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

Should you visit Tulum or Toronto?

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 Toronto 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. Tulum is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Tulum travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a cultural, diverse, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.

Tulum and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Toronto?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toronto. Although Tulum and Toronto are both popular with visitors, Toronto has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Toronto is more popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Tulum is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Tulum is more touristy than Toronto and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Toronto is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also home to the CN Tower.

How is Tulum different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Tulum and Toronto have world-class landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

The museums and tourist attractions in Toronto are world-renowned. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

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

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

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).

Toronto has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

Is Tulum or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Both Tulum and Toronto are world-class when it comes to partying.

Tulum is a must-see party destination. 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.

Toronto is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

Is Tulum or Toronto Better for Resorts?

Tulum is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Toronto 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.

Toronto is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Toronto Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is terrific for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Toronto 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.

Toronto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Toronto Better for Beaches?

Tulum is terrific for its beaches. However, Toronto 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.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is Tulum or Toronto Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Toronto 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.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Toronto?

Toronto is terrific for shopping. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Toronto is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

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.

Is Tulum or Toronto More Beautiful?

Tulum is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Tulum is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tulum or Toronto Better for Families?

Both Tulum and Toronto are great 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, Toronto is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

Is Tulum or Toronto Better for Couples?

Tulum is terrific for romance. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Couples visit Toronto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

Is Tulum or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Tulum and Toronto are great destinations for backpackers.

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.

Many backpackers visit Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Is Tulum or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is terrific for students. However, Tulum is not popular with students.

Toronto is a very popular city for students. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

Tulum is not popular with students.

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

Toronto is terrific for its public transit. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Toronto can take you anywhere. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

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.

Is Tulum or Toronto a more walkable city?

Tulum and Toronto both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Toronto is a very walkable town. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Toronto?

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

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Toronto. 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 Toronto. 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.

One day in Tulum or Toronto?

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.

Each neighborhood in Toronto has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This 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 Toronto?

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 Toronto. 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 Toronto?

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.

Toronto is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Toronto has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tulum or Toronto?

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.

Each neighborhood in Toronto has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. 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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 550 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Toronto, 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 Toronto?

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 Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

Tulum is a little warmer than Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Toronto, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Toronto. 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 Toronto for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tulum is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 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 Toronto. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) 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 in Tulum is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Tulum or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Toronto. Many travelers come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Toronto can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tulum is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the winter, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tulum in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Toronto for the activities around the city during these months.

Tulum is much warmer than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Toronto. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) 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. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Tulum