A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto Vallarta vs. Atlantic City for Nightlife, Resorts, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City?

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 Atlantic City can help you decide which place is right for you.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a colorful, laid-back, and cultural town. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Puerto Vallarta travel costs.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a glitzy, flashy, and party-oriented city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Atlantic City travel costs.

Puerto Vallarta and Atlantic City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Puerto Vallarta than Atlantic City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Puerto Vallarta is better known for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Atlantic City is more popular for its nightlife. Atlantic City is more touristy than Puerto Vallarta and is known for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Puerto Vallarta is well known for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife. Also, Puerto Vallarta is famous for the Malecon.

How is Puerto Vallarta different from Atlantic City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City?

Puerto Vallarta is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

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

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Puerto Vallarta makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Atlantic City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Puerto Vallarta is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

Atlantic City is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

Puerto Vallarta has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City Better for Resorts?

Puerto Vallarta is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers flock to Puerto Vallarta for its luxury resorts. There are many different places to stay from all-inclusive resorts to high end hotels or beachfront properties.

Atlantic City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Atlantic City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Puerto Vallarta. 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.

Atlantic City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City Better for Beaches?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its beaches. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

Many people visit Puerto Vallarta for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Atlantic City is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for shopping. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Puerto Vallarta is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There's a mix of shopping malls, open-air markets, boutiques, and international brands.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atlantic City. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City Better for Families?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Puerto Vallarta is 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.

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City Better for Couples?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for romance. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Puerto Vallarta frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Atlantic City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for backpackers. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Puerto Vallarta. There are hostels around, as well as many adventure sports or thrilling activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Atlantic City. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

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

Both Puerto Vallarta and Atlantic City offer notable public transit options.

Puerto Vallarta has a few public transit options. There are blue, green or orange buses that travel around town.

Atlantic City has some public transit options. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City a more walkable city?

Puerto Vallarta and Atlantic City both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Atlantic City is very walkable. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlantic City or Puerto Vallarta?

How long in Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Puerto Vallarta and Atlantic City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than in Atlantic City. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Puerto Vallarta, and 1-3 days is enough time in Atlantic City.

Families should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Atlantic City. 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 Atlantic City. 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 Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the laid-back destination of Puerto Vallarta. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The party-oriented destination of Atlantic City offers food and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Puerto Vallarta. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Atlantic City offers shopping and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the colorful destination of Puerto Vallarta. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Atlantic City is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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 Atlantic City?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the town of Puerto Vallarta. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Vallarta and Atlantic City, we can see that Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Puerto Vallarta or Atlantic City?

Puerto Vallarta has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Vallarta and Atlantic City, 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.