Mexico is a very popular destination for Canadian vacationers, and a particularly good choice for those seeking some winter sun. Cancun and Puerto Vallarta are two of the top picks, both offering plenty of sunshine, great beaches and plenty of local culture – but which is a better choice for this year’s getaway?
The Case for Cancun
Cancun tends to be viewed as place of wild parties and tourists galore. While it’s certainly a great choice if you’re looking for bars, nightlife and buzzy beaches, there is a lot more to this part of Mexico than just drinking and dancing.
Rich history
Mayan culture abounds in Cancun, which houses the world-class Museo Maya de Cancún and its adjoining archaeological site San Miguelito. The museum is found in the south of the Hotel Zone and houses Maya artifacts from across Mexico, bringing to life some of its most significant historical sites.
Head just 2km south and you can spend a day exploring ruins at El Rey. Here you’ll find a number of ceremonial platforms and a small temple.
Outdoor activities
If you like your holidays active, you’ll love Cancun. It’s a must-visit if you’re into snorkeling or scuba diving, with stunning marine life to gawk at and a range of excellent dive sites, including an incredible underwater museum of art.
You can also try more sporty activities like kayaking or kiteboarding, or head out for a hike to Isla Contoy, an uninhabited island teeming with wildlife, including many rare species.
Fabulous food
From tasty street food and comforting home-cooked classics to Michelin-starred gourmet dishes, Cancun has an exceptional and truly diverse food scene.
You’ll find plenty of traditional restaurants offering authentic Yucatecan favorites like pork pibil and bean panuchos to keep both the meat-lovers and veggies in your party happy, as well as more contemporary Mexican fare. Many chefs here draw inspiration from Caribbean influences and indigenous Maya dishes, while others take advantage of the coastal location, serving superb seafood and fish.
And those beaches
With its azure Caribbean waters and bright white sands, it’s clear why Cancun is such a popular beach destination. The Hotel Zone has the most famous stretch of coast, but if you head downtown you’ll find plenty more beautiful beaches without the crowds.
Being a tropical destination, Cancun enjoys high temperatures throughout the year and is a perfect destination if you’re struggling with winter weather blues.
Quick Tip – Sending Money from Canada to Mexico
To make the most of your vacation time, you might want to get your travel money sorted before you travel from Canada to Mexico. While it’s a good idea to have a credit or debit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees, you will likely still want to have cash. Both Cancun and Puerto Vallarta use the Mexican peso, and many shops and street food stalls only take payment in cash—usually pesos or US dollars. It helps to research this ahead of time, so you can plan well and factor in exchange rates.
With Western Union, you can send money to Mexico and received in pesos for you to pick up in cash after you arrive. You can even do this through the app or web and reduce worries about carrying too much cash with you during your travel.
Why Choose Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a wonderfully versatile destination, perfect for romance, family fun, soaking up local culture or just lazing on one of the many truly gorgeous beaches.
Located around 20 degrees above the equator, Puerto Vallarta tends to have lovely warm weather all year round, so it’s also another ideal option if you’re looking for winter sun.
Natural beauty
Puerto Vallarta’s palm-fringed beaches and glittering blue seas are enhanced by the sheltering and lush Sierra Madre mountains.
You can while away a day wandering Vallarta’s botanical gardens – Jardín Botánico de Vallarta – where you’ll discover gorgeous and fascinating native plants and birds, including one of Mexico’s largest orchid collections. If you’re an animal lover, you’ll relish the chance to go winter whale watching or join a turtle release if you visit between June and September.
Man-made marvels
If local flavor and culture are more your thing than the great outdoors, then you’ll have a wonderful time wandering Puerto Vallarta’s charming streets and getting lost in the Mercado Río Cuale, a bustling riverside market surrounded by pretty fountains and funky street art.
There’s also a wealth of impressive churches and cathedrals and art to be discovered all around. You can join an art walk if you’d like to learn more, or just take a stroll and see what you stumble upon.
(More) fabulous food
Like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta offers a wealth of casual dining options, with its excellent street stalls offering mouth-watering tacos, salsas and moles – just the thing when you need a quick pit stop.
To really make the most of the delicacies on offer, why not book yourself onto a Vallarta Eats food tour?
A stellar choice for LGBT travelers
Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s most popular destinations for LGBTQ+ people, its Romantic Zone a much-loved spot for visitors and locals alike. The dedicated Gay Guide Vallarta website is a great first stop for LGBTQ+ vacationers looking to get the most out of this amazing destination.
So, Where Should You Go – Cancun or Puerto Vallarta?
The fact is both destinations can offer you a brilliant vacation, with gorgeous sunshine, pristine beaches and loads to see.
The right choice all depends on what you’re looking for – and if you still can’t choose, there’s always next year!
