Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun – which one is better?

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of those links, I may earn a commission at zero cost for you. Please see my disclaimer policy here.

Mexico is a wonderful country full of so many magical places. It’s also one of the most visited destinations on earth.

So, if you’re planning to visit it soon, it can be quite tricky to decide where exactly you want to go for your Mexican vacation.

Well, to put it simply, there is no one answer to that. All of Mexico’s travel destinations are equally worth visiting and have something special to offer.

But since you can’t tour the whole country at one time, you can choose places based on what you are looking for. In this post, I’ll compare  Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun, showing the main differences, and their highlights to help you decide which of the two destinations is best for your needs.

Both places attract millions of visitors from all across the world, despite being hundreds of miles apart. If you’re confused between the two and can’t pick one for your vacation, let me guide you through what’s best in both, what’s different and unique about them, and hopefully help you decide on which is best for your trip.

---

You can also check out:

► Playa del Carmen vs Tulum
►Cancun vs Tulum
► Cancun vs Playa del Carmen
► Cancun vs Cozumel
► Cancun vs Cabo
► Tulum vs Puerto Vallarta
► Playa del Carmen vs Tulum
► Cancun vs Tulum

---

Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, despite both of them being great places for a beach vacation, they are also considerably different places. I’ve lived in both cities, so from my personal experience, I’ll be sharing with you a glimpse at the similarities and differences.

Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun – Ambiance

Cancun

The ambiance in Cancun is exactly what you’d expect from an urban city designed for the purpose of being a tourist hub. Lots of high-rise buildings form the foreground for the deep jungle surrounding Cancun. The hotels are very luxurious and elegant in the hotel zone which is separated from the downtown.

Although in Cancun you can visit a couple of small Mayan ruins and a small Mayan museum, everything else is a modern and, let me say that, ugly city, with no historical charm. The beachside though is spectacular with white soft sand and turquoise water, most of the time swimmable.

The hotel zone, where the beach is, is a 20 km stretch of white sand lined with highrise hotels, most of them luxury and expensive, with a few exceptions.

There is no historical center with lanes to walk around. The only places where you can do that are the malls, scattered around the city.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta offers a more authentic experience of Mexican culture.

The downtown in Puerto Vallarta has all the charm of the colonial feel, with old buildings and cobblestone roads, art galleries and pretty shops.

The city overall is not only rich in culture and history but it also offers spectacular sceneries with the lush Sierra Madre mountain range as a backdrop contrasting the blue ocean washing the coastline of Banderas Bay.

Top it off with amazing hotels for all budgets and kinds and Mexican hospitality and you have the perfect beach destination.

---

Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun – Location

Cancun

Cancun is located on the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, right after the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean sea. It is probably this particular location that makes Cancun beaches some of the most amazing of the entire Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

The international airport is just 10 kilometers away from the Cancun beach zone and downtown, and there are plenty of other tourist hotspots such as Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Holbox, Isla Mujeres, and Chichen Itza at an easy reach.

Puerto Vallarta

Even though Puerto Vallarta isn’t on the coast of the Caribbean, it’s still just as picturesque as Cancun.

The city overlooks the Pacific, the world’s largest ocean, and boasts golden-sand beaches and stunning beachfront hotels but also walkable areas, such as the famous Malecon (sea promenade) Puerto Vallarta Old town, and the zona rosa, everything at walking distance.

The airport for Puerto Vallarta is just 8 kilometers from the city center. There are also quaint beach towns like Sayulita and San Pancho and all the Riviera Nayarit to explore.

---

Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun – The best time to visit

Best time to visit Cancun

Cancun is the perfect tourist destination all year round and although it’s a popular destination for spring-breakers, there are other times of the year that are much more enjoyable, depending on what you are looking for.  

If you want to visit Cancun and want perfect weather and an overall enjoyable experience, December through April is the time for it.

The downsides are that the prices of accommodations are higher than usual and crowds are on the heavy side, but there’s a good reason for that; it’s absolutely amazing during this time of the year and everyone wants to enjoy the good life.

Read more on the best time to visit Cancun

Best time to visit Puerto Vallarta

The same is true for Puerto Vallarta as well. On top of all the things mentioned above, you also get to watch whales during your visit to Puerto Vallarta in the winter from December through March, which is whale watching season in Mexico but also the high season.

If you are looking for great deals, though, you should visit between April and June.

During this time of the year, you will be missing out on whale watching but you will find great lodging prices, hardly any rains, and fewer crowds.

---

Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun – Safety

Cancun safety

Cancun is considered a safe place, overall. Despite a few drug-related accidents, tourists are pretty much safe unless they are looking for trouble.

But it goes without saying that all the rules of common sense apply here as well, just like anywhere else in the world. If you want to know about common safety tips in Cancun, check out my post about How to stay safe while traveling to Cancun.

Puerto Vallarta Safety

Just like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta is also considered a safe place to travel. Just be wise and avoid peripherical areas and walking alone on narrow dark roads at night. Stay in the touristy area and avoid overdrinking, among other common-sense rules, especially if you are alone.

The fact that millions of tourists visit here and there is a big ex-pat community loving the life in Puerto Vallarta only goes to show how people consider it a safe place. Still, there are some instances of petty crimes here, so make sure to read some safety tips before your trip.

Read also

Is it safe to travel in Mexico?

Is Puerto Vallarta safe to travel?

---

Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun – Beaches

Despite being on opposite coasts, and with very different characteristics, both Puerto Vallarta and Cancun are hugely popular for their beaches and incredible water-related activities.

In fact, both destinations are home to some of the best Mexico beaches.

Below is a look at what you can expect from the beaches of both places.

Cancun beaches

Located on the Caribbean coastline of Mexico, Cancun is famous for its picturesque white-sand beaches and turquoise water.

After all the Caribbean coast is unbeatable of the crystal clear waters and, sugary beaches lined with palm trees. There are plenty of luxurious hotels and beach resorts in Cancun, which makes it the top resort destination in all of Mexico.

There is also an abundance of water sports in Cancun such as paddleboarding, jet skiing, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, deep-sea fishing, and swimming with some of the most exotic aquatic creatures.

The long stretches of picture-perfect beaches in Cancun make for a wonderful stay for beach-lovers.

A half-hour ferry trip to Isla Mujeres is always up for grabs when you’re in Cancun. In the summer you can also swim with whale sharks, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Not to mention the unique lagoon Nichupte’ where you can kayak and paddleboarding among mangroves and all sorts of bird species.

Puerto Vallarta Beaches

If Cancun’s beaches and water sports were impressive, you won’t be disappointed by Puerto Vallarta, either. It’s located on the Pacific Coast, which means golden-sand beaches and great marine life for snorkeling and diving activities.

Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta offers incredible scenery for photography lovers and amazing boat tour adventures, and in winter it becomes a playground for whales and dolphins easily visible from the beach.

There’s no shortage of water sports activities here either, so don’t worry about missing out on anything you might have found in Cancun.

And last but not least, being on the western coast you will enjoy watching spectacular sunsets over the ocean.

Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun – Food and Nightlife

I can safely tell you that Cancun and Puerto Vallarta both have plenty to offer when it comes to nightlife and food. But Puerto Vallarta is more popular when it comes to those, so if your trip is centered around nightlife and partying, it’s your best bet.

Cancun restaurants and nightlife

There is plenty of variety on the menu when it comes to food in Cancun. You will find everything from Mexican cuisine to food from all across the globe. The all-inclusive resorts in Cancun offer non-stop food for a flat fee.

As a tourist, you won’t have to look hard for anything, no matter what your taste is. But for those who prefer to try out different culinary choices, there are plenty of restaurants in Cancun to choose from.

In the Spring Break months, Cancun comes to life with its wild party scene. In the hotel area places like Coco Bongo, Mandala, or similar will offer crazy nights out.

Puerto Vallarta restaurants and nightlife

Most of the eateries in Puerto Vallarta are owned by locals and offer delicious Mexican and international food for every budget and palate. And if authentic Mexican cuisine is what you’re looking for, Puerto Vallarta is the best place for it after Mexico City itself.

The nightlife in Puerto Vallarta is mesmerizing. The destination event—Puerto Vallarta’s annual White Party—is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to its party scene.

The whole Zona Romantica is famous for its bars and clubs, many of which are vibrant with gay parties at night—after all, it’s one of Latin America’s largest gay-friendly neighborhoods. The vibrant nightlife is one of the reasons why Puerto Vallarta is walkable day and night, something you wouldn’t be able to do in Cancun unless you’re touring a mall.

Another important aspect to mention is there all the nightclub and bars in Puerto Vallarta are located in PV main zones, Zona Romantica, and Centro which is completely walkable, while in Cancun you will need to reach your party place by taxi from your hotel, as everything is so spread out.

---

Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun – Hotels

Considering Cancun was designed for tourists only, you would think it has an edge over Puerto Vallarta when it comes to lodgings.

But Puerto Vallarta isn’t quite behind. Even though it was originally a fishing village, it’s now one of the top tourist destinations of Mexico, with all the luxuries and facilities you’d want readily available.

Let’s take a look at the hotel scene in both these cities.

Cancun Hotels

Cancun hotel zone was created just to build hotels. However here you will only find big all-inclusive resorts, and only a few boutique hotels if any.  Although, it’s worth mentioning here that all of the hotels in the hotel zone are quite expensive, with mostly very modern architecture.

The resorts have bars, and restaurants, and even arrange all-night parties; which makes Cancun your go-to resort destination.

The downtown, which is a little farther away from the coastline, has cheaper lodgings, including homes for rent and hostels available as well, but staying in the Cancun downtown area is not as charming as in Puerto Vallarta. And it wouldn’t really make much sense.

Top all-inclusive adult-only hotels in Cancun

👉 Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun 

Live Aqua Cancun is one of the finest all-inclusive resorts in Cancun, both for its strategic location and spacious luxury suites.

It is in fact located on one of the best Cancun stretches of beach and right in front of Plaza La Isla for great shopping and sunset watching.

👉 Check availability and rates on  Booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com

---

👉 Le Blanc Spa Resort

One of the most elegant all-inclusive adult-only resorts, Le Blanc Spa is the crown jewel of the Palace Resorts brand.

Sitting on Cancun white sand beach, Le Blanc Spa Resort ranks among the top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World.

What Guests love the most are the spectacular luxury accommodations and the exceptional personalized service, the world-class restaurants, and the pristine white sand beach.

👉 Check availability and rates on  Booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com

👉 Hyatt Zilara Cancun Resort

Hyatt Zilare is one of the most affordable among the luxury all-inclusive Adult only properties in Cancun.

The beautiful hotel is part of the well-renowned Playa resorts group, renowned for its quality and high standard of service.

All the spacious suites and guest rooms offer an ocean view or ocean front and all are furnished with premium bedding, 24-hour room service, coffee/tea maker, free bottled water, and other minibar items.

👉 Check availability and rates on  Booking.com I Expedia | Hotels.com

👉 Read more about the top All Inclusive Adult only Hotels in Cancun

Puerto Vallarta Hotels

Puerto Vallarta is filled with boutique hotels, resorts, and Airbnb for every budget and style, and even hotels dedicated to gay travelers.

In comparison with Cancun, the lodgings here are slightly cheaper, but most of all you can stay in the charming historical center and the vibrant zona Romantica and yet be within walking distance from the beach.

You don’t really need an all-inclusive if you are in the zona romantic or Old Vallarta as you have so many dining options within walking distance.

However, if you are staying in Nuevo Vallarta or the Marina you may love splurging in one of the spectacular all-inclusive hotels.

Here below I am sharing my top picks among all the beautiful hotels in Puerto Vallarta

Best hotels in Puerto Vallarta

Melia Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive

The Melia resort is perfect for groups, solo travelers, or families alike. Located on a beautiful stretch of beach it offers 4 world-class restaurants and stylish rooms equipped with all the modern amenities.

The hotel is also located beside the golf course, for Tee-time lovers and has an amazing spa.

👉Check rates and availability on Booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com

Luna Liquida

It’s one of my favorite hotels in downtown (Old Vallarta).

An exquisite boutique hotel with a spectacular view over the bay from the rooftop terrace where breakfast is served.

The hotel has the cutest decor and each of the rooms has a different tone of color with delicate local art pieces. It feels like home!

👉Check rates and availability on Booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com

Hacienda San Angel

Former home of Richard Burton’s, Hacienda San Angel is an iconic hotel in Puerto Vallarta. The entire building boasts a romantic colonial style and beautiful bright pink bougainvillea dripping from the white balconies.

The rooms are very spacious and tastefully decorated. The perfect place for a romantic getaway or a solo retreat.

👉 Check rates and availability on Booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com

---

Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun – Culture

In terms of cultures, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun have quite different things to offer. The former has a very authentic experience of local life in Mexico and its culture and activities.

The latter is a gateway to ancient Mayan civilization and its history, at two hours from the colonial Yucatan and the Mayan ruins.

Cancun

Even though Cancun itself is relatively new and doesn’t have much to offer when it comes to culture and history, it has enough places surrounding it to make your wishes come true.

You can take a drive to the nearby Chichen Itza, one of Mexico’s most famous Mayan ruins sites, which is exactly what the majority of tourists who come to Cancun do.

Tulum, coba, Valladolid, and the mystic cenotes are not far away as well. In fact, many tourists choose Cancun as a base to explore around.

Puerto Vallarta

Apart from the local life in Puerto Vallarta, you will notice that the city is brimming with art. There are so many art shops and galleries everywhere you go.

Remember my mention of Puerto Vallarta being explorer-friendly? You can take a walk around the artsy zona Romantica, or along the Malecon, get lost along the cobbled alley of the historical center and check out the old colonial buildings, try the local street food and walk by the beach at sunset.

Cancun vs Puerto Vallarta – Things to do

Both cities offer incredible experiences that you will enjoy. So no matter which one you choose you are going to have the time of your life. Here below I am going to share the top things to do in each city and a link to the full guides to the best things to do in each one.

Top Things to do in Cancun

Among the highlights of Cancun are the spectacular beaches, the archeological sites in Cancun and nearby, scuba diving and snorkeling, and Isla Mujeres or you could rent a car and get to Tulum and Coba. You could also join one of the many incredible guided tours. Here below I am sharing the top-ranking ones.

!!Just make sure you check what is included before booking a tour, and a few reviews, to avoid unpleasant surprises.!!

► Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 6297 Reviews

In this tour you will be visiting the spectacular archeological site of Chichen-Itza, one of the world’s seven wonders and a UNESCO heritage site, you will then take a refreshing dip in one of the cenotes of the Yucatan peninsula and you will be visiting the cute colonial town of Valladolid. A delicious buffet meal is also included.

Free cancellation – Up to 24 hours in advance!

👉 I recommend booking this tour in advance on VIATOR

► Isla Mujeres All Inclusive Luxury Catamaran & Snorkel from Cancun

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1684 Reviews

This half-day trip will take you sailing along the beautiful crystal-clear waters of Cancun’s Caribbean coastline all the way to Isla Mujeres. Included in the trip is some snorkel time in its turquoise waters and a delicious lunch will be served on your catamaran before getting to Isla Mujeres which you will be able to explore on your own.

Free cancellation – Up to 24 hours in advance!

👉 I recommend booking the Isla Mujeres Catamaran tour in advance on VIATOR

► Reef and Shipwreck Snorkeling Tour in Cancun

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 826 Reviews

If you love snorkeling, this tour is for you. An experienced guide will take you to explore some of Cancun’s most stunning underwater worlds by a this shipwreck swim and coral reefs. A small-group tour that ensures personalized attention. Round-trip transportation from your Cancun hotel is also included

Free cancellation – Up to 24 hours in advance!

👉 I recommend booking the Reef and Shipwreck Snorkeling Tour in Cancun in advance on VIATOR

►Read about all the 45 unique things to do in Cancun in 2022

Top Things to do in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is also filled with a lot of things to do both for culture junkies and outdoorsy! There are many food tours for night and day and amazing hiking trips in the lush Sierra Madre hills embracing Bandera bay and the city of Puerto Vallarta.

A lot of different snorkeling tours and whale-watching tours are available for sea lovers. Here below I will just share the top-rated tours that you can join, but make sure you head over to my full post on the things to do in Puerto Vallarta for further reading.

► Swimming with dolphins (in the wild)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 335 Reviews

I never promote tours where animals are kept in captivity and this is why I was so thrilled when I learned about this dolphin tour where dolphins are left in the wild and you must be able to swim with them if you find them.

 On this dolphin tour you are not 100% sure that you will see them but the boat captain knows more or less where they go and you have a very good chance to swim with them.

But you’ll do it with complete respect for nature, without supporting animal exploitation.

👉 Book the dolphin tour on VIATOR

► Check out Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 63 Reviews

Puerto Vallarta botanical garden is one of the most beautiful in Mexico. Located at only 30 minutes local bus ride from Puerto Vallarta, it makes a great day trip from the city.

Take beautiful walks around the park to see the many flower species and plants and then stop by their local restaurant while watching birds eating from fruit plants nearby.

You can get around on your own or take a local tour where they show you around and tell you about the history and the initiatives of the place.

Botanical gardens admission cost: 200 MXN ( 10USD)

Opening hours: Open from 10-6 seven days a week. Between April 1^st and November 1^st, it’s closed on Mondays. On Thursday mornings, they offer early morning birding at 8 am.

👉 Join a guided botanical gardens tour + Tequila testing on VIATOR

► Take a tour of the Marietas Islands

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 306 Reviews

While you’re around the Bay of Banderas, you can also take a tour of the Islas Marietas National Park, which is a group of small islands in the open water near Bahía de Banderas.

The hour-long tour will fill you up with excitement with breathtaking views of the sea cave.

👉 Book the top-rated tour to the Marietas Island

►Read about all the amazing things to do in Puerto Vallarta in 2022

Cancun vs Puerto Vallarta: Which one should you choose?

So after reading this post which one are you going to pick? Cancun or Puerto Vallarta?

In summation, the whole difference between Puerto Vallarta and Cancun boils down to the kind of experience they offer.

If you care more for the beaches and all-inclusive hotels and want to be close to the Mayan culture to explore, Cancun is your place.

Puerto Vallarta is more famous for its nightlife and cultural richness, so if you want to experience a more authentic Mexican atmosphere, you like charming historical towns and yet enjoy the beach, watersports, hikes, and all sorts of outdoor activities, Puerto Vallarta is where you will find them.

In terms of expenses, pretty much both of them are a tie. But if you know when to visit, you can save some big bucks both in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.

Both are overall safe for tourists, and the prices are pretty much similar. So, with all the facts laid out in front of you, let me know which one you picked. Happy vacation!

---