A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Asheville for Nightlife, Resorts, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Asheville?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Asheville? 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

Playa del Carmen is a vibrant, picture-perfect, and scenic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Asheville

Asheville is a progressive, open-minded, and eclectic mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Playa del Carmen and Asheville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Asheville?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Playa del Carmen than Asheville. While Asheville is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Playa del Carmen is more popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Asheville is known for its music, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Asheville and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also home to La Quinta Avenida. Asheville is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Asheville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Playa del Carmen or Asheville?

Playa del Carmen is a town with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Playa del Carmen offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. 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.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Playa del Carmen or Asheville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Asheville can be difficult as they are each good 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 Asheville. 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 Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

Many people head to Asheville for the nightlife scene. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Is Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Music?

Asheville is a great destination for its music scene. However, Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Asheville has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its resorts. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

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.

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 Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen 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 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.

Asheville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Asheville 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.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its historic old town charm. However, Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Asheville. 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Playa del Carmen. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Asheville?

Asheville 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 Asheville. 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.

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.

Is Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a great destination for its Christmas activities. However, Playa del Carmen does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Asheville. 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.

Playa del Carmen does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its Christmas markets. However, Playa del Carmen does not offer Christmas markets.

During the holidays, visitors often browse through the Christmas markets in Asheville. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Playa del Carmen does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen 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, 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.

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 Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Asheville is a great town 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 Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Playa del Carmen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Students?

Asheville is a great destination for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Is Playa del Carmen or Asheville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

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

Is Playa del Carmen or Asheville a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable town. 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 Playa del Carmen Worth Visiting? and Is Asheville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Asheville or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Asheville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Playa del Carmen and Asheville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen than in Asheville. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 2-3 days is enough time in Asheville.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Asheville. 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 Asheville. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Playa del Carmen 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 Asheville.

One day in Playa del Carmen or Asheville?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the town of Playa del Carmen. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find live music and food around the outdoorsy destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Asheville?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the scenic destination of Playa del Carmen. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find food and shopping around the outdoorsy mountain town of Asheville. If you have a weekend, this mountain town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Five days in Playa del Carmen or Asheville?

You'll find nightlife and food around the vibrant town of Playa del Carmen. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

Asheville is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

A week in Playa del Carmen or Asheville?

Playa del Carmen is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Playa del Carmen, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Asheville is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Asheville, we can see that Asheville is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Asheville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asheville than you might in Playa del Carmen.

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 Asheville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Asheville?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen 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.

When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Asheville?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Asheville in the Summer?

Both Asheville and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Asheville. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Asheville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Asheville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Asheville during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Asheville. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Asheville in the Autumn?

Both Asheville and Playa del Carmen during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Asheville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 229 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 October than Asheville. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Asheville in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Asheville. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Asheville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Asheville averages at about 44°F (7°C).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Asheville during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Asheville. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Asheville in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Asheville. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 266 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Asheville. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Asheville and Playa del Carmen