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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Nashville?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Nashville? 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Nashville

Nashville is a country music lovers, eclectic, and southern city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food, museums, and nightlife.

Playa del Carmen and Nashville: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Nashville. While Nashville is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Nashville is more popular for its museums, music, and big city activities. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Nashville and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Also, Playa del Carmen is famous for La Quinta Avenida. Nashville is well known for its influence in country music and its many live music venues.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Nashville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nashville 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 Nashville. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

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 Nashville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Nashville 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 Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Is Playa del Carmen or Nashville Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Nashville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Is Playa del Carmen or Nashville Better for Music?

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

In Nashville you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Nashville Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

With a selection of resorts, Nashville makes a nice vacation spot. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

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

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Nashville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Nashville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Nashville Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Nashville is not a beach destination.

Playa del Carmen is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Nashville is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Nashville Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Nashville 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.

Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Nashville?

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Nashville Better for Christmas?

Nashville is a popular place for its Christmas activities. However, Playa del Carmen does not offer Christmas activities.

Many visitors go to Nashville during the Christmas season. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

Playa del Carmen does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Playa del Carmen or Nashville Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-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 kid-friendly things to do in Nashville. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

Is Playa del Carmen or Nashville Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Nashville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.

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

Playa del Carmen and Nashville 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.

Nashville is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

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

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Nashville 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 limited or non-existant in Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.

Is Playa del Carmen or Nashville a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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.

Nashville is not a walkable town. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Nashville?

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

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

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 eclectic destination of Nashville. 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 Nashville?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the stunning 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 museums around the eclectic city of Nashville. 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 Nashville?

You'll find nightlife and food around the picture-perfect 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.

Nashville 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 Nashville?

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.

Nashville 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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Nashville?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Nashville, 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 Nashville?

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 Nashville in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Nashville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Playa del Carmen in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Nashville averages at about 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. 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 Nashville. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 276 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 Nashville. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In October, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Nashville. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Nashville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Nashville during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 212 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 Nashville. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

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

Both Nashville and Playa del Carmen during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nashville this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nashville in the winter. Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Nashville in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Nashville fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Nashville. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Nashville. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Nashville. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nashville for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Nashville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Nashville averages at about 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville 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 Nashville during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun in the spring.

Nashville receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Nashville. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Nashville and Playa del Carmen