How much does it cost to travel to Puerto Vallarta?
You should plan to spend around $114 (M$1,908) per day on your vacation in Puerto Vallarta. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $37 (M$614) on meals
- $19 (M$320) on local transportation
- $126 (M$2,113) on hotels
A one week trip to Puerto Vallarta for two people costs, on average, $1,594 (M$26,718). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Puerto Vallarta has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Puerto Vallarta expensive to visit?
Prices in Puerto Vallarta are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Puerto Vallarta is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Vernon, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Puerto Vallarta Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Puerto Vallarta?
The average Puerto Vallarta trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Puerto Vallarta travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation1(Double Occupancy) | M$2,113($126) |
| Local Transportation1 | M$320($19) |
| Food2 | M$614($37) |
| Entertainment1 | M$310($19) |
| Alcohol2 | M$201 -602($12 - 36) |
Accommodation Budget in Puerto Vallarta
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Puerto Vallarta is $63 (M$1,057). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Puerto Vallarta is $126 (M$2,113). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Accommodation1Hotel or hostel for one person
$63
See AlsoPuerto Vallarta vs. Nuevo Vallarta - Here's Where to Visit7x Cheapest Places To Live In Mexico For Digital NomadsGuide to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Cost of Living, Safety and Things to DoCan You Afford to Retire In Mexico On Your Social Security? - Mexico Relocation GuideM$1,057
Accommodation1Typical double-occupancy room
$126
M$2,113
Hotel Prices in Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Vallarta? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Find the best hotel for your travel style.
Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Puerto Vallarta based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $132. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.
Recommended Properties
Transportation Budget in Puerto Vallarta
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The cost of a taxi ride in Puerto Vallarta is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $19 (M$320) per person, per day, on local transportation in Puerto Vallarta.
Transportation1Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$19
M$320
Recommended Services
Flights to Puerto Vallarta
How much does it cost to go to Puerto Vallarta? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
Rental Cars in Puerto Vallarta
The price of renting a car in Puerto Vallarta will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Puerto Vallarta
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
While meal prices in Puerto Vallarta can vary, the average cost of food in Puerto Vallarta is $37 (M$614) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Puerto Vallarta should cost around $15 (M$246) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Puerto Vallarta is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
Food2Meals for one day
$37
M$614
Recommended
Entertainment Budget in Puerto Vallarta
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
Entertainment and activities in Puerto Vallarta typically cost an average of $19 (M$310) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment1Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$19
M$310
Recommended Activities
Alcohol Budget in Puerto Vallarta
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average person spends about $24 (M$401) on alcoholic beverages in Puerto Vallarta per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcohol2Drinks for one day
$24
M$401
Recommended
Puerto Vallarta On a Budget
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta remains a popular tourist destination with Americans, particularly during spring break when students flock to the area. The area is quite beautiful and has many gorgeous beaches, interesting jungles and waterfalls nearby, and no shortage of luxury resorts and four star restaurants. Many of the locals speak English and are friendly and open to helping tourists with directions or general information. Puerto Vallarta's popularity means that its prices are some of the highest in Mexico, particularly during holidays when the area can get quite crowded.
Puerto Vallarta's climate is tropical wet and dry. There is a rainy season from the middle of June through the middle of October, with the highest concentration of rain between July and September. The dry season is during the winter months with minimal cloud cover during February, March, and April. Hurricanes are rare but can occasionally hit Puerto Vallarta.
Sights
Most people come to Puerto Vallarta for the scenery. The beaches are beautiful, as is the surrounding area. Banderas Bay is one of the largest and deepest bays in the world, and there are view points from many of the surrounding hills. There are beaches in many different areas, each with its own atmosphere and some more remote than others.
Neighborhoods
There are many specific neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarto. One of the most notable is Centro, which is the oldest part of the city. This area's center is found north of the Cuale River. Emiliano Zapata is south of the Cual and is usually referred to as "Old Town" in most of the tourist information. The city's largest fish market is in Lazaro Cardenas.
The city has recently renovated the boardwalk, which runs from just south of the old town to the middle of the downtown area. It's lined with plenty of shops, restaurants and hotels and you will find street performers entertaining the crowds as well.
Outside of town, to the north, there are stretches of beach with golden sand. The area also has papaya and mango plantations and small villages. To the south of town there is lush, green vegetation and hills that fall into the bay. This area also has many small fishing villages, some of which are only accessible with a boat. To the east of town are the Sierra Madre Mountains and to the west is the Bay of Banderas.
Activities
Most people head to Puerto Vallarta to relax on the beach, and for this purpose it will not disappoint. For those hoping for a more adventurous vacation, there are plenty of activities and things to do in Puerto Vallarta as well. Some of these beaches are great for surfing, too.
Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular activities in the area given the clear blue waters. You can also head out of town and enjoy a zip line ride as well as a canopy tour through the jungle. Whale watching is also a favorite activity between December in March when you are most likely to spot whales. There are also many places around town to play golf, try your hand at parasailing and enjoy some horseback riding.
Take a catamaran tour in Puerto Vallarta to enjoy the coastline from the sea. Most tours offer good food, snorkeling at great spots, nice views of the surrounding hills and sea, and drinks for the grownups.
Food and Dining
There is an abundance of food options available around town. For casual meals and for the budget conscious, there are plenty of taco stands. There are also some wonderful rooftop and waterfront restaurants that offer excellent views of the water, but also come at a higher price. We love La Palapa which isn't too expensive but has nice food and nice views. You'll find plenty of beach side restaurants, some are a better quality than others, but in general the seafood is quite delicious and not to be missed.
Transportation
Taxis are a common way to travel around Puerto Vallarta. Prices are set and you can find a list of current rates at your hotel. You'll find a concentration of taxis around the intersection by the liquor outlet in the Centro District. Hotels and travel agencies also offer pickups from the airport, but prices can be high. There are two types of taxis at the airport. The white federal taxis are available as you exit the airport, but these are expensive. If you cross the pedestrian bridge over the highway you can pick up a cheaper yellow taxi.
Buses are an easy way to get around town. Bus stops are common and you usually have to wait only a few minutes. The buses can be hot and crowded but only cost about US$.50.
Related
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
