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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Savannah?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Savannah? 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Savannah

Savannah is a charming, scenic, and historic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.

Playa del Carmen and Savannah: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Playa del Carmen than Savannah. While Savannah is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Playa del Carmen is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Savannah is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Savannah and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Also, Playa del Carmen is famous for La Quinta Avenida. Savannah is well known for its maritime past, its southern atmosphere, and its Historic District.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Savannah?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Savannah offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's long history can be explored at the Savannah History Museum. With the Savannah School of Art and Design in town, you'll also find a great art culture with several museums such as the SCAD Museum of Art and the Jepson Center for the Arts. There's also the Georgia State Railroad Museum and the Sea Maritime Museum. There are several historic houses that you can visit as well, such as the Andrew Low House, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, and Harper Fowlkes House.

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 Savannah? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Savannah 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 Savannah is an experience not to be missed. Local restaurants highlight southern hospitality as well as the cuisine. You'll find many classics such as crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and fried fish. There are many restaurants in historic buildings in the Historic District, but you'll also find a number of casual eateries in other neighborhoods.

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 Savannah Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for nightlife. However, Savannah is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Savannah is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife. Downtown Savannah and River Street are filled with bars and clubs that keep things lively when the sun goes down. During the warmer months there are outdoor venues, concerts and events, but even during the cooler seasons things stay busy.

Is Playa del Carmen or Savannah Better for Resorts?

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

Savannah is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Savannah 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.

Savannah is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Savannah Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its beaches. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beache.

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.

Many people head to Savannah to enjoy the beach. While Savannah doesn't actually have a beach, you can head to nearby Tybee Island for waves and sun. It's about half an hour away and the closest beaches to the city are on the island's north side.

Is Playa del Carmen or Savannah Better for its Old Town?

Savannah is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Savannah. There's an impressive Historic District that is filled with gardens, historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and Oak-lined streets. There are wonderful hotels and traditional restaurants that offer a beautiful experience.

Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Savannah Better for Hiking?

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

Savannah is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Savannah?

Savannah 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 Savannah. Shopping opportunities include art galleries, trendy clothing boutiques, and larger shopping malls. Visitors can wander down the popular Broughton Street, but there's also a City Market and Starland District.

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 Savannah Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Savannah is a family-friendly town. There's a children's museum in town. There's also many outdoor parks and the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. Kids will enjoy stopping for ice cream or other sweet treats, which are plentiful as well.

Is Playa del Carmen or Savannah Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for romance. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Savannah makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Trees with Spanish Moss as well as a charming Historic District make this a nice destination for a couple's weekend. There are parks where you can enjoy a picnic. There are also nature trails and many great southern restaurants.

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

Playa del Carmen and Savannah are notable 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.

Savannah is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a hostel in town, as well as a number of cheaper motels that are a bit outside of the Historic District.

Is Playa del Carmen or Savannah Better for Students?

Savannah is a popular place for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Savannah is popular with students. There are a couple of colleges in town including the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Is Playa del Carmen or Savannah 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, Savannah is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Savannah. While there are some types of public transit available, the vast majority of visitors have a vehicle, which they use to get around.

Is Playa del Carmen or Savannah a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its walkability. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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.

Savannah is a very walkable town. The Historic District is very walkable, and it makes a pleasant place to explore on foot.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Savannah?

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

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

The beautiful town of Playa del Carmen offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find museums and food around the charming destination of Savannah. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Savannah?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find food and shopping around the charming city of Savannah. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Savannah?

Playa del Carmen is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Playa del Carmen, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Savannah is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Savannah?

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Playa del Carmen has to offer. This town offers something for everyone.

Savannah is a great place to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Savannah?

Savannah has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Savannah, 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 Savannah?

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 Savannah in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Savannah. Typically, the summer temperatures in Playa del Carmen in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Savannah averages at about 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Savannah this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Savannah during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Savannah receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

Savannah receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Savannah. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Savannah receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Savannah. 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. Also, many travelers come to Savannah for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Playa del Carmen is generally a little warmer than Savannah. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and Savannah fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Savannah. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Savannah. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savannah receives 223 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in October than Savannah. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

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

Both Savannah 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 Savannah in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Savannah in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Savannah fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Savannah during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Savannah receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Savannah. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Savannah 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Savannah for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Savannah. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Savannah averages at about 66°F (19°C).

In Savannah, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Savannah. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savannah receives 275 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Savannah. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Savannah and Playa del Carmen