Big Island or Puerto Vallarta for a solo Christmas break?

As u know they are quite diff. I have been to both. I would recom Big island over PV. I find the big island very diverse with a selection of environments , gorgeous scenery and varied activities incl sports.
I would relax better also. Crime is low and language is not a barrier.

PV is more resort based and water and food borne illness a poss prob.
That is imp to consider imo.

It would be an easy selection for me. Book your lodging and air soon for holidays in hawaii.

Depends what you are looking for. Big Island is better if you like to be active doing things like hiking, snorkeling, surfing, seeing diverse ecosystems and relaxing in a quiet place in your down time. Puerto Vallarta more if you want a resort type vacation with a lively tourist city vibe. The style of food is also very different. Do you want Mexican or the pan Asian variety you get in Hawaii. You can save a lot of money eating out in Hawaii by eating a Plate lunches mid day and having a light dinner. Cooking is great in Hawaii too if you can locate a fish market and farm stands and you can eat very well with very fresh simple meals for dinner and break fast and try the various lunch cuisine at local places. My style generally prefers the Big Island. It is my favorite tropical/beach type vacation I have been to.

Yes, such a first world problem. Both are great and as you note, different. If visiting the Big Island, a car is a must, while public transit and taxis are definitely the way to get about Puerto Vallarta. From my limited flight searches, I don't understand your belief that it's easier to fly to the KOA airport versus the PVR airport. Both offer fun in the sun, with Puerto Vallarta offering Mexican charm and a plethora of wonderful restaurants (modest to deluxe) and activities/tours . Surely you've searched various tourism websites and found activities/tours that would suit you. I disagree as to concerns of food or water illnesses in Puerto Vallarta as I've never been sick despite many trips there and elsewhere in Mexico. Just use common sense, as you would during all travels. The worst food poisoning I've experienced was from a meal at a hotel near LAX Airport. Make a decision and have a blast.

Thanks for the input thus far; the variety of insights are informative & helpful, both with this trip and any future excursions. To quickly respond to Bruce: the reason it's easier to fly to the KOA airport versus the PVR airport is because I can go to KOA direct, non-stop from right here in Bellingham, Washington. Beginning this November, and through April 1, Alaska will offer a Saturday flight each direction. Pretty darn simple & attractive! Re water-borne & food illnesses, that isn't high on my radar. I spent the past 20 years raising five sons on a dairy farm. 'nuff said! ;-D

I would pick PV. For me a truly relaxing vacation means no driving. I love to be able to walk to restaurants & shopping.

Marina Vallarta is a favorite place for us.

Well, I've been to both a couple of times and would have no hesitation. I'd take a day in Hawaii over a week just about anywhere. Beautiful scenery, friendly people, "aloha spirit" which for my money is truly more than a slogan developed by some tourism board. The big island is laid back by comparison, both to other islands and PV; a car is essential IMO. It is also not hard, nor crazy expensive to fly to another island and combine two, or daytrip....the latter a bit tougher, but friends have done it, say to Oahu for a day to see Pearl Harbor. I am not one to get too hyped about global affairs, but after many years I have pretty much moved Mexico off the list for many reasons. We have been to many Caribbean islands and many beach resorts (in Mexico or elsewhere), and I still think Hawaii is the most beautiful place I've visited. Good luck and safe travels. Aloha!?

Having been both places, I wouldn't say they are that similar. You can't really swim in the ocean in PV (currents and waves), and it's not socio-economically the same as Hawaii (I had to read to be sure that you didn't mean Cozumel or some Mexican island. Please don't use ambiguous terms.)

The old town in PV is kind of echo-y and dusty with the ghosts of Elizabeth Taylor's era. Hawaii has more things to do, and I found it much more expensive. How reliable are your cost estimates? There is less annoying retail on most Hawaiian beaches. I am inclined to think that Hawaii is safer at night for a single woman, but I don't know the actual statistics. We certainly walked around PV with no fears in daylight, but I don't know what the streets are like at night. Note that Nyarit and the old town are quite different. The "new" PV seemed to me to be getting developed at the expense of the old PV.

Oh yes...we used Hawaii Discount rental several times on our last visit...great prices and no problems.

I'm also a fan of Hawaiian Discount Car Rental. I rented a Jeep Wrangler 4x4 from them. It was great having the extra clearance, as so many roads on the Big Island are rural style. There's also nothing like driving down the coast highway with the top down! Especially if the whales are migrating.

I'm biased on Hawaii, but I've spent a lot of time doing archeology and cave mapping there. I still haven't finished exploring all the wonderful places. I've spent lots of time there as a single female and felt very at home there.

Suggestions:

• Snorkel Bob's near the airport has a good weekly rental of snorkel gear. No need to bring it in your carry on.
• Kens House of Pancakes, Hilo (get their crab cakes and pancake breakfast with lilikoi syrup). They used to give you pot of coffee. This is the Hawaii version of Dennys. Get there early.
• Punalu'u beach on the way to Ka Lae (could do this as part of your transfer from Kona to Volcano/Hilo)
• Roast your own coffee in Captain Cook. It is also home of the Chocolate Factory tour (make reservations)
• Schedule a tour of one of the lava tubes on the island (NOT Thurston). Hawaii is home to the longest and largest lava tubes in the world. I'm biased toward Kula Kai Caverns (need reservations). This is one of the longer lava tubes and has many archeology sites in cave. You can go as a regular commercial cave tour or take the spelunking tour (really good). Disclosure: These are friends of mine and I helped explore and map this cave. It's still great. Wear trash pants and Tee for this activity. Jeans work well on the sharp lava. (They are located down by Ka Lae). As an alternative, you could go to Kazumura cave near Volcano.
• Schedule a star party on top of Mauna Kea. They take up for a sunset on top of the mountain (always good weather that high) and then descend down to 9,000 feet to the Onizuka station for star gazing. I went with Hawaii Forest and Trail - they provide parkas (but bring silk long johns too). This is Kona side.
• Hike out at dusk to see the lava flow. There are many, many, many people and you won't be alone. Bring leather gloves and a headlamp. wear your headlamp on your wrist to highlight the uneven lava when walking back (on your head flattens the relief).
• Stop by Kailua Candy company (near Costco, a few miles from the airport) and pick up chocolate before heading home. Their Kona Coffee swirls, guava truffles, and Kona Coffee bark are incredible.
• Stop by Kuhio Grill in Prince Kuhio Plaza for Lau Lau and purple poi. This is Hilo side.
• Think about one of the many botanical gardens
• Make sure you get to the Volcano Observatory
• The Tsunami Museum in Hilo is fun
• Hilo farmers market has lots of yummy food. Wed and Sat
• Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park near some fun snorkeling (Two Step)

One advisory - It can get really cold in Hawaii and snows at the higher elevations. I am an outdoors person so always bring good hiking boots (sharp lava), silk long underwear, good sweater, etc. It can be 90 degrees in Kona and 30 degrees higher up. Hawaii has 9 of the 11 climate areas. If you stay on the beach you'll only need summer clothes. If you want to see real Hawaii bring long johns and good rain gear.

Having been both places, I wouldn't say they are that similar. You can't really swim in the ocean in PV (currents and waves), and it's not socio-economically the same as Hawaii (I had to read to be sure that you didn't mean Cozumel or some Mexican island. Please don't use ambiguous terms.)

We've had no problems swimming in PV. Cancun on the other hand...that has some fierce currents & waves. Only once you go south to Playa and have Cozumel as a break does the east coast have swim-able water.

If you haven't gotten it yet, get the Big Island Revealed Guide Book...KInd of the Rick Steves book of Hawaii in my opinion. Our friend who grew up on the Big Island was thumbing through it when we visited and kept saying I cant believe they know about this place as well as they do.

Thank you again for sharing your opinions & advice. I jumped off the fence and landed on the side of Hawaii (the Big Island). The ease of hopping a direct flight from my backyard airport during the busy holiday travel season is just too good to pass up. Hopefully I can make it down to PV soon, maybe even next spring for a few days. Happy & safe travels, all!