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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Raleigh?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Raleigh? 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 vibrant, picture-perfect, and scenic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Raleigh

Raleigh is a southern, student-friendly, and suburban-style city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Playa del Carmen and Raleigh: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Playa del Carmen than Raleigh. While Raleigh is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Playa del Carmen is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Raleigh attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Raleigh and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Raleigh is famous for its many museums and being the home to North Carolina State University.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Raleigh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Raleigh 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 Raleigh. As the state capital, there are a number of free museums in the area. There are also some kid-friendly options and other activities that are affiliated with the colleges and universities. Popular options include the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (free), the NC Museum of History (free), the NC Museum of Art (free), and Marbles Kids 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 Raleigh? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Raleigh can be difficult as they are each nice 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 Raleigh. In addition to the standard chain restaurants, you'll find a number of local eateries with great southern dishes. Try some southern classics like barbecue, pimento cheese, and fried chicken and waffles. There are also good international options including Nepalese, Laotian, and Ethiopian flavors.

Is Playa del Carmen or Raleigh Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Raleigh has a few options to choose from. Head to downtown Raleigh or the areas around NC State University for some of the best nightlife. Trivia nights and happy hours are popular and you'll find breweries popping up in many places.

Is Playa del Carmen or Raleigh Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its resorts. However, Raleigh is not a resort destination.

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.

Raleigh is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is very popular for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Raleigh 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.

Raleigh is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Raleigh Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for the beach. However, Raleigh 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.

Raleigh is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Raleigh Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Raleigh is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for hiking. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Raleigh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Raleigh?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Raleigh Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Raleigh offers lots of family activities. For such a small city, Raleigh has a number of unique kid-friendly activities like the popular Pullen Park and Marbles Kids' Museum. Pullen Park has small rides and a playground that are perfect for young kids. There's also the NC Museum of Natural History which is free and fun to explore with kids.

Is Playa del Carmen or Raleigh Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for couples. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for romance.

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.

Raleigh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. While it's often overlooked by couples who want a weekend away, there are a number of museums and some nice restaurants to explore.

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

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for backpackers. However, Raleigh is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Raleigh is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Raleigh Better for Students?

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

Raleigh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a diverse student population with many nearby universities and colleges.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Is Playa del Carmen or Raleigh 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, Raleigh is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Raleigh. The city's public transportation options are limited to a few bus lines that are mostly used by students.

Is Playa del Carmen or Raleigh a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its ease of walking around. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Raleigh is generally not a very walkable town. The city is somewhat walkable in the downtown area, but everywhere else you'll need a car.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Raleigh?

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

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

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the suburban-style destination of Raleigh. 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 Raleigh?

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find nightlife and food around the suburban-style city of Raleigh. 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 Raleigh?

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Playa del Carmen has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Raleigh 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 Raleigh?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. In Playa del Carmen, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Raleigh 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Raleigh, 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 Raleigh?

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 Raleigh in the Summer?

Both Raleigh and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year.

Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Raleigh in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Raleigh fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Raleigh. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Raleigh during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Raleigh receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Raleigh. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Raleigh receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Raleigh and Playa del Carmen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Raleigh for the city's sights and attractions.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Raleigh. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Raleigh averages at about 61°F (16°C).

In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Raleigh. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Raleigh receives 211 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 October than Raleigh. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Raleigh receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Raleigh. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Raleigh in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Raleigh can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Raleigh. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Raleigh fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Raleigh during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Raleigh receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Raleigh. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Raleigh receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Raleigh. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Raleigh for the activities around the city during these months.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Raleigh in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Raleigh fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Raleigh. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Raleigh receives 251 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Raleigh. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Raleigh receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Typical Weather for Raleigh and Playa del Carmen