A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Atlantic City for Attractions, Nightlife, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Tulum or Atlantic City?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Atlantic City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tulum

Tulum is a tropical, active, and lively town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a glitzy, flashy, and party-oriented city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Tulum and Atlantic City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Atlantic City?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and Atlantic City are both popular with visitors, Tulum has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tulum is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also home to the Tulum archeological ruins. Atlantic City is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality

How is Tulum different from Atlantic City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tulum or Atlantic City?

Tulum is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Tulum that are not to be missed. 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.

While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

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

Tulum is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Tulum makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Atlantic City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Is Tulum or Atlantic City Better for Nightlife?

Both Tulum and Atlantic City are fantastic when it comes to partying.

Tulum is a must-see party destination. 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.

Atlantic City is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

Is Tulum or Atlantic City Better for Resorts?

Tulum is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers flock to Tulum for its luxury resorts. 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.

Atlantic City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

Is Tulum or Atlantic City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is a world-class destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Atlantic City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Tulum. 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.

Atlantic City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Atlantic City Better for Beaches?

Tulum is a world-class destination for its beaches. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

Tulum offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Atlantic City is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Is Tulum or Atlantic City Better for Hiking?

Tulum is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Atlantic City is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Atlantic City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Atlantic City?

Tulum is well known for shopping. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Tulum is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atlantic City. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Is Tulum or Atlantic City Better for Families?

Tulum is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Tulum is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Tulum or Atlantic City Better for Couples?

Tulum is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Tulum is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Atlantic City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Is Tulum or Atlantic City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is well known for backpackers. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Tulum. It's no longer an undiscovered backpacker paradise, but there are still affordable options in the area and there's a great nightlife scene.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Atlantic City. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

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

Both Tulum and Atlantic City offer good public transit options.

Tulum has a few public transit options. There are shared vans, Collectivos, that provide transportation through the area. The Tiburon is also a local bus that runs along the coastline.

Atlantic City has some public transit options. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

Is Tulum or Atlantic City a more walkable city?

Tulum and Atlantic City both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Atlantic City is a very walkable town. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlantic City or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Atlantic City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tulum and Atlantic City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tulum than in Atlantic City. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 1-3 days is enough time in Atlantic City.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tulum than Atlantic City 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 Tulum or Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the archeological destination of Tulum. 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.

In Atlantic City, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this glitzy destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tulum or Atlantic City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tulum. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atlantic City. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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.

Five days in Tulum or Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the ancient destination of Tulum. 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.

Atlantic City is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Atlantic City. Lots of people come for the nightlife. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Atlantic City?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the beautiful town of Tulum. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find nightlife and food around the party-oriented destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Atlantic City, we can see that Atlantic City is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Atlantic City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlantic City 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 Tulum Expensive? and Is Atlantic City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Atlantic City?

Atlantic City has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Atlantic City, 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 Tulum or Atlantic City?

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 Tulum or Atlantic City in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Atlantic City. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Atlantic City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Tulum is a little warmer than Atlantic City in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlantic City this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Atlantic City during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atlantic City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than Atlantic City. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or Atlantic City in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Atlantic City. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Atlantic City in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tulum is much warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Atlantic City averages at about 56°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the autumn, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Atlantic City. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 197 hours of full sun.

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Atlantic City. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Should I visit Tulum or Atlantic City in the Winter?

Both Atlantic City and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Atlantic City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Atlantic City can be very cold during winter. In January, Tulum is generally much warmer than Atlantic City. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Atlantic City fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than Atlantic City. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or Atlantic City in the Spring?

Both Atlantic City and Tulum during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the beaches.

Tulum is much warmer than Atlantic City in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In Atlantic City, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the spring, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Atlantic City. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 217 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Atlantic City. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.

Typical Weather for Atlantic City and Tulum