Should we stay in Playa del Carmen or Tulum?

Playa del Carmen is ideal for all budgets, from backpackers to bougies. At the same time, Tulum remains one of the most expensive cities in all of Mexico. Still, if you're looking for a back-to-nature escape with verdant jungle views, Tulum is your best bet.



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Though not as crowded as Cancun, Playa del Carmen still isn't as quiet and laid-back as Tulum. It's perfect for an urban vacation, but if you're looking for a more relaxed one, Tulum is a far better choice.

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They both offer beautiful beaches, breathtaking coastlines, and comforting weather. Their main differences rest in the type of experience you are looking for. Cancun tends to be more upbeat and caters more to the tourist crowd. Tulum is more relaxing and gives you a greater authentic local experience.

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All that's left to do is map out what you will do and see during your time in Tulum. In just 3-5 days, you could easily check off all of Tulum's highlights, splash in a handful of cenotes, and include a fun day trip to nearby Coba and other incredible Riviera Maya destinations.

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Whether you're there for a single night or an entire month, any trip to Tulum is memorable. As a baseline, we think that 5-7 days is a perfect amount of time to enjoy everything the city offers. You'll have time for the beach, to visit Mayan ruins, and even have enough extra days for a trip to a nearby destination.

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Tulum offers access to a number of prominent Mayan ruin sites in the Yucatan peninsula. First, the northern edge of the Tulum beach is adorned by Mayan ruins that overlook the beach from a spectacular perch on a cliff! Second, the much larger ruins at Coba are a mere hour or so north of Tulum.

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Tulum's Beaches Will Stun You Tulum is first and foremost a beach destination — and for good reason! The beaches of Tulum are some of the best in the world. And though Tulum has seen its fair share of development over the past decade, Tulum's beaches have so far managed to escape the worst side effects of mass tourism.

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Playa del Carmen started out as a Fisherman's village, as many as 110 years ago. The white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and laid-back feel have made it a popular destination for tourists.

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Location: Akumal is located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, the drive from Cancun to this spot takes around 1 hour (give or take a few depending on traffic). This beach town is primarily composed of five major bays that offer the best snorkeling on the coast right offshore.

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It is said that the waters of Playa del Carmen are among the world's most beautiful.

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The ideal number of days in Playa del Carmen depends on your preferences and interests. Generally, a 3 to 7-day trip should provide enough time to see the main attractions, enjoy the beach, and take day trips to nearby sights.

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Waves will not get to big, this is a not a surfers paradise so swimming can be done every day! Playa del Carmen and the bays are protected by natural reef systems or in the case of Playa, the island of Cozumel so high waves just don't happen very often.

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While Tulum is trendy, note that most of the best hotels offer eco-chic luxury (if you're looking for a large resort experience, look elsewhere) and are located along the 6-mile-long stretch of beachfront from the Tulum Ruins to the soft sand beach in the south end.

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Tulum is largely safe for travel but has recently seen an increase in high profile safety incidents and unrest. Much of the safety issues are connected to cartels, corruption, and the clash of rapid development with local residents.

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The best places to stay in Tulum for partying are the Pueblo, Beach Town, or the Middle Beach Zone, for families, it's the South Beach Zone or Aldea Zama, and for romance and honeymoons stay in the North or South Beach Zone (though pretty much every part of Tulum is perfect for a honeymoon holiday).

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November and early December are great times to visit Tulum since the weather is pleasant (temperatures range from the low 70s to low 80s) and the crowds are thinner than they are in late winter and early spring.

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November and early December are great times to visit Tulum since the weather is pleasant (temperatures range from the low 70s to low 80s) and the crowds are thinner than they are in late winter and early spring.

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Tulum is a short drive from Playa del Carmen, but unless you have a rental car or another ride source, you won't be able to go on your own. Book this Tulum and Casa Cenote Tour from Playa del Carmen and leave the ride planning up to someone else.

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If you're basing yourself out of the town of Tulum, the Tulum Archaeological Site is worth visiting no matter what. Being that the ruins zone is quite compact, it doesn't take long to explore Tulum.

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