A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Glacier National Park for Resorts, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park? 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 scenic, stunning, and vibrant 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.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is a gorgeous, stunning, and breathtaking park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include hiking.

Playa del Carmen and Glacier National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Playa del Carmen than Glacier National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Playa del Carmen is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Glacier National Park is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. 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. Glacier National Park is well known for its miles of hiking trails, impressive glaciers, and pristine lakes.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Glacier National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Glacier National Park 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 Glacier National Park?

Playa del Carmen is a moderate town for its sights and museums. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Glacier National Park. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most people head straight for the park.

Is the Food Better in Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its restaurants.

Playa del Carmen offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Glacier National Park. You'll find several restaurants and cafes both within and near the park, but this is an incredibly crowded park so you'll want to make reservations well in advance.

Is Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for nightlife. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for nightlife and partying.

Playa del Carmen is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Glacier National Park doesn't offer many options. People visit for the scenery, not the nightlife scene.

Is Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its resorts. Also, Glacier National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its luxury resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Playa del Carmen is a great choice. 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.

With a selection of resorts, Glacier National Park makes a nice vacation spot. There are several lodges, cabins, and inns near or within the park, but reservations are recommended well in advance.

Is Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Glacier National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Playa del Carmen a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. 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.

Glacier National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its beaches. However, Glacier National Park is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Playa del Carmen. 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.

Glacier National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park Better for Hiking?

Glacier National Park 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 Glacier National Park. There are more than 700 miles of trails in the park. For the best experience, you should purchase a permit and explore the parks backcountry. Other popular trails include Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail, and Avalanche Lake Trail. It's best to start in the early morning as this is a popular park and the trails get busier as the day progresses.

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 Glacier National Park?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for shopping. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its shopping opportunities.

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

If you're looking to go shopping, Glacier National Park has some nice offerings. There are park stores where you can pick up books, souvenirs, and gifts.

Is Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Glacier National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Playa del Carmen is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Glacier National Park is a family-friendly town. The landscapes are spectacular, but the crowds can be intense, which means it can be hard to find places to pull over and park during the peak seasons. Keep this in mind when you're traveling with kids because you may end up spending more time in the car than you'd expected.

Is Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for romance. Also, Glacier National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its romantic activities.

Playa del Carmen makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Glacier National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Drive along the scenic Going-to-the-Sun-Road and take in the truly breathtaking scenery. Many people consider this to be a top destination for a honeymoon and couples will appreciate the impressive hikes, dramatic waterfalls, and adventure-filled activities.

Is Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Glacier National Park is an amazing park to visit for backpackers. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Glacier National Park is a very popular park to visit for backpackers. The backcountry is truly pristine, and obtaining a Wilderness Permit and getting off-the-beaten-path will help you escape some of the crowds that the park is known for.

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 Glacier National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for its public transit. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Glacier National Park. There's a free shuttle along Going-to-the-Sun Road that's available on a first-come, first-served basis, but expect crowds. The road can get quite congested during peak times. There are also tours that take you along the road so you can enjoy the scenery without having to focus on driving.

Is Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its walkability. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its high level of walkability.

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

Glacier National Park is not a very walkable town. You'll need a car to get almost anywhere in the park.

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

Should I spend more time in Glacier National Park or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park?

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

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Glacier National Park. 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 Glacier National Park. 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 Glacier National Park 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 Glacier National Park?

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find around the breathtaking destination of Glacier National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Glacier National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It offers something for everyone.

You'll find around the gorgeous park of Glacier National Park. If you have a weekend, this park 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 Glacier National Park?

Playa del Carmen is a fun place to experience. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Glacier National Park 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 Glacier National Park?

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

Glacier National Park 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 Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

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