How do PV and Acapulco compare as far as safety, cleanlieness, activities, etc?

We would like to travel in Jan/Feb and want to be in a place where we can walk around and do a few cool eco-tourist type things (hiking, whale watching, sight-seeing, etc).

I originally wanted Pv as my first choice but Using our timeshare it seems like it will be difficult getting a place in the city during our time frame--there are several opeinings in Acapulco however...

PV is safer and cleaner (at least, last time I saw Acapulco).
No whale watching in Acapulco. Less fast traffic in town and more hiking possibilities.

Would it still be worth it if we have to stay in Nuevo Vallarta? The timeshare thing is limiting us a little. (as I mentioned in an earlier post, we much perfer to see the local "flavor" over resort areas)

I've been to Acapulco twice and to Vallarta four times. Acapulco has a stunning location and you can see why it was really popular in the 1950's and early 60's, but now there are too many people, and there is a lot more crime and traffic.

<b>We would like to travel in Jan/Feb and want to be in a place where we can walk around and do a few cool eco-tourist type things </b>

I think you are better off in Vallarta for this type of trip.

<b>there are several opeinings in Acapulco however</b>

There's a reason for that ...

<b>Would it still be worth it if we have to stay in Nuevo Vallarta?</b>

I personally would rather stay in Neuvo than Acapulco (I've never actually stayed in Nuevo but have driven thru it on the way to San Blas north of Vallarta).

Bill

1. Sure, I'd rather stay in Puerto Vallarta than out in Nuevo.

2. But I'd rather stay in Nuevo than go to Acapulco

Honestly... I've never been to Acapulco (and been to PV ~20 times) but I know it is a much larger and more urban city.

Dear Wanderer:

We stayed at the Grand Mayan in NV several years ago. It was VERY nice. I would stay there again. Don't stress about NV. It is fine.

Here is a link to our trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34729818

Good luck,

MY

Excellent! Thank you all so much for the great advice, I think i'm going to look into Nuevo vallarta a bit more. Now I'm really excited about my trip!!

Two very different experiences. I have enjoyed both but much prefer PV over all.
What Aca has that PV does not is better beaches, the cliff divers &amp; a most fascinating area just South of there called Costa Chico a unique area populate by Mexicans of African decent. The area has incredible beaches, wonderful friendly people (little English spoken) &amp; no fancy hotels. If you choose to go as we did we took a tent &amp; sleeping bags neither of which we used instead sleeping on the beach in hammocks under netting. Not for the timid.
PS 4 wheel drive highly recommended.