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Destinations · Head-to-head

Guanacaste vs Puerto Vallarta

Guanacaste 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.

Guanacaste guide · Puerto Vallarta guide · How we score

By the numbers

GuanacastePuerto Vallarta
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 2: Exercise Increased CautionLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog53
Average guest rating★ 4.4★ 4.5
Nightly rates$800+$500–$800/night
Adults-only resorts1 of 50 of 3
Hurricane exposureLow hurricane riskLow hurricane risk
Rainy seasonMay–November ('green season'), seriously wet September–OctoberJune–October — dramatic afternoon storms, lush green hills
Sweet spotDecember–April, bone-dryNovember–May; whales in the bay December–March
AirportLiberia (LIR) — Papagayo resorts 30–45 minPuerto Vallarta (PVR) — most resorts 10–40 min
Best forNature + beach in one trip; reliable winter sunCalm swimmable water, town culture with your resort, LGBTQ+-friendly scene
SignatureWildlife everywhere; volcano and cloud-forest day tripsBanderas Bay sunsets; whales 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
Guanacaste — high °F919293939188888887868789
Puerto Vallarta — high °F828282848790929290898683
Guanacaste — rain (in)0.10.10.20.77.79.05.97.913.012.24.30.5
Puerto Vallarta — rain (in)0.40.20.10.10.57.011.010.513.54.00.80.5

Approximate climate normals for Papagayo / Guanacaste and Banderas Bay — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

Best of Guanacaste

  1. 1.The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa — · ★ 4.5
  2. 2.Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort — · ★ 4.4
  3. 3.Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica — · ★ 4.4

Chains here: Westin · Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts · Secrets Resorts & Spas

Full Guanacaste 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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