Lyfeabroad is changing locations in a big way! The duration of time to get from my original location (Puerto Vallarta) to my new one has been spread over three days. Yes three days. Originally the booking was quite compact, however with airlines changing flights, it is now taking me three days to change locations. This is day one, in transit today, PVR to YYC (Calgary).
Puerto Vallarta Departure
Against my wishes, I am leaving PV on a Saturday afternoon, quite possibly the worst day of the week and mid afternoon to boot! The airport is packed to the gills. Luckily, I arrived 4 hours early. I learned my lesson last time when I arrived three hours early and almost missed my flight! Arriving 4 hours early was the ticket, checked in and wandered around after security for the remaining three.
Before Security
The PV airport is actually quite small. There is not really much pre-security. The check in desks and a priority area make up most of the space. Once you take the stairs up to security, there are a few stores and kiosks selling souvenir items. Up here are two sit down, full service restaurants. I would suggest if you have time to kill, eat here. The restaurant past security is terrible.
Past Security
Once through security, which only takes time because of the volume of people in the airport, there is not a lot of space to wander. There are two larger Duty Free type stores that you walk through to get to the gates.
After these, is a central area with a small food court, offering a Starbucks (huge line), Subway (huger line) and a Sbarro pizza place (no line). There is very little seating here, so taking your food to go is a good idea.
Also in this space are two little stores selling bagged snacks/candy, magazines and souvenirs. One of these stores has come up with an ingenious idea! They have packaged possible necessities into individual baggies for sale! Need a tampon? A Dramamine or Asprin tablet? They are available for you to purchase individually behind the counter.
Today, I was looking for a sit down meal as I had loads of extra time. I made the error of not eating at one of the restaurants pre-security. (Carl Jr’s or Bubba Gump). I took the chance and sat at the restaurant inside, The Urban Corner, and boy was it bad. I was craving a burger, I should have known better, but man, it was really terrible. What hurt though was the beer, dang, again I should have know better, it was half the cost of the burger, $10 CAD for 1 bottle of beer. Ouch.
Gates
There is one hall leaving this area going to the domestic gates, and another longer hall which will take you to the international gates.
The international segment is packed with people. Trying to find seating is a chore, so if you still need to get some steps in, this is the time to do it.
Because there are so few gates actually inside the terminal, some flights have to be bused out too. This was the case for me on this trip and is usually the case about half the time I fly Westjet.
The bus system is efficient and does not take too long. You are herded onto a long new clean bus and the ride takes but mere minutes. Once at the plane, simply disembark the bus and climb the steps to the aircraft.
I have never been on a flight that has left Puerto Vallarta on time. Ever.
The flight to Calgary was quick, 4.5 hours, and uneventful, just the way we like it! If I can, Iโll post tomorrow about the next leg.
Be well.
