Puerto Vallarta or Playa del Carmen?

I am going with my fiance and two other couples to mexico this summer and I am trying to pick between Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen. We are 22-25 and are most interested in a beautiful city and good nightlife. I have been to PV and loved it but never Playa. Let me know what you think! Thanks!

i have been to both quite a few times..the answer is somewhere in the middle i suppose. depending on what youre main attractions are, will depend on which you choose.
both have good nightlife
i would say pv has the more beautiful city
playa has the carribean ocean, not the pacific
i would say playa is a bit cheaper than pv
pv has excellent restaurants and golf
playa has tulum and cozumel within 30 minutes
both locals are going to be loaded with tourists
but the most important factor in all of this...to go to pv, you dont have to go through cancun, which if you are anything like me, you HATE

I haven't been to Puerto Vallarta but have been to Playa. The beaches I think are better (sandier, calmer water) in Playa I have heard that PV can have rocky beaches. Playa is very touristy (we're tourists so that's ok) but the main street is jewlery shop, souvineer shop, over and over again. Fun at first but does get a little old. There are great beach bed places where you can rent chairs or big 4 poster beds on the beach and just lay out for the day with drinks coming and disco music playing. Also there are easy/fun day trips out of Playa. A visit to Tulum ruins is very cool or a visit to Xel-Ha a Eco-Water Park where there is easy snorkling, tubing, cafes, lockers, a whole day of fun.

http://www.xel-ha.com/

I can't really compare the two, but there is some info on Playa

I would go to Playa Del Carmen, the scenery is much nicer and the water is awesome, plus you got the Mayan ruins really close by. Also it's the Caribbean, much nicer than at Puerto Vallarta

Hands down PdC, Just the Caribbean ocean will hook you

I fell in love with Puerto Vallarta. I wish I could go back again or retire there one day! We went on our honeymoon and it was the most wonderful place. The restaurants are amazing, there is tons of stuff to do (My favorite was the canopy tour) and it is just beautiful. The people there were always so friendly too. I felt safe no matter where we were or what time of day it was. I fell in love with this city!
If you want any names of good restaurants, things to do, places to stay, please email me and I will let you know =)

i have been both places and i would have to say PV would be the better choice. i loved them both but Playa del Carmen is just more touisty and expensive.

By far PLAYA DEL CARMEN. I was born and raised in Guadalajara so I been in Puerto Vallarta at least 50 times, it is pretty and fun, but it has become very commercial and the beaches as not as clean and pretty as they us to be, unfortunately.
I been in Playa del Carmen 6 times, last time on September 2007. It is sooooooo beautiful, the beaches at stunning, it is fun, clean , safe. Playa del Carmen is my Favorite beach in Mexico, and I do a lot of travel. Good Luck.