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

Should you visit Tulum or West Palm Beach?

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 West Palm Beach 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 active, lively, and ancient town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a fun-filled, diverse, and vibrant beach area. It's also known for nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Tulum and West Palm Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or West Palm Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and West Palm Beach are both popular with visitors, Tulum has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tulum is more touristy than West Palm Beach and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also home to the Tulum archeological ruins. West Palm Beach is popular for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports.

How is Tulum different from West Palm Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach?

Tulum is very popular for its historical sights. However, West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Tulum from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tulum or West Palm Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tulum is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, West Palm Beach is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Tulum. 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).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in West Palm Beach. Oceanfront restaurants usually have a great view and offer local and fresh seafood. There are also many local restaurants concentrated around Clematis Street and CityPlace districts.

Is Tulum or West Palm Beach Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is very popular for nightlife. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for nightlife and partying.

Tulum is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

West Palm Beach offers plenty to do in the evening. With rooftop bars and clubs, oceanfront venues, and plenty of nightlife options downtown, this city rivals most places when it comes to nightlife. The nightlife scene is particularly active during spring break, when university students head to town.

Is Tulum or West Palm Beach Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both Tulum and West Palm Beach have terrific 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 West Palm Beach for its luxury resorts. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.

Is Tulum or West Palm Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is very popular for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for its diving and snorkeling.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Tulum a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. 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 is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in West Palm Beach. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.

Is Tulum or West Palm Beach Better for Beaches?

Both Tulum and West Palm Beach are considered to be terrific beach destinations.

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.

West Palm Beach offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.

Is Tulum or West Palm Beach Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a great town for hiking. However, West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or West Palm Beach?

Tulum is a great town for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tulum or West Palm Beach Better for Families?

Both Tulum and West Palm Beach are excellent 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, West Palm Beach is very family-friendly. Animal lovers will appreciate the zoos and aquariums in the area. Check out McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Manatee Lagoon, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

Is Tulum or West Palm Beach Better for Couples?

Tulum is very popular for romance. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for its romantic activities.

Tulum makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

West Palm Beach is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy kayaking, dining out, or simply relaxing on the beach. It's fun to spend a day exploring the botanical gardens and an evening wandering around Clematis Street.

Is Tulum or West Palm Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, West Palm Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Tulum is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's no longer an undiscovered backpacker paradise, but there are still affordable options in the area and there's a great nightlife scene.

West Palm Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Both Tulum and West Palm Beach offer good public transit options.

Tulum has a few 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.

West Palm Beach has some public transit options. There's a downtown trolley, a commuter trail line (connecting West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), and a bus system with about 30 lines.

Is Tulum or West Palm Beach a more walkable city?

Tulum is a great town for its walkability. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for its high level of walkability.

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

West Palm Beach is a somewhat walkable place. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Tulum Worth Visiting? and Is West Palm Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in West Palm Beach or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or West Palm Beach?

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

Families should spend more time in Tulum than West Palm Beach. 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 West Palm Beach. 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 West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach?

The tropical destination of Tulum offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In West Palm Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this diverse destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the beaches. This beach area 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 West Palm Beach?

The town of Tulum offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. 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 West Palm Beach. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 West Palm Beach?

Tulum is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

West Palm Beach is a fun place to experience. In West Palm Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the beaches. 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 West Palm Beach?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Tulum. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

In West Palm Beach, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife that this diverse 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. Lots of people come for the beaches. 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach?

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 West Palm Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tulum as well as West Palm Beach. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to West Palm Beach in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tulum is around the same temperature as West Palm Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

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

It's quite rainy in West Palm Beach. Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum usually gets less rain in July than West Palm Beach. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or West Palm Beach in the Autumn?

Both West Palm Beach and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tulum is around the same temperature as West Palm Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and West Palm Beach averages at about 78°F (25°C).

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. It's quite rainy in Tulum. In October, Tulum usually receives less rain than West Palm Beach. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 8.7 inches (222 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. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season. June to November in West Palm Beach is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Tulum or West Palm Beach in the Winter?

Both West Palm Beach and Tulum during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to West Palm Beach because of the cuisine.

In January, Tulum is generally a little warmer than West Palm Beach. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

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

Tulum usually gets less rain in January than West Palm Beach. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or West Palm Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and West Palm Beach. The spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to West Palm Beach this time of year.

Tulum is a little warmer than West Palm Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

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

In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than West Palm Beach. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 3.5 inches (89 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. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October. The hurricane season in West Palm Beach is June to November.

Typical Weather for West Palm Beach and Tulum