A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Santa Monica for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica? 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 scenic, stunning, and vibrant town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a funfilled, energetic, and active town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Playa del Carmen and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Monica than Playa del Carmen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Santa Monica is more popular for its museums, food, and shopping, while Playa del Carmen is known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty. Playa del Carmen is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Santa Monica is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also home to the Santa Monica Pier.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History 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 Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica is an experience not to be missed. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.

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 Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Playa del Carmen has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Santa Monica has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.

Is Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its resorts. However, Santa Monica 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.

Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Santa Monica 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.

Santa Monica is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Playa del Carmen and Santa Monica are first-rate 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, Santa Monica is a very popular vacation destination. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.

Is Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica 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.

Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Santa Monica. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.

Is Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica.

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.

Santa Monica is one of the most popular family destinations. Many families spend their days hanging out on the beaches, soaking up the sun, and even trying to surf. There's a boardwalk as well as bike paths that are perfect for people watching. You should also check out the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which is a thrilling amusement park.

Is Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

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.

Santa Monica makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fun days on the beach, peaceful walks at sunset, and a wild nightlife scene make this the perfect couples destination for couples who enjoy activity and excitement.

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

Playa del Carmen and Santa Monica 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.

Santa Monica is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of activities in the area, whether you're into surfing, partying, or sunbathing. There's also at least one hostel that's great for budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica 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, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

Playa del Carmen has a few public transit options. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

Santa Monica does not have public transit. The Metro E Line connects the city to downtown Los Angeles. There's also the Big Blue Bus as well the Santa Monica Circuit, which are small electric carts that offer free rides between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street.

Is Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Santa Monica is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Playa del Carmen and Santa Monica. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen than in Santa Monica. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

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

In Playa del Carmen, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this scenic town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the active destination of Santa Monica. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Santa Monica?

Playa del Carmen is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the funfilled town of Santa Monica. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. 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. 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 Santa Monica?

In Playa del Carmen, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this scenic destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Santa Monica is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Santa Monica?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Santa Monica is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica?

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 Santa Monica in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Santa Monica. The summer months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In July, Playa del Carmen is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Santa Monica. 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. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene.

Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica in the Winter?

Both Santa Monica and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Monica. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica and Playa del Carmen during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches during these months.

In April, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Playa del Carmen