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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Providence?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Providence? 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 picture-perfect, scenic, and stunning town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Providence

Providence is a active, friendly, and fascinating city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Playa del Carmen and Providence: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Providence. While Providence is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Providence attracts visitors for its museums and food. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Providence and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Providence is famous for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Providence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Providence 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 Providence. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's 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 Providence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Providence 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 Providence is an experience not to be missed. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

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 Providence Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Providence. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Is Playa del Carmen or Providence Better for Resorts?

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

Vacationers flock to Playa del Carmen for its luxury resorts. 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.

Providence is not a resort destination.

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

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

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Playa del Carmen. 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.

Providence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Providence Better for Beaches?

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

Playa del Carmen offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Providence is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Providence Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for hiking. However, Providence is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen offers some nice hiking trails. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Providence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Providence?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Providence 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 Providence. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Providence Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Playa del Carmen is very family-friendly. 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.

Providence is a family-friendly place to visit. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Is Playa del Carmen or Providence Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Playa del Carmen is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

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

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Providence is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Providence is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town for those who want an affordable place to stay.

Is Playa del Carmen or Providence Better for Students?

Providence is a great destination for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Providence is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Is Playa del Carmen or Providence 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 Providence.

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 Providence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Providence a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Providence is very walkable. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Providence?

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

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

With shopping and nightlife around the stunning town of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly destination of Providence. 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 Providence?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the friendly city of Providence. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. 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 Providence?

Playa del Carmen, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Providence 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 Providence?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Providence is a great place to explore. 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 Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Providence?

Providence 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 Providence, 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 Providence?

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 Providence in the Summer?

Both Providence and Playa del Carmen during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Providence because of the family-friendly experiences.

Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Providence in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Providence fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the summer, Playa del Carmen often gets less sunshine than Providence. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 293 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in July than Providence. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Providence. The autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Providence this time of year.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Providence. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Providence averages at about 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence 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 Providence during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Providence. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Providence receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Providence. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Providence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Providence. In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Providence fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Providence. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 170 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Providence. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Providence and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Providence in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Providence fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Providence. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Providence during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Providence. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Providence and Playa del Carmen