Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Vallarta?
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Vallarta? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Acapulco de Juarez
Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta remains a popular tourist destination with Americans, particularly during spring break when students flock to the area. The area is quite beautiful and has many gorgeous beaches, interesting jungles and waterfalls nearby, and no shortage of luxury resorts and four star restaurants. Many of the locals speak English and are friendly and open to helping tourists with directions or general information. Puerto Vallarta's popularity means that its prices are some of the highest in Mexico, particularly during holidays when the area can get quite crowded.
Which city is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Acapulco de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $53, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $75. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $26. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Acapulco de Juarez the cost is $52 on average.
Puerto Vallarta's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $84. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $42.
Food
In Acapulco de Juarez travelers spend around $19 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The price of a meal in Puerto Vallarta can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $24 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $9.60 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Acapulco de Juarez $19
Puerto Vallarta $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.
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Cliff Divers Show With Dinner Or Two Drinks At Acapulco:
$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
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Taco102 - dinner taco walk - all inclusive:
$45
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Go Off The Beaten Path with a Foodie | Food Tour in Pitillal:
$50
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Food Tour after Sunset in Pitillal:
$50
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Signature Taco and Street Food Tour in Puerto Vallarta:
$55
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Downtown Puerto Vallarta Food Tour:
$55
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Taste of Pitillal Food Tour:
$55
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Food Tour in Old Town with a Foodie & Photographer:
$55
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Mole & Pozole Food Tour:
$57
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Vallarta by Road Food Tour:
$68
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Authentic Jaliscan Cooking Class with a Local Helene in a Traditional Hacienda:
$77
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Tasting Vallarta Gourmet Food Tour:
$88
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Puerto Vallarta Cooking Class: Market Tour, Lesson and Tastings:
$90
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $11 per day to get around in Acapulco de Juarez.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $13 per day to get around in Puerto Vallarta.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:
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Acapulco Airport Transfer:
$8.00
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Transfer in Private Car from Acapulco Airport (ACA) to Bahía de Acapulco:
$22
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Private Airport Transfer: Acapulco Int. Airport (ACA) to Acapulco de Juarez:
$24
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Transfer in private minivan from Acapulco Airport (ACA) to Bahía de Acapulco:
$25
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Acapulco Airport (ACA) to Acapulco hotels - Arrival Private Transfer:
$40
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Round trip transfer Private Car from-to Acapulco Airport-ACA-Bahía de Acapulco:
$43
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Acapulco Airport (ACA) to Acapulco hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer:
$80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
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Airport Transfer Puerto Vallarta:
$117
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BEST PRICE Puerto Vallarta round-trip transfer Hotel Airport (by areas):
$53
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Mexico Private Transfer from Marina Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport:
$58
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Mexico Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport to Marina Vallarta:
$58
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Mexico Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport to Nuevo Vallarta:
$106
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Mexico Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport to Puerto Vallarta:
$68
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Mexico Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport to Punta de Mita:
$173
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Mexico Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport:
$68
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Private AC Airport Transfer to Sayulita:
$72
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Private Airport Transfer: Licenciado Díaz Ordaz Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta:
$28
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Private Airport Transfer: Puerto Vallarta to Licenciado Díaz Ordaz Airport (PVR):
$28
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Private Arrival Transfer: Puerto Vallarta International Airport to Hotel (1 - 3):
$26
Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco de Juarez change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $12 per person, per day in Acapulco de Juarez. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $12 per person, per day in Puerto Vallarta. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez
Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Acapulco Acarey Yatch Cruise:
$37
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Acapulco Sightseeing &Best Taco Lunch+Baby Turtle Release(MINIMUM 2 PASSENGERS):
$42
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Acapulco City Tour:
$43
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Acapulco Historical & Cultural Tour:
$55
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LUCHA LIBRE WRESTLING TOUR + Buffete of Brazilian Steakhouse= BEST NIGHT EVER!:
$92
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Acapulco Eco-Tour:
$93
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Coyuca Town Tour and Baby Turtle Release:
$98
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Taxco Tour From Acapulco:
$163
Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
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Puerto Vallarta City Tour:
$8.50
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Puerto Vallarta City Tour:
$24
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Puerto Vallarta Art Tour:
$27
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Full-Day Puerto Vallarta City Highlights Tour:
$29
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Puerto Vallarta City Tour:
$29
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Sayulita And San Pancho Beachs Tour:
$34
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Puerto Vallarta PhotoWalk and City Tour:
$35
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City Tour and Tequila Tasting Puerto Vallarta:
$36
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Zip Line Canopy Jungle Adventure from Puerto Vallarta:
$39
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Private Tour in El Malecon Boardwalk Bike Ride:
$40
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Puerto Vallarta Local-Style Walking tour:
$41
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Sayulita & San Pancho Beach Town Tour:
$43
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Acapulco de Juarez may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $16 on alcoholic beverages in Puerto Vallarta per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Puerto Vallarta is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Puerto Vallarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Vallarta than you might in Acapulco de Juarez.
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