full Staff Service - Approximately six weeks prior to your arrival at the villa we will ask for your menu selection for your First Evening Dinner and First Morning Breakfast. If you have specific food/beverage items, please let me know and I will be delighted to forward onto the villa manger prior to your arrival.
For your arrival most villas provide a welcome refreshment of Chips with Guacamole and Salsa and a round of Margaritas, courtesy of the villa. The staff will purchase any other food or beverage items you would like to have at the villa for your arrival. Just let us know your beverage selection of margaritas, beer, liquor, sodas, bottled water, juice, milk etc.
We will coordinate your menu requests with staff prior to your arrival for your first evening dinner and your first morning breakfast.
For your First Evening Dinner at the villa, we suggest a Traditional Mexican Dinner of Chicken Enchiladas prepared at your villa unless otherwise specified.
Once at the villa, the cook will have menus to help you plan more elaborate meals for the rest of your stay. Shortly after you are settled in at your villa, please reimburse the staff for any arrival purchases of food and beverages. The houseman will submit itemized receipts and will have purchased your arrival items out of pocket.
Food and Beverages are not included in your villa rental.
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