Choose Cabo if…
- your guests lean adventure (6 adventure picks versus 4)
- you want special-occasion restaurants for a splurge night
- you love the setting: desert meets sea at the tip of Baja: El Arco, whale season, farm-to-table dinners and a 30 km resort corridor between two towns
Choose Puerto Vallarta if…
- guests are staying longer and want day trips
- you want plenty of casual, inexpensive places to eat
- you want lots of private group options for friends to book together
Side by side
| Cabo | Puerto Vallarta | |
|---|---|---|
| Best season | November to May | November to April |
| Getting there | Los Cabos International (SJD) is 15 minutes from San José del Cabo and 40 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. | Puerto Vallarta airport (PVR) is 15 minutes from the old town. |
| Car needed? | Not usually | Not usually |
| Activity prices | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Group-friendly activities | 11 of 12 | 12 of 12 |
| Relaxed activities | 5 | 5 |
| Foodie activities | 3 | 3 |
| Adventure activities | 6 | 4 |
| Full-day trips | 1 | 2 |
| Seasonal activities | 1 | 1 |
| Budget eats on our list | 2 | 3 |
| Currency | Mexican peso (MXN). US dollars are often accepted in resort areas at a worse rate. | Mexican peso (MXN). US dollars are often accepted in resort areas at a worse rate. |
| Tipping | Expected: 10 to 15% in restaurants, plus tips for guides, drivers and boat crews. | Expected: 10 to 15% in restaurants, plus tips for guides, drivers and boat crews. |
| Dinner time | Dinner from about 7 to 10 pm. | Dinner from about 7 to 10 pm. |
Top group activities in Cabo
- Glass-bottom boat to El Arco and Lover's Beach. See the famous rock arch and sea lions, with drop-off at Lover's Beach.
- Sunset dinner cruise. Dinner and drinks on the water as the sun sets behind the arch.
- Whale watching tour. Humpback whales breach right off the coast in winter. A highlight of the season.
- Snorkeling at Santa Maria and Chileno Bay. Calm protected bays full of tropical fish. Gear and snacks included.
Top group activities in Puerto Vallarta
- Marietas Islands snorkel tour. Snorkel and see the famous Hidden Beach area in a protected marine park.
- Whale watching tour. Humpbacks breed in the bay every winter. Sightings are almost certain.
- Yelapa and Majahuitas boat trip. Boat to a car-free beach village, a jungle waterfall and snorkeling.
- Sunset cruise on Banderas Bay. Open bar and dinner as the sun sets over the bay.
Questions couples ask
Is Cabo or Puerto Vallarta better for a destination wedding?
Choose Cabo if your guests lean adventure (6 adventure picks versus 4). Choose Puerto Vallarta if guests are staying longer and want day trips.
When is the best time for a wedding in Cabo and Puerto Vallarta?
Cabo: November to May. Puerto Vallarta: November to April.
Which is easier for guests to reach, Cabo or Puerto Vallarta?
Cabo: Los Cabos International (SJD) is 15 minutes from San José del Cabo and 40 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. Puerto Vallarta: Puerto Vallarta airport (PVR) is 15 minutes from the old town.
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