Puerto Vallarta vs. Mazatlán: How Do They Compare?

If you're curious about visiting Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan, this video will help you choose which coastal Mexico community is right for you. In this video we compare things like atmosphere/vibe, living vs. visiting, accommodations, beaches, attractions, prices, food, language, safety and more.

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Timestamps:

Important intro!! 0:00
Vibe/Overview: 0:31
Living vs. Visiting 1:13
Downtown/Historic Centers: 1:44
Accommodations: 2:20
Beaches: 2:56
Beach Vendors: 4:07
Attractions: 4:32
Day Trips/Excursions: 5:21
Malecon: 6:01
Transportation: 7:05
Walkability: 7:43
Cleanliness: 8:02
Language: 8:28
Food: 9:09
Prices: 10:54
Weather & Climate: 11:11
Safety: 11:38
Which City is Right for You? 12:21
Demographics: 12:51
First Time Visitors: 13:05
Caveats: 13:28

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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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Instagram:

#mexicotravel #mazatlan #puertovallarta

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[alysmalls]

Are you team Puerto Vallarta or Team Mazatlan?! Here are the links to the blog posts & videos I mentioned in the video: 👉

[georgecole]

Been to Mazatlan about 5x and PV 2x. Both have their own natural beauty, Mazatlan has a more authentic feel and much lower prices for just about everything. PV is great for a short trip but I think the native people in Mazatlan are more respectful and sincere in their welcoming. They take advantage of the tourist in PV as would any vacation/resort area does. I think of Mazatlan being better for a week or longer and even living. Mazatlan is very big and along the coast there are many restaurants and things to do.

[uliseszarate]

"Please don't come at me in the comments with the cartel BS!" Love it! Thank you sista' for putting that out there because it's sooo old and tiring when it's completely irrelevant if you're going to Mexico for the right reasons. 👏 ✌️ 👏

[LosAngeles-lebf]

I was just in Mazatlan and PV— I absolutely loved Mazatlan and thought the old town was so cute and charming. The people were very nice and it felt safe. PV was also fantastic!! But felt more “Americanized”. I am Mexican, born in MX but raised in the USA. Puerto Vallarta is the second safest in Mexico and safest in Jalisco. Cartels don’t bother you if you mind your own business and stay out of trouble. Nowadays, high crime exists in major US cities with a higher chance of getting robbed or shot. I live in LA and have my guard up if I am walking downtown.

[mariofigueroa]

i'll take Mazatlan any day of the week.

[fourthdeconstruction]

Very true . Mazatlan is a commercial port in Mexico and they have a fish industry so their inhabitants do not depend on tourism like PV does. It's also true that in Mazatlan you don't find a lot of variety in restaurants but they do have a great local cuisine. I honestly prefer Mazatlan and I always have since I was a teenager but I do enjoy going to PV from time to time.

[sergiotirado]

I been in both but for me Mazatlan by far is better there are a lot more things to do and is a more Mexican

[tinaibarra]

Mazatlan for the win!! Mazatlan is so much bigger, much more to do, food is delicious, party life is amazing and the natives are puro amor ❤

[tonyelkevin]

Team Mazatlan 100%.. Love the sea food best in Mexico.. Great Local people and very friendly.. The music in Mazatlan is the best Bandas/live bands on the beach.. Mazatlan has the Largest Carnaval in Mexico..Love The Historic Beer Factory (Pacifico) fresh and cold🏭 Micheladas ❤Great Professional baseball and soccer teams.. Best Easy Transportation with patten (Pulmonias) only in Mazatlan.. Downside of Mazatlan is Growing way too fast and expanding very quickly.. New roads and expanded roads needed.. asap

[joygatewood]

I've visited both and prefer Mazatlán. It feels like "real Mexico" not just a tourist spot. Mazatlán has an ancient cathedral - PV does not. Mazatlán's many mercados have fresh food that is delicous - PV does not have food mercados that I could find.I like the climate in Mazatlan better too - not as humid. The 13 mile mercado is fun to walk - day or night.

[kathiewalli]

Im leaving canada early Nov for mazatlan for the winter
This will be my 4th winter there and i love it
We have an apt in centro two blocks from the beach near the fishing boats and we have many local friends there
Your videos are fair and realistic
We have spent time in San Luis Potosi, San Miguel, Oaxaca, Huatulco, visited where the butterflies migrate, mexico city, visited glaciers and many other places…..swam thru caves and came out to beautiful bodies of water were gorillas lived
Mexico is a truly amazing and diverse country
We love it there

[mileshigh]

Love comparisons like this! Hopefully you do one on long term living in Mazatlán .

[rafaelescalante]

Your videos are the best, Aly! Mazatlan is now on my radar, thank you. Keep living your best life, and well wishes to you on your journey.

[gilbert]

Aly. I've been waiting for someone to make this video for years. You knocked it out of the park, thanks!

[george-en]

Saying the malecons are a tie is bizarre. maz takes you from area to 3 or 4. Plus has a bije lane beside it that keeps the malecon even further from the traffic. 13 to 1 enough said.Cobble stone streets in PV are a bumpy mess

[daniellequesnel]

Thanks for this video! I actually commented on another video about Mazatlan. Asking you what is the difference between PV and Mazatlan, then I came across this video. I think I will try Mazatlan just because I've never been there and it seems like a more budget-friendly option.

[gissellearambula]

Great video comparing both cities, Aly. I will always be team Mazatlán. Just to mention, I’ll be visiting P.V in June for the first time, and I’m really looking forward to that trip. Your P.V videos have helped me plan what I want to explore there, so thank you for that. From P.V, I’ll be flying to Mazatlán AGAIN (for the 5th time) which is very exciting. I really appreciate you traveling to the country where my roots are from and you showing everyone that Mexico is beautiful and unique.
¡Viva México, si señor!

[mexicoliferodcook]

You are so right about not getting into trouble down here. Stay away from the drugs and being blind drunk and you will be fine. I just got back from Acapulco last week and will be going back next week. This year will be 20 years living down here. Come on down for a vacation or to live.

[viffer]

Mazatlan is a real working city, Puerto Vallarta feels like an overgrown tourist town which isn’t such a bad thing if you’re a tourist but it depends on what you’re looking for. Mazatlan feels more authentic but you’re going to get less catered to because it isn’t all about the tourism. The weather is also a little less hot and humid in Mazatlan, you’ll sweat a lot less. Both are great.

[watdahek]

Yeah Pipis! Our favorite restaraunt. We have vacationed in PV now 9 times. In fact got married in Dec.2022 in Nuevo PV. We are talking about visiting Mazatlan in October of this year. Thanks for the video.