Back from Puerto Vallarta - differences from Zihuatanejo

We just took an epic trip, we flew to Manzanillo then drove to La Barra De Navidad then to Manzanilla then to PV then to San Pancho and finally to Rincon de Guayobitos.

The destination we first grew to love in Mexico was obv Zihuatanejo, over the years with more frequent travel to Mexico, our new love is the PV area, which while busier and larger had a lot to offer in the surrounding towns like San Pancho, Guayobitos, Mismaloya, Yelapa and has the same relaxed vibe as Zih just in a more upscale, urban way.

We still adore Zih and want to give it another chance but are waiting for some changes. We still think nothing in Mexico compares to the Guerreran coastline in terms of beauty but La Barra de Navidad's coast does come close with that awesome tradewind and beautiful sunsets. However, PV has a more refined and delicate beauty with more temperate summers.

To each their own.

".........PV has a more refined and delicate beauty with more temperate summers."

....and winter temperatures that are less dependable than Zihua's. Lots of daytime highs last winter in the 22-24 C range in PV - not my kind of beach weather. That's just one of the reasons I prefer Zihua.

Holymole

I agree with you that the winter weather further south in Guerrero is better but the summer weather in PV is better - far more temperate, high 70s, low 80s.

So in the summer it's puerto vallarta, and the winter zihuatanejo. sounds good to me.

We haven't been in PV beyond about 12 May, but I vividly recall how oppressive the humidity was then, compared to, say February/March. Not surprising.

I did track temperature and humidity for a year or so in a half-dozen spots in Mexico. The numbers at least confirmed one thing I'd heard: that summers in Mazatlan appear to be hotter and more humid there than in Zihua, 700 miles further south.
( Didn't track PV figures 'cuz it wasn't on our list of possible places to live.)

I must say the temps were a bit off in PVR last Mar. when we were there. Wished I would packed my fleece, which I didn't, for a couple mornings. Even during the days I had a hard time breaking a sweat no matter how many Pacifico's I drank. I think it had something to do with LaNina(sp)? But,this is just me, if you want Weather, Natural Beauty and a laid-back atmosphere, head South young man to Z!

Spent a month, a year ago last Christmas at a friend's villa in Guayabitos. Did not mind the temperature at all. We are people who do not mind high heat and humidity. Lived too many years in the UAE. In fact, at night it would go down to around 62 and daytime around 80. Perfect for walks, golf, biking, and tennis. Used the AC very little at night, mainly the ceiling fans and the balcony doors open. A five minute walk over the swinging walkway brings you to La Penita, a wonderful little town where we ate and brought alot of groceries etc. Guayabitos is quite gringo, La Penita isn't. There are lots of nice little communties close by. Never swim in the slough, so water temp is not a factor for us.

Jiminy Christmas Dave. I sincerely hope you don't swim in the slough. (small matter of occasional sewage overflows). For all that, the Nayarit Coast is a great area and la Penita makes a good base of operations.