A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Reykjavik vs. Tulum for Nightlife, Hiking, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Reykjavik or Tulum?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik or Tulum, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty in Reykjavik as well. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping. See Reykjavik travel costs.

Tulum

Tulum is a ancient, archeological, and tropical town. Tulum is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Tulum travel costs.

Reykjavik and Tulum: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reykjavik or Tulum?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tulum. Although Reykjavik and Tulum are both popular with visitors, Tulum has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tulum is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Tulum is more touristy than Reykjavik and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also home to the Tulum archeological ruins. Reykjavik is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Reykjavik different from Tulum?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tulum and Reykjavik. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Reykjavik or Tulum?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Tulum from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. It's famous for its world-renowned archeological ruins. The Tulum Archeological Site is very popular for its Mayan temples and castles. You can also travel a bit further to see the Cobá Ruins.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Reykjavik or Tulum? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Tulum. Despite being well established as a top tourist destination in Mexico, you'll still find authentic and delicious local cuisine. Favorite dishes around town include the ceviche, tacos al pastor, and sopa de lima (chicken soup).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Reykjavik or Tulum Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Tulum has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It's world renowned for its wild nightlife scene and you'll find iconic beach parties, jungle raves, and trendy Tuluminati parties. Most of the local places that are a bit more affordable are in town, and the more touristy and expensive places are around the Middle Beach Zone.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Reykjavik or Tulum Better for Resorts?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Tulum offers an unforgettable resort vacation. If you're on a budget, you can stay in town for a more reasonable price, but if you want a classic beach vacation, head to the Zona Hotelera stretch along the coast. There are luxury hotels as well as resorts with beachfront pools and luxury restaurants.

Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Is Reykjavik or Tulum Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Reykjavik is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Tulum specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The water along the coast is shallow and clear, which is perfect for snorkeling. There are also dive trips that take you a short distance out to diverse and beautiful reefs.

Reykjavik is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Reykjavik or Tulum Better for Beaches?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Tulum are among the best in the world. World class beaches with turquoise water and long stretches of sand make this a true beach-lovers paradise. Playa Paraíso is a favorite beach in the area and many consider it among the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Reykjavik or Tulum Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is terrific for the nearby hiking options. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Around Reykjavik visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Tulum. There are coastal walks and routes that take you through the jungle or by archeological ruins. There are many places where you can enjoy a stroll through nature.

Is the Shopping Better in Reykjavik or Tulum?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Tulum. Quirky souvenir shops, local artisan boutiques, and colorful bazaars make shopping a fun experience. Make sure you check out Mercado Maya or the Tulum Bazaar while you're in town.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Reykjavik or Tulum More Beautiful?

Reykjavik is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Reykjavik as well. The city offers the perfect gateway to world-renowned natural beauty including waterfalls, hot springs, and active volcanoes.

The beauty of Tulum is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Is Reykjavik or Tulum Better for Families?

Reykjavik and Tulum are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly destination. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Tulum is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will love the beaches and archeological sights as much as adults. You can also visit a cenote or see the sea turtles at Akumal Bay. If you're open to getting out of town, there are many adventure parks in the area as well.

Is Reykjavik or Tulum Better for Couples?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for romance. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Tulum has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Beautiful beaches, world famous archeological sights, and a wild nightlife scene make this a great honeymoon or couple's destination. There are also spas, cenotes, and even cooking classes that you can take together.

Couples visit Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Reykjavik or Tulum Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Tulum is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's no longer an undiscovered backpacker paradise, but there are still affordable options in the area and there's a great nightlife scene.

Reykjavik is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Reykjavik or Tulum Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a city with good options for students. However, Tulum is not popular with students.

Reykjavik is a good city to visit for students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Tulum is not popular with students.

Is Reykjavik or Tulum Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Reykjavik and Tulum.

Reykjavik has some public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

You'll find some public transit in Tulum, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shared vans, Collectivos, that provide transportation through the area. The Tiburon is also a local bus that runs along the coastline.

Is Reykjavik or Tulum a more walkable city?

Reykjavik and Tulum are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Tulum is a very walkable city. It's easy to walk around downtown Tulum and explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting? and Is Tulum Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tulum or Reykjavik?

How long in Reykjavik or Tulum?

In either Reykjavik or Tulum, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Tulum has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Tulum than Reykjavik. In general, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Reykjavik, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tulum.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Reykjavik. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tulum, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Tulum than Reykjavik. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tulum that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tulum than Reykjavik 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 Tulum.

One day in Reykjavik or Tulum?

In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this clean destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find nightlife and food around the town of Tulum. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Reykjavik or Tulum?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the active destination of Tulum. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Reykjavik or Tulum?

Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the archeological town of Tulum. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

A week in Reykjavik or Tulum?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the clean destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Tulum is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reykjavik and Tulum, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik is in Europe and Tulum is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik than you might in Tulum.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Reykjavik Expensive? and Is Tulum Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Tulum?

Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik and Tulum, 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 Reykjavik or Tulum?

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 Reykjavik or Tulum in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Tulum. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Reykjavik is much colder than Tulum in the summer. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Tulum fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. In the summer, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Tulum. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tulum. Reykjavik usually gets less rain in July than Tulum. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Tulum in the Autumn?

Both Tulum and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In the autumn, Reykjavik is much colder than Tulum. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Reykjavik in October average around 5°C (41°F), and Tulum averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Tulum. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during autumn. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. In October, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than Tulum. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Tulum in the Winter?

Both Tulum and Reykjavik during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Tulum. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around -0°C (32°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Tulum. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun.

Reykjavik usually gets more rain in January than Tulum. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reykjavik or Tulum in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Tulum. Most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. Reykjavik is much colder than Tulum in the spring. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 3°C (38°F) in April, and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during spring. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Tulum. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Typical Weather for Tulum and Reykjavik