The Grand Escape
Destinations · Head-to-head

Puerto Vallarta vs South Africa

Puerto Vallarta and South Africa, 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 · South Africa guide · How we score

By the numbers

Puerto VallartaSouth Africa
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 2: Exercise Increased CautionLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog31
Average guest rating★ 4.5★ 4.7
Nightly rates$500–$800/night$500–$800+/night
Adults-only resorts0 of 30 of 1
Hurricane exposureLow hurricane riskNo hurricane season
Rainy seasonJune–October — dramatic afternoon storms, lush green hillsNovember–March (southern-hemisphere summer thunderstorms)
Sweet spotNovember–May; whales in the bay December–MarchApril–September for dry, mild weather — also prime safari season 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
South Africa — high °F828382797774737475777981
Puerto Vallarta — rain (in)0.40.20.10.10.57.011.010.513.54.00.80.5
South Africa — rain (in)5.34.84.82.92.21.11.51.92.94.34.84.0

Approximate climate normals for Banderas Bay and KwaZulu-Natal coast (Durban) — 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 South Africa

  1. 1.Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari — KZN North Coast, South Africa · ★ 4.7

Chains here: Club Med

Full South Africa guide

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