Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta. While takeoff favors the right, the landing view from the left—showing Banderas Bay, the Sierra Madre mountains, and the Puerto Vallarta coastline—is more dramatic and memorable. The left side captures the destination geography more effectively.

During takeoff from Vancouver International (YVR), sit on the Right side for the best views. YVR typically departs south or southwest. Right-side seats offer views of the North Shore Mountains and the Strait of Georgia as the aircraft climbs, with clear sightlines to Vancouver Island across the water. Notable sights include: North Shore Mountains (Grouse, Seymour peaks), Strait of Georgia, Vancouver Island (distant), Burrard Inlet.

When landing at Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVR approaches from the north over the Pacific. Left-side seats provide views of the Banderas Bay coastline, the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains inland, and the approach path over water with the resort town visible below. Notable sights include: Banderas Bay, Sierra Madre Occidental foothills, Puerto Vallarta waterfront, Pacific Ocean.

The flight from Vancouver International (YVR) to Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Pacific Ocean northwest of Baja California. Notable features include the Baja California Peninsula (visible as a distant landmass on the left during mid-flight), the open Pacific with occasional cloud formations, and the gradual transition from temperate to subtropical air masses. Around the midpoint (roughly 2 hours into flight), the Sierra Madre Occidental becomes visible on the horizon ahead, marking approach to mainland Mexico.