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

Should you visit Zurich or Puerto Vallarta?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Puerto Vallarta. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Zurich

Zurich is a historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, Zurich attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Zurich travel costs.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a cultural, coastal, and colorful town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Puerto Vallarta travel costs.

Zurich and Puerto Vallarta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Puerto Vallarta?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zurich than Puerto Vallarta, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Zurich is more popular for its museums and attractions, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Puerto Vallarta is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Zurich is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also home to The Grossmünster. Puerto Vallarta is popular for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife.

How is Zurich different from Puerto Vallarta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zurich 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 Zurich specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National 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 Zurich or Puerto Vallarta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Zurich and Puerto Vallarta offer a number of high quality restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Zurich. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

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.

Is Zurich or Puerto Vallarta Better for Nightlife?

Both Zurich and Puerto Vallarta are high quality when it comes to partying.

Zurich offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

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.

Is Zurich or Puerto Vallarta Better for Music?

Zurich is a well-known place for its music scene. However, Puerto Vallarta is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Zurich is very popular with diverse venues. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Puerto Vallarta is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Puerto Vallarta Better for Resorts?

Puerto Vallarta is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Zurich 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.

Zurich is not a resort destination.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Zurich 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.

Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Zurich or Puerto Vallarta Better for Beaches?

Puerto Vallarta is a well-known place for the beach. However, Zurich 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.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Zurich or Puerto Vallarta Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Puerto Vallarta does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Zurich is one of the most recognized in the world. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Puerto Vallarta does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Puerto Vallarta?

Zurich is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Puerto Vallarta is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Zurich is a world class destination for shoppers. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

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

Is Zurich or Puerto Vallarta More Beautiful?

Zurich is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Puerto Vallarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Zurich attracts visitors from all around. With Lake Zurich and the mountains as a backdrop, this is a truly beautiful city.

Puerto Vallarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Zurich or Puerto Vallarta Better for Families?

Both Zurich and Puerto Vallarta are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Zurich is a very kid-friendly city. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Puerto Vallarta. 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.

Is Zurich or Puerto Vallarta Better for Couples?

Zurich and Puerto Vallarta both high quality destinations for a couple.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for couples. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

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.

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

Puerto Vallarta is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Puerto Vallarta is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are hostels around, as well as many adventure sports or thrilling activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Zurich or Puerto Vallarta Better for Students?

Zurich is renowned for students. However, Puerto Vallarta is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Puerto Vallarta is not popular with students.

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

Zurich is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Puerto Vallarta is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Zurich can get you to most places easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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

Is Zurich or Puerto Vallarta a more walkable city?

Zurich and Puerto Vallarta both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Puerto Vallarta or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Puerto Vallarta?

In either Zurich or Puerto Vallarta, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Zurich has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Zurich than Puerto Vallarta. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 3-5 days is enough time in Puerto Vallarta.

Families should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Zurich. 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 Zurich than Puerto Vallarta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Zurich that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Zurich or Puerto Vallarta?

The historic destination of Zurich offers live music and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Puerto Vallarta. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Zurich or Puerto Vallarta?

The city of Zurich offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

Puerto Vallarta is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Zurich or Puerto Vallarta?

Zurich is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Puerto Vallarta. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Zurich or Puerto Vallarta?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Zurich. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Puerto Vallarta. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Vallarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and Puerto Vallarta is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive? and Is Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Puerto Vallarta?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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.