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SAN → PVR
Which side of the plane to sit from San Diego International Airport (San Diego) to Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (Puerto Vallarta)?
Right Side of the Plane
Flying south from San Diego, the right side provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Baja California Peninsula, where stark desert mountains dramatically meet the deep blue Pacific Ocean.
Baja Peninsula
The dramatic, narrow landmass of the Baja California Peninsula stretched out below.
Picacho del Diablo
The highest granite peak in Baja, often visible above the clouds in the San Pedro Mártir range.
Bahía de los Ángeles
Crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches of remote desert islands in the Mid-Rift region.
Whale Sanctuaries
Famous Pacific lagoons like Ojo de Liebre where gray whales migrate during winter months.
Pacific Horizon
Expansive, unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean horizon throughout the southern journey.
This is the superior side for geography enthusiasts. Ideal for morning flights when the sun is behind you, perfectly illuminating the Baja mountains. Use a polarizer on your camera to capture the intense turquoise of the coastal waters. Look for the distinct 'whale lagoons' on the Pacific coast mid-flight.
Altar Desert
Rolling sand dunes and volcanic landscapes of the Sonoran Desert near the US-Mexico border.
Pinacate Peaks
Ancient volcanic craters and dark basalt flows visible within the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve.
Sea of Cortez
Deep blue waters as the aircraft crosses the Gulf of California toward mainland Mexico.
Sierra Madre Occidental
Jagged canyons and forested peaks of the mainland mountain range visible during the descent.
Choose this side for afternoon flights to avoid the harsh glare of the western sun. On the final approach into PVR, this side offers views of the lush jungle canopy and the city's hotel zone as the aircraft banks into Banderas Bay. Watch for the transition from arid desert to tropical vegetation.
Distance: 1,787 km (1,110 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 23 min
Departure: SAN (32.7336006165, -117.190002441)
Arrival: PVR (20.680099487304688, -105.25399780273438)
Route Type: International
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