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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem? 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a friendly, under-rated, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Playa del Carmen and Winston-Salem: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Playa del Carmen than Winston-Salem. While Winston-Salem is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Playa del Carmen is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Winston-Salem attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Winston-Salem is famous for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Winston-Salem?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem. Old Salem has a nice concentration of museums and gardens. Outside of the old town you'll find several art museums like the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art.

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 Winston-Salem? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Winston-Salem can be difficult as they are each nice 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 Winston-Salem. North Carolina barbecue is popular around town. The city is also the birthplace of Krispy Kreme donuts and during the holiday season you should sample the local Moravian Cookies.

Is Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Playa del Carmen is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Winston-Salem. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

Is Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its resorts. However, Winston-Salem 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.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Winston-Salem 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.

Winston-Salem is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for the beach. However, Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

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.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem Better for its Old Town?

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

Winston-Salem offers a nice historic old town area. Nearby Old Salem is filled with historic museums, gardens, and restaurants. A ticket is required for most of the venues, but the atmosphere and architecture are charming.

Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Winston-Salem 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.

Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Winston-Salem 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.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly town. There are interactive museums like the Kaleideum science museums. There are also outdoor parks and playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, and a children's theater.

Is Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

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.

Winston-Salem is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are restaurants and movie theaters that make for a nice date night. There are also parks and walks that will get you outdoors.

Is Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for backpackers. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city 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.

Winston-Salem is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's not on the itinerary for most backpackers.

Is Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem Better for Students?

Winston-Salem is a popular place for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Winston-Salem is popular with students. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Is Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem 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, Winston-Salem is a mediocre 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 Winston-Salem. There are bus routes, but they are limited in their frequency and convenience, making a car essential for most visitors.

Is Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its ease of walking around. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for its 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.

Winston-Salem is generally not a very walkable town. The downtown area is the most pedestrian-friendly part of town, but most of the city requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Winston-Salem or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem?

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

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning destination of Playa del Carmen. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find food and shopping around the under-rated destination of Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the friendly city of Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning destination of Playa del Carmen. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful town of Playa del Carmen. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Winston-Salem 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem?

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 Winston-Salem in the Summer?

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

Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

Winston-Salem 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 more rain than Winston-Salem. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Winston-Salem. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Winston-Salem averages at about 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. 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 more sunshine than Winston-Salem. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 212 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 Winston-Salem. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 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 Winston-Salem in the Winter?

Both Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Winston-Salem can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Winston-Salem during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Winston-Salem. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Winston-Salem in the Spring?

Both Winston-Salem 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.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Winston-Salem in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Winston-Salem. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 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 Winston-Salem and Playa del Carmen