Which place is cheaper, Alexandria or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Alexandria? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Playa del Carmen is a picture-perfect, scenic, and stunning town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.
Alexandria is a charming, quaint, and historic city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Alexandria. While Alexandria is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Alexandria attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Alexandria and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Alexandria is famous for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Alexandria and Playa del Carmen. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Alexandria is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.
Alexandria offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.
While most people don't head to Playa del Carmen specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. If you're willing to head out of town, there are world class Mayan ruins not far away, but if you want to hang out near town, then you'll likely spend most of your time enjoying outdoor water activities.
Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Alexandria can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.
There are many up and coming restaurants in the Playa del Carmen area. You'll find a good number of overpriced tourist restaurants in the area, but if you do some research you'll also find amazing and authentic Mexican food as well. There is everything from food trucks to fine dining that offer ceviche, tacos, or burritos. There are also plenty of places to grab pizza or burgers.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Alexandria. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.
Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.
The nightlife in Playa del Carmen is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It rivals some of the country's best nightlife and you'll find plenty of venues to choose from, ranging from dive bars to swanky cocktail lounges. Head to the main walking street for some of the most active venues.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.
Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Alexandria is not a resort destination.
Vacationers flock to Playa del Carmen for its luxury resorts. You'll find a huge number of luxury resorts in the area, particularly along the beach. There are fancy pools and beachfront properties that offer the perfect vacation retreat.
Alexandria is not a resort destination.
Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Alexandria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Playa del Carmen. There's not a lot to see right off of the beach, but there are plenty of snorkeling excursions in the area that take you to beautiful reefs. The diving is world class as well and you'll find wonderful reefs, bull sharks, and hidden gems.
Alexandria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Alexandria is not a beach destination.
Playa del Carmen offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The area is filled with world class beaches, long stretches of white sand, and beautiful blue water. You might even stumble across a sea turtle or two while you're swimming.
Alexandria is not a beach destination.
Alexandria is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.
Alexandria offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.
Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.
Playa del Carmen is a good destination for hiking. However, Alexandria is not a hiking destination.
Playa del Carmen offers some nice hiking trails. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.
Alexandria is not a hiking destination.
Alexandria is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Alexandria. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Playa del Carmen. Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.
Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, Playa del Carmen is very family-friendly. From eco parks to kid-friendly snorkeling opportunities, there are many activities for kids of all ages. There are also adventure parks and playgrounds that are perfect for a fun afternoon.
Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.
Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.
Playa del Carmen is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Beautiful beaches and tropical jungles make this a paradise honeymoon destination. You'll find luxury resorts, fine dining restaurants, and countless opportunities to enjoy the stunning setting. Take a sunset cruise of explore one of the many natural wonders in the area.
Alexandria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.
Playa del Carmen and Alexandria are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Playa del Carmen. It's filled with tourists staying at luxury resorts, but you'll also find a couple of hostels tucked away in town. If you're interesting in scuba diving, then it's well worth the trip.
Alexandria is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.
Alexandria is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.
Public transit in Alexandria is top-notch. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.
While Playa del Carmen offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.
Playa del Carmen and Alexandria both are amazing when exploring on foot.
Getting around Playa del Carmen on foot is easy. It's a compact and very walkable town. La Quinta is the main strip and it's pedestrian-only.
Alexandria is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.
For even more information, also check out Is Playa del Carmen Worth Visiting? and Is Alexandria Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Playa del Carmen or Alexandria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alexandria.
Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Alexandria. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Playa del Carmen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Alexandria. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Playa del Carmen that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
With shopping and nightlife around the stunning town of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Alexandria. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
With nightlife and food around the destination of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.
You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Alexandria. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Playa del Carmen, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Alexandria is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
Playa del Carmen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Alexandria is a great place to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is $0.00. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Playa del Carmen and Alexandria in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Alexandria? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
Prices for flights to both Alexandria and Playa del Carmen change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alexandria.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Playa del Carmen:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Alexandria:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Alexandria, we can see that Playa del Carmen is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Playa del Carmen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa del Carmen than you might in Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Alexandria Expensive?.
Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Alexandria, 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.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Alexandria and Playa del Carmen during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Alexandria in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Alexandria fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
In Alexandria, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the summer, Playa del Carmen often gets less sunshine than Alexandria. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 278 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in July than Alexandria. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Alexandria. The autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.
In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Alexandria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Alexandria averages at about 60°F (15°C).
In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.
The winter brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Alexandria. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Alexandria. In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Alexandria fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 139 hours of full sun.
Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Alexandria. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Alexandria and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Alexandria in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Alexandria in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Alexandria fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Alexandria. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Alexandria. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.
Playa del Carmen | Alexandria | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |