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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee? 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Tallahassee

Tallahassee is a lively, vibrant, and youthful city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Playa del Carmen and Tallahassee: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Tallahassee. While Tallahassee is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Tallahassee attracts visitors for its museums. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Tallahassee and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Tallahassee is famous for its capital building and many universities.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Tallahassee?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Tallahassee offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As the capital city of Florida, you'll find a number of museums around town. Tallahassee Museum has outdoor and indoor space to explore. You can also visit the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, the Museum of Florida History, or the Florida Historic Capital 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 Tallahassee? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Playa del Carmen is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Tallahassee offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find plenty of chain restaurants and cheap eateries that cater to the students. The main options are classic American restaurants with a few international restaurants mixed in as well.

Is Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Tallahassee is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Tallahassee. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the student population. There are many bars and pubs that fill up with students on weekends.

Is Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Tallahassee is not a resort destination.

Playa del Carmen is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Tallahassee is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Tallahassee is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Playa del Carmen is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Tallahassee is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for the beach. However, Tallahassee is not a beach destination.

Playa del Carmen is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Tallahassee is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for hiking. However, Tallahassee is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Playa del Carmen. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Tallahassee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee. There is no shortage of strip malls and shopping centers in the area. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at Railroad Square and Market Square.

Is Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tallahassee is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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.

Tallahassee is a family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of outdoor parks and adventure activities for kids. You could also see the wild manatees at Wakulla Springs.

Is Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for couples. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for romance.

Playa del Carmen is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Tallahassee is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Head to a restaurant or bar. You could also check out a concert or explore a garden or park in town.

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

Playa del Carmen and Tallahassee are nice 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.

Tallahassee is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The student population creates an environment that is welcoming to backpackers. There's also a hostel in town with affordable rooms.

Is Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee Better for Students?

Tallahassee is a great destination for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Tallahassee is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Both Florida State University and Florida A&M University are located here. There's a large student population with many activities and cheap restaurants that appeal to the student crowd.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Is Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee. There is a bus system operated by StarMetro.

Is Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its walkability.

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.

Tallahassee is generally not very walkable. There are a couple of walkable areas around Railroad Square, Downtown, and Midtown, but for the most part the city is not pedestrian-friendly.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Playa del Carmen than Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee.

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the picture-perfect town of Playa del Carmen. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Tallahassee. 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 Tallahassee?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the vibrant destination of Playa del Carmen. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the youthful city of Tallahassee. If you have a weekend, this city 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 Tallahassee?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the scenic town of Playa del Carmen. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Playa del Carmen. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee, we can see that Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Tallahassee?

Tallahassee has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Tallahassee, 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 Tallahassee?

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 Tallahassee in the Summer?

Both Tallahassee and Playa del Carmen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Tallahassee for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Tallahassee in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Tallahassee fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Tallahassee, 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 Tallahassee. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tallahassee receives 283 hours of full sun.

Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Tallahassee receives 8.9 inches (227 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Tallahassee. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Tallahassee because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Tallahassee. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Tallahassee averages at about 69°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Tallahassee receives 256 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 Tallahassee. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Tallahassee receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season. June to November in Tallahassee is the hurricane season.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Tallahassee. The winter months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tallahassee this time of year.

In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Tallahassee. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Tallahassee fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

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 more sunshine than Tallahassee. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tallahassee receives 185 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Tallahassee. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Tallahassee receives 3.7 inches (95 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Tallahassee and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year.

Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Tallahassee in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Tallahassee fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Tallahassee. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Tallahassee during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Tallahassee receives 295 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tallahassee. In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Tallahassee. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Tallahassee receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October. The hurricane season in Tallahassee is June to November.

Typical Weather for Tallahassee and Playa del Carmen