playa del carmen vs. puerto vallarta

How would you compare the two?

Is one more developed than the other? If you had a choice between the two, which one would you live in?

[lolabella]

I traveled to Puerto Vallarta in April/May and to Playa Del Carmen in September. I think part of my heart remains in PDC.

First I would compare to the 'cities' of the two. Puerto Vallarta can only be described as a city(hustle and bustle) with cobbelstone streets. The city is very 'quaint' with whitewashed buildings and red-tiled roofs. Playa Del Carmen seems to be struggling to maintain it's 'sleepy fishing village' status. I think someone wrote that in PDC, one cannot build taller than the tallest palm tree. The feeling in PDC is more laid backed. Puerto Vallarta is more developed.

I should also mention the waters of the two. Puerto Vallarta is located on the Pacific coast. Waters are dark blue. In PDC, the Caribbean waters are turquoise and the sun-kissed sand is a dazzling white.

Whiel I had a wonderful time in each of these two places, if I had a choice, I would reside in Playa Del Carmen with hesitation.

[mindz]

Ocean: PDC: warm, sandy, usually calm (sheltered by Coz.)-coral reefs, diver's paradise. PV: rockier, rougher, colder. Not as swimmable, less diving.

Scenery: PDC: pancake flat, scrubby jungle, rocky ground. PV: hilly, dramatic, rivers with waterfalls.

Weather: PDC: usually hot, sometimes very hot. PV: pleasantly warm to refreshingly cool.

Local Culture: PDC: Mayan as well as Mexican. PV: mostly Mexican.

Other sightseeing: PDC: trips to Mayan ruins, theme parks, cenotes (freshwater caverns/pools), colonial cities (Valladolid, Merida), nature areas (Sian Kaan). PV: trips to nature areas (Sierra Madre), colonial cities (Guadalajara), waterfalls (El Eden, Chico's Paradise)

Hotel options: PDC: many small, cozy hotels in all price ranges in the city; large AI's outside of town along coast. PV: some hotels in the city; many AI's outside of town.

[james]

I used to travel to Vallarta many weekends when I lived in Guadalajara. I was doing my dive master training. I never 'lived' there but I have plenty of experience there. I like the sea here better, the cenotes, and I think that this area is more cosmopolitan, which I really appreciate.

[Munichchick]

We had a very nice enjoyable vacation in PV and liked the dramatic jungle and jungle rivers with waterfalls around PV. We thought PV was quaint but definately more touristy and built up than the PDC area. We where in PV in September and the weather was just as hot and humid as it would have been in PDC that time of year. The ocean was warm and there was some only okay snorkeling but nothing compared to PDC. The beaches there have gold colored sand and the water is not the clearest. About the same as here in Southern CA but warmer. After a thunderstorm the Pacific Ocean turned into a milk shake color from jungle river rain run off that go into the ocean. We would not consider living in PV even so we liked it. Nice for a vacation but we did not fall in love with it. Now to PDC! We have been there 12 times and will be back in May. You can tell we love.... it there and it was love at first sight. We are seriously planing on spending at least 4-6 month out of the year there in the future. We both feel at home there. I am German and Dean is native Californian. We feel like we would fit right in with all the other Expats and warm, friendly Mexican and Mayan families.
Even Hawaii's Beaches can not compare to PDC and surounding area Beaches. Talcum soft white sand and the most beautiful clear turqoise water turning into a incredible ink blue color in the deep Ocean. There is even more nature to explore in the Yucatan than PV. And of course the Mayan Ruins are magical and so interesting. We love the Bohemien feel PDC has with many stylish but still casual Restaurants and Bars. Many Bars are right at on the Beach with swings and your feet in the sand and dancing on the beach. The town has a nice combination of Mexican Fishing town, Mayan, European and a little American flair. No high rise buildings like in Cancun or parts of PV. It is a cozy comfortable town to stroll around and the Beaches north and south of PDC are pure Paradise. Great snorkeling and diving!!!!!! There are many very nice smaller hotels in PDC in every price range. Some are very romantic and stylish Boutique Hotels and there are very nice condos and Villas to rent for families. Most all-inclusive resorts and fairly new, luxurios, beautiful and on great beaches. Large European resort groups like Iberostar, Riu and Melia are there and created beautiful resorts with the highest quality. Or you can stay in small cabanas topped with Palm Thatch Roofs and hammocks on the terrace right on the oceans edge which we think is very romantic. Or you can even stay in a luxury Tent Resort with torches and candles everywhere and only a mosquito net between you and the ocean. There is something for every taste. Our choice woud always be PDC over PV!!!!

[dibiggs]

No comparison at all,PDC wins hands down.
PV was my first
love until I went over to the beautiful Caribbean side,that was it..........my heart remains in PDC........
Of course we did get married there Nov.6th this year,barefoot on the beach.............Di 8)

[padden]

We have loved PV for many years, visited each year for 10 years....staying in a condo rental on the south side of PV. We started looking for a new area in Mexico to visit, because the last few years at PV we did not want to go into the water. The beach and water in the area where we stayed was overused, and it showed. The people of PV are wonderful, and we have many happy memories of that area, but we visited PDC starting two years ago, and will do so again and again. The beaches are spectacular, and the water has been so clean. The two places are so different it is hard to make comparisons between them. I love them both, but we leave Minnesota each year looking for warm sun, and beautiful beaches and find that in PDC.

I have been to Playa 5 times and PV 3 times and I would strongly recommend Playa over PV! Comparing the two is comparing night with day. For reference, I'm a 30 year old male who has travelled somewhat extensively, and my overall bias is toward quieter, less developed areas.

PV is interesting as an older Mexican city with a lot of history. It is a commerce center for Mexican nationals, as well as a major tourist destination. Like all cities, it is very busy. The streets are full of traffic and the sidewalks are very narrow and crammed with people. There are a ton of fun bars and restaurants and the range encompasses everything from authentic local spaces to Pizza Hut. Although the resorts are all clean and the beaches well kept, beyond the confines of any hotel, the city is rather polluted, with garbage on the beaches and a general grimey feeling in the city. Because of all the traffic, there is a choking feeling from all the exhaust when walking on the main drags. Because it is on the Pacific, the sand is somewhat coarse and the water is dark and cool. Overall, PV is big, bustling, and developed.

Playa, in contrast, is a quickly developing, yet still sleepy fishing village. The beaches are pristine white powder with clear, warm turquoise waters. The local culture is a fascinating melange of Mexicans and European expatriates (German, British) and has a feeling of bohemianism. Because Playa is very small, you can walk everywhere assuming you stay at one of the hotels in Playa (vs. Playacar, which is several miles away--but still not far). The night life of Playa is fun and there are plenty of things to do, but it is relatively quiet in comparison to PV. With its location, there are opportunities for day trips to various ecological or archeological sites, and Cuba is a quick flight. (If you are an American, they will allow entry w/o stamping your passport since it is illegal for Americans to travel to Cuba w/o State Department permission.) The accommodations in Playa are great. You basically can't go wrong, whether you are staying at one of the major resorts or renting a hut on the beach. The restaurants are also excellent and diverse (Mexican, Thai, German, Italian, Swiss).

My recommendation is that if you are a party animal and want a more lively party experience, go to PV. If you are looking for serenity, go to Playa. I personally would choose Playa every time over PV and have returned to PV only when traveling with friends.

[KathyO]

From a Puerto Vallarta bus station, right in the middle of town, take a very cheap ride south of town past the Conchas Chinas area where the spectacular cliffs provide a bonita vista ("beautiful view" I was told). Ride to Boca de Tomatlan, a wonderful small community- population about 50 it seemed - and spend some time on their small, but lovely beach. Great service and food from the vendors there. From there, hike through the hills to the next beach south. It's not for the faint of heart. You are high up on the cliffs and the views are incredible.

The first beach you encounter is tiny and has no facilities.... hike back up a hill and continue through "the woods" (as we'd say here in the northern states) and eventually, reach another beach with service to Yelapa, which is paradise! It can only be reached by boat because there are no official roads to this place. Having been in Playa del Carmen for only a brief part of a day, but getting a feel for it and having read about the remote places to go from town, I can say that a trip to Puerto Vallarta that includes visits to these remote places south of town would definately compare to Playa.

Except for the color of the water.