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Destinations · Head-to-head

Ocho Rios vs Puerto Vallarta

Ocho Rios 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.

Ocho Rios guide · Puerto Vallarta guide · How we score

By the numbers

Ocho RiosPuerto Vallarta
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 2: Exercise Increased CautionLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog23
Average guest rating★ 4.5★ 4.5
Nightly rates—$500–$800/night
Adults-only resorts1 of 20 of 3
Hurricane exposureIn the hurricane beltLow hurricane risk
Rainy seasonMay–June and September–November — the rain is why it's this greenJune–October — dramatic afternoon storms, lush green hills
Sweet spotDecember–AprilNovember–May; whales in the bay December–March
AirportSangster (MBJ) ~90 min, or Ian Fleming (OCJ) for small aircraftPuerto Vallarta (PVR) — most resorts 10–40 min
Best forWaterfalls + gardens + excursions; couples classicsCalm swimmable water, town culture with your resort, LGBTQ+-friendly scene
SignatureDunn's River Falls; Blue Hole; Fern GullyBanderas 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
Ocho Rios — high °F828283848688888888878583
Puerto Vallarta — high °F828282848790929290898683
Ocho Rios — rain (in)1.51.21.21.84.54.03.04.25.57.54.02.2
Puerto Vallarta — rain (in)0.40.20.10.10.57.011.010.513.54.00.80.5

Approximate climate normals for Ocho Rios / St. Ann and Banderas Bay — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

Best of Ocho Rios

  1. 1.Sandals Dunn's River — · ★ 4.8
  2. 2.Moon Palace Jamaica — · ★ 4.2

Chains here: Sandals Resorts · Palace Resorts

Full Ocho Rios 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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