A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. San Fernando for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or San Fernando?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Fernando? 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.

Where Should I go: Playa del Carmen or San Fernando?

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.

San Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and San Fernando, we can see that San Fernando is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North America and San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Fernando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Fernando 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 Fernando Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or San Fernando?

San Fernando has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and San Fernando, 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 Fernando?

Playa del Carmen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Fernando experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Fernando in the Summer?

Both San Fernando and Playa del Carmen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round.

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

In San Fernando, 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 more sunshine than San Fernando. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 206 hours of full sun.

San Fernando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in July than San Fernando. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and San Fernando. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as San Fernando in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando 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 San Fernando during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 207 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Fernando receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than San Fernando. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 199 mm (7.8 in) 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 Fernando in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as San Fernando. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year.

In the winter, Playa del Carmen is cooler than San Fernando. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and San Fernando averages at about 26°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. 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 Fernando. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 241 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than San Fernando. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both San Fernando and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as San Fernando. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in San Fernando. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than San Fernando during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 238 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than San Fernando. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Typical Weather for San Fernando and Playa del Carmen