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

Should you visit Puerto Vallarta or Durango?

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

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a coastal, colorful, and laid-back town. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Durango

Durango is a charming, quaint, and scenic small town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include hiking and museums.

Puerto Vallarta and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Puerto Vallarta or Durango?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Puerto Vallarta than Durango, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Puerto Vallarta is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Durango is more popular for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Puerto Vallarta is more touristy than Durango and is popular for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife. Also, Puerto Vallarta is famous for the Malecon. Durango is well known for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities.

How is Puerto Vallarta different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Puerto Vallarta or Durango Better for Skiing?

Durango is a moderate small town for snow skiing. However, Puerto Vallarta is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Durango for snow skiing. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

Puerto Vallarta is not a skiing destination.

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

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

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.

Durango is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Puerto Vallarta. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Durango. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Durango Better for Nightlife?

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Durango is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Puerto Vallarta has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Durango. It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Durango Better for Resorts?

Puerto Vallarta is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Durango 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.

Durango is not a resort destination.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Durango 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.

Durango is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Durango Better for Beaches?

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Durango 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.

Durango is not a beach destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Durango Better for its Old Town?

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

Durango offers a nice historic old town area. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

Puerto Vallarta does not have a historic old town.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Durango Better for Hiking?

Durango is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Puerto Vallarta is not a hiking destination.

Durango is a popular spot for hiking. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Puerto Vallarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Puerto Vallarta or Durango?

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for shopping. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Puerto Vallarta. There's a mix of shopping malls, open-air markets, boutiques, and international brands.

If you're looking to go shopping, Durango has some nice offerings. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Durango Better for Christmas?

Durango is very good for its Christmas activities. However, Puerto Vallarta does not offer Christmas activities.

Many visitors go to Durango during the Christmas season. It is a great Christmas town where you can meet Santa, go skiing, and even take the Polar Express.

Puerto Vallarta does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Durango Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Puerto Vallarta or Durango.

Puerto Vallarta is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Durango is a very family-friendly destination. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Durango Better for Couples?

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Puerto Vallarta is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are hostels around, as well as many adventure sports or thrilling activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Durango. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Durango 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, Durango is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Durango a more walkable city?

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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

Durango is generally not very walkable. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

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

Should I spend more time in Durango or Puerto Vallarta?

How long in Puerto Vallarta or Durango?

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

Families should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Durango. 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 Durango. 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 Durango 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 Durango?

In Puerto Vallarta, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Durango is a small town with plenty to do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Durango?

In Puerto Vallarta, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Durango might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while 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 Durango?

Puerto Vallarta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Puerto Vallarta has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Durango is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This small 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 Durango?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Puerto Vallarta. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Puerto Vallarta. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Since Durango is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Puerto Vallarta or Durango?

Puerto Vallarta has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Durango. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Vallarta and Durango, 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.