A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Martha's Vineyard for Attractions, Nightlife, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Tulum or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a peaceful, affluent, and coastal island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Tulum and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Martha's Vineyard?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tulum than Martha's Vineyard, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tulum is better known for its museums, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Martha's Vineyard is more popular for its small town charm. Tulum is more touristy than Martha's Vineyard and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Also, Tulum is famous for the Tulum archeological ruins. Martha's Vineyard is well known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping.

How is Tulum different from Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

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.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Tulum or Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Tulum and Martha's Vineyard.

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).

Martha's Vineyard has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

Is Tulum or Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Tulum or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both Tulum and Martha's Vineyard have fantastic options.

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.

Vacationers flock to Martha's Vineyard for its luxury resorts. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Is Tulum or Martha's Vineyard Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for the beach. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its beaches.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Is Tulum or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a great town for hiking. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Martha's Vineyard?

Both Tulum and Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard is well-known for its shopping. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Is Tulum or Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

Tulum is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Tulum. 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.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Tulum or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

Both Tulum and Martha's Vineyard are fantastic destinations for a couple's getaway.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Is Tulum or Martha's Vineyard Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.

Is Tulum or Martha's Vineyard 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, Martha's Vineyard is not known 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 generally limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Tulum or Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Tulum is a great town for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its walkability.

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

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Tulum Worth Visiting? and Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Martha's Vineyard or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Martha's Vineyard?

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

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Tulum, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Even though Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With museums and nightlife around the active town of Tulum, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Martha's Vineyard. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With nightlife and food around the active destination of Tulum, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Martha's Vineyard is a fun place to experience. Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Martha's Vineyard?

Tulum is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Tulum or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Martha's Vineyard. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tulum is generally a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun.

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Martha's Vineyard. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Tulum is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Tulum. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Martha's Vineyard. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 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 Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Tulum during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Martha's Vineyard can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Tulum is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the winter, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets less rain in January than Martha's Vineyard. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Martha's Vineyard. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Tulum is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 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 Martha's Vineyard and Tulum