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

Should you visit Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento?

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

Puerto Vallarta

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

Sacramento

Sacramento is a undiscovered, laid back, and relaxed city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Puerto Vallarta and Sacramento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Puerto Vallarta than Sacramento. While Sacramento is larger than Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Puerto Vallarta is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Sacramento is known for its museums. Puerto Vallarta is more touristy than Sacramento and is popular for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife. It is also home to the Malecon. Sacramento is popular for its history and state capital.

How is Puerto Vallarta different from Sacramento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sacramento 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 Sacramento specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As the state capital, you'll find a number of historical and informational museums around town. You should check out the State Capital, as well as the California State Railroad Museum, the Crocker Museum of Art, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, and the California Automobile Museum.

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 Sacramento? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sacramento area. Casual restaurants with laid back atmospheres are what's most common around town. You'll also find a variety of international cuisines that include Korean and Vietnamese.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento Better for Nightlife?

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

Sacramento has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There highest concentration of activities are found in Downtown Sacramento. You'll find bars, clubs and live music in the area. You can also head to midtown, which has performing arts and comedy shows.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento Better for Resorts?

Puerto Vallarta is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Sacramento 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.

Sacramento is not a resort destination.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sacramento 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.

Sacramento is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento Better for Beaches?

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for the beache. However, Sacramento 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.

Sacramento is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento?

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

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

Many visitors go to Sacramento to go shopping. You'll find down-to-earth vendors who have reasonable prices and a great selection. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at the Old Sacramento Waterfront or along Folsom Boulevard.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento Better for Families?

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sacramento. With the large number of families that live in the area, you'll a variety of kid-friendly activities. Options include smaller amusement parks like Funderland Amusement Park, museums like the Sacramento Children's Museum, and indoor trampoline parks. There's also Fairytale Town, which is an imagination filled playground.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento Better for Couples?

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

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.

Sacramento is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Picnics, nice restaurants, and shows make for enjoyable date activities while you're in town.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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

Sacramento is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although most backpackers skip this town for more popular destinations, there are a couple of hostels in town.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Sacramento 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 generally limited in Sacramento. There's both light rail and buses around town.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento a more walkable city?

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

Sacramento is generally not very walkable. You'll really want a car to get around town, but Midtown is one of the more walkable areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Sacramento or Puerto Vallarta?

How long in Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Puerto Vallarta than Sacramento because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Puerto Vallarta, and 1-2 days is enough time in Sacramento.

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

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the laid-back town of Puerto Vallarta, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The undiscovered destination of Sacramento offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Puerto Vallarta, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

The city of Sacramento 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 Sacramento?

Puerto Vallarta, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Sacramento 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 Sacramento?

Puerto Vallarta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sacramento. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Puerto Vallarta or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Vallarta and Sacramento, 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.