A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto Vallarta vs. Tampa for Food, Nightlife, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Puerto Vallarta or Tampa?

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 Tampa 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.

Tampa

Tampa is a easy-going, low-key, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food and beaches.

Puerto Vallarta and Tampa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Puerto Vallarta or Tampa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Puerto Vallarta than Tampa. While Tampa is larger than Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Puerto Vallarta is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping, while Tampa attracts visitors for its big city activities. Puerto Vallarta is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife. It is also well known for the Malecon. Tampa is famous for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is Puerto Vallarta different from Tampa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Puerto Vallarta is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Puerto Vallarta has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Tampa Better for Nightlife?

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

Puerto Vallarta has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Tampa Better for Resorts?

Puerto Vallarta is an amazing town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Puerto Vallarta is a great choice. There are many different places to stay from all-inclusive resorts to high end hotels or beachfront properties.

Tampa is not a resort destination.

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

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Tampa is lacking in options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting 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.

Tampa has a few snorkeling spots. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Tampa Better for Beaches?

Puerto Vallarta and Tampa are great choices for a beach vacation.

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Tampa. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Puerto Vallarta or Tampa?

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Tampa Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Puerto Vallarta or Tampa.

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.

Tampa is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Tampa Better for Couples?

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options 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.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

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

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Puerto Vallarta. There are hostels around, as well as many adventure sports or thrilling activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in 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 Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Tampa a more walkable city?

Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Tampa or Puerto Vallarta?

How long in Puerto Vallarta or Tampa?

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

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

In Puerto Vallarta, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this colorful destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The low-key destination of Tampa offers food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Tampa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Puerto Vallarta. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

The city of Tampa offers food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Tampa?

Puerto Vallarta is a fun place to experience. In Puerto Vallarta, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Tampa is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Tampa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Puerto Vallarta. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the food when visiting Tampa. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Puerto Vallarta or Tampa?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Vallarta and Tampa, 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.