While they’re both popular tourist destinations, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta are actually very different in terms of price, authenticity, and general atmosphere.
Cancun has more picturesque white sand beaches, an electric nightlife, and is overall very touristy and slightly pricier than Puerto Vallarta.
On the other hand, Puerto Vallarta has more scruffy beaches, a more authentic Mexican feel to it, plenty of hole-in-the-wall spots, along with more affordable accommodations.
Take those things into consideration when you’re deciding which place to visit. For a deeper dive into each area and what it has to offer, go check out our lists for the best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun and the best all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Vallarta.