Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Procedure for Reserving a Villa?

What are the Services of the Full-Time Staff?

What Type of Documents do we need to 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 airlines and you will complete 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.

Arrival Information and Transportation to the Villa?  

What is the Currency?

What time is Check in and Check out? 

What can we Expect at the Villa when we Arrive? 

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-refunable 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 refund will be issued. We recommend trip cancellation insurance on all private villa rental accommodations. 

Are Children Welcome in all the Villas?

There are a few villas that have restrictions.  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 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 minumum at lower rates, except over Holidays. The rate also 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 rate. You can reimburse the staff on a daily basis for food and beverage costs and any other trips they make to the store (receipts will be provided). Gratuities for the staff are also not included. All Rates are subject to change without notice. The villas are always stocked with bath towels, linens, dish towels, etc.

In order of preference: Check payable to Casa Bay Villas or Bank Wire Transfer (we will provide you with instructions for your bank officer).

What is the Minimum Stay?

Is there Air Conditioning and Do I need Electrical Adapters?

All of our properties have air conditioning in the bedrooms. A few villas have A/C throughout. 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. Conserve water. 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?

Do you offer Discounts on Last Minute Bookings?

Discounts on last minute 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 Vallarta with direct feed in English, please view under Night Life.

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; tips and cost of food and beverage 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.