A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Bangor for Attractions, Nightlife, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Tulum or Bangor?

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 Bangor 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 archeological, tropical, and active town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bangor

Bangor is a laid back, welcoming, and friendly town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Tulum and Bangor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Bangor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tulum than Bangor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tulum is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Bangor is more popular for its small town charm. Tulum is more touristy than Bangor and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Also, Tulum is famous for the Tulum archeological ruins. Bangor is well known for its history as a lumber town.

How is Tulum different from Bangor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Tulum on the map. 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.

Bangor is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

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

Tulum is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Tulum is an experience not to be missed. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bangor. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Is Tulum or Bangor Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Is Tulum or Bangor Better for Resorts?

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

Tulum is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Bangor is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Bangor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Tulum is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Bangor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Bangor Better for Beaches?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for the beach. However, Bangor is not a beach destination.

Tulum is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Bangor is not a beach destination.

Is Tulum or Bangor Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Tulum is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Bangor?

Tulum is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bangor. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Is Tulum or Bangor Better for Families?

Tulum is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Tulum is known to be 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.

Bangor is a family-friendly town. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Is Tulum or Bangor Better for Couples?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Tulum is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Tulum or Bangor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Bangor is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Budget accommodation is available, but most backpackers don't think the visit here.

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

Tulum is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Bangor is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Is Tulum or Bangor a more walkable city?

Tulum is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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

Bangor is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bangor or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Bangor?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Tulum or Bangor to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Tulum than Bangor because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 1-2 days is enough time in Bangor.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Bangor. 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 Bangor. 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 Bangor 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 Bangor?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Tulum. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bangor, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this friendly destination offers. This town 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 Bangor?

Tulum is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bangor. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Bangor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tulum. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bangor is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Bangor. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Bangor?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the tropical destination of Tulum. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the laid back destination of Bangor. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Bangor?

Bangor has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Bangor, 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 Bangor?

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 Bangor in the Summer?

Both Bangor and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bangor this time of year.

In July, Tulum is generally a little warmer than Bangor. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Bangor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Tulum. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than Bangor. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or Bangor in the Autumn?

Both Bangor and Tulum during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bangor for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Tulum is much warmer than Bangor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Bangor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Bangor. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.4 inches (87 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.

Should I visit Tulum or Bangor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Bangor. Many travelers come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bangor in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bangor can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Tulum is much warmer than Bangor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Bangor averages at about 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than Bangor. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or Bangor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Bangor. Many visitors come to Tulum in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bangor for the small town charm during these months.

In April, Tulum is generally much warmer than Bangor. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Bangor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Bangor. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 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, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Bangor and Tulum