Cabo or Puerto Vallarta: Which Place is Better for Your Vacation?

Puerto Vallarta offers a more diverse and authentic Mexican life, with swanky hotels, charming haciendas, boutique aparthotels and budget backpackers accommodation along the boardwalks.

Puerto Vallarta

is better suited to the budget-minded traveler, while Cabo is an elegant resort. Prices in Puerto Vallarta are generally lower than in Cabo. When it comes to safety, both Puerto Vallarta and Cabo are equally secure.

However, the tourist area in Puerto Vallarta is more dispersed, making it difficult to choose where to stay. Additionally, Cabo is a popular destination for spring breakers looking for sunshine and cheap alcohol. Puerto Vallarta is located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, in the state of Jalisco, in the beautiful Banderas Bay. In terms of cost, Puerto Vallarta is cheaper than Cabo San Lucas on an international scale.

Cabo is a term used by English speakers to refer to the entire area of Los Cabos or, more commonly, to the more touristy Cabo San Lucas. In terms of nightlife, locals and tourists tend to mix more in Puerto Vallarta than in Cabo. Expats interested in immersing themselves in Mexican culture and befriending locals usually choose Puerto Vallarta over Cabo. Cabo San Lucas has a variety of accommodations and downtown is a great option for those looking for a good deal.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Cabo, which attracts luxury tourists, celebrities and people who cruise the Pacific on their yachts. In contrast, Puerto Vallarta is a charming mix of a coastal tourist spot and a working city. Vendors in Los Cabos can be quite aggressive compared to those in Puerto Vallarta. Flights from Vancouver (Canada), Chicago, Los Angeles and Toronto will take you to Puerto Vallarta in approximately 5 hours, 4 hours, 3 hours and 5 and a half hours respectively.

Once there, you'll be able to enjoy Mexican margaritas on the beach in no time.

Léa Payamps
Léa Payamps

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