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

Should you visit Tulum or Detroit?

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 Detroit 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 ancient, archeological, and tropical town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Detroit

Detroit is a under-rated, hardworking, and overlooked city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Tulum and Detroit: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Detroit?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and Detroit are popular destinations, Tulum has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tulum is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Detroit attracts visitors for its music and big city activities. Tulum is more touristy than Detroit and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also well known for the Tulum archeological ruins. Detroit is famous for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry.

How is Tulum different from Detroit?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Tulum are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Detroit. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

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

Tulum is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Tulum has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 many up and coming restaurants in the Detroit area. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Is Tulum or Detroit Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Tulum is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Detroit is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

Is Tulum or Detroit Better for Music?

Detroit is terrific for live music. However, Tulum is not a live music destination.

Detroit is a world class music destination. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Tulum is not a live music destination.

Is Tulum or Detroit Better for Resorts?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Detroit is not a resort destination.

Tulum offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Detroit is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Detroit Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Detroit is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Tulum specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Detroit is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Detroit Better for Beaches?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Detroit is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Tulum are among the best in 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.

Detroit is not a beach destination.

Is Tulum or Detroit Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Detroit?

Tulum is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Tulum is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Detroit to go shopping. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Is Tulum or Detroit Better for Families?

Tulum is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Tulum is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Detroit. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is Tulum or Detroit Better for Couples?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

Tulum has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is Tulum or Detroit Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers 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.

Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.

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

Tulum is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Detroit 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 generally limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is Tulum or Detroit a more walkable city?

Tulum is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Detroit is a somewhat walkable town. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Detroit or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Detroit?

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

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

In Tulum, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Detroit, many people enjoy the live music and food that this under-rated destination offers. Lots of people come for the live music. 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 Detroit?

In Tulum, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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

Tulum is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tulum has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Detroit is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Detroit. Lots of people come for the live music. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Detroit?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tulum. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Tulum. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Detroit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the live music. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Tulum and Detroit, we can see that Detroit 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 Detroit Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Detroit?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Detroit, 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 Detroit?

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 Detroit in the Summer?

Both Detroit and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Detroit because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tulum is a little warmer than Detroit. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Detroit averages at about 74°F (24°C).

In Detroit, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Detroit. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 319 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Detroit. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Detroit in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Detroit. The autumn months attract visitors to Tulum because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Detroit this time of year.

In October, Tulum is generally much warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Detroit fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 172 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 Detroit. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 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 is the hurricane season in Tulum.

Should I visit Tulum or Detroit in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Detroit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Detroit for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Detroit. Tulum is much warmer than Detroit in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Detroit fluctuates around 25°F (-4°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 Detroit. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 120 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets more rain in January than Detroit. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Detroit in the Spring?

Both Detroit and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Detroit in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Tulum is much warmer than Detroit. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Detroit averages at about 49°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Detroit. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 223 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Detroit. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 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. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Detroit and Tulum