Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Freeport?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Freeport or Puerto Vallarta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Freeport and Puerto Vallarta can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Freeport or Puerto Vallarta?
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
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 Bahamas, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
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Freeport Prices
Bahamas PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFreeport $291Puerto Vallarta $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Freeport is $291, 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 Freeport and Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFreeport $141Puerto Vallarta $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFreeport $282Puerto Vallarta $122
Compare Hotels in Freeport and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Freeport 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: Freeport Hotel Prices and Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Freeport $59Puerto Vallarta $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer Viva Club Fortuna Freeport: $28
- Round-trip Airport Transfers to Castaway Resorts, Freeport: $30
- Roundtrip Airport Transfers Island Seas Resort Freeport: $30
- Private Transfer from Freeport Port to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): $67
- Private Transfer from Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport Port: $67
- Old Bahama Bay to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) - Private Transfer: $77
- Freeport to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) Departure Private Transfer: $77
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay - Private Transfer: $77
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Luxury SUV Transfer from Airport, cruise port, Celebration Key: $133
- Shared Round Trip Limousine Transfer: $150
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay -Round-Trip Transfer: $153
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Private Roundtrip Transfer Airport Hotel or Airbnb up to 12px: $290
- Diva Tours VIP Airport Round-Trip Transfer San Pancho-Sayulita: $280
- NAYARIT VIP Round Trip Transfers Airport - Bucerias - Airport: $209
- Private AC Airport Transfer to Sayulita: $200
- Privat Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport PVR to Punta de Mita: $181
- Sayulita hotels to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) – Private Departure Transfer: $153
- Puerto Vallarta Port to Puerto Vallarta RoundTripPrivate Transfer: $141
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta Port-RoundTrip Private Transfer: $141
- Private Transfer from PVR to Puerto Vallarta / Punta de Mita / Sayulita: $139
- Punta de Mita to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) - Private Departure Transfer: $137
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Punta de Mita hotels - Private Arrival Transfer: $137
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
Is it cheaper to fly into Freeport or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta and Freeport 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 dayFreeport $110Puerto Vallarta $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience: $200
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
- Taco Adventure Evening Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Taste of Pitillal Food Tour by 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
- Puerto Vallarta Guided Food Tour with 8 Locals Favorites Tastings: $65
- Vallarta Flavours Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Vallarta by Road Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $85
- Puerto Vallarta Ranch Cooking Class with Tequila Tasting: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Freeport $40Puerto Vallarta $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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10 Dive Package$300
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4 Hr. Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
- Junkanoo Village Beach Club Unlimited Rum Punch Experience: $55
- Rumbo Tour: $60
- Coopers Castle and Port Lucaya Marketplace Tour: $60
- Junkanoo Village Beach Club Experience: Lunch & Signature Drink: $70
- Swim with the Pigs Freeport @Creative Eco Adventures: $72
- Mamma Gal Native Experience: $80
- Mamma Gal Celeb-Key Native Exp. Shared Tour: $80
- Grand Bahama Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Drinks and Snacks: $89
- Mamma Gal East End Native Experience: $95
- Clear Kayak Tour: $120
- Bahamas Sea Scooter Snorkeling Adventure: $120
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $127
Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- 1/2 Day Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden tour: $60
- 10 Zip Line Tour and Tequila Suspension Bridge Walk: $111
- 2 Hour Private Surfing Experience in Puerto Vallarta: $99
- 2 Hour and 30 Minutes Walking Tour in 5 De Diciembre: $51
- 4-Hour Whale Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta: $119
- ATV Adventure from Puerto Vallarta: $110
- ATV Adventure in Puerto Vallarta (Single): $107
- ATV All-Terrain Adventure in Punta Mita: $251
- ATV Doble in Puerto Vallarta Mountain and Waterfall Tour: $140
- ATV Jorullo Bridge Tour: $174
- ATV Single Jungle Adventure-Waterfalls, Tequila & Local Culture": $107
- ATV Tour: $129
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFreeport $31Puerto Vallarta $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
- Brewery & Taste with Beach & Shop at Largest Market on Freeport 4-hrs: $85
- Grand Bahama Brewery and Distillery Tour: $150
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: $28
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
- Cachasol Tequila Tasting & Raicilla Distillery Tour: $108
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Freeport and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Freeport is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Vallarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Freeport 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport 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 Freeport Expensive? and Is Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Freeport or Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Freeport. When comparing the sizes of Freeport 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.