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

Should you visit Tulum or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix 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, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Tulum travel costs.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking. See Phoenix travel costs.

Tulum and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Phoenix?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tulum than Phoenix, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tulum is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Also, Tulum is famous for the Tulum archeological ruins. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Tulum different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Tulum is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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).

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Tulum or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Tulum or Phoenix Better for Resorts?

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

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.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Phoenix Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

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.

Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

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

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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Tulum or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a great town for hiking. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Phoenix?

Tulum is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Tulum or Phoenix More Beautiful?

Tulum is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tulum or Phoenix Better for Families?

Tulum is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Tulum or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Tulum or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Tulum or Phoenix 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, Phoenix 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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Tulum or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Tulum is a great town for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Phoenix?

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

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

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 Phoenix, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this sprawling destination offers. 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Phoenix. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Phoenix?

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 food and shopping around the sprawling destination of Phoenix. 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 from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

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

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Tulum is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix 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. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Tulum is around the same temperature as Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Tulum. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 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 Phoenix in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Tulum is much warmer than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the winter, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Phoenix. Many visitors come to Tulum in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Tulum is generally a little warmer than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tulum usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 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 Phoenix and Tulum