Puerto Vallarta isn’t chasing the pack this year; it’s part of the pack that sets the pace. Allianz Partners’ new Thanksgiving index again places Vallarta among the three most-booked international spots for Americans, alongside Cancún and Los Cabos. That’s the story headliners are built on; the sunshine supporting cast is strong, but Vallarta’s name is on the marquee.
The ranking is based on more than 700,000 insured round-trip itineraries leaving U.S. airports Nov. 22–27 and returning Nov. 28–Dec. 2. It’s the exact holiday window, which means the index captures the real crunch travelers feel when they trade sweaters for swimwear. Read the methodology and list in the Allianz release.
Vallarta’s staying power isn’t new. Trade outlets summarizing the report note a five-year streak with Mexico’s beach trio locking the top three for international Thanksgiving travel—Cancún usually first, San José del Cabo second, and Puerto Vallarta right there in the top tier.
Why Vallarta keeps winning, with Cabo and Cancún in support
Start with access and feel. Vallarta’s airport offers nonstop lift from dozens of U.S. and Canadian cities, then hands travelers a city that still feels lived-in once they leave the resort gate. That mix keeps repeaters loyal, while Cancún and Los Cabos amplify Mexico’s overall appeal with large-scale resort inventory and frequent flights. National data backs the dynamic: the airports with the most foreign passengers include Cancún, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta, the same trio Americans flood during holiday weeks.
Inbound demand is broad, but it’s not identical across markets. Through July, U.S. air arrivals remained concentrated through Cancún and Los Cabos, while Canada’s holiday-season snowbirds split heavily between Cancún and Puerto Vallarta—a nice lift for Vallarta as winter nears.
Capacity tells the rest of the story. Puerto Vallarta’s airport operator is mid-investment on a terminal plan that will double capacity, a signal that long-term demand is expected to grow, not fade.
Short-term momentum looks decent, too. GAP’s latest passenger bulletin shows Puerto Vallarta up 2.6% in September year over year, while Los Cabos dipped in the same month—evidence that Vallarta’s curve is steady heading into peak season.
For travelers, the takeaway is simple: if you’re late booking, pivot dates. Departures bunch just before Thursday; returns stack Sunday and Monday. Saturday returns or mid-week slides can save money and stress. For the industry, Vallarta deserves the hero shot in Thanksgiving creative right now, with Cancún and Cabo carrying the supporting frames that keep Mexico dominant in late November. And that dominance is the point: Puerto Vallarta Thanksgiving travel isn’t a blip—it’s the backbone of a five-year habit Americans don’t seem ready to quit.
