Are you thinking about taking a trip to Mexico in Latin America? Great choice! Wondering where to choose between Cancun vs Playa del Carmen vs Tulum? That’s an important question, really, that I’m going to cover down below!
With so many amazing places to choose from, it can be tough to decide which destination is right for you. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum – three of Mexico’s most popular travel destinations – and compare the PROs and CONs of each one. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better idea of which location is the best fit for your Mexico itinerary, depending on your travel style!
Although not very far from each other, Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum each offer unique experiences, as well as pretty different advantages and disadvantages.
Here’s a short round-up of the most important aspects you might want to consider before deciding between Cancun vs Playa del Carmen vs Tulum:
| Cancun | Playa del Carmen | Tulum | |
| International airport | Yes | No | No |
| Buses | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Great beaches | Yes | Not all of them | Yes |
| Parties | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Quiet atmosphere | No | No | Yes |
| $$$ | Mid-range | Budget | Expensive |
| Do I need a car? | Maybe | No | Maybe |
| Nature | No | No | Yes |
| Day trip accessibility | Yes | Yes | A bit less |
Because Cancun is the only one out of the three that has an International airport, it’ll most likely be the place where you arrive first. And if you don’t decide to make it the base for your trip, you can easily get to both Tulum and Playa del Carmen from there. Playa del Carmen is located right between Cancun and Tulum and, in all honesty, it won’t take you long to reach either of the two destinations. Here are the distances:
And here’s a useful map to see where each of them in located:
RELATED READ: Complete First Timer’s Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza, Mexico
And now, before we get into the nitty-gritty of it all, here’s a short round-up of the very best that Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum have to offer, so if you’re short on time you can easily choose where is best for you:
Okay, now let’s get into the details! Time to break down the best and worst bits of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, along with my best accommodation options for each!
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is home to some of the country’s most incredible places and popular tourist destinations, and Cancun is the largest city and busiest of them all!
Located on the northeast coast of the peninsula, Cancun is known for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters and lively nightlife. However, there is much more to it than just beaches and bars – which is why you should visit Cancun nevertheless!
The city is also home to a number of important archaeological sites, including the ruins of the ancient city of El Rey. There’s also the Nichupte Lagoon there, a must if you want to see wildlife, mangroves and some pretty stunning lakes. In addition, Cancun’s proximity to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef make it a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkelling. And it’s close to Isla Mujeres as well if you want to take a relaxing day trip.
Whether you’re looking for beachfront relaxation or adventurous activities, Cancun has something to offer. And let’s not forget about Cancun International Airport, which is a big plus when it comes to transportation!
Millions of tourists from all over the world flock to Cancun each year, which is what makes it one of the top resort towns in the entire Mexico. One of the things you should note about Cancun is that it was actually founded as a tourist spot in the 70s. There are tons of hotels here for all budgets (especially luxury resorts and upscale hotels), as well as bars, restaurants and dance clubs – plus plenty of activities to do!
Cancun Mexico is divided into two main areas:
Now that we’ve covered the best and worst of Cancun, let’s take a look at some accommodation options. Below I’ve listed my top accommodation picks for Cancun, depending on your budget:
LUXURY: Grand Hotel Cancun – This five-star resort is located on a beautiful stretch of white sand beach, and features an outdoor infinity pool with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea.
RESORT: Royal UNO – All Inclusive Resort & Spa – For those looking for a luxurious all-inclusive hotel set on a private beach.
MID-RANGE: Renaissance Cancun Resort & Marina – This 5-star hotel is located in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, just steps from the beach and offers a number of amenities, including a pool, a fitness centre and a spa.
BOUTIQUE: Casa Turquesa Boutique Hotel – If you’re looking for a more intimate and unique experience, this is a great option. This small hotel is located in Cancun’s Old Town, and features a rooftop terrace with views of the city.
HOSTEL: Punta Sam – This is a great option for budget travellers. This hostel is one of the few located in Cancun’s Hotel Zone.
Located in Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen is a popular tourist destination, and it’s no wonder why. Playa del Carmen offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking for gorgeous beaches or an action-packed adventure.
Playa del Carmen was once a fishing village, and that authentic vibe and charm has been preserved until today, although the city is developing year after year. One of the best things about Playa del Carmen is that it fits all types of travellers: you can enjoy it regardless if you’re visiting as a couple, with a big group of friends or if you’re a family with kids.
In contrast to Cancun’s Hotel Zone, Playa del Carmen’s downtown area is pedestrian-only and filled with small shops, restaurants and bars. And everything is within walking distance! The beaches in Playa del Carmen are also less crowded than those in Cancun. However, this doesn’t mean that Playa is NOT also crowded and expensive. Let’s just say that it’s important to do your research before booking a trip to this small town on the Riviera Maya.
TIP: If you feel like Tulum is your chosen destination but you’re low on budget, you can check out Akumal as well, which is a charming small town located between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
Now that you’ve seen my overview, here are my top accommodation picks for Playa del Carmen.
LUXURY: The Reef 28 – Set on a private beach, The Reef 28 is a luxurious adults-only option for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Playa. The hotel offers an infinity pool, a spa, a restaurant and more.
RESORT: Grand Riviera Princess All Inclusive – This all-inclusive beachfront resort is located in Playa del Carmen’s Hotel Zone and offers 12 swimming pools, tennis courts and a full-service spa.
MID-RANGE: Hotel Villas Segovia Suites – This is a great mid-range option located in downtown Playa del Carmen, fit for those looking to be close to the action.
BOUTIQUE HOTEL: Balkon Boutique Hotel – This is a great boutique option for those looking to be close to the beach. This hotel is located in Playa del Carmen’s downtown area and offers an outdoor pool and gorgeous decor!
HOSTEL: Che Playa Hostel & Bar Adults Only – This budget hostel is located in downtown Playa del Carmen, and offers guests a number of amenities, including a pool, a rooftop terrace and a restaurant
Tulum is a popular tourist destination in Mexico that is known for its insanely gorgeous, soft sand beaches (with palm trees!) and well-preserved Mayan ruins. Located further down the Yucatan Peninsula, in Riviera Maya, it takes just under 2 hours to drive here from Cancun Airport. Although it is possible to visit Tulum as a day trip from Cancun, many travellers prefer to spend their entire stay here to experience the town’s more relaxed atmosphere.
Tulum is really different from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. This destination is rich in nature, cenotes, and wildlife, as well as unique views over the coast, so it’s the ideal spot for nature lovers! But it all comes with a cost, though, and this is a highly discussed subject – Tulum has become quite expensive over the years. It’s surely the most expensive option of them all, so this is really something to take into consideration if you want to choose this town, considering there aren’t many options for cheaper accommodation here. Still, there are some public beaches (Playa Paraiso, Playa Ruinas) where you can enjoy some sun for free.
Tulum is also the most laid-back option of all three of them, and its old fishing village roots are still visible, although you can find tons of amazing boutique hotels and resorts there nowadays.
Similarly to Cancun, Tulum is also divided into two different areas. The distance between the two is 20 to 30 minutes away by bike (or a short taxi ride):
And speaking of bikes, transportation in Tulum is another important subject. Just like Cancun, Tulum is not walkable, so you must rent a bike or a car to get around. I personally loved exploring this gorgeous destination by bike!
TIP: If you feel like Tulum is your chosen destination but you’re low on budget, you can check out Akumal as well, which is a charming small town located between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
Below you’ll find just a tiiiiny round-up of things to do in Tulum, but if you want to read ALL about the subject + lots of other practical info about this destination, here’s my complete article: 8 Unmissable Things to Do in Tulum, Mexico – Complete Guide & Tips
Now it’s time for my list of top accommodation options in Tulum, and fear not, I have got you covered!
Guess what? I already have a COMPLETE accommodation guide for Tulum that covers the 4 best areas you might want to consider staying (not just Tulum Zona Hotelera and Tulum Town!). I offer my hand-picked selection of hotels in Tulum for all budgets and preferences, plus tons of useful information. I recommend you check it out here: Where to Stay in Tulum, Mexico – Downtown VS Hotel Zone
Okay, now that I told you all the cons and pros that will help you decide between Cancun vs Playa del Carmen vs Tulum, let’s draw some conclusions.
If you’re looking for something laid-back yet luxurious, then choose Tulum. A stop there is a must during your Mexican vacation! Just know that this place has become quite popular over the past few years, so it’s not exactly the hidden gem that it once was. Nevertheless, its Instagram-worthiness is undeniable with its turquoise waters and postcard-perfect beaches.
If you have enough time to do some day trips, choosing Playa del Carmen would be a great option, as it’s the most convenient, both in terms of budget and getting around. From there, you can take some day trips to see both Cancun and the gorgeous Tulum beaches (1 hour by car to each of them). Just keep in mind that you won’t find much nature there, but it still has some Mexican charm left compared to Cancun.
If you don’t want to stress too much thinking about transportation or finding things to do, then you can go to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun and call it a day! Cancun is the most accessible of them all – and also the biggest and most popular resort town around, which means you’ll have everything you need there.
MY RECOMMENDATION: Regardless of which one of them you choose, I strongly advise you visit all of them during your trip, at least for a short day trip! Each one of them is special and unique in its own way, so you’ll be missing out if you only stay in one place.
Well, I hope I could bring some light into the great debate between Cancun vs Playa del Carmen vs Tulum. There are hundreds of people wondering which one of the three to choose each year, so if you found yourself in the same dilemma, don’t worry – it’s a natural problem. Which is why I did my best to fill this article with complete information about each destination, together with practical information you should keep in mind, as well as the main pros and cons for each one of them. And now I hope it will be easier for you to choose!
As I mentioned before, regardless of which destination you choose, I strongly recommend you check all of them while you’re visiting Mexico, at least for a couple of hours. Each one is worth it and will offer a different experience!
And if you want to read more about Riviera Maya and Mexico in general, here are all my articles and stories on the subject!
xoxo,
Melissa
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