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

Should you visit Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville?

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 Charlottesville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a laid-back, cultural, and coastal town. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a proud, traditional, and young university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Puerto Vallarta and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Puerto Vallarta. Although Puerto Vallarta and Charlottesville are both popular with visitors, Puerto Vallarta has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Puerto Vallarta is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Charlottesville is known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Puerto Vallarta is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife. It is also home to the Malecon. Charlottesville is popular for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Puerto Vallarta different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Puerto Vallarta. There are a number of historical sights around town like Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Charlottesville is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Puerto Vallarta has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Puerto Vallarta has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville Better for Resorts?

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

Vacationers flock to Puerto Vallarta for its luxury resorts. There are many different places to stay from all-inclusive resorts to high end hotels or beachfront properties.

Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for its diving and snorkeling. However, Charlottesville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Puerto Vallarta. 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.

Charlottesville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville Better for Beaches?

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for the beache. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Puerto Vallarta for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Puerto Vallarta does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Puerto Vallarta does not have a historic old town.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Puerto Vallarta is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Charlottesville. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Puerto Vallarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville?

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Puerto Vallarta is well-known for its shopping. There's a mix of shopping malls, open-air markets, boutiques, and international brands.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Puerto Vallarta does not offer Christmas activities.

Charlottesville is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Puerto Vallarta does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Puerto Vallarta is very family-friendly. 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.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Puerto Vallarta is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Charlottesville is a good town for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlottesville is not known for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Puerto Vallarta. There are hostels around, as well as many adventure sports or thrilling activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is renowned for students. However, Puerto Vallarta is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Charlottesville. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Puerto Vallarta is not popular with students.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Charlottesville is not known for its public transit.

While Puerto Vallarta offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are blue, green or orange buses that travel around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

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

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

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

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Puerto Vallarta?

How long in Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Puerto Vallarta and Charlottesville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than in Charlottesville. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Puerto Vallarta, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

Families should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Charlottesville if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Puerto Vallarta.

One day in Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville?

The colorful destination of Puerto Vallarta offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Charlottesville is a small town with plenty to do. 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 Charlottesville?

The town of Puerto Vallarta offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Charlottesville?

Puerto Vallarta is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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

A week in Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Puerto Vallarta. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Since Charlottesville is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Puerto Vallarta or Charlottesville?

Puerto Vallarta has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Vallarta and Charlottesville, 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.