With sargassum battering much of the Cancun coast and tarnishing the otherwise pristine look of the white-sand beaches, it’s no surprise that a growing number of American travelers are swapping the Mexican Caribbean for the Pacific side.
Famous for being not only seaweed-free, but offering world-class hospitality and that vibrant Hispanic culture, Puerto Vallarta (PV) is seeing a significant increase in demand, with new data from Amadeus confirming a 33% rise in bookings so far in 2024.
PV is closing in on Cancun, and in case you’ve been wondering why vacationers can’t get enough of it, well, allow us to enlighten you:
Could Puerto Vallarta Be Coming For Cancun’s Crown?
Cancun is Mexico’s number one beach destination by a mile, and it’s unlikely Puerto Vallarta will dethrone it anytime soon, regardless of how fast it’s growing, but it does have something the Caribbean giant lacks: the cultural value.
You see, Cancun is a resort city built to cater to the needs of wealthy, vacationing foreigners, having been formally founded as a municipality only in the 1970s; PV, on the other hand, is far older with more historical significance, dating back 172 years.
In short, one could argue its old center, dominated by a majestic Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, and criss-crossed by cobbled streets lined by colorful buildings and casual Mexican restaurants is far more authentic than the Riviera Maya’s Hotel Zone.
Puerto Vallarta is no ancient wonder—it’s still a much younger settlement than the cultural behemoths that are Mexico City or Merida—but it has some of that Old World charm most Americans are craving when they take trips south of the border.
Big Spenders And Budget Travelers Alike Are Welcome
Other than the fascinating culture, Puerto Vallarta is just as sought-after for its all-inclusive stays, in line with other Mexican coastal resorts: there are as many as 20 such properties listed on Booking.com, from family-friendly to adults-only.
The range of prices is particularly wide, meaning all are welcome, be it big spenders or budget travelers; you can either opt for the luxurious experience getting pampered 24/7 and gorging on all-you-can-eat buffets, or a simpler, easy-on-the-wallet bed & breakfast.
In the former category, overnights at the Crown Paradise Golden All Inclusive Resort start from an acceptable $215 this summer, while Master Suites at the landmark, award-winning Casa Velas average a whopping $569.
If you’re simply looking for a place comfortable enough to rest in the evenings, and you’ll be out and about exploring and beaching all day, single rooms in the lively ‘Zona Romántica’ are available for as cheap as $69 per night at the Joint Boutique Hotel.
Puerto Vallarta Is Relatively Safe For Tourists
Safety is a primary concern for Americans going to Mexico, especially when the media portrayal of the country isn’t the most flattering, and though you should never let your guard down traveling really, as risks exist anywhere, Puerto Vallarta is a relatively safe destination:
In fact, over 80% of residents consider it perfectly safe to live in, as assessed in a recent research by ENSU, Mexico’s National Urban Public Security Survey, and very few tourists report crime-related incidents.
That’s not to say they do not occur, but in general, day-to-day concerns surround pickpocketing in beach locations and scammers, as opposed to violent crime; that being said, there is a travel warning in place for the state of Jalisco, which Puerto Vallarta is a part of.
The State Department advises Americans to reconsider travel to parts of the state due to gang activity, but lucky for PV-bound tourists, the city is one of the low-risk zones, as there are ‘no restrictions on travel‘ for U.S. government employees themselves.
Sargassum-Free Beaches
Last but not least, beaches in Puerto Vallarta retain their unspoiled nature year-round as the smelly algae that plagues the Caribbean does not proliferate in the Pacific: in other words, sargassum is not at all a common occurrence here.
There’s already been a slowdown for flights headed to Cancun this season, so much so that American Airlines has temporarily suspended service from New York this summer; the rise in sargassum levels is not the only explanation, but it’s clear Americans are turning their gaze elsewhere.
This year, the seaweed started making landfall on Cancun and Tulum beaches as early as February, when they’re usually expected from April, spelling bad news for local authorities and visitors alike, who would very much rather the pristine white sands remain, well, pristine white.
At this point, having a sargassum-free vacation in Cancun is never a given, and unless you’re willing to take the risk and trust authorities to do their part in cleaning and installing anti-sargassum barriers on time, escaping to the Pacific instead might be a good call.
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