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

Should you visit Tulum or Blue Ridge?

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 Blue Ridge 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a historic, quaint, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Tulum and Blue Ridge: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Blue Ridge?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and Blue Ridge 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 impressive beauty, while Blue Ridge is known for its small town charm. Tulum is more touristy than Blue Ridge and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also home to the Tulum archeological ruins. Blue Ridge is popular for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere.

How is Tulum different from Blue Ridge?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its 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.

Blue Ridge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While you don't immediately think of museums in the area, there are a couple. The Dahlonega Gold Museum gives information on the gold rush and mining industry in town. In nearby Tennessee, Ducktown Basin Museum is a historic mine site that is open for tours.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Tulum and Blue Ridge.

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).

Blue Ridge has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find plenty of small town restaurants serving local dishes like barbecue, trout, and biscuits with gravy. Southern food is popular, but you'll also find plenty of breweries and wineries in the area. Head downtown for an assortment of options that include southern, vegan, and even international flavors.

Is Tulum or Blue Ridge Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for nightlife. Also, Blue Ridge 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.

Blue Ridge has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Is Tulum or Blue Ridge Better for Resorts?

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

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.

Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Blue Ridge Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Blue Ridge 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.

Blue Ridge is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Blue Ridge Better for Beaches?

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

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.

Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

Is Tulum or Blue Ridge Better for Hiking?

Both Tulum and Blue Ridge are destinations which offer very good hiking.

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.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Blue Ridge. There are miles of hiking trails in the area that take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. The starting point of the Appalachian Trail is also nearby, and another popular trail is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Options range from beginner to expert with everything in between.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Blue Ridge?

Both Tulum and Blue Ridge are very good 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.

Blue Ridge is well-known for its shopping. You'll find artisan shops, art galleries, and boutique clothing vendors. Many places are concentrated in the charming downtown area, which is fun to explore for a day or two.

Is Tulum or Blue Ridge Better for Families?

Both Tulum and Blue Ridge are very good to visit with kids.

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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Blue Ridge is very family-friendly. Kids who enjoy hiking and playing outdoors will have fun here. There are waterfall hikes, fruit picking farms, and plenty of playgrounds. There's also a scenic railway and lots of places to sample treats.

Is Tulum or Blue Ridge Better for Couples?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for romance. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Couples visit Blue Ridge frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. If you're looking for a cozy retreat where you can relax in a cabin, take long walks through nature, and enjoy local food, then this is your place. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and rustic cabins with fireplaces and simple pleasures. If you want to escape it all then the mountains are the place to be.

Is Tulum or Blue Ridge Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Tulum and Blue Ridge are very good destinations for backpackers.

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.

Many backpackers visit Blue Ridge. There are a number of campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hikes that backpackers will enjoy. Nearby you'll also find the start of the famed Appalachian Trail.

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

Tulum is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Tulum has some 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 limited or non-existant in Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Is Tulum or Blue Ridge a more walkable city?

Tulum is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Blue Ridge is a somewhat walkable place. While the downtown area is relatively walkable, if you want to hike and get out in nature, you'll need to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Blue Ridge or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Blue Ridge?

In either Tulum or Blue Ridge, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Tulum has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Tulum than Blue Ridge. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 2-5 days is enough time in Blue Ridge.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Blue Ridge. 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 Blue Ridge. 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 Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the ancient 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 Blue Ridge is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This 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 Blue Ridge?

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 Blue Ridge. 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.

Five days in Tulum or Blue Ridge?

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.

Blue Ridge is a fun place to experience. Blue Ridge is a small town with plenty to do. 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.

A week in Tulum or Blue Ridge?

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.

Blue Ridge is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

When comparing the travel costs between Tulum and Blue Ridge, we can see that Blue Ridge is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Blue Ridge?

Tulum has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Blue Ridge, 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 Blue Ridge?

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 Tulum or Blue Ridge in the Summer?

Both Blue Ridge and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Blue Ridge for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tulum is around the same temperature as Blue Ridge in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Blue Ridge. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Blue Ridge receives 265 hours of full sun.

Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Blue Ridge. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Blue Ridge in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Blue Ridge. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the autumn 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 Blue Ridge. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Blue Ridge averages at about 63°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Blue Ridge during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Blue Ridge receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Blue Ridge. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Tulum or Blue Ridge in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Blue Ridge. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Blue Ridge can be very cold during winter. In January, Tulum is generally much warmer than Blue Ridge. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the winter, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Blue Ridge. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Blue Ridge receives 145 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Blue Ridge. Tulum usually gets less rain in January than Blue Ridge. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Blue Ridge in the Spring?

Both Blue Ridge and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Tulum is much warmer than Blue Ridge in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Blue Ridge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Blue Ridge during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Blue Ridge receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Blue Ridge. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Typical Weather for Blue Ridge and Tulum