A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Roswell, New Mexico for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico? 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.

Roswell, New Mexico

Roswell, New Mexico is a infamous, quirky, and mysterious town. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Playa del Carmen and Roswell, New Mexico: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Playa del Carmen. Although Playa del Carmen and Roswell, New Mexico are both popular with visitors, Playa del Carmen has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Playa del Carmen is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Roswell, New Mexico is known for its museums. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Roswell, New Mexico and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also home to La Quinta Avenida. Roswell, New Mexico is popular for being the site of an alleged UFO crash.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Roswell, New Mexico?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Roswell, New Mexico 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 Roswell, New Mexico?

Roswell, New Mexico 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 Roswell, New Mexico. Most people stop in town specifically for the International UFO Museum and Research Center. It has a lot of information on the 1947 Roswell Crash and other supposed UFO incidents. Other museums in town include the Roswell UFO Spacewalk, the Roswell Museum, and the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art.

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 Roswell, New Mexico? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Roswell, New Mexico 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 Roswell, New Mexico. It's a good place to grab lunch as there are many casual restaurants that serve everything from burgers to tacos or other Mexican dishes.

Is Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for nightlife and partying. However, Roswell, New Mexico is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Roswell, New Mexico. There's no real nightlife scene and many visitors stop over in route somewhere else.

Is Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Roswell, New Mexico 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.

Roswell, New Mexico is not a resort destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its diving and snorkeling. However, Roswell, New Mexico 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.

Roswell, New Mexico is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for the beache. However, Roswell, New Mexico 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.

Roswell, New Mexico is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Roswell, New Mexico 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.

Roswell, New Mexico is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Roswell, New Mexico is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Roswell, New Mexico has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find the typical suburban chains where you can pick up essentials or food while you're in town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Roswell, New Mexico is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Roswell, New Mexico. Kids who enjoy a mystery will appreciate a visit to the International UFO Museum and Research Center. There's also the Spring River Park and Zoo which has native animals and a carousel.

Is Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its romantic activities. However, Roswell, New Mexico is lacking in good options for couples.

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.

Roswell, New Mexico is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's a bit outside the box as far as destinations go, so couples who enjoy the weird and quirky will enjoy a stop here.

Is Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Roswell, New Mexico is lacking in good options 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.

Roswell, New Mexico is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most people pass through in route to other destinations, and backpackers are no different.

Is Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Roswell, New Mexico 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 Roswell, New Mexico. There are buses, but it's easier to have your own car.

Is Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Roswell, New Mexico is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Roswell, New Mexico is a somewhat walkable town. The historic district is compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Roswell, New Mexico or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Playa del Carmen than Roswell, New Mexico because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 1-2 days is enough time in Roswell, New Mexico.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Roswell, New Mexico. 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 Roswell, New Mexico. 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 Roswell, New Mexico 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 Roswell, New Mexico?

In Playa del Carmen, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find museums and food around the quirky destination of Roswell, New Mexico. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico?

Many people visit Playa del Carmen for a weekend. 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. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find food and museums around the infamous town of Roswell, New Mexico. If you have a weekend, this town 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 Roswell, New Mexico?

In Playa del Carmen, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this beautiful destination offers. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Many people spend five days here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Playa del Carmen, five days is sufficent for most.

Roswell, New Mexico 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 Roswell, New Mexico?

In Playa del Carmen, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this stunning destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for one week. This town offers something for everyone. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Playa del Carmen has to offer.

Roswell, New Mexico 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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Roswell, New Mexico?

Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Roswell, New Mexico. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Roswell, New Mexico, 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.