A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto Vallarta vs. Atlanta for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Puerto Vallarta and Atlanta can help you decide which place is right for you.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a laid-back, cultural, and coastal town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Puerto Vallarta travel costs.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a sprawling, suburban, and cultural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Atlanta travel costs.

Puerto Vallarta and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Atlanta than Puerto Vallarta. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Atlanta is very popular for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Puerto Vallarta attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Puerto Vallarta is more touristy than Atlanta and is popular for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife. Atlanta is famous for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement. It is also well known for the Georgia Aquarium.

How is Puerto Vallarta different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atlanta and Puerto Vallarta. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta?

Atlanta is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Puerto Vallarta is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Atlanta on the map. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

Puerto Vallarta is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of historical sights around town like Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Is the Food Better in Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Puerto Vallarta and Atlanta.

Dining out in Puerto Vallarta is an experience not to be missed. The charming character combined with the authentic local cuisine makes for a wonderful culinary experience. There's everything from taco stands to romantic restaurants that you can try.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Atlanta. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

Both Puerto Vallarta and Atlanta are excellent when it comes to partying.

Puerto Vallarta offers plenty to do in the evening. You'll find a mix of active clubs, cozy bars, and cosmopolitan cafes. Head to the Romantic Zone or Los Muertos Beach for some of the best places.

Atlanta has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta Better for Resorts?

Puerto Vallarta is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Atlanta is not a resort destination.

Puerto Vallarta offers an unforgettable resort vacation. There are many different places to stay from all-inclusive resorts to high end hotels or beachfront properties.

Atlanta is not a resort destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Atlanta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Puerto Vallarta to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Divers in the area may get to experience once in a lifetime opportunities like diving with manta rays, dolphins, whale sharks, hammerheads, or schools of jacks.

Atlanta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta Better for Beaches?

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for the beach. However, Atlanta is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Puerto Vallarta. There are many beaches spread out around town that have soft sand and blue water. Most have all of the amenities you could need. Popular beaches include Playa de los Muertos, Playa Mismaloya, and Playa Conchas Chinas.

Atlanta is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta?

Atlanta is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Puerto Vallarta is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Atlanta is a world class destination for shoppers. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Puerto Vallarta. There's a mix of shopping malls, open-air markets, boutiques, and international brands.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta.

Puerto Vallarta is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the water parks and thrilling activities, such as Aquaventuras Water Park or Los Veranos Canopy Tour. There's rock climbing and ropes courses at Las Animas Aventura Park. You'll also find horseback riding and even pirate boat tours in the area.

Atlanta is a very family-friendly destination. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta Better for Couples?

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for couples. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Puerto Vallarta is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples looking for a romantic getaway will enjoy sunset boat trips, horseback riding, and adventure sports. There are also many restaurants where you can enjoy a romantic dinner or a refreshing drink.

Atlanta is a nice destination for couples. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Puerto Vallarta. There are hostels around, as well as many adventure sports or thrilling activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Atlanta is a good town to visit for backpackers. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta Better for Students?

Atlanta is a well-known place for students. However, Puerto Vallarta is not popular with students.

Atlanta is very popular with students. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

Puerto Vallarta is not popular with students.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Puerto Vallarta is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.

While Puerto Vallarta offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are blue, green or orange buses that travel around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta a more walkable city?

Puerto Vallarta is a great town for its ease of walking around. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Puerto Vallarta is a very walkable destination. There are several walkable neighborhoods in town such as 5 de Diciembre, el Centro, and Zona Romantica.

Atlanta is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

For even more information, also check out Is Puerto Vallarta Worth Visiting? and Is Atlanta Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Puerto Vallarta?

How long in Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta?

It's fun to spend time in either Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Puerto Vallarta due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Puerto Vallarta, and 2-4 days is enough time in Atlanta.

Families should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Atlanta. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Puerto Vallarta, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Atlanta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Puerto Vallarta that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Atlanta if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Puerto Vallarta.

One day in Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta?

In Puerto Vallarta, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Atlanta is a big city with plenty to do. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta?

In Puerto Vallarta, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Atlanta is a big city with plenty to do. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta?

Puerto Vallarta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Puerto Vallarta has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Atlanta is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Puerto Vallarta. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Puerto Vallarta. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Atlanta. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Vallarta and Atlanta, we can see that Atlanta is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Vallarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Atlanta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlanta 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 Puerto Vallarta Expensive? and Is Atlanta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Puerto Vallarta or Atlanta?

Atlanta has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Vallarta and Atlanta, 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.