A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Veracruz vs. Puerto Vallarta for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Veracruz or Puerto Vallarta?

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 Veracruz and Puerto Vallarta can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Veracruz or Puerto Vallarta?

Veracruz

Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Veracruz?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Veracruz Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Puerto Vallarta Prices
    Mexico Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Veracruz $132
    Puerto Vallarta $96

The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $132, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $96. 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 Veracruz and Puerto Vallarta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Veracruz $46
    Puerto Vallarta $53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Veracruz $92
    Puerto Vallarta $106
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Puerto Vallarta

Looking for a hotel in Veracruz or Puerto Vallarta? 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.

Hotels in Veracruz


Hotels in Puerto Vallarta


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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Veracruz $24
    Puerto Vallarta $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz

Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
  • Airport Transfer: $25
  • Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $27
  • Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:

  • Roundtrip Private Transfer Airport Hotel: $600
  • Transfer inn from Puerto Vallarta Airport to hotels.: $431
  • Private Transfer from Sayulita to Guadalajara: $242
  • Airport Transfer to Zona Mandarina: $225
  • Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR): Transfer to Puerto Vallarta: $212
  • Private AC Airport Transfer to Sayulita: $200
  • Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Sayulita hotels - Private Roundtrip Transfer: $195
  • Airport Transfer to Sayulita and San Pancho: $177
  • Transfer from the airport to punta mita: $171
  • Privat Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport PVR to Punta de Mita: $171
  • Private Transfer from Punta de Mita Area to PVR Airport: $165
  • Private transfer round trip Vallarta Airport to your hotel in a luxury vehicle: $129

Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or Puerto Vallarta?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta and Veracruz 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 day
    Veracruz $72
    Puerto Vallarta $31

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: $46
  • Downtown Puerto Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
  • Puerta Vallarta: Seafood Lover's Food Tour: $59
  • Mexican Cooking Class, Tequila Tasting & Unlimited Margaritas: $79
  • Bucerias Bike and Food Tour: $90
  • Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour : $99
  • Mexican Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta in a Local Home: $108
  • Sayulita: Guided Tour, Cacao Tasting, and Food Tour.: $110
  • Private Authentic Mexican Cooking Class with a Local Chef Manuel: $120
  • Puerto Vallarta Cooking Experience with Market Tour and Tastings: $122
  • Cooking Class and Market Tour: $130
  • Authentic Jaliscan Cooking Class with a Local Helene in a Traditional Hacienda: $136

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Veracruz $12
    Puerto Vallarta $16

Tours and Activities in Veracruz

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.

  • Panoramic Sightseeing City Bus Tour: $6.66
  • Panoramic Sightseeing Bus City Tour of Veracruz: $8.00
  • San Juan de Ulua Fortress Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
  • San Juan de Ulua Fortress of Veracruz Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
  • From Nature & Seafood Boat Tour to Madinga: $19
  • Sightseeing City Tour and Wax & Ripley´s Museums: $21
  • 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $21
  • From San Juan de Ulua Prison Tour: $22
  • Mandinga And Boat Trip Tour: $23
  • Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $23
  • San Juan De Ulua Tour: $26
  • Panoramic Sightseeing City Tour and Aquarium: $32

Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:

  • Zip Line Adventure in the heights in Puerto Vallarta 11 lines: $48
  • 2 Hour and 30 Minutes Walking Tour in 5 De Diciembre: $46
  • 3 hours private snorkeling tour in Misaloya, Puerto Vallarta: $225
  • 360 Puerto Vallarta City Tour with Lunch: $65
  • 8 hour All Inclusive Tour in Catamaran Arcos Animas Quimixto: $61
  • ALL INCLUSIVE Snorkeling and Zipline Cruise: $85
  • ATV Adventure from Puerto Vallarta: $110
  • ATV Experience in Puente Jorullo and Mountains: $135
  • ATV Experience in Puerto Vallarta (Single): $105
  • ATV Tour - Río Cuale, Sierra Madre & Tequila Tasting - 3 hours: $66
  • ATV Tour Jungle Adventure for Single Rider: $95
  • ATV Tour Off Road And Waterfall: $119

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Veracruz $14
    Puerto Vallarta $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Vallarta

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:

  • Brewery Bus Tour from Mexico: $85
  • Brewery Bus Tour- Tacos y Cervezas: $85
  • All you can drink Bar Crawl: $99
  • Bar Crawl Experience: $104


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


Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Puerto Vallarta?

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