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Tulum or Playa Del Carmen: Which Is Better?

There are so many amazing places to explore in the Yucatan that it can sometimes feel overwhelming making a decision. With some incredible beaches there might just be too many choices for you to pick! So if you’re between Tulum and Playa del Carmen you’ve come to the right place to help.

I’ve spent time in both places and know a thing or two about the pros and cons of visiting each. They certainly both have their reasons to visit but depending on your travel style, budget, and trip you’re looking to have you’ll find one is better suited to your needs.

So… Tulum or Playa del Carmen? Which one is the better fit for you? All the pros and cons of each are outlined below to help you decide which Riviera Maya destination is the right fit.

Tulum or Playa del Carmen: A quick glance

If you would have asked me about Playa del Carmen or Tulum even five years ago my response would have looked much different. While Tulum used to be one of the quietest backpacker gems in the Yucatan in recent years it had a glow up with modern resorts popping up along the coastline.

And that goes to say that the comparison has changed with the years as well. So here’s the quickest breakdown I can give you on how to choose each one.

Can you visit both? Absolutely! Keep in mind that even if you choose Tulum or Playa del Carmen it doesn't mean you can't take a day trip to visit the other. Tulum has some amazing Mayan Ruins and incredible beaches that even if you decide Playa del Carmen is the better fit you can totally spend a day in Tulum!

why choose Playa Del Carmen

Playa del Carmen feels more touristy with locals standing outside their shops asking you to eat at their restaurant, music blasting from clubs along the main strip, and of course there is a Hard Rock Cafe. It’s a fun time and certainly has a vibe, especially if you’re into nightlife and silly souvenirs.

But Playa del Carmen isn’t exactly what your first impression. might be. If you get off the main strip you’ll find local gems to eat and some unique activities, too. Playa del Carmen also is extremely walkable and a quick Ado bus ride (and soon to be train ride with the upcoming Maya Train) from the Cancun airport making it easy to get to.

And as to staying in this touristy city you’ll find that accommodations, especially along the beach are cheaper than Tulum while being in close walking distance to restaurants and bars. And if you like using points and miles to book your hotel rooms you have more options that are cheaper to book, too.

Why choose Tulum

While Tulum’s newfound popularity has come with a more touristy feel but certainly different than Playa del Carmen. Yes, it is touristy but it’s more about the boho feel that’s not totally authentic to Mexico. You’ll find shops selling whicker bags and hammocks and restaurants with California-style burritos and acai bowls everywhere. And there is a strong focus on sustainability with solar-power and farm-to-table dining experiences.

And Tulum’s quieter charm and nicer beaches brings higher costs, especially with its newfound popularity. You can save money staying in Tulum Pueblo, which is a quick bike or car ride to the beach, but the prices are also increasing inland. Food, too, is more expensive in Tulum.

But if you know where to look you can still find deals, just don’t expect acai bowls with local prices. There are also many things to do there are near Tulum, with access to historic sites, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and many amazing cenotes. If you can DIY these experiences they can still be fairly affordable, too.

Let’s compare them

Cost to Visit

By quick comparison Tulum is more expensive than Playa del Carmen. Between accommodation and food prices you’ll end up spending a lot more for a similar experience if you choose Tulum, especially staying on the coast. Tulum caters towards a specific kind of traveler who enjoys boutique hotel experiences with high-end finishes and that brings higher prices.

If you plan to stay long-term you’ll find more options and cheaper rentals in Playa del Carmen, too. This is mostly just due to general supply and demand but certainly worth noting.

Overall you’ll find that Playa del Carmen is cheaper than Tulum. Between your accommodation, food, and entertainment you’ll need to budget a sizable difference to choose Tulum over Playa del Carmen.

Where you’ll stay

Playa del Carmen has a lot more hotel options along the beachfront for an affordable rate. Luxury hotels along the beach will cost you around $200 a night. And staying just a few blocks inland can cut that cost by more than half.

By comparison a luxury beachfront hotel in Tulum will cost you $300+ a night. And there are far fewer mid-tier and budget hotel options along the beachfront, too. And while staying inland in Tulum is also cheaper it’s much further from the beach to get your costs down.

As to other hotel options, Tulum and Playa del Carmen both have boutique hotels but I find I gravitate to Tulum’s more so. They are super trendy at a good price, especially in the Pueblo. You can find beach clubs at both Tulum and Playa del Carmen, too. So even if you don’t stay at an expensive beachfront hotel you can easily buy access for the days you want to visit.

I've stayed at the Thompson Main House for free (yes, $0) in Playa del Carmen, which is a great use of World of Hyatt points! ✨ How I did it. ✨

All-inclusive Options

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort, Tulum has some of the best new resorts nowadays. You’ll find some incredible options right outside of the main hotel beach zone, which makes it easy to leave the resort for daily activities. But Tulum’s resorts (like the other beachfront hotels) are expensive compared to Playa del Carmens, too.

Walkability

Playa del Carmen is far more walkable than Tulum. Tulum is split into two main areas with the beach and town about 3 miles apart. If your hotel includes bikes (or you rent them) this makes it a lot easier to get around the sizable town with many areas to explore.

By contract Playa del Carmen is just walkable by design. Even if you’re staying inland you’ll only be a few blocks from the beach. And local restaurants are only a handful of blocks from the tourist strip, too.

The largest difference in walkability, to me, is the cost. In Tulum taxis are expensive for tourists with a very high gringo tax to get around. You can take the local collectivo but you might not feel comfortable doing so.

Food Options

I personally prefer the food options in Tulum over Playa del Carmen because it’s easier to access the local restaurants, which are far cheaper, than it is in Playa del Carmen. There are also more upscale food choices in Tulum with beautifully designed patios that make your dining experience memorable, too.

Playa del Carmen does have some good food options, too, but you have to do a bit more digging to find them.

Things to do

Both Playa del Carmen and Tulum have similar activities when it comes to lounging at the beaches or taking a trip to one of the many cenotes. But while Playa del Carmen is built more for shopping and nightlife you’ll find Tulum has more cultural activities, like the Tulum Ruins and Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

Both Tulum and Playa del Carmen do offer day trips to things like cenotes and ruins with some guided trips being to the same destinations.

Working Remotely

Those with the ability to work remotely as digital nomads will find both destinations have great places to work. Playa del Carmen might have a slight edge, as it has a lot of expats living here. There are many co-working spaces available and ways to meet other expats compared to Tulum.

Nightlife

The nightlife options in Playa del Carmen are pretty much endless whereas Tulum shuts down after midnight. If you’re into having a lot of live music and bars to choose from Playa del Carmen certainly has Tulum beat. Not to say that Tulum doesn’t have that – it’s just not as many options.

Getting there

With Tulum’s new direct airport and the new Tren Maya it’s now easier than ever to visit Tulum or Playa del Carmen. And while Tulum does have its own airport you can still get to either Tulum or Playa through the Cancun airport, too.

Here, the difference between the destinations is obsolete.

Beaches

If you ask any Mexican from the Yucatan they’ll certainly tell you that Tulum has the superior beaches. In fact most Mexicans I’ve met who live in Playa del Carmen tell me they go to the public beach in Tulum on their days off. Tulum’s beaches are pristine and considered some of the best in Mexico.

But while not as pristine in Playa del Carmen the beaches are far more accessible and can be walked to. While those in Tulum will generally require a bike or car to access.

As someone who isn’t really a beach person I don’t see much of a difference but I’m sure if you plan to enjoy the beach daily Tulum would be the better choice.

Accommodation Options in Tulum and playa del Carmen

I’ve put together a quick list of some of my favorite places to stay in both Tulum and Playa del Carmen to help you find somewhere that’ll make your trip extra special (on a budget, of course).

>> Want to learn how to earn free hotel nights? Find 3 easy ways to score your first free night.

Where To Stay In Pueblo

Where To Stay On Tulum Beach

Where to stay in Playa del Carmen

the final verdict: Playa del Carmen vs. Cancun

Of course the decision is entirely up to you but as someone who has spent considerably time in both Playa del Carmen and Tulum I’d choose Tulum every time. Even with the additional cost the town is smaller and there is just more things to do that I enjoy than Playa del Carmen has.

FAQs

Is it better to go to Playa del Carmen or Tulum?

That’s totally up to you! I’ve outlined the case for both Playa del Carmen and Tulum and it’s up to you to decide which experience best aligns with your travel interest and trip budget.

Is Tulum or Playa del Carmen safer?

Statistics show that Playa del Carmen and Tulum are relatively similar in terms of safety. But having traveled to both locations I’ve found both to be very safe to walk around, even at night. Like any travel destination be mindful of your belongings and you’ll be fine.

More Mexico Tips + Inspiration

I hope you found this post helpful is deciding if you want to visit Playa del Carmen or Cancun! Having been to both I know you’ll have a great time no matter what you decide. If you want more helpful Mexico trip itinerary, tips and more be sure to look below:

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