By Neft Román — Legacy Vallarta Realty
Coming from a country where one bill often covers everything, the first surprise about utilities in Puerto Vallarta is that nothing is bundled. Electricity, water, internet, and gas are four separate providers, four separate accounts, and, the first time, four separate errands to set up. None of it is hard. It just helps to know the order, the paperwork, and where the surprises tend to hide.
Figures in this guide are approximate and change over time. Confirm current prices and requirements with each provider before you rely on them.
Start with the question that changes everything: who holds the account?
Before you worry about providers, find out whose name is on each account. In a long-term rental, the landlord may keep the electric and water accounts in their name and pass the bills through to you, or you may be asked to open them yourself. In a condo, water is sometimes included in the monthly HOA fee and sometimes metered separately. Ask in writing, per utility, before you sign. I cover what a lease normally asks of a tenant in renting in Puerto Vallarta: how it really works and in the Spanish-language rental guide.
Electricity: CFE
CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad) is the sole electricity provider, reachable 24/7 at 071 for issues. Setting up an account requires your passport and proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or the property deed. Bills come every two months rather than monthly, and the amount swings a lot with air conditioning. As a rough guide, expect something like 350-500 pesos per two-month period in cooler months and 600-700+ pesos in the heavier AC months. Heavy usage is billed at a steeper rate to subsidize lower-usage households, so a poorly insulated unit with AC running constantly can get expensive fast.
The grid itself is reliable. The honest friction is voltage variation, and that is worth planning for with surge protection on your expensive electronics. If a bill looks wrong, the CFE reclamo is free and gets a response within 15 business days, but you need the invoice and your RPU number in hand. The full process is in the guide to voltage and power outages.
Water: SEAPAL
SEAPAL Vallarta handles municipal water and also asks for your passport and the property deed to open an account. Most residents do not drink the tap water directly. Five-gallon garrafones of drinking water run around 25 pesos each and are delivered or picked up locally. If you want to understand how that routine works and what to look for, read the guide to water quality and garrafones.
Internet: Telmex, Izzi, or Total Play
These are the three main options, and fiber is now widely available across the city. Packages run from around 400 to 2,000 pesos a month depending on speed. Coverage and pricing vary block by block, so compare all three for your specific building before you commit. The details of getting connected are in getting internet and cable in Puerto Vallarta.
Gas: tank or cylinder
Unless your building has a centralized stationary tank, gas comes in cylinders delivered by truck. A standard cylinder runs about 300 pesos and typically lasts around a month in winter, when you heat more water, or up to six weeks in summer. This is the utility that surprises newcomers most, since truck delivery is not something most people have dealt with before. Ask your landlord or neighbors which delivery service serves your street, and keep the number where you can find it.
A sensible order for the first week
- Confirm in writing who holds each account and what is included in the rent or the HOA fee.
- Gather your passport and proof of address (a recent bill or the deed) in a single folder.
- Open or transfer the CFE account first, since you will need the invoice and RPU for any later claim.
- Open or transfer the SEAPAL account, and set up garrafón delivery.
- Compare Telmex, Izzi, and Total Play for your exact building, then schedule installation.
- Find out how gas is supplied and save the delivery number.
What this adds up to
Utilities are rarely the reason someone regrets a move, but they are a real part of your monthly cost, and they vary more with your habits than with the neighborhood. If you are still comparing budgets, the cost of living comparison for Puerto Vallarta puts these numbers next to rent, food, and transportation. If you are not sure yet where you want to live, a month-long stay is the cheapest way to learn how your own habits translate into bills, and I wrote about that in renting a month before you buy.
Where to go from here
If you would like help thinking through a move or a purchase, you are welcome to reach out using the links below.
This article is for general information only. Rates, providers, and delivery logistics change, so confirm current pricing and setup requirements directly with each provider.
📍 Full written guide: legacyvallartarealty.com
📅 Book a 30-minute call: meetings.hubspot.com/neft
💬 Or message me on WhatsApp: wa.me/523227797718
🏠 More guides on living in Puerto Vallarta: legacyvallartarealty.com/blog
Legacy Vallarta Realty — Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
— Neft Román, Legacy Vallarta Realty
Affiliate of AMPI Puerto Vallarta y Compostela
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