Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) is mid-way through the most significant infrastructure expansion in its history. Terminal 2 — a dedicated international facility — has reached 71% completion and is expected to be fully operational by late 2027. In the meantime, eight new international routes have already been confirmed for the 2026 season, making this summer an important moment for access to one of Mexico’s most popular Pacific coast destinations.
What Terminal 2 Means for Travellers
The existing terminal at PVR handles both domestic and international traffic, which creates congestion during peak travel periods, particularly around the US and Canadian holiday windows of November through April. Terminal 2 is being built to handle dedicated international flows, with separate check-in halls, expanded customs and immigration capacity, and additional gate positions.
At 71% completion, significant structural work is finished, but fitting out, systems integration, and airside connections remain. The airport authority has indicated a phased handover is planned, with some gates operational before the terminal is fully commissioned.
For travellers arriving in 2026, the experience at PVR will be broadly unchanged from previous years — but the improvement to capacity in 2027 will address the bottlenecks that have frustrated peak-season arrivals.
Eight New Routes for 2026
Airlines have moved quickly to secure position ahead of Terminal 2’s opening. Eight new international routes have been confirmed for 2026, expanding the range of direct connections to Puerto Vallarta from North America and beyond. The additions include new US gateways and increased frequency on existing routes from Canadian cities that have strong seasonal demand.
The expansion follows a trend across Mexican Pacific resort airports, where post-pandemic recovery in leisure travel has outpaced infrastructure on the ground.
Planning Your Trip Through PVR
If you are flying into Puerto Vallarta, a few practical points:
- Arrival times: Early morning international arrivals are typically faster through immigration. Late-afternoon slots see the heaviest queues.
- Ground transport: Authorised taxis and shuttle services operate from the terminal forecourt. Ride-hailing apps work but must be met outside the immediate terminal zone.
- Onward travel: The airport is around 8 km north of the Zona Romántica and the Malecón. Transfers typically take 20–40 minutes depending on traffic.
Puerto Vallarta makes a natural base for exploring the Sierra Madre coast, and the expanded connectivity makes it easier to reach from more US cities without a connection. See our Puerto Vallarta city guide for what to do once you arrive, and our flights and getting there page for current booking advice across all Mexican airports. If you are still planning your itinerary, our things to do in Mexico section covers the region’s main activities, from whale watching in the Bay of Banderas to the tequila towns inland.
The airport expansion is the infrastructure catching up to demand that has been building for several years. For travellers with PVR on their 2026 or 2027 travel list, the direction of travel is clearly positive.