Playa del Carmen versus Puerto Vallarta?

Or even riviera maya. We need to stay in our limited student budget -- but want a unique cultural experience in the city as well as beaches. Any suggestions would be appreciated :) thanks.

thanks for the information! is the water blue again in december-january?

hello,
to make it easy:PLAYA DEL CARMEN.
the beaches and the turquoise water in the entire riviera maya beat the pacific at every time...especially in playa del carmen.puerto vallarta is located at the deepest point of the so called bahia de banderas (bay of banderas),the biggest bay on the entire american continent and the water is brownish all year round.(i was living there).the city of vallarta is nice,no doubt about it,but even from the cultural point of view i have to give my vote to playa del carmen.ok,playa is not even 20 years old and therefor you will not find a lot of culture in the city but it is surrounded by the old mayan culture with his ruins and temples.
but hey,i'm living here since more than 10 years...maybe i'm not really fair minded.
where ever you go have fun.
please excuse my english...i'm german.
greetings from playa,
cancundivers

I like both areas. But at this time of the year, the rainy season on the Pacific Coast is winding down, so the water is brownish due to run-off from the mountains. Theriviera maya water will be prettier.
Read hotel reviews in the Trip Advisor link below. Some hotels are under $100 a night.

Tags

　　General - Mexico 　　Zacatecas 　　Veracruz 　　Tijuana 　　Puerto Vallarta 　　Playa del Carmen 　　Oaxaca 　　Morelia 　　Monterrey 　　Mexico City 　　Mexicali 　　Merida

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