Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Departure gives you Banderas Bay and the Puerto Vallarta coastline, and arrival gives you the Front Range and Denver skyline. During the cruise over central Mexico and the American Southwest, the left side also tends to face slightly more interesting terrain including portions of the Sierra Madre and the high desert plateaus of Chihuahua and New Mexico.
Flown PVR to DEN? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Puerto Vallarta to Denver is 1,326 miles (2,133 km), a flight of about 3 hours 30 minutes.
The flight tracks north-northeast over the Sierra Madre Occidental of Nayarit and Durango states, then crosses the Chihuahuan Desert and the high plateau of northern Mexico. After crossing into the US near El Paso or New Mexico, the route passes over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the high desert of southern Colorado before descending toward Denver. The Rio Grande valley and the New Mexico basin-and-range terrain are visible in the middle portion of the flight.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from PVR
LEFTPVR's primary departure runway 04 sends aircraft northeast over Banderas Bay. The left side faces northwest, giving a sweeping view of the bay's open water and the Sierra Madre Occidental foothills rising behind Puerto Vallarta's coastline. You'll see the curve of the bay and the town below before the aircraft turns north.
Landing at DEN
LEFTDEN typically uses north-flow runways (35L/35R/34R) for arrivals from the south. On final approach heading north, the left (west-facing) side looks directly toward downtown Denver and the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains — Longs Peak, Mount Evans, and the entire Front Range wall are visible. The right side faces east over flat eastern plains with little of interest.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR) to Denver International (DEN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Puerto Vallarta to Denver. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Departure gives you Banderas Bay and the Puerto Vallarta coastline, and arrival gives you the Front Range and Denver skyline. During the cruise over central Mexico and the American Southwest, the left side also tends to face slightly more interesting terrain including portions of the Sierra Madre and the high desert plateaus of Chihuahua and New Mexico.
What can I see during takeoff from Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International in Puerto Vallarta?
During takeoff from Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVR's primary departure runway 04 sends aircraft northeast over Banderas Bay. The left side faces northwest, giving a sweeping view of the bay's open water and the Sierra Madre Occidental foothills rising behind Puerto Vallarta's coastline. You'll see the curve of the bay and the town below before the aircraft turns north. Notable sights include: Banderas Bay (Bahía de Banderas), Puerto Vallarta beachfront and Malecón district, Sierra Madre Occidental foothills to the east, Punta Mita peninsula at the bay's northern tip.
What can I see when landing at Denver International in Denver?
When landing at Denver International (DEN), sit on the Left side for the best views. DEN typically uses north-flow runways (35L/35R/34R) for arrivals from the south. On final approach heading north, the left (west-facing) side looks directly toward downtown Denver and the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains — Longs Peak, Mount Evans, and the entire Front Range wall are visible. The right side faces east over flat eastern plains with little of interest. Notable sights include: Front Range of the Rocky Mountains (Longs Peak, Mount Evans visible as distant peaks), downtown Denver skyline, Rocky Mountain Arsenal area below on approach, flat Colorado High Plains to the east.
How long is the flight from Puerto Vallarta to Denver?
The flight from Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR) to Denver International (DEN) takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,326 miles (2,133 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Puerto Vallarta to Denver flight path pass over?
The flight tracks north-northeast over the Sierra Madre Occidental of Nayarit and Durango states, then crosses the Chihuahuan Desert and the high plateau of northern Mexico. After crossing into the US near El Paso or New Mexico, the route passes over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the high desert of southern Colorado before descending toward Denver. The Rio Grande valley and the New Mexico basin-and-range terrain are visible in the middle portion of the flight.