Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Acapulco de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Vallarta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Vallarta? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Vallarta?
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAcapulco de Juarez $81Puerto Vallarta $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $81, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $115. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAcapulco de Juarez $39Puerto Vallarta $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAcapulco de Juarez $78Puerto Vallarta $126
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Vallarta? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices and Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $16Puerto Vallarta $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:
- Acapulco Airport Transfer: $10
- Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $20
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Bahía de Acapulco - Acapulco Airport (ACA): $24
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Acapulco Airport (ACA) -Bahía de Acapulco: $24
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Bahia de Acapulco: $49
- Airport Transfer in Suburban: $65
- Private - One Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $66
- Private Best Round Trip Airport - Hotel - Airport Transfer : $70
- Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVT) -City Center: $93
- Airport Transfer Puerto Vallarta : $135
- Arrival Transfer from Airport to Cruise Port in Puerto Vallarta: $44
- Mexico Private Transfer from Marina Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport: $55
- Mexico Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport to Punta de Mita: $162
- Mexico Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport: $64
- Mexico Private Transfer from Punta de Mita to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport: $151
- Nuevo Vallarta: Private Airport Transfer to South Zone 2: $49
- Nuevo Vallarta:Private Airport Transfer to North Zone 3: $52
- Privat Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport PVR to Punta de Mita: $167
- Private AC Airport Transfer to Sayulita: $200
- Private Airport Transfer in Puerto Vallarta for 8 to 12 persons: $229
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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAcapulco de Juarez $29Puerto Vallarta $37
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.
- High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner +Three Drinks plus SUNSET: $49
- Cliff Divers Exhibition 2 Drinks + Tacos al Pastor Dinner & Beer: $55
- Cliff Diver De Luxe 3 Course Dinner at "La Quebrada" in Acapulco: $56
- Cliff Divers Show With Dinner At Acapulco: $72
- Wrestling-Lucha Libre Experience Tacos Beer Dinner Only SUNDAY: $84
- Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $89
- Hands ON - Mex Cooking Class Experience - City Market & Lunch : $90
- Hands On Mexican Cooking Class with Food Tasting & Market Visit: $100
- Mexican Fiesta Show & Dinner: $115
- Bella Vista PRIVATE Al Fresco 3 Course Dinner Cliff Diver3Drinks: $191
- Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $193
- Divers Show and Luxury Dinner in Acapulco: $199
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- 3-Hour Guided Food Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $46
- Off The Beaten Path Food Tour, Breakfast in Pitillal: $55
- Dinner Tacos Food Tour: $55
- Puerto Vallarta 3-Hour Food Tour of Authentic Local Cuisine: $55
- Downtown Puerto Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $55
- Taco Adventure Evening Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $55
- Taste of Pitillal Food Tour by Vallarta Food Tours : $55
- Off The Beaten Path Food Tour. Dinner in Pitillal : $55
- Taco102 - dinner taco walk - all inclusive: $55
- Puerta Vallarta: Seafood Lover's Food Tour: $56
- Seafood Lover's Tour with Vallarta Food Tours : $59
- Vallarta by Road Food Tour: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $18Puerto Vallarta $19
Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez
Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kayaks Tour to El Morro Islet: $25
- Sunset Adventures: $30
- Acapulco City Tour : $35
- Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $36
- 4hr City Tour For Cruises or Hotels Diver Peace Chapel & Mural: $40
- 4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels, Divers, Chapel & Mural.: $44
- 6Hr City Tour Cruise or Hotel Turtle Nesting High Diver & Market: $45
- Combo 6 Hr Tour All City Highlights Divers Baby Turtle Release: $46
- 4-6Hrs Acapulco City Tour With a Fun Guide. Diver Show, Mex Lunch: $47
- 6Hr Cruisers or Hotels High Diver Peace Chapel BabyTurtleRelease: $50
- Acapulco Malibu, Avenida Kids Tour : $50
- 6Hr Cruise or Hotels City Tour, Divers, Baby Turtles Peace Chapel: $51
Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- City Tour Puerto Vallarta - Churches, Tequila Test and more: $18
- Mexico: Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $20
- Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $20
- Hop-On-Hop-Off City Bus Tour: $24
- Guided SUP Board Tour with Digital Photos: $24
- Hop On Hop Off Tour with Free Stops in Puerto Vallarta: $25
- Butterfly Sanctuary Guided Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $27
- Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $29
- Hike and Yoga Jungle Experience in Mexico: $30
- City Tour, Tequila and Coffee Factory Tour: $31
- EcoHike experience through the jungle, mountains and hidden beach: $32
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding Adventure in Puerto Vallarta: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAcapulco de Juarez $11Puerto Vallarta $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- Fun Mexican Wine Tasting in Beautiful Garden of Puerto Vallarta: $40
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
- All you can drink Bar Crawl: $99
- Tequila Tasting and Tour at Puerto Vallarta Distillery: $111
- Mountains Route, visiting a traditional distillery: $270
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Vallarta?
Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Vallarta, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.