A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Isla Mujeres vs. Asheville for Resorts, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Isla Mujeres or Asheville?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Isla Mujeres and Asheville. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a idyllic, relaxing, and laid back island. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Asheville

Asheville is a eclectic, outdoorsy, and progressive mountain town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and hiking.

Isla Mujeres and Asheville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Isla Mujeres or Asheville?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Asheville than Isla Mujeres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Asheville is better known for its nightlife, music, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Isla Mujeres is more popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Isla Mujeres is more touristy than Asheville and is known for its award-winning beaches, underwater marine life, and tranquil atmosphere. Asheville is well known for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. Also, Asheville is famous for The Biltmore Estate.

How is Isla Mujeres different from Asheville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Isla Mujeres or Asheville?

Isla Mujeres is not so good for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Isla Mujeres offers a few options for museum-goers. Nobody really heads to this island for the museums.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Isla Mujeres or Asheville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Isla Mujeres is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Isla Mujeres. The island has many restaurants, particularly along Hidalgo Street in the Centro area. They typically have a laid back island vibe and serve local seafood or other popular cuisines.

Asheville is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Isla Mujeres is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its evening party scene.

Asheville has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Isla Mujeres. Many people visit the island as a day trip, but those who spend the night will enjoy hanging out at the beach bars along Playa Norte. Many have a laid back vibe and some have live music or DJs.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Music?

Asheville is notable for its live music scene. However, Isla Mujeres is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Asheville. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Isla Mujeres is not a live music destination.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Resorts?

Isla Mujeres is an unbeatable place for its resorts. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers flock to Isla Mujeres for its luxury resorts. Despite its small size, there are a range of impressive resorts on the island. Accommodation ranges from affordable hostels to stunning luxury resorts.

Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Isla Mujeres is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Asheville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Isla Mujeres. There are many great snorkeling and diving areas just off the island. It's easy to arrange tours that will take you to the best spots. Popular areas include Manchones Reef, the Underwater Museum of Art, and Garrafon Natural Park.

Asheville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Beaches?

Isla Mujeres is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Isla Mujeres offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island has spectacular beaches where the white sand meets the blue water. The idyllic setting is the perfect place to relax with a drink or soak up the island vibe. Playa Norte is an award winning beach that has calm water and stunning snorkeling. Playa Centro has many restaurants and bars, and you'll likely see people sunbathing topless. There's a beach club at Playa Albatros as well as hammocks, umbrellas, and recreational activities.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its old town. However, Isla Mujeres does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Asheville. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Isla Mujeres does not have a historic old town.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Hiking?

Asheville is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Isla Mujeres is not a hiking destination.

Asheville is a popular spot for hiking. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Isla Mujeres is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Isla Mujeres or Asheville?

Asheville is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Isla Mujeres is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its shopping areas.

Asheville is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Isla Mujeres has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Head downtown for the best opportunities to pick up gifts or souvenirs. You'll find local jewelry, art, and handicrafts.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Christmas?

Asheville is notable for its Christmas activities. However, Isla Mujeres does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Isla Mujeres does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its Christmas markets. However, Isla Mujeres does not offer Christmas markets.

Asheville has some Christmas markets worth visiting during the holidays. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Isla Mujeres does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Families?

Isla Mujeres is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Isla Mujeres is very family-friendly. Kids will love the outdoor sports, which include kayaking, surfing, cave exploration, and snorkeling or diving. There are also opportunities to get up close with marine life or spend the day playing at a water park.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Asheville. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Couples?

Isla Mujeres is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Isla Mujeres is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a world class honeymoon destination and couples enjoy the white powdery sand beaches, turquoise blue waters, and laid back island vibe. There's diving and snorkeling as well as romantic hotels and wonderful local restaurants.

Asheville is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Isla Mujeres and Asheville are excellent destinations for backpackers.

Isla Mujeres is a great island to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels on the island that offer budget accommodation and a social atmosphere.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Students?

Asheville is notable for students. However, Isla Mujeres is not popular with students.

Many students visit Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Isla Mujeres is not popular with students.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Isla Mujeres is a good destination for its public transit. However, Asheville is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Isla Mujeres, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are two bus routes around the island that are operated by Isleños Bus.

Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Is Isla Mujeres or Asheville a more walkable city?

Isla Mujeres is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Isla Mujeres is a very walkable island. The most walkable part of the island is the North part, which is the town center.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable island. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Isla Mujeres Worth Visiting? and Is Asheville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Asheville or Isla Mujeres?

How long in Isla Mujeres or Asheville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Isla Mujeres and Asheville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Asheville than in Isla Mujeres. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Isla Mujeres, and 2-3 days is enough time in Asheville.

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

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

One day in Isla Mujeres or Asheville?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Isla Mujeres. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Isla Mujeres has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Asheville, many people enjoy the live music and food that this progressive mountain town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Isla Mujeres or Asheville?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the laid back destination of Isla Mujeres. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Asheville is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Isla Mujeres or Asheville?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back island of Isla Mujeres. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the open-minded destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Isla Mujeres or Asheville?

Isla Mujeres is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Asheville is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Isla Mujeres and Asheville, we can see that Isla Mujeres is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Isla Mujeres or Asheville?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Isla Mujeres. When comparing the sizes of Isla Mujeres and Asheville, 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.