Mazatlan vs. Puerto Vallarta vs. Cabo

MrsS008

DH, my sister and I are talking about going to Mexico in January. We've never been to these three locations and we cannot decide. Prices are pretty comparable so that doesn't sway us. Have you been? What did you love? What did you hate? We're hoping to stay in an all inclusive. Any recommendations?

TYIA!

lecooke

No idea - never been.  But that sounds like so much fun!

greenclown

I've only been to Puerto Vallarta, so I can't compare the three.  I really liked our hotel (Marriott Casamagna, but it's not all-inclusive), I loved some of the activities we did (mainly ziplining and whale watching), but in general, I did not like Puerto Vallarta.

 My main problem was that a lot of people there are trying to sell you something or find a way to rip you off (like literally scratching out a price on a price tag after I'd looked at it and then telling me the price was higher).  I understand that people are just trying to make livings, and most people were very nice, but I have no plans to ever go there again.

Obviously everyone is different (I know people who love it there and go every year), but it's not for me. 

stuzyq14

loved Puerto Vallarta - stayed at the RIU Vallarta and it was great.  Just watch what time of year you go, it gets really hot and humid. 

All inclusive is the way to go - drinks, food, etc.... all awesome!

MaxOrTori

Personally, I didn't like Cabo.  I thought it was too pricey and the food was crappy.  Additionally, everywhere we went, someone was trying to get us to tour a timeshare!

Omega20

Hi!  We were in Cabo this past February for my SIL's wedding.  We stayed at an all-inclusive called the Riu Palace.  It was my first time at an all-inclusive so I don't have anything to compare it to really, but I thought it was great.  Everything was super clean, food was pretty good, and the rooms were nice.  I felt very safe too.

As for Cabo itself, we didn't get around all that much because of all the wedding stuff.  We did deep sea fishing one day and that was amazing!  I caught a marlin and we also got about 20 mahi mahi.  All in all I thought Cabo was great, but not great enough to go back again.

shwayd

I haven't been to PV, but have been to Mazatlan and Cabo and I prefer Cabo.  If you want a more rustic mexican vacation then Mazatlan is the way to go.  Cabo is more "Americanized".  I think the food is better and I feel safer there.  I own a time share at Pueblo Bonito...it's not all inclusive, but it's a short walk to restaurants, etc.  There are 3 PB properties in Cabo and 2 in Mazatlan.  GL and have fun!

kzgirl

We went to all three on a cruise last year.  Based on my one day stay at each, I would pick Puerto Vallarta.

Cabo is very americanized, Mazatlan is industrial.  Puerto Vallatra seems to have the best mix of both. 

hope this helps some.

 

Ashleyyyyy

PUERTO VALLARTA!!!!!!

Sorry for yelling. DH and I went there for our 1st wedding anniversary. We had a BLAST. We stayed at Dreams Puerto Vallarta. It's all inclusive and it has the nicest beach in the area. It's also a private beach.

I loved everything about the resort and the town. What I liked about PV over Cabo or Mazatlan was that it's not the dry, tumbleweed, brown grass desert. PV is lush with mountains full of tropical trees and green grass. It is so beautiful. I have pictures if you are interested in the resort or the area!

Ashleyyyyy

greenclown:

I've only been to Puerto Vallarta, so I can't compare the three.  I really liked our hotel (Marriott Casamagna, but it's not all-inclusive), I loved some of the activities we did (mainly ziplining and whale watching), but in general, I did not like Puerto Vallarta.

 My main problem was that a lot of people there are trying to sell you something or find a way to rip you off (like literally scratching out a price on a price tag after I'd looked at it and then telling me the price was higher).  I understand that people are just trying to make livings, and most people were very nice, but I have no plans to ever go there again.

Obviously everyone is different (I know people who love it there and go every year), but it's not for me. 

This is like that everywhere is Mexico. It doesn't matter where you go. Where we stayed, they only let vendors in at certain times of the day and they could not pester you at. all. 

MrsS008

ashley21babe:

PUERTO VALLARTA!!!!!!

Sorry for yelling. DH and I went there for our 1st wedding anniversary. We had a BLAST. We stayed at Dreams Puerto Vallarta. It's all inclusive and it has the nicest beach in the area. It's also a private beach.

I loved everything about the resort and the town. What I liked about PV over Cabo or Mazatlan was that it's not the dry, tumbleweed, brown grass desert. PV is lush with mountains full of tropical trees and green grass. It is so beautiful. I have pictures if you are interested in the resort or the area!

I would love that! I will PM you my email.

Ashleyyyyy

kzgirl:

Cabo is very americanized, Mazatlan is industrial.  Puerto Vallatra seems to have the best mix of both.

This exactly. I tell everyone how fantastic PV is. DH and I really want to go back soon.

MandyBrownNoser

We went to PV and Cabo on our honeymoon cruise.  We loved PV. 

We really liked the stop in Cabo but only because we took an excursion up to the little town of Todos Santos which was absolutely fabulous.  It was so perfect that we've actually considered buying property down there.

Ashleyyyyy

MrsS008:

ashley21babe:

PUERTO VALLARTA!!!!!!

Sorry for yelling. DH and I went there for our 1st wedding anniversary. We had a BLAST. We stayed at Dreams Puerto Vallarta. It's all inclusive and it has the nicest beach in the area. It's also a private beach.

I loved everything about the resort and the town. What I liked about PV over Cabo or Mazatlan was that it's not the dry, tumbleweed, brown grass desert. PV is lush with mountains full of tropical trees and green grass. It is so beautiful. I have pictures if you are interested in the resort or the area!

I would love that! I will PM you my email.

I'll email you either at lunch or when I get home.

YoLinds28

We went to Mazatlan. That's the only place I've been in Mexico. But it's not a party town like Cabo. I liked it a lot. They have some neat things to do. The only thing I didn't like was the way they drive there. Crazy. I just about peed myself everytime we got in a taxi there. The weather was great in January when we went too.

jennabee13

I went to PV in February and LOVED IT. We stayed at the Villa Premiere Hotel (adults only) and it was SO FABULOUS. A week was not long enough. We were greeted with champagne and a massage when we checked in! All the rooms face the ocean too.

 

Plus - I'm pretty sure PV is one of the few cities in Mexico that actually purifies its water so you don't have to be as scared of getting sick from it. 

Daisy's mom

My vote is for Cabo.  I've been there 3 times (Oct07, June 08, May09) and loved it.  If you are not a big fan of a party scene (I'm not) you can stay in San Jose Del Cabo - where everything is peaceful and perfect.  Town od Cabo San Lucas is loud, dirty and crazy - I would never stay there.

San Jose Del Cabo is only 20 min away from the airport, you can walk to town or take a cab for $5.   PM me if you would like more info.

I would also check out tripadvisor.com - great place to get more info.