Planning a trip to Mexico and can't decide between Cancun or Puerto Vallarta. First trip to Mexico. Will look for adults only, all inclusive resorts.
Suggestions? Thoughts?

If you're looking for white sand beaches with turquoise water, go for Cancun. If you're more interested in the hotel amenities you can often get a better deal in PV.

Cheaper to go to PV, but Cancun side is much nicer beaches.

Cancun hands down!

Cancún

Cancun bro ..

Tulum

Cancun for sure. If you want more partying stay in Cancun, more excursions/relaxing stay in a resort closer to Playa del carmen or tulum! You'll love it no matter what you choose!!

I'm on team Cancun.

Cancun or Cabo!

Cancun party party PV still party but more families

Is Cozumel in your budget?

I've been to both and prefer PV. More authentic Mexico. But if you want white sandy beaches go to Cancun.

Anywhere on the Caribbean side.
Cancun, if you like the night life. Mayan Riviera, if you want less busy, more activities. Lots of adult only choices.

I personally have been to Moon Palace and Hyatt Ziva in PV. I can honestly say that Hyatt Ziva is a slice of heaven, especially if for adults. We had unlimited beach chairs open.... chair drink service, and no reservations for dinning... we are returning.

I would say Cancun is like Las Vegas with Caribbean water and beaches. If you want to party it is the place to stay. You can also stay outside of Cancun in Playa for a more relaxed atmosphere and still enjoy the beaches. Travel time is slightly further. PV is brown sand beaches, beautiful sunsets and provides more value. Nuevo Vallarta has he newer hotels. The hot spot outside of PV is Sayulita. It has a bit more of a surfer vibe and good for intro surfing.

Both have big resorts. Puerto is better if you want a taste of the culture. Cancun better for partying. Cancun is basically America. Not the real Mexico by any stretch but good clubs and great beaches, when the parties don't throw their trash everywhere.

I first went to Cancun 20 years ago and loved it at that time. But, each time we went it was more and more Americanized. Now I definitely prefer PV and of coarse in the old town.

For me, Cancun is just about the resorts. P.V. offers more in the city itself, and the area. If you just want a week at a nice resort by the pool, you can find that either way. I prefer the mountainous scenery and the interesting old city of P.V, the people, the buildings, the sculptures, the malecon, the markets. You might want to check temperatures for the time of year you're going.

Plays del carmen ! Classy and for adults

Secrets Vallarta Bay in Puerto Vallarta is a great adults only resort! PV also has a calmer vibe to it - if that's what you're looking for.

Following

Cancun is def better for swimming than PV. But if u want less busy resort go into the riviera maya area.

I've been to both, I love the white white sand in the blue blue ocean. It's the Caribbean

Puerto Vallarta. Been to many places in Mexico. I think that it is much safer if you want to go out of the resort at night.

Right in Old Vallarta.

In January it's usually chilly on the East side. Been to Puerto Vallarta a few times. The Now Resort was our favorite. It is connected to Secrets which is adult only. Close to downtown and really nice!

Definitely the Mayan riviera, about 40 minutes south of Cancun! The water is beautiful, clear and calm!

Been to both and we LOVE Puerto Vallarta!

Us too! We go every year!!

Renee Jorgensen me too!

Playa del Carmen or cancun. The water is so much nicer on the Caribbean side

Been to both and definitely prefer PV. Culture and people are totally different. More authentic as previously stated. Any of the 5* from PV to Punta Mita are beautiful. We stayed at the Riu Palace Pacifico in Nuevo and loved it.....can walk the beach to Bucerias. Avoid the Vidanta resort if you are one that likes to explore. Their goal is to get you not to leave the resort. We have a timeshare in North Hotel Zone In PV and love taking the Blue Bus to the Malecon for drinks and dinner.
The beaches on the Cancun side are definitely fabulous but the weather is not consistent.

If you go Mayan I suggest south of Playa del Carmen. I would suggest Huatulco on the west.

Mayan Riviera now has about 25 adults only resorts. I can remember when there were only a half dozen. But is much much pricier than PV.

Depends what you're looking for. PV has a more authentic Mexican feel to it and Cancun is very touristy with malls and bars. However the beaches in Cancun are pretty awesome.

Cancun! Crystal clear waters. Puerto, lots and lots of history...

I love Puerto Vallarta!

How old are you? Cancun caters to the under 25 group, where PVR is a bit more "grown up". We'll go to PVR before Cancun, becuase I have little desire to deal with hundreds of college students puking on themselves after non-stop partying.

And people seem to be unaware of Huatulco area which is amazing!

If you like culture and exploring a city that feels like it's retained some of its authenticity, go with Puerto Vallarta. Also the jungle and mountain landscape to me is way more interesting. If you just want a huge beach and crystal water, go with the Mayan.

I LOVE PV! I have been to Mayan, Cancun and PV and PV is by far my favourite. It doesn't have the crystal blue water but I find the ocean and authenticity of Mexico to be more enjoyable.

There are authentic parts of both sides.I prefer cancun/Mayan Rivera. Cancun is more Americanized but Mayan has a lot more natural authentic parts (it's my favourite) I have found prices of both sides to be be pretty parallel. If you want jungle and Caribbean Sea I recommend the Mayan side. I personally love the cancun/Mayan side mostly because I'm a beach bum and they have gorgeous beaches there.
I've Been there 9 times and just booked my 10th trip! Hope that helps!

Also- check out puerto Morelos it's in the middle of cancun and Playa Del Carmen. It's a small village and it's tucked away. Close to cancun if you want to check out some of the tours there and same with PDC.

I think Cancun/ Mayan Rivietra makes for a great first visit to Mexico. You will get to see the blue waters, and lots of excursions you can do (but they are expensive). We are actaully going this weekend and staying at the Excellence Playa Mujeres which is ranked as one of the best all inclusive adults only resorts in the world. Guess we will be the judge of that this weekend!

if you are interested in the Mayan and you prefer the beach to the pool, do your homework; beaches are hit and miss and change from year to year due to the number of hurricanes. the Mayan is very much a tourist destination with much to do but nothing really authentic. the Pacific side has courser golden sand. While there is still tourism, most of the tourist destinations are authentic Mexican communities

PVR is more authentic Mexican. The Hyatt Zico has a phenomenal
Beach there. Other beaches are dark typical
Of the pacific. PVR is also cheaper