Acapulco is located on the North Pacific Coast whereas Puerto Vallarta is on the South Pacific Coast. Both cities are easily accessible and plenty of activities to do in both. Acapulco offers cliff diving shows, unlike Puerto Vallarta. But Puerto Vallarta offers plenty of displays of Huichol art whereas Acapulco is home to specialties of Guerrero art. But if you are looking for a budget-friendly option then Acapulco is the place to be.
So, these are some of the differences between Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. Dive in to get to know more.
Acapulco vs. Puerto Vallarta: Quick Comparison
The following table shows the difference between Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta.
| Factors | Acapulco | Puerto Vallarta |
| Location | Guerrero in South West Mexico | Jalisco in West Mexico |
| Accessibility | Plane, Car, Cruise Ship | Plane, Car, Cruise Ship |
| Things to do | Watersports, Mangrove Tour | Watersports, Hiking, Water Taxi Riding |
| Where to Stay | Hotel, Airbnb, Hostel, Inn | Hotel, Airbnb, Hostel, Inn |
| Dining and Restaurants | 07 [Official Website] | 35 [Official Website] |
| Nightlife | Bars, Nightclubs | Bars, Nightclubs |
| Pricing | $110 per night [5-star hotel] | $300 per night [5-star hotel] |
Acapulco VS Puerto Vallarta: Detailed Comparison
Now let’s dive into the detailed comparison between Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta.
Location
Both Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta are located on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Acapulco is located in the southwest part of the country in the state of Guerrero. Puerto Vallarta is in more north-west of the state of Jalisco.
If you travel by car, both cities are 15 hours worth of distance apart from each other.
Accessibility
Both Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta are located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, so take anything from a bus to a cruise ship.
If you fly to Acapulco, it takes about an hour and 15 minutes if you take a flight from Mexico City. But it is also possible to take a car ride.
Similarly, just fly or take a cruise ship to Puerto Vallarta. The city has its own international airport but Puerto Vallarta can also be reached by flying into Guadalajara and taking a bus.
Things to Do
Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta both offer a wide range of fun activities. Acapulco has the famous cliff divers at La Quebrada and unique experiences like the Ecotour Mangrove Adventure. As for Puerto Vallarta, you can surf, encounter dolphins, and explore Huichol art.
In Acapulco, try plenty of its beaches. Apart from that, go to the Ecotour Mangrove Adventure for surreal views of the bay of Puerto Marquez. If you are into snorkeling, take a cruise to La Roqueta Island and enjoy your time swimming in the Pacific Ocean and the local culture.
Puerto Vallarta is not short of its itineraries either. Between Conchas Chinas, Los Muertos, Palmares, and so many others, you have plenty of options. For art enthusiasts, they can learn more about the indigenous culture by checking the Huichol Art.
Apart from that, you can also go surfing, swimming with the dolphins, hiking, scuba diving, and sky diving in Puerto Vallarta. There is also a water taxi service to reach its remote beaches, which is not available in Acapulco.
Bonus: Check out this comparison between Riu Yucatan and Riu Playacar.
Where to Stay
When it comes to places to stay, try out hotels, Airbnb, hostels, and inns in Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. However, there are more five-star hotels and Airbnb in Acapulco than in Puerto Vallarta.
The table below shows some of the places you can give a try in both of these cities.
| Places to Stay | Acapulco | Puerto Vallarta |
| Hotel | Princess Mundo Imperial, Las Brisas Acapulco | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, |
| Airbnb | Rare La Isla Apartment, Casa Arcadia | Vista Oceano, Romantic Buddha Loft |
| Hostel | Wayahnb’al eco Hostal, Villas La Lupita | Hostel Vallarta, El Sunset Hostel |
| Inn | Hotel Ashly, Hotel Acamar | Hacienda San Angel, Casa de la Cuesta |
Keep in mind that, this is not an exclusive list. There are more places to try.
Dining and Restaurants
In terms of culinary experiences, Puerto Vallarta outshines Acapulco as the second gastronomic capital of Mexico, offering a broad range of diverse culinary delights. So, if you want to expand your taste palate then Puerto Vallarta is the place to go.
In Acapulco, you can try out the Nayarit cuisine, grills, and fusion food. Whereas in Puerto Vallarta try steaks, grills, Chilean food, Indian food, and so many more diverse options.
Nightlife
In terms of nightlife, both Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta offer you plenty of options. There are numerous bars and nightclubs where you can try different cocktails or just have a memorable evening.
Make sure to hit the trendiest spots in town and have a great time.
Pricing
Puerto Vallarta is slightly more expensive in comparison to Acapulco.
The price per night for one of the hotels in Acapulco is around $110 whereas for Puerto Vallarta it is over $300.
According to estimation, the cost of groceries is around $300 per month in Acapulco whereas it is around $350 per month in Puerto Vallarta. Apart from that, the activities in Acapulco will be in the range of $30 to $100. But in Puerto Vallarta, this rises from $30 to $150.
So overall, Acapulco is relatively budget-friendly compared to Puerto Vallarta.
Which One to Choose Between Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta?
Almost like comparing Pensacola Beach and Gulf Shores, it is slightly challenging to choose between Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. Both of them offer wonderful beaches and water sports activities.
If you are an eco-conservation enthusiast you are going to love Acapulco. This is because of the Ecotour mangrove adventure.
But as an adventure seeker, Puerto Vallarta has more to offer with its diversity of sports to try and water taxis to the secluded beaches.
Puerto Vallarta is slightly more livelier than Acapulco however Acapulco is more budget-friendly than Puerto Vallarta.
If you are a foodie, Puerto Vallarta is one of the best places to visit in Mexico, because you are in for a treat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, between Acapulco vs. Puerto Vallarta choose any of the towns and still enjoy a wonderful time. Although on the Pacific coast, you are gifted with an entire box of beaches, cuisine, and nightlife in both these places. So make a plan right now and head over to the Mexican Pacific coast.
