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

Should you visit Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill?

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 Chapel Hill can help you decide which place is right for you.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a colorful, laid-back, and cultural town. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Puerto Vallarta travel costs.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a student-oriented, collegiate, and southern town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Chapel Hill travel costs.

Puerto Vallarta and Chapel Hill: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Puerto Vallarta. Although Puerto Vallarta and Chapel Hill are popular destinations, Puerto Vallarta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Puerto Vallarta is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Chapel Hill attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Puerto Vallarta is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is known for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife. It is also well known for the Malecon. Chapel Hill is famous for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Puerto Vallarta different from Chapel Hill?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chapel Hill is a well-known place 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.

Many visitors head to Chapel Hill specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many of the museums are affiliated with UNC. A highlight of many trips is a visit to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Hours can vary, so check the schedule ahead of time. Also worth visiting are the Ackland Art Museum and the Carolina Basketball Museum.

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 Chapel Hill? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chapel Hill. Students often eat on Franklin Street, which has a diverse mix of casual and slightly nicer restaurants. You'll find Indian food, Mediterranean, Italian, and Greek. The city also has excellent barbecue and other southern favorites.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill Better for Nightlife?

Both Puerto Vallarta and Chapel Hill are great 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.

Chapel Hill has a large number of nightlife venues. Most of the nightlife is centered around the student population. Franklin Street has a number of bars where students hang out. There are also parties hosted by fraternities and sororities. Things are quieter during the summer months when students are mostly gone.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill Better for Resorts?

Puerto Vallarta is very popular for its resorts. However, Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Puerto Vallarta is a great choice. There are many different places to stay from all-inclusive resorts to high end hotels or beachfront properties.

Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting 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.

Chapel Hill is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill Better for Beaches?

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

Puerto Vallarta is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill?

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

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Puerto Vallarta. There's a mix of shopping malls, open-air markets, boutiques, and international brands.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chapel Hill. There are a mix of local shops, larger shopping centers, and suburban malls. There are also weekly farmer's markets that are fun to check out.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill Better for Families?

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

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.

Chapel Hill offers lots of family activities. You can wander around the UNC campus or visit one of the museums affiliated with the school. This includes a planetarium that has regular shows and movies (The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center). There are also science exhibits geared specifically towards kids.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill Better for Couples?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for couples. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Chapel Hill is a nice destination for couples. There's an eclectic mix of restaurants on Franklin Street. Couples will also enjoy exploring the campus at UNC, visiting the botanical garden, or checking out one of the town's museums.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for backpackers. However, Chapel Hill is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels around, as well as many adventure sports or thrilling activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Chapel Hill is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a young population thanks to the university, but there's little else to attract backpackers.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is renowned for students. However, Puerto Vallarta is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Chapel Hill. It's a quintessential college town. UNC has a nice campus and Franklin Street is the main spot for restaurants and shopping. Most of the students live near or on campus, but once you head further out things get more suburban.

Puerto Vallarta is not popular with students.

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

Both Puerto Vallarta and Chapel Hill offer nice public transit options.

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

Chapel Hill has some public transit options. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Is Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill a more walkable city?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Chapel Hill is somewhat walkable. The area around UNC is the most walkable part of town. Elsewhere things are very suburban and you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Chapel Hill or Puerto Vallarta?

How long in Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill?

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

Families should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Chapel Hill. 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 Chapel Hill. 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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the cultural town of Puerto Vallarta. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The collegiate destination of Chapel Hill offers nightlife and food. 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 Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Puerto Vallarta. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

The town of Chapel Hill offers food and shopping. 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 Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the cultural town of Puerto Vallarta. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

A week in Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Puerto Vallarta. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Chapel Hill. 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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Puerto Vallarta or Chapel Hill?

Puerto Vallarta has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Vallarta and Chapel Hill, 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.