Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or Puerto Vallarta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Puerto Vallarta or Ensenada?
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 Ensenada can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Puerto Vallarta or Ensenada?
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.
Ensenada
Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Vallarta $115Ensenada $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Vallarta is $115, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $99. 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 Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Vallarta $63Ensenada $47
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Vallarta $126Ensenada $94
Compare Hotels in Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Vallarta or Ensenada? 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: Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices and Ensenada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Vallarta $19Ensenada $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Airport Transfer Puerto Vallarta : $135
- Arrival Transfer from Airport to Cruise Port in Puerto Vallarta: $44
- From Puerto Vallarta Hotels to Cruise Port Departure Transfer: $44
- Mexico Private Transfer from Marina Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport: $55
- Mexico Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport to Punta de Mita: $162
- Nuevo Vallarta: Private Airport Transfer to South Zone 2: $48
- Nuevo Vallarta:Private Airport Transfer to North Zone 3: $51
- Private Airport Transfer in Puerto Vallarta for 8 to 12 persons: $229
- Private Transfer Licenciado Gustavo Airport to/fr Puerto Vallarta: $75
- Private Transfer from Hotel Zone - Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR): $37
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) for 4-7 people to Nayarit: $102
- Private Transfer from Sayulita to Guadalajara: $239
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:
- Transfer: From Tijuana to Valle de Guadalupe & Ensenada: $409
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Vallarta or Ensenada?
Prices for flights to both Ensenada and Puerto Vallarta 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPuerto Vallarta $37Ensenada $39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- 3-Hour Guided Food Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $45
- Off The Beaten Path Food Tour, Breakfast in Pitillal: $55
- Dinner Tacos Food Tour: $55
- Puerto Vallarta 3-Hour Food Tour of Authentic Local Cuisine: $55
- Downtown Puerto Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $55
- Taste of Pitillal Food Tour by Vallarta Food Tours : $55
- Taco Adventure Evening Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $55
- Off The Beaten Path Food Tour. Dinner in Pitillal : $55
- Puerta Vallarta: Seafood Lover's Food Tour: $56
- Mexican Cooking Class, Tequila Tasting & Unlimited Margaritas: $78
- Bucerias Bike and Food Tour: $90
- Mexican Cooking Class and Tequila Tasting: $97
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Vallarta $19Ensenada $11
Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $20
- Mexico: Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $20
- Hop-On-Hop-Off City Bus Tour: $23
- Guided SUP Board Tour with Digital Photos: $23
- Hop On Hop Off Tour with Free Stops in Puerto Vallarta: $24
- Butterfly Sanctuary Guided Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $27
- Hike and Yoga Jungle Experience in Mexico: $30
- City Tour, Tequila and Coffee Factory Tour: $31
- EcoHike experience through the jungle, mountains and hidden beach: $31
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding Adventure in Puerto Vallarta: $33
- Chocolate Tour in Vallarta: $35
- Zipline Canopy Tour: $37
Tours and Activities in Ensenada
Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Rondo del Valley Winery Tour with 5 Tastings: $26
- Tasting of 5 wines and tour: $30
- Ensenada : The unique bufadora private tour: $32
- Lavender Field Guided Tour: $34
- Lavender Field Guided Tour: $38
- From La Bufadora Geyser Tour: $39
- Tacos, Brews and Views Tour : $40
- Private La Bufadora Tour (blowhole): $41
- La Bufadora Tour in Baja California: $42
- The Bufadora private Tour: $44
- Las Cañadas Canopy Tour in Ensenada: $52
- City tour on electric horse wagon.: $58
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Vallarta $24Ensenada $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- Fun Mexican Wine Tasting in Beautiful Garden of Puerto Vallarta: $40
- All you can drink Bar Crawl: $99
- Tequila Tasting and Tour at Puerto Vallarta Distillery: $109
Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada
Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Experience in Maglén: $29
- Xecue Wine Tasting in the Guadalupe Valley: $39
- Wine tour valley of guadalupe: $60
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting Tour: $78
- From Wine Tasting at Guadalupe Valley Ensenada: $88
- From Ojos Negros Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour: $97
- Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $115
- Private Wine Tour at Valle de Guadalupe (A wine tasting included).: $119
- wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $135
- Wine tasting tour for Cruise Ship Visitors. All Inclusive!: $199
- Private and custom group Wine tour Valle de Guadalupe : $220
- Valle Experience by Ansell Wine Tours: $270
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada, we can see that Puerto Vallarta is more expensive. And not only is Ensenada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ensenada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ensenada 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 Ensenada.
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 Ensenada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Vallarta or Ensenada?
Ensenada has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada, 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.