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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City? 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a party-oriented, colorful, and glitzy city. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Playa del Carmen and Atlantic City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Playa del Carmen than Atlantic City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Playa del Carmen is well known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Also, Playa del Carmen is famous for La Quinta Avenida. Atlantic City is well known for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality

How is Playa del Carmen different from Atlantic City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City.

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.

While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Atlantic City can be difficult as they are each notable 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 Atlantic City. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Is Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City has a better nightlife scene.

Playa del Carmen has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Atlantic City is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

Is Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Atlantic City 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.

Atlantic City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

Is Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Atlantic City 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.

Atlantic City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its beaches. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

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.

Atlantic City is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Is Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Atlantic City 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.

Atlantic City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Atlantic City and Playa del Carmen.

Many visitors go to Playa del Carmen to go shopping. Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Atlantic City. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Is Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known 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.

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

Atlantic City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Is Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Playa del Carmen and Atlantic City are notable 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.

Atlantic City is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Playa del Carmen and Atlantic City.

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.

While Atlantic City offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

Is Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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.

Atlantic City is a very walkable town. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

For even more information, also check out Is Playa del Carmen Worth Visiting? and Is Atlantic City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atlantic City or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Playa del Carmen and Atlantic City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen than in Atlantic City. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 1-3 days is enough time in Atlantic City.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Atlantic City. 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 Atlantic City. 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 Playa del Carmen than Atlantic City 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 Playa del Carmen.

One day in Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the picture-perfect destination of Playa del Carmen. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the colorful destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find nightlife and food around the colorful city of Atlantic City. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. 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 Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic destination of Playa del Carmen. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Atlantic City is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful town of Playa del Carmen. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Atlantic City is a great place to explore. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Atlantic City, we can see that Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City?

Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Atlantic City, 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 Atlantic City?

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 Atlantic City in the Summer?

Both Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Playa del Carmen in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Atlantic City averages at about 75°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Atlantic City. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Atlantic City during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Atlantic City. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City in the Autumn?

Both Atlantic City 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 shopping scene are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.

In October, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Atlantic City. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and Atlantic City fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Atlantic City. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 197 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 Atlantic City. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Atlantic City. 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 Atlantic City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Atlantic City. Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Atlantic City in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Atlantic City. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Atlantic City in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Atlantic City averages at about 51°F (10°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. 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 more sunshine than Atlantic City. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 217 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Atlantic City. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Atlantic City and Playa del Carmen