A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Clearwater for Attractions, Nightlife, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Tulum or Clearwater?

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 Clearwater 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.

Clearwater

Clearwater is a relaxing, beautiful, and outdoorsy coastal city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Tulum and Clearwater: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Clearwater?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and Clearwater are both popular with visitors, Tulum has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tulum is more touristy than Clearwater and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also home to the Tulum archeological ruins. Clearwater is popular for its beautiful white sand beaches, laid back atmosphere, and watersports.

How is Tulum different from Clearwater?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Clearwater offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Perhaps most well known is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, but there are also a surprising number of museums nearby such as the Dalí Museum, the impressive Chihuly Glass Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

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

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

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).

Clearwater has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Head to the waterfront for some of the best seafood. Unfortunately this is also where you'll find the highest prices. Shrimp, crab, and a fresh catch of the day are common on many menus.

Is Tulum or Clearwater Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for nightlife and partying.

People head to Tulum just to party. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Clearwater. You'll find laid back beach clubs, glitzy wine bars, and relaxed bars where you can spend a nice night out.

Is Tulum or Clearwater Better for Resorts?

Tulum is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit 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.

Clearwater is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a number of nice resorts along the coastline. Some of the most popular are the Sandpearl Resort, the Opal Sands Resort, and the Clearwater Beach Marriott.

Is Tulum or Clearwater Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is a world-class destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its diving and snorkeling.

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.

Clearwater has a few good snorkeling spots. There's both snorkeling and diving nearby. Some of the best dive spots are within and hour of the shore and you'll find diving shops that offer trips.

Is Tulum or Clearwater Better for Beaches?

Both Tulum and Clearwater are considered to be fantastic beach destinations.

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.

Clearwater offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Clearwater Beach is on many lists as one of the best beaches in America. It's the most popular beach in the area and it spreads out over 2.5 miles. Sand Key Beach is another popular destination as is the pristine Caladesi Island State Park.

Is Tulum or Clearwater Better for Hiking?

Tulum is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Clearwater 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.

Clearwater is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Clearwater?

Tulum is notable for shopping. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit 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 Clearwater. You'll find all of the standard shopping options in the area such as malls, shopping centers, and outlets. Westfield Countryside Mall is a popular destination as is the Cleveland Street District.

Is Tulum or Clearwater Better for Families?

Both Tulum and Clearwater 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, Clearwater is very family-friendly. Check out the playground and activities around Pier 60. Less crowded and family-friendly Sand Key Park is another favorite spot and the playgrounds at New Coachman Park and Crest Lake Park are also fun. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is another popular attraction for visitors with kids.

Is Tulum or Clearwater Better for Couples?

Tulum is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit 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.

Clearwater makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are beautiful parks and beaches as well as romantic activities like sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. Couples will also enjoy dining on local seafood and shopping at the local venues.

Is Tulum or Clearwater Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is notable for backpackers. However, Clearwater is a mediocre coastal city 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.

Clearwater is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel in town, and you'll find more affordable prices than in some nearby beach destinations.

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

Tulum is a good destination for its public transit. However, Clearwater is a mediocre coastal city 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 Clearwater. The Clearwater Jolley Trolley connects some of the area's highlights. There are also public buses that run several routes through town.

Is Tulum or Clearwater a more walkable city?

Tulum is notable for its walkability. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Clearwater is a somewhat walkable place. The waterfront and downtown areas are surprisingly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Clearwater or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Clearwater?

In either Tulum or Clearwater, 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 Clearwater. However, 3-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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.

In Clearwater, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this adventure-filled destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the beaches. This coastal city 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 Clearwater?

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 Clearwater. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tulum or Clearwater?

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.

Clearwater is a fun place to experience. In Clearwater, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the beaches. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tulum or Clearwater?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Clearwater. 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 beaches. 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 Clearwater, we can see that Clearwater 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 Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater 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 Clearwater Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Clearwater?

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

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 Clearwater in the Summer?

Both Clearwater and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Clearwater for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tulum is around the same temperature as Clearwater in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Clearwater fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Clearwater. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Clearwater during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Clearwater receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. It's quite rainy in Tulum. In July, Tulum usually receives less rain than Clearwater. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Clearwater receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or Clearwater in the Autumn?

Both Clearwater and Tulum during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Clearwater in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tulum is a little warmer than Clearwater. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Clearwater averages at about 75°F (24°C).

In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the autumn, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Clearwater. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Clearwater receives 234 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Clearwater. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.6 inches (65 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. Also, the hurricane season in Clearwater is June to November.

Should I visit Tulum or Clearwater in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Clearwater. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Clearwater for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Tulum is generally much warmer than Clearwater. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Clearwater fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater 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 Clearwater during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Clearwater receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tulum usually receives around the same amount of rain as Clearwater. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or Clearwater in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Clearwater. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Clearwater because of the beaches.

Tulum is a little warmer than Clearwater in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Clearwater fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the spring, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Clearwater. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Clearwater receives 299 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Clearwater. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.1 inches (53 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. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater.

Typical Weather for Clearwater and Tulum