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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg? 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 vibrant, picture-perfect, and scenic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a quaint, well-preserved, and historic town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Playa del Carmen and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Playa del Carmen. Although Playa del Carmen and Williamsburg are popular destinations, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Williamsburg attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Williamsburg and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Williamsburg is famous for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Williamsburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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 Williamsburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg is an experience not to be missed. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

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 Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

People head to Playa del Carmen just to party. 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.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

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.

Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Williamsburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Williamsburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Playa del Carmen offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

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

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Williamsburg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen offers some nice hiking trails. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

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 Williamsburg Better for Families?

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

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.

Williamsburg is one of the most popular family destinations. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

Is Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Williamsburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Playa del Carmen is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Williamsburg is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

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

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for backpackers. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Williamsburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a number of restaurants and bars that cater to the student population, but there's little else that attracts backpackers.

Is Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Williamsburg. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

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

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for its public transit. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Playa del Carmen, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

Public transit is mostly limited in Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable town. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 2-4 days is enough time in Williamsburg.

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

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 museums and food around the historic destination of Williamsburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg?

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 food and shopping around the historic town of Williamsburg. If you have a weekend, this town 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 Williamsburg?

In Playa del Carmen, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this picture-perfect 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.

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg?

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.

Williamsburg 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 Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Williamsburg?

Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg in the Summer?

Both Williamsburg and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the family-friendly experiences.

Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Williamsburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Williamsburg during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Williamsburg. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Williamsburg and Playa del Carmen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Williamsburg averages at about 61°F (16°C).

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Williamsburg. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 211 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 October than Williamsburg. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Williamsburg. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Williamsburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Williamsburg. In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Williamsburg during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Williamsburg. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the spring for the natural beauty.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Williamsburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Williamsburg. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Playa del Carmen