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

Should you visit Puerto Vallarta or Calgary?

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 Calgary can help you decide which place is right for you.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a colorful, laid-back, and cultural town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Puerto Vallarta travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a authentic, western, and local city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Calgary travel costs.

Puerto Vallarta and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Puerto Vallarta or Calgary?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Puerto Vallarta than Calgary. While Calgary is larger than Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Puerto Vallarta is popular for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife. It is also home to the Malecon. Calgary is popular for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede.

How is Puerto Vallarta different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Puerto Vallarta or Calgary.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Puerto Vallarta. There are a number of historical sights around town like Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Calgary is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

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

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Puerto Vallarta. 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.

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Puerto Vallarta is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Calgary has a few options to choose from. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Calgary Better for Resorts?

Puerto Vallarta is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Calgary is not a resort destination.

Puerto Vallarta is a world class resort vacation destination. There are many different places to stay from all-inclusive resorts to high end hotels or beachfront properties.

Calgary is not a resort destination.

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

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Calgary is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Puerto Vallarta is an extremely popular place to visit for 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.

Calgary is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Calgary Better for Beaches?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for the beach. However, Calgary is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Puerto Vallarta attract visitors from all over. 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.

Calgary is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Puerto Vallarta or Calgary?

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

Puerto Vallarta is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a mix of shopping malls, open-air markets, boutiques, and international brands.

Calgary has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Calgary Better for Families?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Puerto Vallarta is a very kid-friendly town. 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.

Calgary offers lots of family activities. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Calgary Better for Couples?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Calgary is a good town for couples to visit. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

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

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

Puerto Vallarta is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are hostels around, as well as many adventure sports or thrilling activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Plenty of backpackers visit Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

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

Both Puerto Vallarta and Calgary offer good public transit options.

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

Calgary has some public transit options. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Calgary a more walkable city?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

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

Calgary is generally not a very walkable town. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

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

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Puerto Vallarta?

How long in Puerto Vallarta or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Puerto Vallarta or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Puerto Vallarta than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Puerto Vallarta, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.

Families should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Calgary. 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 Calgary. 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 Calgary 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 Calgary?

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.

The authentic destination of Calgary offers shopping and museums. 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 Calgary?

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.

The city of Calgary offers museums and nightlife. 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 Calgary?

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.

Calgary 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 Calgary?

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 shopping and museums when visiting Calgary. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Puerto Vallarta or Calgary?

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