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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or San Diego?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Diego? 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. 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.

San Diego

San Diego is a relaxed, outdoorsy, and idyllic coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Playa del Carmen and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or San Diego?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Diego than Playa del Carmen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Diego is more popular for its museums, music, hiking, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Playa del Carmen is known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty. Playa del Carmen is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. San Diego is popular for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. It is also home to The San Diego Zoo.

How is Playa del Carmen different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Diego offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.

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 San Diego? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and San Diego 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 San Diego. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

Playa del Carmen is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

San Diego has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is a great destination for its music scene. However, Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

San Diego has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Diego Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its luxury resorts. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its resorts.

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.

San Diego has a few great resort options. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.

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

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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.

San Diego has a few good snorkeling spots. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Diego Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Playa del Carmen and San Diego are amazing 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, San Diego is a very popular vacation destination. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around San Diego. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.

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 San Diego?

Shopping is a popular activity in both San Diego 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 San Diego. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Diego Better for Families?

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

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.

San Diego is one of the most popular family destinations. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Diego Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Playa del Carmen and San Diego make for a amazing 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, San Diego has plenty to offer. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.

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

Playa del Carmen and San Diego 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.

San Diego is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Diego Better for Students?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Many students frequent San Diego. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Diego 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, San Diego is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Playa del Carmen offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

Public transit is generally limited in San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Diego a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its ease of walking around.

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.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable town. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.

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

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or San Diego?

In either Playa del Carmen or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen than San Diego because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

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

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 museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of San Diego. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or San Diego?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the scenic 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 nightlife and live music around the outdoorsy coastal city of San Diego. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the beaches. 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 San Diego?

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.

San Diego 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 San Diego?

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.

San Diego is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the beaches. 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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and San Diego, 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 San Diego?

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 San Diego in the Summer?

Both San Diego 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. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Playa del Carmen is generally a little warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In San Diego, 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 San Diego. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 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 San Diego. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and San Diego. The autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego 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 San Diego during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 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 San Diego. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 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 San Diego in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. 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 around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than San Diego. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego 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. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. 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 San Diego during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than San Diego. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Playa del Carmen