We adore Mexico. Just look at how much we’ve written about it!
There are so many things to do in Mexico that we know how hard it is to decide where to go.
But don’t fret.
We’ve written about Cabo vs. Cancun vs. Puerto Vallarta in various posts on this blog to help you choose your next holiday.
Two of our most popular Mexico posts are the Puerto Vallarta vs. Cabo showdown and the Cabo vs. Cancun stand-off.
So, it’s only fitting for us to now write a dedicated Cancun vs. Puerto Vallarta post.
Okay, let’s find out which is better, Cancun or Puerto Vallarta?
Cancun vs Puerto Vallarta
Contents: Puerto Vallarta vs. Cancun for a holiday
Where are PV and Cancun located?
Getting there
Puerto Vallarta vs. Cancun weather
Scenery + vibe
Beaches
Things to do in Cancun vs. Puerto Vallarta
Day trips
Hotels + resorts
Restaurants + nightlife
Safety
Last words
Where is Puerto Vallarta vs. Cancun?
Both Cancun and Puerto Vallarta are famous beach destinations that conjure up idyllic postcard images, and rightfully so.
But they’re on opposite coasts of Mexico.
Where is Cancun?
Cancun is on the northeast coast along the cerulean waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
In the state of Quintana Roo, it’s the gateway to the Mayan Riviera area, a 100-mile stretch of stunning coastline that includes Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Where is Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta (or PV for short) is in the state of Jalisco on the west or Pacific coast of Mexico. It’s hugged by the azure Banderas Bay and backed by the lush Sierra Madre mountains.
Just north of Puerto Vallarta is Nuevo Vallarta (New Vallarta). In the state of Nayarit, it’s also a renowned beach destination.
Getting to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta
Getting to Cancun
There’s an international airport in Cancun (the Cancun International Airport or CUN).
Non-stop flights to Cancun depart from most major and minor cities in the United States, starting from as low as $100. From Canada, direct flights take off for Cancun from Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver.
In particular, Cancun is the ideal getaway for anyone from the East Coast or Midwest wanting a quick escape.
The flying time from New York City to Cancun is a little over 4 hours. (By contrast, it would take you more than 5 hours to reach Puerto Vallarta). From Chicago, it takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes to reach Cancun.
Once on the ground in Mexico, the Cancun airport is 30 minutes from downtown.
It’s easy to take a shared or private airport transfer to your hotel. The ADO bus also goes from the airport to downtown.
Otherwise, Uber and taxis are everywhere. And many resorts offer airport transfers too.
Getting to Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta also has an international airport, the Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR).
There are dozens of direct flights to PV from major and minor cities across the US and Canada.
So, is it better to go to Cancun or Puerto Vallarta? Well, PV is closer to you than Cancun if you live on the West Coast.
For example, the flying time from L.A. is just over 3 hours. (By contrast, it would take you 4 hours and 35 minutes to fly to Cancun.)
The Puerto Vallarta airport is about 20 minutes from town. Hop on a bus, taxi or Uber to get to town (or take a resort-offered transfer).
Cancun vs. Puerto Vallarta weather
Cancun weather
Cancun is tropical, balmy, humid and full of warm sultry nights.
Hurricane season is from June to November. And the worst months are August through October. So, keep that in mind when planning.
The best time to visit Cancun is from December to April, which is also the high season (so you should book your accommodations in advance).
The temperature in Cancun this time of year is around 82 F in the daytime (though it can get hotter).
Puerto Vallarta weather
Puerto Vallarta, on the other hand, doesn’t have a hurricane season per se. The shape of the bay protects the area from hurricanes – but there are tropical storms.
The best time to go to Puerto Vallarta is from December to March, after the rainy season is over.
Average daytime highs are in the low 80s F in the winter months. The skies are mainly clear and the sun shines most of the time.
And just like in Cancun, it’s also high season. So of course, PV will be busier with tourists this time of year.
The summer months are not very comfortable weather-wise. From June to October, Puerto Vallarta becomes a steamy humid hotbox.
Bottom line: Which has better weather, Cancun or Puerto Vallarta?
There’s no winner.
If you want a hot tropical climate, head to Cancun.
If not, make Puerto Vallarta your holiday haven. We’ve found PV in winter to be less humid than Cancun, so it feels milder. (Cancun feels hotter in winter.)
Cancun vs. Puerto Vallarta: Scenery and vibe
What’s Cancun (and the Riviera Maya) like?
Cancun and the Mayan Riviera area are tropical paradises, with lush jungle colliding with the turquoise water.
The soft white-sand beaches, lined with palm trees, are what dreams are made of.
As well, the series of underground caves, rivers and sinkholes (or cenotes) that pepper the landscape make the area unique.
Some cenotes have crystal clear water with stalagmites and stalactites, making for an underground lunarscape.
It’s definitely worth taking some time to explore a few of the Riviera Maya (and Cancun) cenotes!
Some of the best include Cenote Azul (a cenote that looks like a lovely lagoon, perfect for swimming and jumping), Cenote Dos Ojos (for scuba diving and snorkeling) and Gran Cenote (a large and popular cenote near Tulum).
Cancun itself is more touristy than Puerto Vallarta though.
It’s a bit like Las Vegas, where everything is big and beautiful. The hotels have hundreds, sometimes thousands of rooms, and you can find anything you want 24/7.
It’s a party haven, but it’s easy to ignore all the touristy mayhem and find your perfect slice of quiet solitude or romance.
Basically, you can have it all in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
What’s Puerto Vallarta like?
Not to be outdone in the scenery department, Puerto Vallarta is blessed to be sandwiched between the mountains and the brilliant azure waters of Bahia Bay (Banderas Bay).
Pretty much any direction you look, you’ll see something picture-worthy.
Then there’s Nuevo Vallarta.
About a 20-minute drive north of PV, this master-planned resort community is famed for its golf courses, marina and long uninterrupted sandy beaches. Comparatively, Puerto Vallarta has more coves and slightly deeper water.
Puerto Vallarta has been on the scene longer than Cancun.
Once a small fishing village, PV achieved worldwide recognition in 1964 when the steamy movie Night of the Iguana, starring Ava Gardner and Richard Burton, was filmed there.
In some ways, Puerto Vallarta still has that same traditional vibe even though it’s a prime holiday destination today.
It’s quite laid back and chill, especially in the Zona Romantica or Old Town neighborhood.
You feel like you’re stepping back into old Mexico as soon as you see the cobblestone streets. It’s full of charm and Mexican culture.
But beyond its traditional vibe, PV is a trendy electric city. It’s known as the LGBTQ capital of the country, which adds to the welcoming atmosphere.
Nuevo Vallarta, on the other hand, is newer than PV. After Cancun, it has the second highest number of hotels and resorts in Mexico.
The major difference between Nuevo Vallarta vs. Puerto Vallarta is that, being older, PV retains its charm. Its northern neighbor is newly built up, more developed and more modern.
Winner?
When comparing the vibe of Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, we give the “vibe winner” award to PV because of its traditional feel and inclusivity for people from all walks of life and love.
But when it comes to the landscape and scenery – solely because of the truly unique cenotes – Cancun and the Riviera Maya edge out PV.
Puerto Vallarta beaches vs. Cancun beaches
Beaches in Cancun
Imagine warm Caribbean-blue water with soft powdery sand underfoot. That’s Cancun.
Beaches in Cancun are postcard-perfect… Usually.
Unfortunately, the entire Riviera Maya region has been plagued by thick masses of seaweed (known as sargassum), washing ashore in the past few years. It blankets the sand, and as the sun heats it, the seaweed rots, emitting a stinky rotten egg scent.
Not so pleasant on your beach vacation.
Nets have recently been added to catch the seaweed before it reaches the shore, but there is no 100% fix for this natural phenomenon.
Beaches in Puerto Vallarta
The beautiful beaches along the west coast of Mexico haven’t suffered the same seaweed problem.
They’re broad, with soft golden sand flowing into deep-indigo water packed with aquatic life.
And there you have it.
One noticeable difference between Cancun and Puerto Vallarta is that PV’s beaches don’t have that same Caribbean-blue water as Cancun. And the sand isn’t that perfect white sand.
Playa de los Muertos
Playa de los Muertos (Los Muertos Beach) is the main and most popular beach in PV. For people watching, it can’t be beat!
It’s lined with many beach bars, beach clubs and restaurants, so it’s easy to find a beach chair under an umbrella. (If you buy lunch or drinks, you usually don’t have to pay to stay – and you can hang out for a while.)
Our favorite beach club is La Palapa. It’s one of the classiest on Los Muertos Beach; at night, it’s a great toes-in-the-sand seafood restaurant.
Playa Flamingos
Another one of the best beaches in the PV area is Playa Flamingos, which stretches for eight miles along the coast of Nuevo Vallarta.
Its calm waters are perfect for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding.
Bottom line? Puerto Vallarta vs. Cancun beaches
In the showdown between beaches in Puerto Vallarta vs. Cancun beaches, PV wins by virtue of its accessibility.
Cancun’s beaches are prettier – but the seaweed means it’s unpleasant sometimes to swim in the ocean water. So Cancun’s beaches lose this battle.
Which is best for activities?
Riviera Maya and Cancun activities
There are a zillion awesome things to do in the Riviera Maya (and Cancun). But here are a few highlights.
There is every water activity you could think of – parasailing, cruises, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, you name it.
Don’t miss snorkeling at the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA), where 500 life-sized sculptures attract all sorts of colorful marine life.
Cancun is also the gateway to all things Mayan.
The Mayan Museum of Cancun (Museo Maya de Cancun) showcases one of the largest archeological collections of Mayan artifacts in the country – from painted pottery to a 12,000-year-old female skeleton found in acenotenear Tulum.
To top that off, Cancun is a shopper’s paradise.
Head toLa IslaandLuxury Avenueand get your credit cards ready!
If you’re looking forMexican souvenirsand silver jewelry, the local markets are where it’s at.
Puerto Vallarta activities
So, what about Puerto Vallarta?
Start with a walking tour of the boardwalk or Malecon. The Puerto Vallarta Malecon (and its sculptures) is one of the best attractions in PV.
Keep walking towards Los Muertos Beach, and you’ll end up on the iconic 335-foot Los Muertos Pier, which looks like a sail and is illuminated every night.
Like Cancun, PV offers an abundance of water sports too.
But what Puerto Vallarta has over Cancun are the mountains. So things like hiking, ziplining and rappelling down a waterfall are easily found. (See, for example, this popularziplining tour in PV.)
Also, Puerto Vallarta has a booming art scene, and galleries will ship your purchased art back home.
For wildlife lovers, there’s a baby turtle release program through an environmental conservation organization (donations are welcomed).
If you’re there in the winter, thousands of humpback whales migrate through Banderas Bay. Different whale watching tours are offered so you can see them in their natural environment.
And let’s not forget the nine golf courses that Puerto Vallarta boasts.
One of the best is the Pacifico Golf Course in Punta Mita, a luxury resort community north of PV.
Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the Pacifico course features the signature “Tail of the Whale” hole – a spectacular green on an island, accessed by an amphibious golf cart.
Bottom line: Is Puerto Vallarta or Cancun better for activities?
It really depends on what you’re into.
However, if we must choose, PV wins by a nose because of its sheer variety of activities.
Day trips from Puerto Vallarta and Cancun
Cancun day trips
If you’re into archeology and history, the entire Cancun and Riviera Maya region is full of Mayan ruins.
We’ve even dedicated a post to the most beautiful Mayan ruins near Cancun.
The UNESCO site, Chichen Itza, is the most well-known and legendary ruin – it’s 2 hours away from Cancun.
And you can’t miss the Mayan ruins of Tulum.
Or how about snorkeling with sea turtles at Akumal?
Or swimming with whale sharks at Holbox Island?
You can also take a ferry from Playa del Carmen to the island of Cozumel for the day. Its epic scuba diving is one reason to visit – if comparing Cancun and Cozumel, Cozumel’s diving is better.
And let’s not forget Isla Mujeres. Hop on a ferry from Cancun for the 15-minute ride to this lovely sleepy island.
On Isla Mujeres, rent a golf cart to explore. Visit Punta Sur for its scenic rocky coastline, laze about on Playa Norte (North Beach) and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch.
Puerto Vallarta day trips
Now on to Puerto Vallarta day trips.
Take a water taxi for the 35-minute ride to Playa Mismaloya, one of our favorite areas. Simple restaurants with thatch palapa roofs line the palm-fringed beach.
Picturesque Yelapa is another tiny town and beach on the Bay of Banderas, south of PV. It’s reached by taking the bus to Boca de Tomatlan, followed by a 20- to 25-minute boat ride.
Backed by lush jungle, Yelapa Beach is blissful, with more great seafood restaurants and a “pie lady” who strolls the beach selling slices of the most heavenly coconut cream pie, still warm from the oven.
Here’s afun day tour to Yelapa. It includes a short optional hike to a waterfall and snorkeling at Majahuitas Cove (another delightful beach). If you’re coming from Nuevo Vallarta, jump on this luxury mega-yacht to visit Yelapa.
And you must visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens.
With cacao and coffee trees, orchids, cacti and hiking trails past vanilla vines to a river (bring your swimsuit to cool off!), we think it’s one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.
Its restaurant serves up totally yummy lunches too.
Also head north to Punta Mita. Check out the luxury hotels and resorts and get pampered at their spas.
Into nature? Then don’t miss the the Marietas Islands National Park, sometimes referred to as the Galapagos of Mexico.
The islands are known for their abundant bird and marine life and are protected by the Mexican government.
See frigate birds, egrets and comical-looking blue-footed boobies. They’re some of the 90 species of birds that live or migrate there.
For something totally unique, put a tequila tasting tour on your itinerary. Most tours will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the heart of Tequila and various tequila distilleries.
Day trip award winner:
The best day trip award goes to… it’s a tie.
There can be no losers when the day trips from both Cancun and Puerto Vallarta are this incredible.
Resorts in Cancun and the Riviera Maya vs. Puerto Vallarta
Cancun and Riviera Maya resorts
The Cancun strip has hundreds of hotels and resorts. Many of them are massive all-inclusives catering to your every whim.
The entire Riviera Maya region is packed with over 6,000 hotels, from all-inclusive resorts to small boutique types.
One of our favorite, most luxurious all-inclusive hotels is the Grand Velas Riviera Maya.
It’s only an hour away from Cancun’s Hotel Zone but feels like a world away. And the food is to die for.
In Cancun itself, the all-inclusiveSecrets The Vine Cancunis a deluxe sanctuary for adults only. It was named one of the 20 best resorts in resorts in eastern Mexico in the 2023 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
Right in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, the Kempinski Hotel Cancun (formerly the Ritz-Carlton Cancun)is an AAA Five Diamond winner and 5-star retreat.
Eco-chic Tulum is known for its boutique hotels.
You can choose to stay in Tulum Beach or the town. (Check out our post on Tulum’s best beach hotels.)
Take The Beach Tulum, for example.
Some rooms even have private plunge pools – it’s one of the top hotels in Mexico with private pool suites.
For adults only, these stylish boutique digs also feature a main pool and complimentary yoga classes.
Also recommended in Tulum Beach: La Valise, with thatched beach bungalows housing 9 romantic rooms with open-air showers.
There are some great hotels in Tulum Town too, if you want to save a little money and don’t need to stay right on the beach.
Puerto Vallarta resorts
PV has some large deluxe hotels like the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita (in Punta Mita) and the Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa, with 165 elegant rooms, three pools and a great snorkeling cove.
But in Puerto Vallarta proper, you find smaller and more budget-friendly hotels and not nearly as many all-inclusives.
We wrote a post about the top boutique Puerto Vallarta hotels, but we’re adding one more to the mix – Hotel Mousai. It’s the first and only adults-only, AAA Five Diamond-rated hotel in PV.
So, is Cancun or Puerto Vallarta better for resorts?
Choosing the accommodation winner between Puerto Vallarta vs. Riviera Maya (and Cancun) is challenging because it really depends on your travel style.
Cancun is the way to go if you like big hotels, all-inclusives and plenty of luxury options. (Tulum has the boutiquey places.)
PV is your spot if you like smaller boutique hotels or have a tighter budget. (Punta Mita has more deluxe resorts.)
Dining and nightlife
Cancun’s scene
Cancun has incredible dining options, but its nightlife outshines its restaurants.
There are zillions of luxurious hotels with restaurants to match, along with chain restaurants. Therefore, most of the food tends to be touristy.
Still, that’s not to say there aren’t good restaurants – because there are!
PV’s scene
In Puerto Vallarta, however, the restaurants are more independently owned and less tourist-driven, meaning authentic flavors and world-class food.
And it’s not just Mexican food.
There’s a huge variety of restaurants – excellent Puerto Vallarta restaurants pleasing every palate and budget.
Some of the best places to eat?
- Barcelona Tapas – Reasonably-priced Mediterranean tapas
- Café des Artistes – Creative high-end dining
- Tintoque – One of Mexico’s best restaurants, serving Mexican fusion cuisine
- Fredy’s Tucan – Best breakfast place
- ICU – Exquisite 5- and 9-course tasting menus
As for nightlife, Cancun has a lot more options. But the Puerto Vallarta Romantic Zone holds its own with the largest LGBTQ-friendly clubs in the country.
Winner?
The prize for the best dining scene goes to Puerto Vallarta.
However, the nightlife award goes to Cancun. If you want to shake it to live music and party for days, Cancun has you covered.
Safety: Is Puerto Vallarta or Cancun safer?
Is Cancun safe? Quick answer, yes.
Is Puerto Vallarta safe? Also yes.
Is Puerto Vallarta safer than Cancun? You’ll see reports that PV has a lower crime rate and is safer than Cancun. But for visitors who are sensible, both are safe.
Regardless of what the media leads us to believe, the crime rates in Cancun and PV are lower than in most big cities in the US. We’ve never felt unsafe in either town, and we’ve been going for years.
If you stick to the touristy resort areas, you’ll be fine.
No matter where you go, though, use common sense.
Don’t wander the streets at night, dripping in diamonds. That’s just silly. And you probably wouldn’t do that at home either. Unfortunately, petty crime does occur, as in any tourist area.
Is Puerto Vallarta or Cancun safer?
For visitors, one isn’t really safer than the other. Don’t let “safety” be a deciding factor.
Last words: Cancun or Puerto Vallarta, which is better?
So, is Puerto Vallarta better than Cancun? Or is Cancun better than PV?
It’s impossible to say. They are so different in every way. Both are popular Mexican beach destinations for a winter getaway for North Americans, especially, and for sun-starved Europeans.
Deciding between them is a decision no one wants to make. So you might as well give in and visit both!
If you’ve already visited Cancun, make your next trip PV. And vice-versa.
Then you can decide – and you can let us know your preferred Mexico hot spot in the Comments below!
Experience more of Mexico!
San Miguel de Allende: Discover what to do in San Miguel de Allende. This UNESCO-listed city is dripping with colonial charm!
Mexico City: Visiting Mexico City? We’ve sussed out where to stay, play and eat in our customizable 3-day Mexico City itinerary.
Magical small towns: Get away from the typical tourist track and explore some of Mexico’s Pueblo Magicos. From Taxco to Mazunte, these are some of the most beautiful small Mexican towns.
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!)
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
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