Playa del Carmen vs Tulum: Which is Better for You? - (2024)

It’s only an hour on the road between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, but these two areas of the Riviera Maya are worlds apart in the experience they offer. Whether you’re heading to this region of Mexico for a short vacation or a prolonged stay, you’ll want to weigh up Playa del Carmen vs Tulum. After all, where you decide to base yourself will dictate how much you enjoy your time in this idyllic part of Mexico.

We spent a total of 2 months across these two towns, around a month in each. So, we’re right in the balance of short and long-term, meaning we have experience of what you’d want from a short trip and managing the things that crop up with long-term stays.

Anyway, let’s get to comparing these two amazing yet incredibly contrasting vacation destinations.

Playa del Carmen vs Tulum Comparison Table

The Lowdown on Playa del Carmen

The city of Playa del Carmen has a population of more than 300,000 people, so when considering Playa del Carmen vs Tulum, don’t come here expecting deserted beaches, tranquillity and calm – it’s not the place for that. However, what you will get from Playa is an abundance of choice for food and shopping, a blend of cosmopolitan city living and beautiful beaches, and everything is easily accessible and walkable.

Key Characteristics of Playa del Carmen

• Vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere.
• Fifth Avenue is the bustling main street, full of shops and restaurants.
• Highly walkable, especially in the downtown area.
• Lots of luxury resorts, budget hotels and Airbnb rentals.
• Great dining scene with options for international and local cuisine.
• Home to Mexico’s best rated food tour.
• Suitable for families, party-goers, shopping and beach lovers.
• Lively nightlife with a variety of bars and clubs.
• Accessible beaches, popular for their lively vibe.
• Well-connected with local transport options like taxis and colectivos (shared vans).
• The city is right on the beach.

Pros and Cons of Staying in Playa del Carmen

Pros:

• The energetic city vibe with a bustling nightlife.
• Beautiful beaches that are easily accessible.
• Most areas, especially downtown, are easily walkable.
• A lot of food options, including international and local cuisine.
• Numerous shopping options from high-end stores to local markets.
• A variety of accommodation, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly hotels and apartments.
• Easy access to amazing cenotes in the area.

Cons:

• It can be quite busy, especially during peak seasons.
• Some areas feel overly touristy and commercialised
• Popular beaches often get crowded.
• Nightlife, city buzz and traffic can be loud in certain areas.
• Main tourist areas are pricey. You’ll have to leave the touristy 5th Avenue and Downtown area to find more affordable food and accommodation.

The Lowdown on Tulum

Tulum is an up-and-coming boho town that has gained serious popularity in recent years. With pictures of its beautiful powdery-white sand beaches all over social media, it’s easy to see why. This eco-focussed town has lots of boutique shops and independent restaurants and still maintains some of its classic small Mexican town vibe. However, with the popularity comes lots of construction, and Tulum is expanding rapidly – its very own airport opened in December 2023!

Key Characteristics of Tulum

• A laid-back, relaxed and bohemian atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing.
• Stunning beaches that are known for their powdery soft white sand and clear waters.
• An eco-friendly focus with many accommodations and activities emphasising sustainability.
• Close to Mayan ruins, cenotes, and other historical sites like Coba.
• Popular for yoga retreats and health-focused eateries.
• Boutique accommodations, such as condo buildings, eco-conscious hotels and family resorts.
• A more authentic, nature-centric and less commercialised experience.
• Quieter evenings focused more on casual dining and relaxation than partying.
• Beaches and downtown are disconnected and not walkable.

🌮 Although you might rent a bike or other transport in Tulum, you shouldspend some time on your feetdoing this5-star walking food tour in Tulum.It takes you to some of the best local spots to try authentic Mexican dishes!

Pros and Cons of Staying in Tulum

Pros:

• A chic but casual beachy town vibe.
• Beautiful, less crowded beaches.
• Opportunities to snorkel with turtles and stingrays.
• Focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
• Easy access to amazing cenotes in the area.
• Close to Mayan ruins and Parque Nacional Tulum.
• Boutique and unique accommodations.
• Health and wellness-oriented activities and dining.
• Easy to get around on a bike.

You Might Love: 23 Most Instagrammable Places in Tulum

Cons:

• The beach and town center are quite distant, requiring transportation.
• Limited nightlife and fewer entertainment options.
• Potentially higher costs, especially in boutique hotels and beachfront resorts.
• Less variety in shopping than in more commercialised areas.
• Taxis and local transportation can be more expensive.
• A lot of construction noise and dust.
• Roads get busy, so driving a car in Tulum isn’t recommended.

Beaches: Playa del Carmen vs Tulum

One of the great things about Playa del Carmen is beach accessibility. Firstly, they’re within easy walking distance – the city is built right on the beach, and there are some amazing hidden gems like Punta Maroma. Secondly, there are so many public access points. However, some beaches can get incredibly crowded, and at certain times throughout the year, sargassum seaweed can overwhelm certain stretches of sand.

On the other hand, one of Tulum’s major selling points is the incredibly powder-like white sand and jaw-dropping bright blue waters, perfect for snorkelling with the seas turtles! The beaches are wide, with plenty of space to find a secluded spot. However, getting to the beach is a mission. If you choose to stay in downtown Tulum, it’s going to be a very long walk, a hot cycle, or an expensive taxi ride to the beach. Also, as you get into the hotel zone, they don’t make it easy to get to the beach. You have to find one of a few public access points or pay at one of the expensive beach clubs or bars.

🌴 On thishalf-day luxury sailing catamaran excursion,get out on the water on a luxury catamaran and snorkel withfish, stingrays and turtles in the crystal clear waters of Tulum beach. This tour also includes agourmet lunch,open barandpick up.

Overall, in the Playa del Carmen vs Tulum debate, Tulum has the better beaches, there’s no arguing that. But, if you want accessibility, Playa del Carmen will be the best choice for you. So, bear this in mind when choosing between Playa del Carmen vs Tulum for your vacation.

🛍️ Top Tip: Pack your camera (this is our camera),tripod,sunscreen, abeach towelor mat, water in athermal bottle and snacks when you visit the beaches in Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

Accommodation: Playa del Carmen vs Tulum

Both Playa del Carmen and Tulum have plenty of accommodation options for all budgets.

In Playa del Carmen, you’ll find more traditional all-inclusive-style resorts and expensive apartment options in dated condo buildings.

🚘 Haven’t arrangedgetting to and from Cancun airportfrom Playa del Carmen yet?This private transferwill get you there quickly and in comfort. And, it meansyou won’t have to wait in line for a busy bus.

On the flip side, in Tulum, you’ll find plenty of budget-friendly hostels (particularly in the downtown area). Also, with lots of new construction going on, there are some seriously cool and luxurious apartment buildings that aren’t too expensive. However, the budget-friendly options are few and far between the closer you get to the hotel zone. Expect to pay top-tier prices in Tulum’s boutique, eco-conscious resorts.

🚘 Haven’t arrangedgetting to and from Cancun airportfrom Tulum yet?This 5-star private transferwill get you there quickly and in comfort. And, it meansyou won’t have to wait in line for a busy bus.

Overall, you won’t notice much difference in accommodation options in Playa del Carmen vs Tulum. Personally, we wouldn’t recommend letting accommodation dictate where you choose to stay. Take a look at all of the things you want to do, the beaches you prefer, and the types of places you want to eat and consider the vibe you’re looking for. From there, you can choose between Playa and Tulum because they both have plenty of accommodation options available.

Things to Do: Playa del Carmen vs Tulum

As Tulum and Playa del Carmen are so close to each other, the list of things to do is pretty much the same. Most people who visit this region will find themselves spending a lot of time in the area between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Along this highway, you’ll find some of the best cenotes, attractions like Xplor and Xel-Ha, Tulum’s Mayan Ruins, eco-parks and much more.

Furthermore, both Tulum and Playa are ideally located for day trips to Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel and Chichen Itza. However, Playa del Carmen offers more direct ferry connections, making it a more convenient choice for island hopping. Tulum, while offering access to the same islands, requires additional travel to ferry departure points, making trips slightly less direct but still feasible.

You Might Love: How to Get From Playa Del Carmen to Isla Mujeres: The Easiest and Cheapest Way

🎒 Things to Do in Playa del Carmen

Here’s a list of some of the best things to do in Playa del Carmen to help you make your choice between Playa del Carmen vs Tulum:

1. Visit Chichen Itza, San Lorenzo Oxman Cenote and Valladolid.
2. Eat your way through Playa del Carmen’s local and hidden gem food spots on a walking food tour (read our review of this here).
3. Have lunch on a luxury catamaran, snorkel and visit Isla Mujeres.
4. Experience the thrill of horseback riding through the jungle and swimming in a cenote.
5. Drive a buggy through the jungle, swim in a cenote and visit a Mayan village.
6. Uncover the stunning underground river and crystal caves of Rio Secreto.
7. Explore the ancient Coba ruins, swim in Multun-Ha cenote and relax at Paradise Beach.

🎒 Discover more things to do in Playa del Carmen.

🎒 Things to Do in Tulum

Here’s are some of the best things to do in Tulum to help you make your choice between Playa del Carmen vs Tulum:

1. Discover the iconic Tulum Ruins archaeological site and cool off in a nearby cenote.
2. Go on a guided tour of Tulum, snorkel in a lagoon and enjoy a beachside lunch.
3. Experience the biodiversity of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and the remote village of Punta Allen.
4. Visit 4 private cenotes(!), zip lines and have lunch in a Mayan Village.
5. Snorkel with sea turtles at Akumal Beach.
6. Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum – Dive into the flavors of Mexico with a cooking class in a local Tulum home. Learn to cook traditional dishes from scratch and enjoy a mezcal tasting session.

🎒 Discover more things to do in Tulum.

Tulum vs Playa del Carmen: Which Should You Choose?

You should visit Playa del Carmen if:

• You’re looking for lively nightlife
• Enjoy the hustle and bustle of a city
• Want everything to be within easy walking distance or a cheap taxi ride away
• Are working with a tighter budget
• Want the comfort of being in a built-up tourist area

You should visit Tulum if:

• You’re looking for a relaxed vibe
• Like aesthetic, organic and eco-focussed restaurants
• Want to be closer to pristine idyllic beaches
• Have more budget to play with (it can be done cheaply though)
• Prefer to be in nature than the city
• Like small-town vibes

It’s Time to Decide: Playa del Carmen vs Tulum?

We’ve reached the end of our comparison of Playa del Carmen vs Tulum. Even though they’re only separated by an hour or so of highway, Tulum and Playa are very different places. However, after spending a month in each, we know that you’re in for an incredible trip either way. Here’s a few top tips to help you when you have decided where to stay.

• If you choose Tulum, the closer you stay to the beach, the more expensive it will be.
• We found the food in the hotel zone to be overpriced and not great – Tulum centro is cheaper and better.
• Taxis in Tulum are stupidly expensive. If you don’t mind the ride, rent a bike instead.
• Stay close to, but not on, 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen, it’s cheaper, not noisy and still walkable.
• Don’t eat on 5th avenue. There are so many amazing places to eat that don’t carry the tourist trap cost.