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Cancun Compass

Destination head-to-head

Cancun or Puerto Vallarta in September?

Cancun scores 8.1 out of 10 in September against 5.9 for Puerto Vallarta. Warm sea, short flights, all-inclusive value and a whole Mayan world within two hours.

Quick verdict

Cancun for beaches, families, things to do. Puerto Vallarta for charming old town.

Cancun, Mexico

9/10

32C days, 29C sea, 210mm rain

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

7.4/10

32C days, 340mm rain

Rated side by side

Out of five on each criterion.

Cancun and Puerto Vallarta rated out of five on each criterion
What mattersCancunPuerto Vallarta
NightlifeBars, clubs and late-night energy
BeachesSand quality, water clarity and swimming
Food sceneRange, quality and local character
FamiliesKid-friendly resorts, pools and day trips
RomanceCouples, honeymoons and adults-only stays
Things to doExcursions, culture and day trips
All-inclusiveChoice and value of all-inclusive resorts
Value for moneyWhat a typical day actually costs
Easy and safeComfort for first-time visitors
Exploring soloHow easy it is to get out on your own
Flight accessDirect routes and flight time from North America

Side by side in September

Cancun compared with Puerto Vallarta
FactorCancunPuerto Vallarta
Daytime high32C32C
Rainfall210mm340mm
Sea temperature29C, swimmableVaries by season
Beach qualityWide white sand, calm Caribbean3 out of 5
Getting thereunder 5 hours from most of North America3h 30m from Los Angeles
Typical costCheapest window of the year. The same resort can cost half its January rate.Mid range
Between beach daysChichen Itza, Tulum, cenotes, Isla Mujeres, reef snorkellingCharming old town, Great for West Coast flyers

What is on in Cancun in September

  • Mexican Independence Day on 15 and 16 September, the biggest party of the year
  • Cheapest month in Cancun by a wide margin
  • Hurricane season peak, so buy flexible rates

Crowds. One of the quietest months. Ruins, cenotes and beach clubs feel almost private.

Prices. Cheapest window of the year. The same resort can cost half its January rate.

Seaweed. Sargassum can appear on some east-facing beaches. Isla Mujeres north beach and the cenotes are the reliable backup.

Storms. This is the statistical peak of hurricane season. Book refundable rates and travel cover, then enjoy the lowest prices of the year.

Dated plans and community meetups are listed on the Cancun events calendar.

Book Cancun for September

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Where Puerto Vallarta genuinely wins

  • Charming old town
  • Great for West Coast flyers
  • Excellent food

Pick Puerto Vallarta if charming old town is the single thing you care most about on this trip.

What catches people out

  • Pacific water is darker and cooler
  • Heavy summer rain
  • Fewer archaeological sites

The Cancun edge

Cancun has warmer, clearer Caribbean water year round plus Chichen Itza, Tulum and the cenote network.

Cancun is the rare beach destination that also works as a base. The airport is one of the busiest in Latin America, the transfer to your hotel takes twenty minutes, and within two hours you can be swimming in a cenote, climbing a Mayan pyramid, snorkelling the second largest reef on the planet, or eating cochinita pibil in a downtown market for the price of a coffee elsewhere. That combination is why we keep building these comparisons and keep reaching the same conclusion.

Cancun wins for you? Start here.

Compare hotelsAll-inclusive, adults-only and boutiqueExplore activitiesRuins, cenotes, reef and boat daysFind your areaHotel Zone, downtown or Isla MujeresBuild your tripFree day-by-day planner

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