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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Wilmington?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Wilmington? 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a welcoming, charming, and historic city. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Playa del Carmen and Wilmington: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Wilmington. While Wilmington is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Wilmington is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Wilmington and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Also, Playa del Carmen is famous for La Quinta Avenida. Wilmington is well known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Wilmington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Wilmington 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 Wilmington. There are art, history, and science museums around town. The Battleship North Carolina is a popular destination. Science enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For art, head to the Cameron Art Museum or Art in Bloom Gallery.

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 Wilmington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Wilmington can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Playa del Carmen area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Wilmington. Head to the waterfront for local seafood restaurants that offer outdoor seating and fresh caught fish. There are also farm-to-table restaurants and local diners with casual food.

Is Playa del Carmen or Wilmington Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Playa del Carmen is a world class party destination. 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 Wilmington. Live music is popular around town. There are also bars, lounges and dance clubs. When the weather is warm, many places make use of the outdoor setting, which makes for a relaxed and fun evening.

Is Playa del Carmen or Wilmington Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Playa del Carmen offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Wilmington is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Wilmington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Playa del Carmen specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Wilmington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Wilmington Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its beaches. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beache.

The beaches in Playa del Carmen are among the best in 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.

The beaches at Wilmington attract visitors from all over. Nearby you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They have long stretches of sand and great waves. The water is usually warm enough for swimming between the months of April and October. During these peak months parking can be challenging, but during the quieter times, you shouldn't have trouble.

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

Wilmington is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Wilmington offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Wilmington Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen has hiking trails worth exploring. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Wilmington?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Wilmington 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 Wilmington. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Is Playa del Carmen or Wilmington Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. 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.

Wilmington is a very kid-friendly town. Near town you'll find several beaches - Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They're all family-friendly and perfect for a day's activity. The city also has the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Children's Museum of Wilmington, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. For a rainy day there are also indoor play areas and entertainment centers.

Is Playa del Carmen or Wilmington Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Playa del Carmen has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Wilmington is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beaches are great for a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing. In the evening head into town and enjoy one of the local seafood restaurants on the waterfront. You'll also find great shopping and historical sights in the area.

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

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Wilmington is not a good destination for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Wilmington is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, the university and great beaches make this a surprisingly fun destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Wilmington Better for Students?

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

Wilmington is popular with students. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

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

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Wilmington 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 Wilmington. There are public buses around town, but for practical reasons, you'll want to have your own vehicle.

Is Playa del Carmen or Wilmington a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of 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.

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable place. The Historic District is best explored on foot. You can also get around Wrightsville Beach on foot, but traveling between these places requires a car.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Wilmington?

In either Playa del Carmen or Wilmington, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Wilmington because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 2-5 days is enough time in Wilmington.

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

With shopping and nightlife around the vibrant town of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Wilmington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Wilmington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the welcoming city of Wilmington. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Wilmington?

Playa del Carmen, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wilmington is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Playa del Carmen or Wilmington?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Wilmington 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 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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Wilmington?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Wilmington, 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 Wilmington?

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 Wilmington in the Summer?

Both Wilmington 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Wilmington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Playa del Carmen in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Wilmington averages at about 81°F (27°C).

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

Wilmington 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 Wilmington. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Wilmington. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Playa del Carmen is generally a little warmer than Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and Wilmington fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 227 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 Wilmington. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Wilmington. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Wilmington in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Wilmington fluctuates around 45°F (7°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 Wilmington. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Wilmington. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Wilmington 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. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.

In the spring, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Wilmington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Wilmington averages at about 63°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Wilmington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Wilmington. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Wilmington and Playa del Carmen