Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Nairobi?
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 Nairobi 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 Nairobi 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: Nairobi or Puerto Vallarta?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Puerto Vallarta $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $130. 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 Nairobi and Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Puerto Vallarta $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Puerto Vallarta $116
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Puerto Vallarta $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- NBO Airport Private Transfer to/from Nairobi City Center: $8.85
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Private Airport Transfers To or From Nairobi Airports.: $25
- Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
- Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
- Wilson Airport Private Transfer to Nairobi hotels or Airport: $30
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- From JKIA Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax Max: $35
- Nairobi Airport Transfers to Wilson Airport and Hotels: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR): $66
- Puerto Vallarta Roundtrip Shuttle Airport Transfer: $32
- Puerto Vallarta Airport to Hotel Private Transfer by Minivan: $67
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Sayulita hotels - Private Roundtrip Transfer: $298
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Punta de Mita hotels - Private Arrival Transfer: $134
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $133
- Private transfer round trip Puerto Vallarta Airport To Hotel In Luxury Vehicle: $129
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Port to Puerto Vallarta: $54
- Private Transfer from PVR to Puerto Vallarta / Punta de Mita / Sayulita: $135
- Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Puerto Vallarta Airport(PVR): $69
- Private Transfer Puerto Vallarta to Licenciado Gustavo Airport: $120
- Private Airport Transfers across Bahía de Banderas: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta and Nairobi 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 dayNairobi $13Puerto Vallarta $59
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience: $68
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- Ultimate Taco Tour in Puerto Vallarta with Vallarta Food Tours: $55
- Winner 2026 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Bucerias Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Taco102 - dinner taco walk - all inclusive: $63
- Puerto Vallarta Guided Food Tour with 8 Locals Favorites Tastings: $65
- Vallarta Tales Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Puerto Vallarta Evening Cooking Class: Tacos, Margaritas &Churros: $78
- Bucerias Bike and Food Tour: $90
- Seafood Cooking Class and Market Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $92
- Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour: $99
- Taco Tuesday Cooking Class and Local Market Tour Puerto Vallarta: $103
- Puerto Vallarta Rhythms of the Night, Dinner Cruise and Alma Show: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Puerto Vallarta $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Nairobi City Tour +Pickup: $19
- Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
- Nairobi’s ultimate Walking City Tour with Hotel pickup: $20
- Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Nairobi Green Bus City Sightseeing Tour 4 Hours: $23
- Nairobi City Tour: $25
- Giraffe Center Karen Blixen and Kobe Beads Day Tour: $25
- Discover Nairobi City with Student Led Walking Tour: $25
- Mathare Community Slum Tour: $26
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
- 2 Hour Private Surfing Experience in Puerto Vallarta: $110
- ATV Adventure from Puerto Vallarta: $110
- ATV Adventure in Puerto Vallarta (Single): $107
- ATV All-Terrain Adventure in Punta Mita: $233
- ATV Doble in Puerto Vallarta Mountain and Waterfall Tour: $140
- ATV Jorullo Bridge Tour: $194
- ATV Single Jungle Adventure-Waterfalls, Tequila & Local Culture": $107
- ATV Tour: $129
- ATV Tour Rio Cuale Sierra Madre Mountains and tequila tasting: $72
- ATV Tour in Puerto Vallarta, waterfall and tequila tasting.: $104
- ATV adventure through the mountains of Puerto Vallarta: $122
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Puerto Vallarta $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
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
- Cachasol Tequila Tasting & Raicilla Distillery Tour: $90
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Puerto Vallarta is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi is in Africa 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 Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi 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 Nairobi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Puerto Vallarta?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.