A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cairo vs. Puerto Vallarta for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cairo or Puerto Vallarta?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Puerto Vallarta can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cairo or Puerto Vallarta?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Cairo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Cairo Prices
    Egypt Prices
    Puerto Vallarta Prices
    Mexico Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Cairo $33
    Puerto Vallarta $128

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $33, 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 Cairo and Puerto Vallarta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $11
    Puerto Vallarta $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $22
    Puerto Vallarta $114
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Puerto Vallarta

Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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.

Hotels in Cairo


Hotels in Puerto Vallarta


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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $3.80
    Puerto Vallarta $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • Private Transfer: Cairo Airport Arrival to any hotel in Cairo or Giza: $9.00
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to the hotel in Cairo or Giza: $9.00
  • Private Arrival or Departure Cairo Airport Transfer: $9.50
  • Private Transfer: Cairo Airport (CAI) to Hotel in Cairo/Giza: $10
  • Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Your Hotel: $10
  • Cairo airport or Sphinx airport transfer : $10
  • Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Hotels within Cairo and Giza: $10
  • Private Transfer from Cairo International Airport to Cairo &Giza : $10
  • Private Transfer: From/To Cairo International Airport Cairo Giza: $11
  • Private Arrival Transfer From Cairo Airport: $11
  • Private Departure Transfer from Cairo City to Cairo Airport: $12
  • Departure Airport Transfer from Cairo or Giza to Cairo Airport: $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:

  • Private Transfer from Punta de Mita Area to PVR Airport: $180
  • Puerto Vallarta Roundtrip Shuttle Airport Transfer: $32
  • Sayulita hotels to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) – Private Departure Transfer : $155

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Puerto Vallarta?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta and Cairo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cairo $18
    Puerto Vallarta $58
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.

  • Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $5.00
  • Great tour toThe Grand Museum of Giza and Nile River DinnerCruise: $5.00
  • Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
  • Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride : $7.00
  • Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
  • Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $8.00
  • night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
  • Local Oriental Food Tour from Cairo or Giza hotels: $9.00
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $9.00
  • Cairo Food Tour in local places & Egyptian Mint Tea: $9.00
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $9.00
  • Giza pyramids,Sphinx,ATV bike,Camel ride,Dinner cruise& shopping: $9.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.

  • Winner 2025 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
  • Mexican Cooking Class, Tequila Tasting & Unlimited Margaritas: $89
  • Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour : $99
  • Puerto Vallarta- Market tour and Cooking Experience : $134
  • Rhythms of the night, sunset cruise, open bar & oceanfront dinner: $159

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $9.09
    Puerto Vallarta $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.84
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.47

Tours and Activities in Cairo

Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Tour in Pyramids of Giza with Lunch and Camel Ride: $1.00
  • Egyptian Museum Tour Cave Church Old Cairo Saladin Citadel: $1.00
  • Best Day TourTo Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Egyptian Museum, Bazar,Lunch: $1.75
  • Cheap Day tour to Giza Pyramids Sphinx With Camel Rid : $2.00
  • Best Egypt Tour Giza Pyramids Sphinx lunch fees camel 9rd pyramid: $3.50
  • VIP privatr tour Giza pyramids sphins &Saqqara and Memphis : $3.50
  • Explore Giza Pyramids on a Private ATV or Camel Tour: $4.00
  • Chep Day Tour Pyramids Giza, Memphis, Saqqara and Camel: $4.00
  • Private Half Day Pyramids Tour with Felucca: $4.50
  • All inclusive Tour To Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Camel Ride, Lunch: $4.50
  • Private Tour in Iconic Giza Pyramids From Cairo: $5.00
  • Cairo Highlights Tours Visit Giza Pyramids and Sphinx: $5.00

Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:

  • City tour express; butterfly, tequila, and beach an ecological day: $22
  • EcoHike experience through the jungle, mountains and hidden beach: $30
  • Puerto Vallarta VIP Promotional Tour: $30
  • Hike and Yoga Jungle Experience in Mexico: $30
  • Beachfront Massage Experience in Mismaloya: $42
  • Puerto Vallarta City Tour with a Visit to our Adventure Park: $45
  • Boat and Snorkel Tour to 5 Islands of Los Arcos: $46
  • Monkey Mountain Hiking tour: $50
  • Sayulita Taco Tour: $54
  • Sayulita And San Pancho Beachs Tour: $64
  • Bioluminescence & sunset local boat tour to Los Arcos Sanctuary: $67
  • Canopy Tour Experience in Sayulita, Nuevo Nayarit.: $68

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.48
    Puerto Vallarta $22

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:

  • Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $70


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Puerto Vallarta is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Puerto Vallarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Vallarta than you might in Cairo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Puerto Vallarta?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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.