Should you visit Mexico City or Puerto Vallarta?
Should I visit Mexico City 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.
Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. There are an estimated 26 million people living in the greater Mexico City metropolitan area. The area is about 60 kilometers by 40 kilometers and is surrounded by tall mountains and volcanoes on three sides. Mexico City proper has about 8.8 million people and is the capital of the country. More than a third of the country's economy is based here, making it the wealthiest city in all of Latin America.
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 Mexico City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Mexico City is $138, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $77. 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 Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $44 in Mexico City For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Puerto Vallarta's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $86. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $43.
Food
While meal prices in Mexico City can vary, the average travelers spends about $18 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Mexico City should cost around $7.20 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Mexico City is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
The price of a meal in Puerto Vallarta can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $25 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $10 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
Mexico City $18
Puerto Vallarta $25
Typical Food prices in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two
$11
-
Coffee and Snacks
$3.93
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Traveling Spoon Mexican Tacos and Tortillas Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
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Withlocals The 10 Tastings: Mexico City Private Food Tour:
$60
-
Private Contemporary Mexican Cooking Class Inspired by Family Recipes:
$68
-
Mexico City Private Traditional Pre-Hispanic Cooking Class:
$83
-
Private Mexican Cooking Lesson in a Coyoacan Apartment:
$86
-
Wrestling show and a Mexican dinner:
$101
-
Private Market Tour and Authentic Mexican Cooking Class with a Local in Coyoacan:
$105
-
Mexican Cooking Lesson in a Local Home:
$106
-
Authentic Mexican Cooking Lesson With a Gastronomic Historian in Mexico City:
$109
-
Taco Night Private Food Tour in Mexico City:
$112
-
Traditional Mexican Cooking Class in a Beautiful Home:
$119
-
Private Market Tour and Hands-On Home Cooking With a Local in Mexico City:
$123
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
-
Signature Taco and Street Food Tour in Puerto Vallarta:
$55
-
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
-
Vallarta by Road Food Tour:
$68
-
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
Mexico City's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $8.85 per person, per day on transportation in Mexico City.
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.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Mexico City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:
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Metro
$1.01
-
Uber Ride
$3.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mexico City
Also for Mexico City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Shared Transfer Mexico city Airport - Mexico city Downtown hotels:
$16
-
Private Departure transfer from Mexico City Center to Mexico City Airport (MEX):
$21
-
Transfer in private vehicle from México City to México Airport:
$24
-
Transfer AICM Airport - any Hotel in CD Mexico:
$24
-
Private Airport Transfer: B. Juarez International Airport (MEX) to Mexico City:
$27
-
Private Airport Transfer: Mexico City to B. Juarez International Airport (MEX):
$27
-
Departure Shared Transfer to Mexico City Airport:
$28
-
Private Departure Transfer from Mexico City Center to Mexico Airport:
$29
-
Shared Arrival Transfer from Mexico City Airport:
$38
-
Private Transfer From Mexico City Airport to Downtown:
$42
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Mexico City - Mexico City International Airport(MEX) -Private Departure Transfer:
$44
-
Round Trip Mexico City Airport (MEX) Transfer to Mexico City Center:
$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
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Transfer in private minivan from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to City Center:
$91
-
Transfer in private minivan from City Center to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR):
$91
-
Transfer in Private Car from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to City Center:
$47
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Transfer in Private Car from City Center to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR):
$47
-
Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Puerto Vallarta International Airport:
$36
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Puerto Vallarta International Airport:
$18
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Puerto Vallarta International Airport to Hotel:
$18
-
Roundtrip transfer private minivan from-to Airport(PVR)-PuertoVallarta (sur):
$209
-
Round trip transfer private minivan from-to Puerto Vallarta Airport-City Center:
$182
-
Round trip transfer Private Car from-to Puerto Vallarta Airport-PVR-Punta Mita:
$240
-
Round trip transfer Private Car from-to Puerto Vallarta Airport-PVR-City Center:
$94
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Puerto Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) - Private Departure Transfer:
$46
Is it cheaper to fly into Mexico City or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City 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
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Mexico City can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $10 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $13 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 Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal Tour and Tasting:
$20
-
Customizable Tour with a Private Guide:
$25
-
Tickets to Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera Museum Skip The Line FREE CANCELATION:
$25
-
Full-Day City Tour with Anthropology Museum:
$27
-
Mexico City Tour with Anthropology Museum entrance fee included:
$27
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Tickets & Transport to Frida Kahlo's Museum & Diego Rivera's Studio:
$28
-
Private tour to Anthropology Museum:
$29
-
Xochimilco & Coyoacan Full-Day Tour with Frida Kahlo Museum:
$32
-
Teotihuacan + Basilica de Guadalupe + Tlatelolco Tour!:
$34
-
Teotihuacan, Shrine of Guadalupe & Tlatelolco All-Inclusive Tour:
$35
-
Full City Tour/español-ingles:
$36
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From Teotihuacan and Guadalupe Shrine Day Tour:
$36
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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14 Passenger Vallarta Private City Tour:
$380
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8 Passenger Vallarta Private City Tour:
$280
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ATV Adventure Tour in Puerto Vallarta Including Tequila Tasting:
$76
-
ATV Adventure from Puerto Vallarta:
$85
-
ATV Adventure in Puerto Vallarta (Single):
$76
-
ATV Adventure in Vallarta (Shared):
$92
-
ATV Adventure in the Jungle - Shared:
$92
-
ATV Adventure in the Jungle Single in Puerto Vallarta:
$78
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ATV Experience Adventure (Single):
$77
-
ATV Experience in Puerto Vallarta (Single):
$77
-
ATV Tour Jungle Adventure for Single Rider:
$85
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ATV and Zipline Adventure Combo Tour with Tequila Tasting:
$230
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Mexico City spend on average $14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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.
Sample the Local Flavors in Mexico City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mexico City:
-
Full-Day Peña de Bernal Wine Tours:
$220
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Mexico City is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Vallarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Mexico City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mexico City than you might in Puerto Vallarta.
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