Tulum vs Playa del Carmen: Which is Better in 2024?

Planning a trip to Mexico and can’t decide between Tulum and Playa del Carmen? You’ve come to the right guide!

As a travel blogger that lives in Playa del Carmen, I know all about these two popular beach destinations and I’m here to share what each one is really like!

While both make amazing destinations for a beach vacation, Tulum and Playa del Carmen are very different, and are suited for different types of travelers.

In this ultimate Tulum vs Playa del Carmen comparison guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about how the two travel destinations compare when it comes to hotels, beaches, nightlife, safety, costs, and more.

Plus, you’ll learn more about the pros and cons of each one!

Ready to find out which of these Mexican beach towns is best for you? Let’s get started!

When it comes to choosing between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, it really depends on your personal vacation preferences.

With its widespread untouched beaches and chic bohemian vibe, Tulum is better if you’re looking for a more upscale and eco-friendly vacation experience.

You’ll find plenty of yoga retreats, vegan restaurants, and earthy boutique hotels that will come at a much higher price tag.

On the other hand, Playa del Carmen is better if you prefer a mix of relaxation and excitement. It has a more developed infrastructure than Tulum, with a variety of resorts, restaurants, and activities to choose from.

Playa del Carmen is a more down-to-earth destination. Plus, it’s more walkable and can be much more affordable than Tulum.

Both have their own unique charm, so it really depends on what kind of vacation experience you’re looking for.

While only 1 hour apart, Tulum and Playa del Carmen are completely different and each has its own distinct vibe.

If you’re able, I would highly encourage visiting them both to get to see for yourself what each town is like even if it’s just for a quick Playa del Carmen or Tulum day trip.

But if you’re limited on time and are trying to decide where to spend your vacation days, here’s a quick overview of each destination:

Tulum, Mexico is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world attracting celebrities, influencers, and the wealthy elite.

Situated on the Yucatan Peninsula about 2 hours south of Cancun, Tulum is known for its untouched beaches, clear blue waters, and oceanfront Mayan ruins.

The town of Tulum touts a kind of hippy chic spirituality with an excess of trendy hotels, restaurants, and boutiques, all designed with Tulum’s earthy design aesthetic.

Design elements in Tulum include earthy exteriors, thatched roofs, and natural bohemian elements all with an emphasis on eco-friendly design, making the entire town an Instagrammer’s paradise.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico is a laid-back beach destination located on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula just 1 hour south of Cancun.

Originally a small fishing village, the town has grown rapidly in recent years with a large expat and international community.

The area is known for its stunning turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and lively downtown area known as Fifth Avenue (“La Quinta Avenida” in Spanish).

There are also many restaurants, bars, and shops located in downtown Playa del Carmen and within short walking distance of the beach, making it a great place to explore and relax.

It’s no secret that Tulum has gained a reputation for attracting party-goers and spiritual seekers, who are known locally as the “Tuluminati”.

If you’re an artist, spiritual seeker, yoga enthusiast, or just someone who loves spending time in nature, you will probably love Tulum.

Eco-friendly travelers will also appreciate Tulum’s boutique eco-friendly hotels and commitment to sustainability.

But you don’t have to be a hippy, hardcore partier, or super spiritual person to have a good time in Tulum.

Your experience in Tulum can be exactly what you make it, and these types of experiences can be enjoyed or avoided depending on what you’re looking for.

With Tulum’s luxury bohemian vibe, it’s best suited for travelers with a higher budget who want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life for an upscale nature retreat.

On the other hand, Playa del Carmen is best suited for budget-conscious travelers looking for walkability and easy access to restaurants, beaches, and nightlife.

With its wide variety of hotels and all-inclusive resorts, it appeals to many different kinds of travelers whether you’re looking for a family-friendly vacation, honeymoon destination, or adults-only retreat.

As compared to Tulum, Playa del Carmen has a much more laid-back vibe and feels a little bit more down-to-earth.

Overall the town is more developed, so it’s easier to access public and private transportation, as well as shopping, entertainment, and attractions.

Playa del Carmen is also a great central hub for exploring other parts of Mexico, which makes it a great destination for solo travelers and digital nomads.

Next, let’s take a look at some of the Tulum Playa del Carmen pros and cons that I’ll discuss further in this post:

Tulum is generally a safe place to visit as long as you avoid illegal activity and take basic safety precautions.

If you plan to stay at your hotel or resort the entire time and steer clear of any drug activity, you will more than likely be fine traveling to Tulum.

It’s more the late-night and illegal activity where risks are higher and danger is more likely to occur.

As in any foreign destination, use common sense, avoid staying out late alone, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

As a solo female traveler who’s lived in Playa del Carmen for several years, I can say that I do feel relatively safe living in Playa del Carmen.

Yes, drug-related crime does exist in Playa del Carmen just as it does in Tulum but since the town is more developed and more heavily populated, it feels safer to be out and about during the day and at night.

I live pretty cautiously because I’ve learned what to avoid and how to stay safe in Playa del Carmen.

Safety is never guaranteed but if you take precautions and avoid trouble, most tourists will not have any safety issues while visiting Playa del Carmen.

Be sure to stay in well-lit areas at night, keep your belongings close to you, and don’t flash your cash around.

🚨 Do you need travel insurance for Mexico? Yes! Most insurance plans in your home country will not cover incidents abroad. I recommend using Travel Insurance Master, which is a handy travel insurance marketplace where you can compare policies. Get a FREE quote by clicking here!

When it comes to comparing costs, Tulum is definitely more expensive than Playa del Carmen.

In general, you can expect prices in Tulum for hotels, restaurants, and transportation to be about 30% higher than Playa del Carmen.

Tulum has become a popular destination for celebrities, influencers, and other wealthy individuals, which has only contributed to the rise in prices.

It’s probably one of the most expensive destinations in Mexico with prices comparable to much larger cities around the world.

Known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the beaches in Tulum are far superior to the beaches in downtown Playa del Carmen.

With turquoise waters and powder white sand, the beaches in Tulum are more widespread and untouched.

With a chill atmosphere and far fewer crowds, you’ll actually be able to lounge and relax.

On the other hand, the beaches in Playa del Carmen are much more crowded and have a more bustling beach scene.

Yes, they are nice but just not as pretty or widespread as the beaches in Tulum.

There’s always a lot going on at the many beach clubs in Playa del Carmen so don’t expect to find much peace and quiet on downtown Playa del Carmen beaches.

The main focus of Tulum hotels and vacation rentals is on sustainability and being eco-friendly.

This often translates into rustic jungle accommodations including tree houses, bungalows, and luxury glamping that may be a different experience than a typical hotel or resort.

It’s not uncommon for hotels in Tulum to have outdoor showers, communal bathrooms, mosquito netting, and limited technology like air conditioning, TVs, and wifi.

These types of accommodations fit into the minimalist Tulum design aesthetic and the idea is that your stay is a true retreat and has as little impact on the environment as possible.

Essentially what you are paying for is a boutique vacation experience that is an escape from the reality of everyday life.

In addition, most of the hotels in Tulum are not all-inclusive. This means that you will need to pay for all of your meals and alcohol in addition to your nightly room rate.

On the other hand, Playa del Carmen and the surrounding Riviera Maya region offer a wide variety of more reasonably priced all inclusive hotels.

With a much wider variety of options, the hotels in Playa del Carmen range from modern and luxurious adults only resorts to family-friendly retreats to small boutique hotels.

At Riviera Maya resorts, you’ll find beautifully landscaped grounds, multiple restaurants, expansive pools, and swim-up bars.

Staying in Playa del Carmen or the Riviera Maya is best if you prefer a hassle-free, all-inclusive booking option that includes all of your meals and alcohol.

As Tulum is located about 2 hours south of the Cancun Airport, the cost for an airport transfer to Tulum will be almost double the price of an airport transfer to Playa del Carmen and will take twice as much time.

The new Tulum International Airport is now open and will make it easier to fly to Tulum, though it won’t have as many direct flights as Cancun.

Current rates for Cancun airport transfers are as follows:

• Cost of Private Airport Transfer to Tulum: $175 USD each way
• Cost of Private Airport Transfer to Playa del Carmen: $95 USD each way

Taxis are readily available in both towns but will be more expensive in Tulum.

Tulum is much less walkable than Playa del Carmen so if you decide to stay in downtown Tulum, you’ll then need to hire taxis to get around Tulum, or to go to the popular Tulum beach hotel zone.

As Playa del Carmen is more developed, it’s easier to get around Playa del Carmen and access public transportation such as the ADO bus, colectivos (shared vans), and city buses.

While these transportation services are available in Tulum town, they are more frequent and readily available in Playa del Carmen.

🚐 Related Reading: How to Get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum

When it comes to activities, both Tulum and Playa del Carmen have a lot to offer tourists.

Tulum day trips and outdoor activities include exploring the Tulum Mayan Ruins, swimming in cenotes, hanging out in hidden lagoons, and exploring Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

There are just as many things to do in Playa del Carmen within a short drive such as the Xcaret adventure parks, zipline tours, and numerous snorkeling excursions.

There are also a few different popular attractions located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum such as natural cenotes, beautiful secluded beaches like Playa Xcacel and Playa Xpu-Ha, as well as Akumal Beach, known for its abundance of sea turtles.

These activities can easily be reached from either town.

Playa del Carmen is probably a better and more centrally located hub if you want to explore more of the region.

From Playa del Carmen, it’s easier to reach the more northern destinations in the Yucatan peninsula like visiting Chichen Itza, Holbox, Las Coloradas, or El Cuyo.

When it comes to food and drink, Playa del Carmen and Tulum both offer unique dining experiences.

If you’re looking for a luxurious, trendy dining experience during your vacation in Mexico, Tulum is the place to be.

Restaurants in Tulum are known for their inventive menus and stylish atmospheres. However, these upscale eateries, smoothie bars, and tropical cafes come with a much higher price tag.

In contrast, Playa del Carmen is a great option if you’re looking for a range of dining options all within easy walking distance.

This popular resort town offers a wide variety of restaurants, from cheap Playa del Carmen taco joints to authentic Mexican food to upscale international cuisine.

And while Playa del Carmen restaurants may not find the same level of sophistication as in Tulum, you’ll be sure to enjoy some delicious meals at a fraction of the cost.

When it comes to nightlife, Tulum and Playa del Carmen offer two very different experiences.

In Tulum, the bars and nightclubs are dark and mysterious set amongst an outdoor jungle backdrop.

The town attracts famous DJs from all over the world spinning house or techno music in a hardcore party atmosphere.

You’ll still find laid-back bars in Tulum but its main allure comes from music festivals and special events, as well as high-end party experiences such as the Full Moon Party at Papaya Playa Project.

Meanwhile, Playa del Carmen boasts more sophisticated and upscale nightclubs in an indoor/outdoor setting, as well as laid-back local hangouts, rooftop bars, and the famous Coco Bongo Show.

The majority of the Playa del Carmen bars and nightclubs are located on or near 5th Avenue, which is a well-lit and high-traffic area making it feel safer to be out at night.

Infrastructure is one of the most important considerations–unfortunately, Tulum lags behind in this respect.

As a result of rapid construction and tourism development in Tulum, the town lacks proper infrastructure for electricity, sewage, and utilities.

This is why internet and electricity outages are much more common in Tulum, and reliable internet access can be hard to come by.

This can make it difficult to get work done on a day-to-day basis if you are planning to stay long-term. In addition to wifi internet access, cellular service in Tulum can also be sparse and unreliable.

Playa del Carmen, on the other hand, has a much larger digital nomad community and infrastructure to support it.

While you may still experience the occasional power or internet outage, these are generally less frequent than in Tulum.

While you will find active digital nomad communities in both towns, Playa del Carmen’s digital nomad scene is larger and more robust.

Most nomads choose Playa del Carmen as a base as a result of the more reliable internet.

There are many coworking spaces in Playa del Carmen, which often host networking events, professional development workshops, and fun outings.

These are great digital nomad hubs to meet new people and network in a relaxed setting.

Although coworking spaces are popping up around Tulum, there are not as many and they are more spread out.

Another key consideration for digital nomads is cost of living.

Tulum is generally more expensive than Playa del Carmen, although this can vary depending on your lifestyle.

If you’re looking to save money, Playa del Carmen may be the better option.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose Tulum or Playa del Carmen as your digital nomad base comes down to personal preference.

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Playa del Carmen vs. Tulum:

I hope these Tulum and Playa del Carmen travel tips were helpful in choosing which Mexican beach destination is best for you.

If you’re still trying to decide between Playa del Carmen or Tulum, here’s my take:

• What Playa del Carmen has going for it is that it’s extremely walkable, has a much more laid-back vibe, and appeals to a wider variety of travelers. The destination is beautiful and tropical but not pretentious. And it’s an excellent hub to get to other places in Riviera Maya and the Yucatan region.

• What Tulum has going for it is its widespread untouched beaches and trendy hotels. If you have a higher budget, want to truly disconnect in nature, and appreciate sustainability, then Tulum will be the perfect beach destination for you.

But no matter which destination you choose, you’ll still be treated to Caribbean beaches, a vibrant culture, and amazing Mexican cuisine and are sure to have an incredible time!

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