A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Bar Harbor for Resorts, Beaches, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Tulum or Bar Harbor?

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 Bar Harbor 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a relaxed, quaint, and charming coastal town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Tulum and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Bar Harbor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and Bar Harbor are both popular with visitors, Tulum has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tulum is more popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Bar Harbor is known for its small town charm and quaint atmosphere. Tulum is more touristy than Bar Harbor and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also home to the Tulum archeological ruins. Bar Harbor is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Tulum different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is terrific for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Tulum and Bar Harbor.

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).

Bar Harbor has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

Is Tulum or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is terrific for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and 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.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Tulum or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Tulum is terrific for its resorts. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its luxury resorts.

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.

With a selection of resorts, Bar Harbor makes a nice vacation spot. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Is Tulum or Bar Harbor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is terrific for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bar Harbor 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.

Bar Harbor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Tulum is terrific for its beaches. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for the beache.

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.

Bar Harbor offers a nice beach destination. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Is Tulum or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its hiking trails.

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.

Bar Harbor offers some nice hiking trails. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Bar Harbor?

Both Tulum and Bar Harbor are great shopping destinations.

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.

Bar Harbor is well-known for its shopping. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Is Tulum or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

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

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly town. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is Tulum or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Tulum is terrific for romance. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Bar Harbor makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Is Tulum or Bar Harbor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town 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.

Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.

Is Tulum or Bar Harbor 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, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal 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 Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is Tulum or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Tulum and Bar Harbor both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Bar Harbor is a very walkable town. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tulum and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tulum than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Bar Harbor. 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 Bar Harbor. 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 Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the active town of Tulum, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tulum or Bar Harbor?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Tulum, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. 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 Bar Harbor?

Tulum, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bar Harbor is a fun place to experience. Bar Harbor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Bar Harbor?

Tulum is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bar Harbor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 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 Tulum and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Bar Harbor?

Tulum has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Bar Harbor, 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 Bar Harbor?

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 Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor 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 beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

Tulum is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

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

Should I visit Tulum or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tulum is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Bar Harbor. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor 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. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Should I visit Tulum or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

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

Bar Harbor can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tulum is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

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

Should I visit Tulum or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

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

Tulum is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Bar Harbor. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor 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. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Tulum