A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Playa del Carmen vs. La Paz for Nightlife, Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or La Paz?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or La Paz? 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. 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.

La Paz

La Paz is a authentic, cultural, and beautiful city. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Playa del Carmen and La Paz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or La Paz?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Playa del Carmen than La Paz. While La Paz 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 nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty, while La Paz is known for its museums, food, and shopping. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than La Paz and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also home to La Quinta Avenida. La Paz is popular for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere.

How is Playa del Carmen different from La Paz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

La Paz is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

La Paz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Sights and landmarks around town include La Paz Cathedral, the Museo de Antropología e Historia de Baja California Sur, the the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur, and Teatro Juarez.

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 La Paz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Paz is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in La Paz is an experience not to be missed. As the capital of Baja California Sur, you'll find many local restaurants that serve traditional and authentic Mexican cuisine. The recipes include seafood and local produce. You'll find everything from food stalls to high end restaurants around town.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Playa del Carmen. 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.

Is Playa del Carmen or La Paz Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Playa del Carmen just to party. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Paz. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

Is Playa del Carmen or La Paz Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its luxury resorts.

Playa del Carmen is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

La Paz has a few great resort options. There are a number of hotels and resorts around town that make for a nice vacation.

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

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Playa del Carmen is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near La Paz. There are organized diving and snorkeling excursions available around town. It's location by the Sea of Cortez makes diving a world class experience.

Is Playa del Carmen or La Paz Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Playa del Carmen and La Paz are terrific choices.

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.

With world-famous beaches, La Paz is a very popular vacation destination. The beaches in the area are the main draw, and you'll find beaches that are family-friendly, romantic, or full of amenities. Some consider the beaches in the area among the best in Mexico.

Is Playa del Carmen or La Paz Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Playa del Carmen. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

La Paz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or La Paz?

La Paz 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 La Paz. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

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 La Paz Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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 La Paz. Older kids will enjoy swimming with whale sharks, whale watching, and experiencing the region's wildlife. There are also many beaches in the area where kids can play.

Is Playa del Carmen or La Paz Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Playa del Carmen is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

La Paz is a good town for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy walking along the beach promenade known as Malecon. There are also beaches and amazing animal experiences such as whale watching or dolphin viewing.

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

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

La Paz is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

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 La Paz 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 La Paz.

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 La Paz offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

Is Playa del Carmen or La Paz a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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.

La Paz is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in La Paz or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or La Paz?

It's fun to spend time in either Playa del Carmen or La Paz. 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 La Paz.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than La Paz. 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 La Paz. 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 La Paz 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 La Paz.

One day in Playa del Carmen or La Paz?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Playa del Carmen. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the authentic destination of La Paz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or La Paz?

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find shopping and museums around the cultural city of La Paz. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the beaches. 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 La Paz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

La Paz is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 La Paz?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the picture-perfect destination of Playa del Carmen. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

La Paz is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the beaches. 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 Adventure Tours to Mexico, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Mexico.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or La Paz?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and La Paz, 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 La Paz?

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 La Paz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and La Paz. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as La Paz. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than La Paz. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or La Paz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as La Paz. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to La Paz because of the shopping scene.

Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as La Paz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and La Paz fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in October than La Paz. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) 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 La Paz in the Winter?

Both La Paz and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.

In the winter, Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than La Paz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and La Paz averages at about 18°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in La Paz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than La Paz during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than La Paz. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or La Paz in the Spring?

Both La Paz and Playa del Carmen during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches.

In April, Playa del Carmen is generally a little warmer than La Paz. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in April than La Paz. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for La Paz and Playa del Carmen