The Grand Escape
Destinations · Head-to-head

Dominican Republic vs Puerto Vallarta

Dominican Republic and Puerto Vallarta, side by side: live travel advisories, our resort catalog's real guest data, and each destination's honest weather picture — everything you need to break the tie.

Dominican Republic guide · Puerto Vallarta guide · How we score

By the numbers

Dominican RepublicPuerto Vallarta
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 2: Exercise Increased CautionLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog223
Average guest rating★ 4.6★ 4.5
Nightly ratesUnder $300–$800+/night$500–$800/night
Adults-only resorts8 of 220 of 3
Hurricane exposureIn the hurricane beltLow hurricane risk
Rainy seasonMay and August–October, mostly brief tropical downpoursJune–October — dramatic afternoon storms, lush green hills
Sweet spotDecember–AprilNovember–May; whales in the bay December–March

Advisory levels sync from travel.state.gov; catalog figures reflect the resorts we've researched, not every hotel in the country.

Weather, month by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Dominican Republic — high °F848485868788898988878684
Puerto Vallarta — high °F828282848790929290898683
Dominican Republic — rain (in)2.01.71.72.54.53.02.53.53.54.53.52.5
Puerto Vallarta — rain (in)0.40.20.10.10.57.011.010.513.54.00.80.5

Approximate climate normals for Punta Cana and Banderas Bay — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

Best of Dominican Republic

  1. 1.Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa — Cap Cana, Dominican Republic · ★ 4.6
  2. 2.Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection Resort — Cap Cana, Dominican Republic · ★ 4.5
  3. 3.Excellence Punta Cana — · ★ 4.9

Chains here: Secrets · Barceló Hotels & Resorts · The Luxury Collection

Full Dominican Republic guide

Best of Puerto Vallarta

  1. 1.Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa — · ★ 4.5
  2. 2.Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort — · ★ 4.5
  3. 3.The Westin Playa Vallarta, an All-Inclusive Resort — Puerto Vallarta, Mexico · ★ 4.5

Chains here: Fiesta Americana · Hilton · Westin

Full Puerto Vallarta guide

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