Cancun vs. Puerto Vallarta Mexico: Here's Which Side is Better

Do you prefer the Caribbean or Pacific coast of Mexico? We're comparing Puerto Vallarta to the Riviera Maya/Cancun side of Mexico to help you pick which side of Mexico is better for your next vacation! We'll look at the beaches and how swimmable they are, weather & climate, activities/excursions/things to do on each coast, types of accommodations, safety, prices & cost and overall vibes.

Mexico east coast vs. west coast: the ultimate showdown. Which side of Mexico do you like better?

READ/VIEW MORE:
Puerto Vallarta vs Riviera Maya: Here’s How to Choose Your Next Mexico Vacation

Grand Palladium Vallarta video tour:

Valladolid & Cenotes video:

Holbox Island video:

14 Unique Day Trips from Puerto Vallarta with Itineraries (+ hidden gems and secret spots)

Hot Springs near Puerto Vallarta video:

Rivera del Rio Hotel (PV) video:

7 Puerto Vallarta Scams: How to Avoid Them and Stay Safe

Other Mexico Posts:

Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:19 Quick Comparison
2:23 Beaches & Water
4:00 Weather & Climate
4:58 Activities & Things to Do
7:50 Hotels & Accommodations
8:55 Safety
9:38 Prices
10:05 Which Side I Prefer...

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About me - Aly Smalls:
I'm the CFF (Chief Fun Finder) of my travel website - Like Where You're Going.

A former Tourism Development Officer who now makes fun and easy to follow travel itineraries for your next trip. Wherever your travels take you, I'll help make sure you like where you're going!

My free travel and destination guides focus on unique & fresh itineraries - showcasing Canada, USA, Mexico and a bit of Europe.

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#mexico #puertovallarta #cancun #rivieramaya

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[alysmalls]

Alright I must know, what side of Mexico do you like better?

[scotta]

Headed to PV on Monday. Favorite place to spend a couple of weeks away from a Canadian winter.

[juanmix]

If you want to have both tourist attractions while still having the authentic Mexican experience Puerto Vallarta is the place.

[MUY-BN]

No comparison in my opinion. PV and the Pacific side is much nicer. The only advantage the Caribbean side had was the warmer clear ocean water. The Sargassum (seaweed) is a real problem that discourages people from swimming in the ocean.

[jessicalee]

I love pvr so much! Ziplining and atv tours there are super cool also! We went and travelled south for about an hour and a half to some smaller towns with boat tours out to hidden bays and trails!

[mexicoliferodcook]

I love living in Vallarta and vacationing in Cancun, Riviera Maya.

[julioc]

Great comparison,
I need to visit the pacific side.
Thanks!

[alalesc]

I really like both places! Mexico has it all!😀

[Semper]

Do you have a video of first time family vacation to Cancun

[Semper]

Do you have a video of first time family vacation with kids to Cancun

[valm.]

I love❤ PV. It's got my vote. Haven't been to the Caribbean side yet but I don't think it will change my choice!

[cristianrusu]

Yes, sunsets in puerto vallarta are so beautiful to watch
Its mostly sunny all the time so almost everyday you can enjoy it. Puerto Vallarta is safer, low humidity so you're just more comfortable

[Zeek]

Where’s the links? Been to the Caribbean side ( Occidental at Xcaret ) and just came back from the Pacific side ( Neuevo Vallarta, Krystal Grand Neuevo Vallarta ). Loved the Mayan side because the hotel was great and we did a tour that included Tulum ruin, a Cenote and the pyramid at Coba which you could still climb up at that time ( one off my bucket list ). We enjoyed another day tour that included several hours of shopping on 5th Avenue at Playa Del Carmen. Great buffet at the Occidental. The selection, taste, presentation, service and atmosphere were great. Thank you to “Ahutio” who kind of took us under his wing. Loved the Xcaret Park, swimming down the underground river, the butterfly exhibit and especially 5he evening show which was top notch. The Krystal Grand Nuevo Vallarta was a nice hotel, the staff was friendly and helpful, the buffet was a little less than the Occidental at Xcaret and everything was a little “ toned down “ from our East side Mexican trip in 2019. We wen5 to the Rhythm of 5he a night show and although the $150 USD and other fees was a little high it was worth it. The Krystal Grand’s beach was a little above 5he one at the Occidental but we only swan in the “ sea / Ocean “ at the Occidental. I would like to go back to both sides but maybe different hotels. In Puerto Vallarta I would like to go to another area closer to the Cancun area and on the Pacific side I would like to Go next door or right into the Puerto Vallarta city area. The thing is, age is catching up and either my tastes may change or I may not have the ability to truly love an all inclusive style vacation.

[dennishassler]

Puerto Vallarta is definitely better, but for those wishing to be part of Mexico and integrate with the community. It's nicer to be outside the tourist area, but lots of services come with the resort area, so there's lots of restaurants and service in PV and it's difficult to commute from outside the city, too. I'd recommend living close to the tourist area, but in the colonias surrounding the community.

[bluejays]

This Allen small channel is pretty good. Glad I found it

[douglasbussard]

Won’t find a $30 hotel now. But she is correct- can find affordable hotels and accommodations in pv. Go up by the 2 bridges above zone Romania- Emiliano Zapta neighborhood many ex pats. Many bars. A lot of cheap accommodation. Nice neighborhood

[elmexicano]

Caribbean sea is the best for my family

[Spinachisgreen]

Great comparison, any additional considerations if you were traveling with 4 children 3-11yo?

[stephanieb]

Wow very thorough video . Thank you so much !!

[jkinnear]

The one thing i definitely liked more in Vallarta vs the MR was that there was no seaweed. You've touched on this. Also i find there are far less scams happening on the Vallarta side. For example Ubers are banned in the Mayan which allows taxis to screw people over with prices. On the other hand the Mayan Riviera has way more to do activity wise. Including the Mayan Ruins, Xcaret parks, Jungle tours etc... something to consider if you are traveling with kids. Whale watching in PV is spectacular as are the sunsets. The whale watching in the MR is non existent. In conclusion each has their pros and minuses but i definitely recommend both. More reason to come back to Mexico.