Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Aqaba or Puerto Vallarta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Puerto Vallarta, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Puerto Vallarta?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Puerto Vallarta
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Puerto Vallarta $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $128. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Aqaba and Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Puerto Vallarta $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Puerto Vallarta $114
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Puerto Vallarta? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Puerto Vallarta $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
- Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Petra hotels: $49
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $49
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba hotels: $49
- Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $51
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Port to King Hussein Airport (AQJ): $56
- Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ)to Aqaba Port : $56
- Private Transfer from Aqaba city hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $56
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Airport-Hotel Transfers: $89
- PVR VIP Round trip transfer Airport Conrad Punta Mita Airport: $299
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers - Airport - Marina hotels - Airport: $49
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers - Airport - Zona Hotelera - Airport: $54
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport Conchas Chinas Airport: $74
- PVR VIP Roundtrip Transfer from Airport - Nuevo Nayarit - Airport: $64
- Privat Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport PVR to Punta de Mita: $184
- Private AC Airport Transfer to Sayulita: $200
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) for 4-7 people to Nayarit: $102
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta hotels: $141
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport(PVR) to Cruise Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta Port: $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta and Aqaba change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAqaba $73Puerto Vallarta $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $75
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
- Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- 4 Hours Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp and Dinner: $286
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- Taco Adventure Evening Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $55
- Seafood Lover's Tour with Vallarta Food Tours : $59
- Winner 2025 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Mexican Cooking Class, Tequila Tasting & Unlimited Margaritas: $89
- Mexican Cooking Class and Tequila Tasting: $95
- Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour : $99
- Market Visit and Mexican Cooking Class: $106
- Private Mexican Cooking Class & Tequila Cocktail at Tanya’s Home: $108
- Authentic Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Local Chef, Manu: $119
- Puerto Vallarta- Market tour and Cooking Experience : $134
- Rhythms of the night, sunset cruise, open bar & oceanfront dinner: $159
- Night Rhythms - Alma - Show and Dinner in Puerto Vallarta: $209
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Puerto Vallarta $17
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba: $7.00
- Aqaba : All Water Sports Adventure in the Red Sea: $22
- Wadi Rum Jeep Tours - Full Day Jeep Tour: $24
- Private Snorkeling Experience in Aqaba Red Sea: $27
- 4 Hour Jeep Tour Wadi Rum Nature Desert morning or sunset: $30
- Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
- Saraya Aqaba Waterpark entrance tickets: $33
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- Tequila Tasting Tour in Nuevo Vallarta: $5.00
- Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $20
- Butterfly Experience Nature Park Admission : $22
- City tour express; butterfly, tequila, and beach an ecological day: $22
- Private Bike City Tour with Photo Session in Puerto Vallarta: $22
- Hop On Hop Off Tour with Free Stops in Puerto Vallarta: $25
- Butterfly Sanctuary Guided Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $27
- Historic Downtown Ghost Walking Tour: $28
- Full-Day Puerto Vallarta City Highlights Tour: $29
- Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $29
- EcoHike experience through the jungle, mountains and hidden beach: $30
- Puerto Vallarta VIP Promotional Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Puerto Vallarta $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- Premium Tequila Tasting Puerto Vallarta Distillery: $18
- Puerto Vallarta Pub Crawl: $22
- Mexican Wine Tasting Experience: $38
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Vallarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Puerto Vallarta is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Puerto Vallarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Vallarta and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Puerto Vallarta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Puerto Vallarta, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.