A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Oahu for Nightlife, Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Oahu?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Oahu? 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.

Oahu

Oahu is a scenic, historic, and energetic island. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Playa del Carmen and Oahu: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oahu. Although Playa del Carmen and Oahu are both popular with visitors, Oahu has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Oahu is more popular for its museums, music, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Playa del Carmen is known for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling. Playa del Carmen is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Oahu is popular for its unique blend of cultures, stunning beaches, vibrant energy, and world class water sports (including surfing). It is also home to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Oahu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oahu offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The USS Arizona Memorial & Pearl Harbor is a moving and special place to visit, but tickets should be purchased in advance. Other landmarks around the island include the Tour Iolani Palace and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

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 Oahu? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Oahu 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 Oahu. Honolulu has a diversity of cuisines and a cosmopolitan vibe, giving it some of the best food in the Hawaiian Islands. The local restaurants are influenced by a number of countries and often incorporate Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Portuguese flavors. Dishes are often saucy, sweet, and starchy, but you'll also find fresh tropical fruits such as mango and coconut.

Is Playa del Carmen or Oahu Better for Nightlife?

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

Oahu is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Honolulu, and Oahu, have some of the best nightlife in the Hawaiian islands. There are tiki bars and posh nightclubs that keep buzzing late into the night. Head to Waikiki for some of the island's best nightlife. In Honolulu you'll find some local bars and clubs, but many resorts also offer a great nightlife scene and a fun atmosphere that caters specifically to tourists.

Is Playa del Carmen or Oahu Better for Music?

Oahu is a island with a few options for its music scene. However, Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

For those who seek it out, Oahu has several music venues. There are a few good venues that offer live music on Oahu.

Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Oahu Better for Resorts?

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

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.

In Oahu, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The island has a diversity of resorts, from luxury 5 star accommodation to family-friendly resorts that are fun for all ages. Ko Olina is where you'll find Aulani, the Disney Resort. Waikiki is one of the most famous tourist areas on the island and you'll find high rise hotels and condos along the beach.

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

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Oahu is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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.

Oahu is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. Snorkeling and diving on the island is among the best in the world. There are 3 marine life conservation parks and miles of coastline to explore.

Is Playa del Carmen or Oahu Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Playa del Carmen and Oahu are fantastic 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, Oahu is a very popular vacation destination. From the energetic Waikiki Beach to the family-friendly Ko Olina, Oahu has some of the most famous beaches in the world. The beaches are lined with sand and some areas offer better swimming conditions than others. You'll also find beaches with snorkeling or sea turtles, and some with world class surfing waves.

Is Playa del Carmen or Oahu Better for Hiking?

Oahu is an amazing island to visit for its hiking experiences. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

People visit Oahu specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. World famous hikes on the island include Diamond Head and Koko Crater Railroad Trailhead. There are hikes ranging from easy to challenging and views that will take your breath away.

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 Oahu?

Oahu 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 Oahu. There are shopping centers and malls in Honolulu that have major department stores as well as island favorites. For a local experience head to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet or wander along the Waikiki Beach Walk with its many boutique shops. Also worth a visit is the Honolulu Chinatown market.

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 Oahu Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Playa del Carmen or Oahu.

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.

Oahu is one of the most popular family destinations. There are plenty of outdoor activities, places to learn about Hawaiian culture, and world class beaches. The most popular family-friendly area is Ko Olina, which is where you'll find the Disney Resort, Aulani. Kids will also enjoy the area's snorkeling and kayaking. Surfing lessons are a fun activity for the whole family as well.

Is Playa del Carmen or Oahu Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Playa del Carmen and Oahu make for a fantastic place to visit.

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.

For those traveling as a couple, Oahu has plenty to offer. The island offers a beautiful and adventurous honeymoon destination that is perfect for anniversaries and other romantic getaways. It's an island paradise with world class beaches, stunning vistas, and countless water sports.

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

Playa del Carmen and Oahu are good 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.

Oahu is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels on the island. Public transportation is also a bit better than the other islands, so it is one of the better Hawaiian islands for backpackers.

Is Playa del Carmen or Oahu 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, Oahu 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 Oahu. Honolulu has a fairly good bus system, but once you're out of the city, public transportation is limited.

Is Playa del Carmen or Oahu a more walkable city?

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

Oahu is generally not very walkable. There are some walkable neighborhoods in Honolulu, but if you really want to explore the island, you'll want to have a car.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Oahu?

Both Playa del Carmen and Oahu have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Playa del Carmen has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Oahu. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Oahu. 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 Oahu. 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.

One day in Playa del Carmen or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Playa del Carmen. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the energetic destination of Oahu. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Oahu?

Playa del Carmen is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the vibrant island of Oahu. It's also a relaxing resort destination. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Playa del Carmen or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the vibrant destination of Playa del Carmen. This town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Oahu is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Playa del Carmen or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic town of Playa del Carmen. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Oahu is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It is common to spend one week here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Oahu, we can see that Oahu 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 Oahu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oahu 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 Oahu Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Oahu?

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 Oahu in the Summer?

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

In July, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Oahu. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Oahu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oahu. 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 Oahu. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 303 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 Oahu. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Oahu 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 Oahu for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Oahu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 246 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 Oahu. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 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 Oahu in the Winter?

Both Oahu 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 Oahu because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Oahu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Oahu averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In Oahu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 212 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Oahu. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In April, Playa del Carmen is generally a little warmer than Oahu. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Oahu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oahu this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Oahu. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Typical Weather for Oahu and Playa del Carmen