A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto Vallarta vs. Arlington for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Puerto Vallarta or Arlington?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Puerto Vallarta and Arlington can help you decide which place is right for you.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a coastal, colorful, and laid-back town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Arlington

Arlington is a educational, international, and historical city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Puerto Vallarta and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Puerto Vallarta or Arlington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Puerto Vallarta. Although Puerto Vallarta and Arlington are roughly the same size, Puerto Vallarta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Puerto Vallarta is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Arlington attracts visitors for its museums. Puerto Vallarta is famous for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife. It is also well known for the Malecon. Arlington is famous for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon.

How is Puerto Vallarta different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arlington and Puerto Vallarta. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Puerto Vallarta or Arlington?

Arlington is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Puerto Vallarta is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Arlington specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Puerto Vallarta is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of historical sights around town like Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Is the Food Better in Puerto Vallarta or Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Puerto Vallarta and Arlington.

Dining out in Puerto Vallarta is an experience not to be missed. The charming character combined with the authentic local cuisine makes for a wonderful culinary experience. There's everything from taco stands to romantic restaurants that you can try.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arlington. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Both Puerto Vallarta and Arlington are excellent when it comes to partying.

Puerto Vallarta offers plenty to do in the evening. You'll find a mix of active clubs, cozy bars, and cosmopolitan cafes. Head to the Romantic Zone or Los Muertos Beach for some of the best places.

Arlington has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Arlington Better for Resorts?

Puerto Vallarta is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Puerto Vallarta offers an unforgettable resort vacation. There are many different places to stay from all-inclusive resorts to high end hotels or beachfront properties.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Arlington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Arlington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Puerto Vallarta to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Divers in the area may get to experience once in a lifetime opportunities like diving with manta rays, dolphins, whale sharks, hammerheads, or schools of jacks.

Arlington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Arlington Better for Beaches?

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Puerto Vallarta. There are many beaches spread out around town that have soft sand and blue water. Most have all of the amenities you could need. Popular beaches include Playa de los Muertos, Playa Mismaloya, and Playa Conchas Chinas.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Puerto Vallarta or Arlington?

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Puerto Vallarta. There's a mix of shopping malls, open-air markets, boutiques, and international brands.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Arlington Better for Families?

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Puerto Vallarta. Kids will love the water parks and thrilling activities, such as Aquaventuras Water Park or Los Veranos Canopy Tour. There's rock climbing and ropes courses at Las Animas Aventura Park. You'll also find horseback riding and even pirate boat tours in the area.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Arlington Better for Couples?

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Puerto Vallarta makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples looking for a romantic getaway will enjoy sunset boat trips, horseback riding, and adventure sports. There are also many restaurants where you can enjoy a romantic dinner or a refreshing drink.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Puerto Vallarta and Arlington are excellent destinations for backpackers.

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels around, as well as many adventure sports or thrilling activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Arlington is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Arlington Better for Students?

Arlington is a well-known place for students. However, Puerto Vallarta is not popular with students.

Arlington is very popular with students. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Puerto Vallarta is not popular with students.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Arlington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is renowned for its public transit. Also, Puerto Vallarta is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Arlington has a great public transit system. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Puerto Vallarta has some public transit options. There are blue, green or orange buses that travel around town.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Arlington a more walkable city?

Puerto Vallarta and Arlington both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Puerto Vallarta is a very walkable destination. There are several walkable neighborhoods in town such as 5 de Diciembre, el Centro, and Zona Romantica.

Arlington is very walkable. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

For even more information, also check out Is Puerto Vallarta Worth Visiting? and Is Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Puerto Vallarta?

How long in Puerto Vallarta or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Puerto Vallarta or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Puerto Vallarta due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Puerto Vallarta, and 2-4 days is enough time in Arlington.

Families should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Arlington. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Puerto Vallarta, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Arlington. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Puerto Vallarta that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Puerto Vallarta or Arlington?

You'll find nightlife and food around the town of Puerto Vallarta. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The historical destination of Arlington offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Puerto Vallarta or Arlington?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the colorful destination of Puerto Vallarta. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

The city of Arlington offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Puerto Vallarta or Arlington?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the laid-back town of Puerto Vallarta. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

Arlington is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Puerto Vallarta or Arlington?

Puerto Vallarta is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arlington. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Vallarta and Arlington, we can see that Arlington 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington 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 Puerto Vallarta Expensive? and Is Arlington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Puerto Vallarta or Arlington?

Puerto Vallarta has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Arlington. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Vallarta and Arlington, 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.