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Destinations · Head-to-head

Puerto Vallarta vs Riviera Maya

Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Maya, 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.

Puerto Vallarta guide · Riviera Maya guide · How we score

By the numbers

Puerto VallartaRiviera Maya
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 2: Exercise Increased CautionLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog38
Average guest rating★ 4.5★ 4.5
Nightly rates$500–$800/night$300–$800+/night
Adults-only resorts0 of 33 of 8
Hurricane exposureLow hurricane riskIn the hurricane belt
Rainy seasonJune–October — dramatic afternoon storms, lush green hillsJune–October, heaviest September–October
Sweet spotNovember–May; whales in the bay December–MarchDecember–April
AirportPuerto Vallarta (PVR) — most resorts 10–40 minCancún (CUN) — transfers run 25–90 min depending how far south
Best forCalm swimmable water, town culture with your resort, LGBTQ+-friendly sceneCenotes + ruins + beach in one trip; low-rise seclusion
SignatureBanderas Bay sunsets; whales December–MarchJungle-meets-sea resorts; the cenote belt inland

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
Puerto Vallarta — high °F828282848790929290898683
Riviera Maya — high °F828385878990909189878482
Puerto Vallarta — rain (in)0.40.20.10.10.57.011.010.513.54.00.80.5
Riviera Maya — rain (in)3.52.01.51.54.06.54.04.58.58.54.03.5

Approximate climate normals for Banderas Bay and Playa del Carmen–Tulum — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

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

Best of Riviera Maya

  1. 1.Barceló Maya Riviera - All Inclusive Adults Only — · ★ 4.9
  2. 2.Grand Velas Riviera Maya — Playa del Carmen, Mexico · ★ 4.8
  3. 3.UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya — Riviera Maya, Mexico · ★ 4.6

Chains here: Barceló · Grand Velas · UNICO Hotel Collection

Full Riviera Maya guide

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