Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Seoul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Seoul or Puerto Vallarta?
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 Seoul and Puerto Vallarta can help you decide which place is right for you.
Seoul
Seoul is a cultural, bustling, and modern city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Seoul travel costs.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a cultural, coastal, and colorful town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Puerto Vallarta travel costs.
Seoul and Puerto Vallarta: Pros and Cons
Seoul
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Good music scene
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Good for students
- Good public transit
- Big city activities
Puerto Vallarta
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Nice resorts
- Good scuba and snorkeling destination
- Popular beach
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Public transit not as usable
Is there more to do in Seoul or Puerto Vallarta?
Travelers will usually find more to do in Seoul than Puerto Vallarta, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Seoul is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Puerto Vallarta is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Puerto Vallarta is more touristy than Seoul and is known for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife. Seoul is popular for its shopping malls, colorful street markets, beautiful parks, and vibrant energy. It is also home to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
How is Seoul different from Puerto Vallarta?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Puerto Vallarta and Seoul. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Seoul or Puerto Vallarta?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Seoul 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 Seoul specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The museums and landmarks are diverse, with notable sights including N Seoul Tower, the Bukchon Hanok Traditional Village, and the National Museum of Korea.
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 Seoul or Puerto Vallarta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Seoul is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Puerto Vallarta is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.
Seoul has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Food is a cultural obsession here, and you'll find everything from world class street food to award winning restaurants. The dishes are so much more diverse than Korean barbecue and kimchi. Many dishes are very spicy, with popular local foods including gamjatang (pork and potato soup) and jeon (savory pancakes).
The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.
Is Seoul or Puerto Vallarta Better for Nightlife?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Both Seoul and Puerto Vallarta are very good when it comes to partying.
Seoul offers plenty to do in the evening. This is definitely a work hard/play hard city, with locals working long hours during the day and then partying hard late into the night. The nightlife scene is strong both during the week and on weekends. There are bars, clubs, and lounges that are frequented by locals and tourists alike.
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 Seoul or Puerto Vallarta Better for Music?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Seoul is renowned for its music scene. However, Puerto Vallarta is not a live music destination.
In Seoul you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. K-pop has put the city on the map for music, but you'll actually find a wide range of genres here including rock music and electronic dance music.
Puerto Vallarta is not a live music destination.
Is Seoul or Puerto Vallarta Better for Resorts?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is very popular for its resorts. However, Seoul is not a resort destination.
If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Puerto Vallarta is a perfect choice. There are many different places to stay from all-inclusive resorts to high end hotels or beachfront properties.
Seoul is not a resort destination.
Is Seoul or Puerto Vallarta Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Seoul is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in 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.
Seoul is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Is Seoul or Puerto Vallarta Better for Beaches?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a well-known place for the beach. However, Seoul is not a beach destination.
Puerto Vallarta is a very popular place to visit for its 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.
Seoul is not a beach destination.
Is the Shopping Better in Seoul or Puerto Vallarta?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Seoul is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Puerto Vallarta is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.
Seoul is a world class destination for shoppers. This bustling city offers traditional local items as well as Korean cosmetics and trendy fashion. Although shopping malls are spread throughout the city, some of the most popular shopping areas are found around Myeong-dong and Dongdaemun.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Puerto Vallarta. There's a mix of shopping malls, open-air markets, boutiques, and international brands.
Is Seoul or Puerto Vallarta Better for Families?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Seoul or Puerto Vallarta.
Seoul is a very kid-friendly city. The city has a wide range of kid-friendly activities, ranging from the easy choices like amusement parks and children's museums, to the less obvious like kid-friendly cafes and markets. There are many entertainment options packed into a small space, so kids and adults alike will stay entertained.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Puerto Vallarta. 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.
Is Seoul or Puerto Vallarta Better for Couples?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Both Seoul and Puerto Vallarta are very good destinations to visit as a couple.
Seoul is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy the beautiful viewpoints, outdoor parks, and diverse restaurants. There are also many beautiful luxury hotels where couples can enjoy a romantic getaway.
Puerto Vallarta makes for a fun place to visit for 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.
Is Seoul or Puerto Vallarta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Seoul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.
It's common for backpackers to visit Seoul. The city isn't the most popular among backpackers, but those who visit will enjoy exploring a fascinating culture and delicious cuisine. Because it's a large city, you'll find a diversity of accommodation options including some budget-friendly hostels and hotels.
Is Seoul or Puerto Vallarta Better for Students?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Seoul is a well-known place for students. However, Puerto Vallarta is not popular with students.
Seoul is very popular with students. Many international students head to Seoul National University, which has an excellent academic reputation. The city is also fun and energetic, so everyone will be entertained.
Puerto Vallarta is not popular with students.
Is Seoul or Puerto Vallarta Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Seoul is renowned for its public transit. Also, Puerto Vallarta is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.
Seoul has a great public transit system. The modern and clean transportation system includes both a subway and buses.
Puerto Vallarta has some public transit options. There are blue, green or orange buses that travel around town.
Is Seoul or Puerto Vallarta a more walkable city?
Seoul
Puerto Vallarta
Seoul and Puerto Vallarta both are very good when exploring on foot.
Seoul is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are fun to explore on foot but do take note that parts of the city are very hilly and the weather can be bitter cold during the winter months.
Puerto Vallarta is a very walkable destination. There are several walkable neighborhoods in town such as 5 de Diciembre, el Centro, and Zona Romantica.
For even more information, also check out Is Seoul Worth Visiting? and Is Puerto Vallarta Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in Puerto Vallarta or Seoul?
How long in Seoul or Puerto Vallarta?
In either Seoul or Puerto Vallarta, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Seoul than Puerto Vallarta because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Seoul, and 3-5 days is enough time in Puerto Vallarta.
Families should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Seoul. 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 Seoul than Puerto Vallarta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Seoul that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
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How many days in Seoul or Puerto Vallarta? Ideal Length of StaySeoul 3-7Puerto Vallarta 3-5
One day in Seoul or Puerto Vallarta?
Seoul 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.
In Puerto Vallarta, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this cultural destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
A weekend in Seoul or Puerto Vallarta?
Seoul is a big city with plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Puerto Vallarta. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Five days in Seoul or Puerto Vallarta?
Seoul is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
Puerto Vallarta is a fun place to experience. In Puerto Vallarta, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
A week in Seoul or Puerto Vallarta?
Seoul is a big city with plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Puerto Vallarta. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
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Seoul Prices
South Korea PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $128Puerto Vallarta $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $128, 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 Seoul and Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $54Puerto Vallarta $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $108Puerto Vallarta $114
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Seoul 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.
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: Seoul Hotel Prices and Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Seoul $15Puerto Vallarta $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.58
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Short Taxi Ride$5.01
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Metro Ride$0.97
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- Night Views Tour with Guide and Transfers: $41
- From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $50
- Transfer Service from Gimpo Airport to Hotel City: $57
- Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $60
- Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Incheon Airport (ICN) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $68
- Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
- Private Transfer from Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul hotels: $80
- Private Airport Transfer Gimpo Intl Airport (GMP) to Seoul City: $83
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $89
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport: $90
- Private Gimpo Airport Transfer to/from Seoul(1~7pax): $94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Puerto Vallarta Roundtrip Shuttle Airport Transfer: $32
- Sayulita hotels to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) – Private Departure Transfer : $155
- Private Transfer from Punta de Mita Area to PVR Airport: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta and Seoul 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
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Food Meals for one daySeoul $51Puerto Vallarta $58
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.30
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Waffle$0.72
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Dippin' Dots$1.43
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.94
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Chicken Stick$1.43
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.36
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Lunch Buffet$4.30
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Donut$0.72
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Mushroom Burger$3.72
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.36
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Udon & Sushi$5.01
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Fresh Burger$3.44
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.22
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.58
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Fried Rice$3.94
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.80
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.80
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Donut$1.79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
- Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $51
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
- Namdaemun Market Food Tour: $65
- Seoul by Night: Palaces, Market & Street Food Tour (Vegan Option): $65
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
- Cooking Class in Seoul with Korean Grandma: $68
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seoul $26Puerto Vallarta $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.73
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Movie Ticket$5.73
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Kimchi Museum$2.15
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- K-Culture Adventure in Seoul Self-Guided Walking Tour : $3.58
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.10
- Alternative A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Gwanghwamun Tour l 120 Minutes to Understand South Korea: $10
- [Seoul] Football Faentasium Admission Ticket (내국인 불가): $10
- Gwanghwamun Tour about Korean Society and Local Mindset: $11
- Street Hustle Adventure in Seoul: $11
- SPAREX Jjimjilbang Sauna Dongmyo branch Admission Ticket(내국인불가): $11
- Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가): $11
- Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Insa-dong(내국인불가): $12
- Seoul Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid (내국인 불가): $13
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySeoul $12Puerto Vallarta $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
- LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $28
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $42
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
- Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $59
- Korean Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $60
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Itaewon Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $73
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78
When comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Puerto Vallarta is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Seoul is in Asia and Puerto Vallarta is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Seoul Expensive? and Is Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seoul or Puerto Vallarta?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Seoul 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.