Cabo or Puerto Vallarta
 

I'm a single male in my mid-30s trying to decide between the two for a trip in January and could use some help. I'm looking for quality beach and pool time, like to snorkel and do some sightseeing. I also want some nightlife, which both have. I went to Puerto Vallarta about 15 years ago and liked it a lot but have never been to Cabo. Which would you pick?

PV is more gay friendly, but would also be fun if that is not your thing. Cabo would offer somewhat better snorkeling, but the water is not particularly warm. I would choose the place I could get the best airfare/lodging deal.

Tough decision since both are great. We like the dryer, desert climate of Cabo, so that's what we would pick.

I've been to both (PV 19 times, Cabo for the 1st time in February this year). I enjoyed BOTH of them very very much. I often travel solo too. Both have everything you are asking for... beach and pool time, snorkeling, sightseeing, nightlife.

I think Vallarta's a bit easier (the airport's much closer to town, there's more readily available public busses, things aren't quite so spread out, there's more choices of places to stay within downtown, etc.) and quite a bit larger.

Basically... Tough choice!!

Do not know why the first respondent brought up the Gay issue as it should not be a factor.
PV Hands down would be my choice. Cabo is San Diego south with high prices, with The Dollar quoted on almost every thing. Little true Mexico Culture there. I know Suze will say you can "find" it there but I prefer not having to hunt for it.Cabs are very expensive & US Fast Food wherever you look.

I knew someone would object to my post.

I didn't read the comment as an "objection". I also was curious why you would have specifically mentioned that when the OP didn't ask.

I just wanted to be helpful to the poster. Nothing else intended.

For that matter, I should point out then, that single guys in Cabo will be hit up to buy drugs and offered all kinds of "fun". This has never happened to us going as a family or a group of women, but happens to single guys.

Maybe it's you Michelle. My wife, then girlfriend was hit on several times there. Both Gigolo types & drug pushers something she has never participated in.
I guess you are saying that Single guys will get "hit" on in PV. As I was single the first 10 years I went there I never was approached by any males So again your Gay Comment was so unnecessary IMO.

No stew, I am not saying a single guy will get "hit" on in PV. You and Suze are just blowing this way out of the water. As usual.

And yeah, its just me in Cabo not getting hit on. Middle aged and chubby. I have to go to the Lawrence Welk resort to get hit on.

At least I am trying to lighten things up here.

What do you mean "as usual"? Why start arguments? You posted something inaccurate that both of us are trying to correct. I sure don't see how it was a "helpful" thing to say.

Unless you seek it out (go to gay bars or hang out at the gay section of the beach) PV is no gayer than anywhere else.

I've been "offered" to buy drugs in both PV and Cabo.

I don't see how inaccurate information "lightens" things up... people just need relevant answers to their questions.

It is not inaccurate that I am middle aged and chubby and only guys over 80 would hit on me. That is what I meant by lighten up.

Andrews~ There's lots of discussions on this subject over at Trip Advisor destination forums, both for Vallarta and for Cabo.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I'm still undecided. Maybe I'll just flip a coin.
For what it's worth, I didn't think MichelleY was being offensive with the "gay friendly" comment, and I'm not worried about being hit on or offered drugs. That can happen anywhere. A simple "no" does the trick.

I didn't think it was "offensive" I just thought it was a very weird answer to your question.

I think PV is just more manageable because it's compact. You can walk most places and take a quick taxi ride to get to others. Los Cabos sprawls for miles. And miles. And more miles.

On the matter of "authenticity," you're not going to find romantic Old Mexico in Cabo San Lucas, with its splashy hotels and shopping malls and cruise ships and fast-food restaurants. But don't forget that Los Cabos means a lot more than Cabo San Lucas. I love San Jose del Cabo, the other Cabo. It has smaller boutique hotels and more intimate restaurants and the feel of a more traditional Mexican town. I always stay there.

I just noted that you will be going in January. Cabo can be very cool (Cold?) at that time. PV's weather is much more surer although I spend most of H+January even another 400 plus miles south of PV. I only go to Baja Sur in November/December or March/April.

Jeff- Next time you're passing thru Cabo San Lucas, try walking around more the downtown area. Inland from L. Cardenas Blvd. there's no fast food (unless you're talking taco stands) or splashy anything (unless you mean a fabric or local department store). The flash & splash is centered on Medano Beach and the Marina seemed to me, maybe out the Corridor? Take a look at www.mardecortez.com where I stayed you'll see what I mean.

Andrew: It may just come down to where you could get the best deal.

Our first trip to PV was several years back. We ended up staying north of PV in Nuevo Vallarta. This is a planned resort area with huge hotels etc. Not handy to the action in PV proper. Our trip last year, we stayed closer to PV south of the town. It was great for just relaxing on a great beach, then taking a quick bus ride to town for dinner. The surroundings are green & tropical.

In Cabo, we have stayed at both small and large hotels. But we go for the beach, pool, food & cocktails. We don't go for culture or nightlife. The desert has a different type of beauty. Flights from where we live in N. California have better connections to Cabo, so that is why it get the edge over PV.

Good luck and have fun.

Both places a little too cool in my opinion for many of the things the op wishes to do in January! I'm with Stew.
I'd head further south still to Zihuatanejo at that time of the year (just to throw a wrench in things).

I was in Cabo in 1st week of February this year. While it got a bit coolish at night (say you'd want a lightweight jacket if you're eating outdoors on a restaurant patio or out on the water) it was hardly what I'd call "cold"! The days were gorgeous, sunny, high 70's low 80's I'd guess. Cooling off at night and early mornings. Perfect pool/beach weather during the daytime.