A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Eagle Beach vs. Puerto Vallarta for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Eagle Beach or Puerto Vallarta?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Eagle Beach 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: Eagle Beach or Puerto Vallarta?

Eagle Beach

Aruba, only fifteen miles north of Venezuela, is a top Caribbean tourist destination. It's a small island, only 20 miles long and 6 miles wide, and is an autonomous dependency of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. One of the most popular and beautiful beaches on the island is Eagle Beach. It's a popular beach with the locals, and a common destination for many who are looking for a party. The beach is particularly crowded on Easter weekend. The sand is a sugary white and the waters are a stunning crystal blue color. The beach itself is quite flat and the ocean is so calm it's like swimming in a pool. There are a handful of palm trees if you're seeking shade, but otherwise it's the ideal place to soak up some rays. You'll find some shaded picnic areas as well if you're hoping to enjoy a casual lunch.

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 Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Eagle Beach?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Eagle Beach is $341, 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 Eagle Beach and Puerto Vallarta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Eagle Beach $227
    Puerto Vallarta $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Eagle Beach $454
    Puerto Vallarta $126
Compare Hotels in Eagle Beach and Puerto Vallarta

Looking for a hotel in Eagle Beach 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.

Hotels in Eagle Beach


Hotels in Puerto Vallarta


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: Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Eagle Beach $33
    Puerto Vallarta $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eagle Beach

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eagle Beach:


  • Round-trip Bus Ticket
    $2.22
  • One Day Scooter Rental
    $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eagle Beach

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Eagle Beach:

  • Round-Trip Aruba Airport Transfer: $22
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Aruba Reina Beatrix Airport (AUA)- Aruba: $25
  • Aruba Private Airport Transfer: Personalized Arrival: $31
  • Private One-Way Transfer from Aruba To Reina Beatrix Airport: $32
  • Private Transfer from Oranjestad Cruise Port to Oranjestad city: $36
  • Private Transfer from Oranjestad Queen Airport to Oranjestad Port: $36
  • Private Transfer from Oranjestad Port to Oranjestad Queen Airport: $36
  • Aruba Queen Beatrix Airport(AUA) to Aruba Island-Arrival Transfer: $39
  • Aruba Island to Aruba Queen Airport(AUA) Departure Transfer: $39
  • Aruba Island to Aruba Queen Airport (AUA) - Departure Transfer: $39
  • 2 Ways Private Transfers: $45
  • Private Transfer from Reina Beatrix Airport to Oranjestad Aruba: $45

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
  • Nuevo Vallarta: Private Airport Transfer to South Zone 2: $48
  • Nuevo Vallarta:Private Airport Transfer to North Zone 3: $51
  • Private Transfer Licenciado Gustavo Airport to/fr Puerto Vallarta: $76
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) for 4-7 people to Nayarit: $102
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Nayarit: $145
  • Private Transfer from Sayulita to Guadalajara: $239
  • Private transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport - Hotel Zone: $37
  • Private transfer round trip Puerto Vallarta Airport To Hotel In Luxury Vehicle: $129

Is it cheaper to fly into Eagle Beach or Puerto Vallarta?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta and Eagle Beach 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 day
    Eagle Beach $68
    Puerto Vallarta $37

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Eagle Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Eagle Beach.

  • Noord, Aruba: Exclusive Private Dinner aboard the Aqua Donut: $90
  • Aruba Caribbean Dinner Sail Experience: $92
  • Sunset Sail Cruise to Boca Catalina with BBQ Dinner: $110
  • Sunset Sail: Aruba Dinner Cruise with Open Bar by Catamaran: $119
  • Caribbean Cooking Class in Aruba: $160

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.

  • Dinner Tacos Food Tour: $55
  • Off The Beaten Path Food Tour. Dinner in Pitillal : $55
  • Puerto Vallarta 3-Hour Food Tour of Authentic Local Cuisine: $59
  • Downtown Puerto Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
  • Puerta Vallarta: Seafood Lover's Food Tour: $59
  • Signature Taco and Street Food Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $65
  • Vallarta by Road Food Tour: $75
  • Mexican Cooking Class, Tequila Tasting & Unlimited Margaritas: $75
  • Bucerias Bike and Food Tour: $90
  • Mexican Cooking Class and Tequila Tasting: $96
  • Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour : $99
  • Cooking Class and Market Tour: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Eagle Beach $121
    Puerto Vallarta $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Eagle Beach

Here are a few typical costs in Eagle Beach for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Full Day Bike Rental
    $25
  • Kayak & Snorkeling Tour
    $98
  • Horseback Riding Tour
    $70
  • 4 Hr Snorkel Trip
    $74

Tours and Activities in Eagle Beach

Here are a few actual costs in Eagle Beach for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Champagne and Diamond Shopping Experience in Aruba: $5.00
  • Aruba Mangel Halto and Baby Beach Snorkeling Guided Tour: $37
  • Scenic Aruba Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $40
  • Aruba Downtown Historic and Cultural Walking Tour: $40
  • Explore Aruba Party Bus Tour: $41
  • Aruba Countryside Tour: $41
  • The Whole Story Tour + A Ride: $45
  • Half-Day Aruba Animal Sanctuary Guided Tour : $45
  • Half-Day Aruba Island Tour from Oranjestad: $49
  • Aruba Baby Beach Express Tour: $49
  • Colorful Beach Bus Sightseeing Tour of Aruba: $54
  • Aruba Jet Ski Rentals — Exciting Water Adventures Await: $58

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
  • Hop-On-Hop-Off City Bus Tour: $23
  • Guided SUP Board Tour with Digital Photos: $23
  • Hop On Hop Off Tour with Free Stops in Puerto Vallarta: $24
  • Private Bike City Tour with Photo Session in Puerto Vallarta: $24
  • 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: $31
  • Zipline Canopy Tour: $37
  • Puerto Vallarta Local-Style Walking tour: $41
  • Why Jalisco is Mexico? Puerto Vallarta Tour: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Eagle Beach $31
    Puerto 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:

  • All you can drink Bar Crawl: $99


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eagle Beach and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Eagle Beach is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Vallarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eagle Beach is in Caribbean Islands 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 Eagle Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eagle Beach 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 Eagle Beach Expensive? and Is Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.