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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Detroit?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Detroit? 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 stunning, vibrant, and picture-perfect town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Detroit

Detroit is a overlooked , under-rated, and hardworking city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Playa del Carmen and Detroit: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Detroit. While Detroit is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Detroit is known for its museums, music, and big city activities. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Detroit and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also home to La Quinta Avenida. Detroit is popular for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Detroit?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Detroit is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Detroit. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

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.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Detroit 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 Detroit. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Is Playa del Carmen or Detroit Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Detroit is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

Is Playa del Carmen or Detroit Better for Music?

Detroit is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

In Detroit you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Detroit Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Detroit is not a resort destination.

Playa del Carmen offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Detroit is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Detroit is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Playa del Carmen specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Detroit is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Detroit Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Detroit is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Playa del Carmen are among the best in 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.

Detroit is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Detroit Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen has hiking trails worth exploring. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Detroit?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Detroit 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 Detroit. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Is Playa del Carmen or Detroit Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. 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 kid-friendly things to do in Detroit. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is Playa del Carmen or Detroit Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

Playa del Carmen has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

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

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.

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

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Playa del Carmen has some public transit options. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

Public transit is generally limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is Playa del Carmen or Detroit a more walkable city?

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

It's very easy to get around on foot in Playa del Carmen. It's a compact and very walkable town. La Quinta is the main strip and it's pedestrian-only.

Detroit is a somewhat walkable town. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Detroit?

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

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Detroit. 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 Detroit. 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 Detroit 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 Detroit?

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the under-rated destination of Detroit. 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 Detroit?

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find shopping and museums around the overlooked city of Detroit. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. 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 Detroit?

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Playa del Carmen has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Detroit is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Detroit?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. In Playa del Carmen, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Detroit is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the live music. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Detroit?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Detroit, 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 Detroit?

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.

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

The summer brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Detroit. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Detroit in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Playa del Carmen is generally a little warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Detroit fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Detroit. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the summer, Playa del Carmen often gets less sunshine than Detroit. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 319 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in July than Detroit. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Detroit and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Detroit for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Detroit in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Detroit fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 172 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Detroit. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

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

Both Detroit and Playa del Carmen during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Detroit because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Detroit can be very cold. In the winter, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Detroit. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Detroit averages at about 25°F (-4°C).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Detroit. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 120 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Detroit. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Detroit. The spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Detroit this time of year.

In April, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Detroit fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 223 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Detroit. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Typical Weather for Detroit and Playa del Carmen