Is Puerto Vallarta expensive to visit?
Puerto Vallarta is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $114. Compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a reasonably affordable place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability, comparable to places like Banff and Halifax.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
How expensive is Puerto Vallarta?
On average, visitors spend about $114 per day when visiting Puerto Vallarta (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $228 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Puerto Vallarta here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Puerto Vallarta?
A weekend trip to Puerto Vallarta costs about $341 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $683.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Puerto Vallarta?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Puerto Vallarta costs around $797 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,594.
Is it expensive to backpack in Puerto Vallarta?
With more than 10 hostels in the area, Puerto Vallarta is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $15 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Puerto Vallarta here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $6, but the most expensive can be more than $22 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Puerto Vallarta.
- $13 for a dorm bed at Oasis Hostel
- $16 for a dorm bed at Casa Kraken Hostel
- $15 for a dorm bed at Chanclas Hostel
Are hotels expensive in Puerto Vallarta?
From our analysis of hotel prices in Puerto Vallarta, we can see that they are moderate and on par in comparison to the rest of the world. On average, a night in a hotel room costs approximately $132. The area hosts around 8 five-star hotels, averaging $267 per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $167 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at $61 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Puerto Vallarta
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 8 | $267 |
| 4 stars | 45 | $319 |
| 3 stars | 77 | $167 |
| 2 stars | 21 | $61 |
| 1 star | 7 | $218 |
| No rating | 16 | $122 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Puerto Vallarta?
Activities and things to do in Puerto Vallarta can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $19 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $26.
- Hike and Yoga Jungle Experience in Mexico: $30
- EcoHike experience through the jungle, mountains and hidden beach: $31
- Private ATV tour Puerto Vallarta´s Spring Waters: $179
- Horseback Riding Experience in Sierra Madre Mountains: $109
- Jungle double ATV Tour "El Mirador" (ride tandem on ATV): $114
- Butterfly Sanctuary and Lunch Experience with Transport: $118
- Tequila and Tacos Sunset Bike Tour: $75
- Puerto Vallarta Canopy Tour: Zip-lines and mule ride at the Sierra: $120
Is food expensive in Puerto Vallarta?
Food in Puerto Vallarta can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $37 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $30. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour : $99
- Dinner Tacos Food Tour: $55
- Dinner Under the Sea + Pirate Show in Puerto Vallarta Bay: $199
- Mexican Cooking Class and Tequila Tasting: $96
- Dinner under the sea: $153
- Downtown Puerto Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
Is transportation expensive in Puerto Vallarta?
Exploring local transportation in Puerto Vallarta shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $19 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $21. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Puerto Vallarta
If you're planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.