Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Akureyri or Puerto Vallarta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Puerto Vallarta, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Akureyri or Puerto Vallarta?
Akureyri
Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
-
Akureyri Prices
Iceland PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $185Puerto Vallarta $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $185, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $136. 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 Akureyri and Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $100Puerto Vallarta $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $200Puerto Vallarta $122
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri 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: Akureyri Hotel Prices and Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $23Puerto Vallarta $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
- Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
- Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
- Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $116
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- Whale and Puffin Watching in Hauganes from Akureyri with Transfer: $163
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Airport Transfer Puerto Vallarta: $135
- Airport-Hotel Transfers: $112
- Mexico Private Transfer from Marina Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport: $71
- NAYARIT VIP Round Trip Transfers Airport - Bucerias - Airport: $209
- PVR VIP Round Trip Transfers Airport - Mismaloya Area - Airport: $84
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers - Airport - Marina hotels - Airport: $49
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers - Airport - Zona Hotelera - Airport: $54
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport - Downtown - Airport: $59
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport - Old part of Town - Airport: $54
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport from South PV to Airport: $79
- Privat Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport PVR to Punta de Mita: $180
- Private AC Airport Transfer to Sayulita: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta and Akureyri 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
-
Food Meals for one dayAkureyri $69Puerto Vallarta $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- Old Town Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $49
- Ultimate Taco Tour in Puerto Vallarta with Vallarta Food Tours: $55
- Bucerias Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Winner 2026 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- 3-Hour Guided Food Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $59
- Taco102 - dinner taco walk - all inclusive: $63
- Versalles de Noche Dinner Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $79
- Mexican Cooking Class & Unlimited Margaritas: $85
- Live Mexican Cooking Class with Local Chef: $85
- Bucerias Bike and Food Tour: $90
- Cook Like a Local: Vallarta Market & Cooking Experience: $95
- Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour: $99
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $18Puerto Vallarta $18
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Icelandic Aviation Museum Admission Ticket: $15
- War and Peace Museum - Tour: $23
- Godafoss Waterfall Short Day Tour from Akureyri: $69
- From Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Tour for Cruise Ships (V): $76
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
- Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included: $84
- Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central: $90
- Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $95
- Zipline Tour: $95
- Boat Tours from Siglufjörður: $99
- Húsavík: Family-Run Whale Watching Tour: $99
- Whale Watching and Sea Angling Tour: $100
Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- Puerto Vallarta Historical El Centro: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- City tour express, Butterfly, tequila, river and beach: $12
- Tequila Tasting Tour in Nuevo Vallarta: $13
- Puerto Vallarta Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $15
- Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour of Puerto Vallarta: $15
- Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $20
- Butterfly Experience Nature Park Admission: $23
- Private Bike City Tour with Photo Session in Puerto Vallarta: $24
- Immersive Experience & Tequila Tasting in Puerto Vallarta: $25
- Colomitos Adventure with Snorkeling Playas del Sur: $27
- Biocultural Hiking Experience in Sayulita: $27
- Butterfly Sanctuary & Museum Guided Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $28
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $14Puerto Vallarta $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- Puerto Vallarta Pub Crawl: $22
- Premium Tequila Tasting Puerto Vallarta Distillery: $24
- Brewery Bus Tour from Mexico: $85
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
- Cachasol Tequila Tasting & Raicilla Distillery Tour: $106
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Akureyri is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Vallarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Akureyri is in Europe and Puerto Vallarta is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Puerto Vallarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Vallarta 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 Akureyri would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Akureyri than you might in Puerto Vallarta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri 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.