A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cozumel vs. Bangor for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Cozumel or Bangor?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cozumel and Bangor can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cozumel

Cozumel is a colorful, scenic, and lively island. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Bangor

Bangor is a laid back, welcoming, and friendly town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Cozumel and Bangor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cozumel or Bangor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cozumel than Bangor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cozumel is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Bangor is more popular for its small town charm. Cozumel is more touristy than Bangor and is popular for its beautiful beaches and world class dive sites. Also, Cozumel is famous for Palancar Reef. Bangor is well known for its history as a lumber town.

How is Cozumel different from Bangor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bangor and Cozumel. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cozumel or Bangor?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Cozumel or Bangor.

Cozumel is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the Island Museum, the Coral Reefs Monument, and some of the local Mayan ruins. Also worth a visit is Cozumel's Lighthouse.

Bangor offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

Is the Food Better in Cozumel or Bangor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cozumel and Bangor offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cozumel. You'll find a mix of tourist restaurants and hidden gems that serve up authentic Mexican dishes. Wander off the main streets to find the restaurants that are tucked away from the cruise ship crowds.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bangor. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Is Cozumel or Bangor Better for Nightlife?

Cozumel is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

Cozumel offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is filled with cocktail lounges, beachfront bars, and wild weekend parties. There is something for everyone, whether you'll looking to sip wine by the ocean or party into the early morning.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Is Cozumel or Bangor Better for Resorts?

Cozumel is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Bangor is not a resort destination.

In Cozumel, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are hotels in the city center, and resorts by the beaches. For diving and snorkeling, stay in Southern Cozumel. Golfing and waterfront properties are popular in Northern Cozumel.

Bangor is not a resort destination.

Is Cozumel or Bangor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cozumel is an amazing island to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bangor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Cozumel is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. Many people visit Cozumel specifically for the world class diving. Palancar Reef is one of the best dive spots in the area, and thanks to conservation efforts it is rebounding and offers a diverse environment.

Bangor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cozumel or Bangor Better for Beaches?

Cozumel is an amazing island to visit for the beach. However, Bangor is not a beach destination.

Cozumel is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island is lined with beautiful beaches and you'll find great snorkeling and tourist-friendly amenities. Some of the best beaches are Playa Punta Morena, Playa El Cielo, and Playa Chen Rio.

Bangor is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cozumel or Bangor?

Cozumel is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Cozumel. For the best shopping head to Plaza del Sol, the Royal Village Shopping Center, or Los Cincos Soles. Expect cruise ship crowds and no shortage of tourists.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bangor. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Is Cozumel or Bangor Better for Families?

Cozumel is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Cozumel is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The area is filled with water parks, snorkeling opportunities and, of course, fun-filled beaches. There are also wildlife reserves and Mayan ruins that aren't too far away.

Bangor is a family-friendly island. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Is Cozumel or Bangor Better for Couples?

Cozumel is a well-known place for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Cozumel is a very popular place to visit for couples. Beaches, resorts, and adventure sports make this the perfect couples destination. There are also great restaurants and plenty of interesting places to explore.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Cozumel or Bangor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cozumel is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cozumel is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels in town and it's a safe and easy place to explore independently.

Bangor is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Budget accommodation is available, but most backpackers don't think the visit here.

Is Cozumel or Bangor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cozumel and Bangor both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cozumel. Local buses don't efficiently travel to the beaches or the hotel areas, so most tourists don't use them.

Public transit is generally limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Is Cozumel or Bangor a more walkable city?

Cozumel is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

Cozumel is a very walkable destination. It's easy to walk around the downtown as it's compact and fun to explore on foot.

Bangor is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cozumel Worth Visiting? and Is Bangor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bangor or Cozumel?

How long in Cozumel or Bangor?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cozumel or Bangor to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cozumel than Bangor because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Cozumel, and 1-2 days is enough time in Bangor.

Families should spend more time in Cozumel than Bangor. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cozumel, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cozumel than Bangor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cozumel that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cozumel than Bangor if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cozumel.

One day in Cozumel or Bangor?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Cozumel. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bangor, you'll find museums and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Cozumel or Bangor?

Cozumel is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Bangor, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bangor has to offer.

Five days in Cozumel or Bangor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cozumel. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bangor is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Cozumel or Bangor?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively destination of Cozumel. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bangor. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Bangor. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and Bangor, we can see that Bangor is more expensive. And not only is Cozumel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cozumel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cozumel and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bangor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangor than you might in Cozumel.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cozumel Expensive? and Is Bangor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Bangor?

Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel and Bangor, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.