Acapulco vs Puerto Vallarta: The Honest Comparison You Need [2023]

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Last updated on December 26, 2022 by Wandering our World

There are so many great destinations in Mexico, and Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta are two of the best. However, both offer very different vacations, so making the right choice is as important as it is difficult.

In a nutshell Acapulco is a more ‘authentic’ vacation experience, where you can easily dine and shop like a local in a city which is famous for its nightlife. On the other hand Puerto Vallarta is more tourist-orientated, has lots of excursions and arguably better beaches.

However that’s just scratching the surface. So below we pit Puerto Vallarta vsAcapulco, letting you know what to expect in each, comparing the beaches, activities culture, nightlife, safety and far more.

We then give you a run down of some of the best natural sights and things to do in each destination to help you decide which one is better for your holiday!

So let’s dive in!

CONTENTS:

  1. A Quick Overview
  2. Which Has Better Natural Sights & Things To Do?
  3. Where You Should Stay According To Your Budget?
  4. Which Is The Better Holiday Choice?

A Quick Overview Of Acapulco vs Puerto Vallarta

Many people think these destinations will be quite similar as they’re bothon Mexico’s Pacific coastline. However there are notable differences.

We’ve found that Puerto Vallarta tends to have slightly better beaches thanAcapulco, with the sand more soft and ‘powdery’, while the water appears to be a little warmer.

Acapulco does have some great beaches too – and the beaches on nearby La Roqueta Island are well worth visiting – plus there’s some great beach resortoptions in the city as well.

For us, Puerto Vallarta feels like more of an international tourist destination, with its many boutique hotels, independent shoppingoutlets, and beachside eateries. Manyof which are geared mainly towards tourists than locals.

Acapulco, in contrast, feels far more like a local city, where restaurants and bars exist for locals first – and tourists second. Hotels there tend to be far more integrated into city life as well, whereas in Puerto Vallarta they’re a little more separate.

We’ve also found that the nightlife is more lively and energetic inAcapulco thanPuerto Vallarta, and there’s definitely more chances to meetlocals here than in PV. Inouropinion if you’re in your 20s, love nightlife, or are an adventurous traveler thenAcapulco may be the better choice than Puerto Vallarta.

A view towards Acapulco beach
iStock.com/rafal_kubiak

In factAcapulco initially became famous in the 1950s and ’60s as a party destination for the rich, famous and fashionable, and has been a bitof a nightlife destination since. But these days it’s definitely moreof a domestic tourism destination than international.

However, while that’s a plus if you’relooking for fun when the sun goes down, we’ve found thatAcapulco – as a less tourist-centric city – is lacking when it comes to tourist excursions.

That’s in stark contrast with Puerto Vallarta where there’s plenty of tours, things to do, and lots of tourist-orientated activities – like zip-lining through the jungle, boat tours, or swimming with dolphins in the open sea!

Puerto Vallarta is definitely more orientated towards international tourists, so may be a better choice if you’re looking for a holiday where you have excursions, restaurants, and tourist shopping right on your doorstep.

Puerto Vallarta is a safe destination for tourists too – as isAcapulco – but as always you must be vigilant in regards to petty crime in both destinations, and be careful of leaving drinks unattended.

When it comes to petty crime Acapulco may be a little worse than Puerto Vallarta, but the tourist areas of both cities tend to be very safe – despite the claims in recent years that Acapulco is dangerous. The Mexican cartels leave the tourist areas well alone.

Below we look at what things you can see and do inAcapulco and Puerto Vallarta in more detail, so you have an idea of what the beaches are like and what excursions are possible!

Beautiful view of Puerto Vallarta
iStock.com/Cinthia Aguilar

Which Has Better Natural Sights & Things To Do

Acapulco: Things To Do

When you first arrive you should head to Playas Caleta Y Caletilla – two beaches that sit right beside each other in the city. This is one of the beach areas in the traditional part ofAcapulco and a place loved by locals.

You can get cheap street food here or eat in one of the many beachside restaurants and bars, hire jet skis and boats as well as swim and sunbathe. This place is buzzing at the weekend, and is a real experience. If you’re coming to Acapulco then you’re coming to a very local-orientated city – embrace it!

For something a little more relaxing take a trip to the stunning La Roqueta Island. This island with its pristine beaches and crystal clear water is perfect for snorkeling, sunbathing and enjoying a beer under the sun. Look out for the seashell salesmen that come floating by in their boats. You can hire kayaks on the island too – an absolute must activity.

For some seaside entertainment you can watch the professional divers at La Quebrada. Cliff divers from the same family have been doing death-defying jumps from cliffs as high as 100ft here for generations. There’s a restaurant near the top where tourists gather to watch the stuntmen.

They do their diving shows at 1,7,8,9, & 10 PM, and will scale the cliffs at the end where tourists then give a small tip (2-4 USD) as a show of appreciation.

Clidd divers at Acapulco
iStock.com/Daniel Conde

If you fancy doing your own stunt then you can zipline down the Sierra Madre del Sur. These lush green mountains sit behind the city and zipling over the canopy is an incredible experience that will get your adrenaline pumping.

After a day of exploring it’s time to experienceAcapulco’s famous nightlife. The great thing about this city is the main hotel area is situated very close to the best nightlife spots, so you’re never far away from a bar or nightclub.

Start your evening at Sunset Bar for classy cocktails on a rooftop bar which is known as one of the best places in the city to watch the stunning Pacific sunset.

Once you’re in the mood to dance and party, you have many choices. Mojito is a classy salsa club where patrons dress to impress and dance until the early hours – it’s well worth visiting. Believe Acapulco is one of the most popular nightclubs, and is known for its lighting, sound set-up, and for hosting some of the region’s best DJs.

Acapulco scene at night
iStock.com/Gerardo_Borbolla

Puerto Vallarta: Things To Do

There are some very nice beaches for relaxing and swimming in Puerto Vallarta, and Los Muertos is one of our favorites. This place is a lot of fun with many eateries, beach bars, and spectacular sunsets.

Puerto Vallarta is also a great place to snorkel, and you’ll find lots of different species here. We recommend taking a boat trip to the Marietas Islands, which is a few kilometers away from the city, as these stunning uninhabited islands are one of the best places to swim with sea turtles and rays, and are a popular whale watching spot. A great underwater camera – like this one – is a must.

Sea turtle swimming
iStock.com/yfhishinuma

If you’ve always wanted to swim with dolphins you can do it in Puerto Vallarta too. There you will be taken to a dolphin pod that lives in the wild. That means you’re swimming with them in their natural environment and not contributing to the capture of these beautiful creatures. This city is known for its wildlife and whale spotting too, as we’ve written about before.

Want to do something a bit more adventurous? Then how about hiking in the wilderness and then ziplining through the jungle? That can be done just outside the city.

After a day enjoying the sights and swimming, a few drinks in the evening is a must. Although Puerto Vallarta isn’t nightlife centric, there are several great evening spots.

Head to Roxy Rock House to see live bands, eat nachos and enjoy the atmosphere of this iconic city venue. For something a little fancier make your way to Bar Morelos Mezcaleria. This lounge-style club has great music, entertainment and friendly staff, although the drinks can sometimes be overpriced.

Recommended: A Local’s Guide to Puerto Vallarta Nightlife

Guadalupe Church scene with fuchsia flowers.
iStock.com/Sandra Cesca

Where You Should Stay According To Your Budget

Acapulco

Shoestring: Close to the city action yet still within a few minutes walk of the beach, Hotel Nilo is a good choice for those on a tight budget. Especially as you will still have access to a lovely sun terrace and roof-top swimming pool. See photos and rates here.

Budget: Camino Real Acapulco Diamante may be a five-star mountain side resort with exceptional ocean views and three swimming pools, but the rates to stay here are well within budget for most travelers. See photos and rates here.

Luxury: Situated right beside the beach, and with it’s own on-site golf course set amongst tropical gardens, it’s hard to find a more photogenic spot than Princess Mundo Imperial Riviera Diamante Acapulco.

The fact this place has five tennis courts (you read that right, five!) tells you all you need to know about this luxury beachfront spot. See photos and rates here.

Resort swimming pool with sunset
iStock.com/Soft_Light

Puerto Vallarta

Shoestring: For what you get for the price, Hotel Luxury Patio Azul is a steal. Tastefully decorated rooms with ocean views, an outside swimming pool and bar that looks out on the ocean, and just a ten minute walk to the beach. This may just be the cheapest five-star hotel we’ve come across in Mexico. See photos and rates here.

Budget: Set in downtown close to all the action, BellView Hotel Boutique is a little different – you’ll be staying in a room with one of the best city views imaginable – just look at that view of the bell tower from the private terrace!

The decor is stylish, and despite being in town this hotel is still only 200m from the beach. See photos and rates here.

Luxury: The adults-only Hotel Mousai is the first-ever five diamond resort in Puerto Vallarta, so when we say this place is luxurious you know we aren’t lying!

Just a couple of minutes walk to the beach, this hotel has everything you’d want and expect for the price. But the real show-stealer is the roof-top infinity pool. See photos and rates here.

Happy couple in infinity pool
iStock.com/grinvalds

Acapulco vs Puerto Vallarta: Which Is The Better Holiday Choice?

Both of these Mexican holiday vacations will provide unforgettable memories.

If you’re looking for sun, sea, and sand, but combined with a more authentic Mexican experience and great nightlife, thenAcapulco may be the better choice than Puerto Vallarta.

However if you want a Mexican beach vacation with lots of excursion options, boutique hotels and beachside bars, then Puerto Vallarta may be the better choice for you.

Puerto Vallarta is definitely geared more towards tourists thanAcapulco, but it still has a lovely Mexican vibe.

Recommended For Your Trip To Acapulco Or Puerto Vallarta

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  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.