One of the difficult choices you have to make when you decide to go on a Mexican vacation is the location to pick. Riviera Maya is beaming with beach destinations, and arguably the most competitive discussion is Cancun vs Playa del Carmen.
This question has been asked for years, but finding the right answers online is difficult.
This article will help you with all the information you need to decide where to go between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. It’s not an article to tell you which is the best, but rather to open your eyes to which is the best for you.
Criteria for Comparison
Your final decision will influenced by different factors, such as your preferences, who you are going with, and your vacation intentions.
Here are the sections that will be covered in this article;
- Accommodation
- Atmosphere
- Activities & Attraction
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
These sections take into consideration the type of vacation you would like to have and where to go for each. Keep reading for a special bonus section at the end.
Cancun vs Playa del Carmen: Accommodation
Cancun boasts luxurious accommodations. They have a hotel zone close to the airports where you can find nice all-inclusive resorts and hotels that are just by the beach and offer great services.
Cancun resorts are quite expensive, but most times you will get value for your money. However, you can still find affordable hotels downtown, but they aren’t close to the beaches.
Playa del Carmen contains more affordable and homely boutique hotels and vacation rentals. Most of these hotels are close to the beaches and town and they offer easy access to many places.
You can still find luxurious options, but it’s not the brand of Playa del Carmen. The hotels are also not as close to the airport as Cancun’s hotel zone.
Summary
The accommodations that you will find in both Cancun and Playa del Carmen are very comfortable. Cancun focuses more on luxury and proximity to the airport and beaches, while Playa del Carmen is known for affordable housing with just the right amount of comfort having proximity to the beach and many other places (airport excluded).
Cancun vs Playa del Carmen: Atmosphere
Cancun is unarguably the most popular destination, which means it is usually very buzzy and busy. You will come across so many tourists and people wanting to have fun. This also means there is a lot you can have on your Cancun itinerary and plenty of entertainment.
Playa del Carmen is popularly known to be calmer, more slow-paced, and intimate. However, in recent times it has become more bubbly and active. This gives it a perfect balance presently, but it could become messy in the long run based on the location’s size.
Summary
Cancun is preferable for upbeat individuals who love to do many things and get in on the action all-round. Presently, Playa del Carmen offers a more moderate atmosphere but the busier it gets, the less intriguing it may become.
Cancun vs Playa del Carmen: Activities & Attraction
There are many activities and attractions for both individuals and couples in Cancun. The space offers both internal and nearby fun that you can tick off your bucket list.
Here are some fun activities to do in Cancun:
- Explore the very large city with Cancun Vacation Experts tours
- Participate in surfing, jet skiing, and sport fishing
- Go snorkeling or scuba diving in MUSA, the largest underwater museum
- Explore Mayan culture with a visit to Xcaret
- Visit nearby ruins and islands such as Chicken Itza, Isla Mujeres, and Isla Contoy.
For a place with a smaller size, Playa del Carmen fits in so many activities and attractions. Whatever it lacks within it pays for it with proximity to other destinations like Cozumel and Akumal.
Here are some fun activities to do in Playa del Carmen:
- Take sight-seeing strolls around Quinta Avenida
- Go cenote swimming in cenotes within the area
- Explore nearby ruins like the Tulum Ruins, Coba Ruins
- Go snorkeling or scuba diving in nearby cities Cozumel
- Take fun All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) tours through jungles, beaches, dirt trails, or rugged landscapes
Summary
When it comes to fun activities and attractions, both Cancun and Playa del Carmen offer great options. From water activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and jet skiing, as well as many individual and group activities that can be done within and in nearby cities.
Remember that whatever activities you intend to do will affect your packing list. Ensure that you take all you need to enjoy the experience.
Cancun vs Playa del Carmen: Beaches
For the typical beach experience, it’s hard to beat Cancun beaches. Cancun’s sandy-white beaches are world-famous for their activeness. You get to surf, meet many people, participate in games, and have a good fun time.
Couples and families on an overdue vacation tend to go to Cancun for the beaches. You can visit top spots like Playa Delfines, Playa Tortugas, and Playa Norte (Isla Mujeres) for an all-round experience.
The beaches of Playa del Carmen are not less fun, it’s just that they offer more serenity. They have a peaceful atmosphere that is mimicked by the waves of the beaches. It is very good for relaxing and soaking up the sun.
Playa del Carmen beaches such as Playa Xcalacoco and Playacar Beach provide this acoustic and calm atmosphere if that’s what you are going for. But if you want a little more activity, you can visit Playa Mamitas.
Summary
Both Cancun and Playa del Carmen are great beach destinations. Cancun beaches offer more sports, activity, and crowds for fun-seeking travelers. For those who prefer to rest with a good ambiance, the beaches of Playa del Carmen should do the trick.
Cancun vs Playa del Carmen: Nightlife
Cancun’s upbeat theme is also evident in its nightlife. Many nightclubs, casinos, and resorts fuel a high-energy, wild-party nightlife in Cancun. If you love to party into the night and have crazy moments with non-stop entertainment, you can visit the Cancun Coco Bingo nightclub to enjoy a spectacle.
Playa del Carmen tries to match up to the Cancun nightlife with an experience of live music, great cocktails, and vibes. However, Playa del Carmen takes a more calm approach to things. The nightlife is mostly described as laid-back, allowing for a night of fun conversations, good music, and memories created among people.
However, Playa del Carmen also has its own Coco Bongo nightclub if you find yourself in Playa del Carmen and you still want a taste of crazy fun. If not, you can enjoy a calm night at The Fives rooftop.
Summary
Cancun offers a more wild and upbeat nightlife filled with parties, loud music, and dancing. Playa del Carmen, on the other hand, provides more of a soothing night for conversations, drinks, and feel-good music.
Cancun vs Playa del Carmen: Food
For those who pick Cancun, most of your food will be gotten from restaurants in your resort. This is not bad but it will be quite limited for those around the hotel zone. The meals are tasty, as all Mexican dishes are.
The meals here are usually high-end and luxurious just like the resorts, which means they may also not be relatively affordable. But you are afforded a great setting for pickings, such as a buffet, banquets, and international dishes.
Playa del Carmen continues its homely approach to the food. The restaurants are close to the hotels and there is a wide area of Mexican restaurants on display. You also have better chances of tasting street food from local stalls if you fancy things like that.
Summary
Both Cancun and Playa del Carmen offer delicious Mexican food in the restaurants available, the only difference is in the affordability and food choices. Cancun offers more of upscale dining, along with the several international servings. Playa del Carmen offers more local and authentic mexican dishes.
Bonus Criteria: Type of Traveler
Our added criteria in the Cancun vs Playa del Carmen discussion is based on the group you are travelling with.
Cancun is a busy area, and this makes it feel more “touristy.” It has activities and people if you fancy it. This makes it a good choice for extroverted solo travellers, groups of friends, and families.
Playa del Carmen is more for those who aren’t inclined to so much crowd or noise. Introverts would enjoy it and so will families that love to do things together. If you want a Mexican experience above all other things, it’s also your best bet.
Which is Better? Cancun and Playa del Carmen
As we said in the beginning, this article is not here to tell you which destination is better. With the enlisted criteria, you will be able to decide which one is the best for your personality and your travel plans.
Below is a summary of the their results;
Best Way To Enjoy Your Visit To Cancun or Playa del Carmen
It’s obvious that there is so much on offer in both Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The accommodation, activities, attractions, nightlife, and beaches can be quite overwhelming for someone who wants to enjoy a vacation.
The best way to enjoy this is to hire Cancun Vacation Experts to be in charge of your vacation experience. Our services begin from the moment you land with our prompt airport transfers that can get you to your airport or destination.
With Cancun Vacation Experts, you can get tours to several regions in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Our tours are personalized and are carefully tailored to your preference and itinerary.
To get started, get in touch with us on our website contact page.
