A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Key Largo for Nightlife, Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Tulum or Key Largo?

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 Key Largo 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. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a beautiful, relaxed, and peaceful island. It's a quaint destination. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches.

Tulum and Key Largo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Key Largo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tulum than Key Largo, 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 Key Largo is more popular for its quaint atmosphere. Tulum is more touristy than Key Largo and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Also, Tulum is famous for the Tulum archeological ruins. Key Largo is well known for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove.

How is Tulum different from Key Largo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Tulum has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Tulum is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Tulum has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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).

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is Tulum or Key Largo Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Tulum or Key Largo Better for Resorts?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its 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.

There are plenty of resorts in Key Largo to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Is Tulum or Key Largo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

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.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Key Largo. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Is Tulum or Key Largo Better for Beaches?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for the beach. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its beaches.

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.

Key Largo offers a nice beach destination. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Is Tulum or Key Largo Better for Hiking?

Tulum is great for hiking. However, Key Largo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Tulum for the hiking trails. 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.

Key Largo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Key Largo?

Tulum is great for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tulum or Key Largo Better for Families?

Key Largo is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Key Largo is an extremely popular island to visit for families. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

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.

Is Tulum or Key Largo Better for Couples?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island 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.

Key Largo is a nice destination for couples. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Is Tulum or Key Largo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

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

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

While Tulum offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is Tulum or Key Largo a more walkable city?

Tulum is great for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

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

Key Largo is not a walkable town. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Key Largo or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Key Largo?

Both Tulum and Key Largo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in Tulum. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 5-7 days is enough time in Key Largo.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Key Largo. 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 Key Largo. 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 Key Largo 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 Key Largo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the town of Tulum. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Key Largo, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling that this beautiful destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island 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 Key Largo?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the lively destination of Tulum. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Key Largo. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Key Largo?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the ancient town of Tulum. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

Key Largo is a fun place to experience. In Key Largo, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling that this destination offers. 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 Key Largo?

Tulum is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Key Largo, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling that this beautiful destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Key Largo?

Key Largo has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Key Largo, 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 Key Largo?

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 Key Largo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Key Largo. The summer months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Key Largo this time of year.

In July, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Key Largo. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Key Largo fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 316 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Key Largo. Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Key Largo. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Key Largo in the Autumn?

Both Key Largo and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.

Tulum is around the same temperature as Key Largo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Key Largo fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Key Largo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 275 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. It's quite rainy in Tulum. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Key Largo. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. 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.

Should I visit Tulum or Key Largo in the Winter?

Both Key Largo and Tulum during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Key Largo in the winter for the cuisine.

In the winter, Tulum is a little warmer than Key Largo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Key Largo averages at about 67°F (19°C).

In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the winter, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 243 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Key Largo. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Key Largo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Key Largo. Many visitors come to Tulum in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Key Largo for the beaches during these months.

In April, Tulum is generally a little warmer than Key Largo. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Key Largo fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key Largo this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 300 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Key Largo. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. 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.

Typical Weather for Key Largo and Tulum