Do you need a fishing license in Puerto Vallarta?

No. On a licensed charter boat, the boat's license covers everyone aboard — you don't need to buy anything, fill anything out, or carry anything.

This is one of the quiet advantages of booking a real charter over winging it. Mexican fishing regulations are real and enforced, and the fines are not theoretical. A licensed operation handles all of it: the boat, the crew, the paperwork. You bring sunscreen.

(The one edge case: if you're fishing from shore or a private panga on your own, that's different — then you need your own license. But if you're reading this, you're probably booking a boat, so it doesn't apply.)

One less thing to arrange. Pick your charter and show up.