A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zurich vs. Playa del Carmen for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Zurich or Playa del Carmen?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Playa del Carmen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Zurich

Zurich is a historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, Zurich attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums. See Zurich travel costs.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a scenic, stunning, and vibrant town. The beauty of Playa del Carmen is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Zurich and Playa del Carmen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Playa del Carmen?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Playa del Carmen than Zurich. While Zurich is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Playa del Carmen is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Zurich is known for its museums and attractions, food, music, historical sights, and shopping. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Zurich and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also home to La Quinta Avenida. Zurich is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices.

How is Zurich different from Playa del Carmen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Playa del Carmen and Zurich. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Zurich or Playa del Carmen?

Zurich is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Zurich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

While most people don't head to Playa del Carmen specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. If you're willing to head out of town, there are world class Mayan ruins not far away, but if you want to hang out near town, then you'll likely spend most of your time enjoying outdoor water activities.

Is the Food Better in Zurich or Playa del Carmen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zurich is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Zurich is an experience not to be missed. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Playa del Carmen. You'll find a good number of overpriced tourist restaurants in the area, but if you do some research you'll also find amazing and authentic Mexican food as well. There is everything from food trucks to fine dining that offer ceviche, tacos, or burritos. There are also plenty of places to grab pizza or burgers.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Playa del Carmen is a world class party destination. It rivals some of the country's best nightlife and you'll find plenty of venues to choose from, ranging from dive bars to swanky cocktail lounges. Head to the main walking street for some of the most active venues.

Zurich has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen Better for Music?

Zurich is a great destination for its music scene. However, Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Zurich has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Zurich is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Playa del Carmen for its luxury resorts. You'll find a huge number of luxury resorts in the area, particularly along the beach. There are fancy pools and beachfront properties that offer the perfect vacation retreat.

Zurich is not a resort destination.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Playa del Carmen. There's not a lot to see right off of the beach, but there are plenty of snorkeling excursions in the area that take you to beautiful reefs. The diving is world class as well and you'll find wonderful reefs, bull sharks, and hidden gems.

Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

Playa del Carmen offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The area is filled with world class beaches, long stretches of white sand, and beautiful blue water. You might even stumble across a sea turtle or two while you're swimming.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Zurich offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen offers some nice hiking trails. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Playa del Carmen?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Zurich is a world class destination for shoppers. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Playa del Carmen. Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen More Beautiful?

Zurich and Playa del Carmen are somewhat similar when it comes to the superb scenery.

The beauty of Zurich is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With Lake Zurich and the mountains as a backdrop, this is a truly beautiful city.

With stunning beauty, Playa del Carmen attracts visitors from all around. From beautiful beaches to inland jungles, this is a truly stunning destination.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Playa del Carmen is very family-friendly. From eco parks to kid-friendly snorkeling opportunities, there are many activities for kids of all ages. There are also adventure parks and playgrounds that are perfect for a fun afternoon.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Zurich. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Playa del Carmen is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Beautiful beaches and tropical jungles make this a paradise honeymoon destination. You'll find luxury resorts, fine dining restaurants, and countless opportunities to enjoy the stunning setting. Take a sunset cruise of explore one of the many natural wonders in the area.

Zurich makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zurich and Playa del Carmen are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Playa del Carmen. It's filled with tourists staying at luxury resorts, but you'll also find a couple of hostels tucked away in town. If you're interesting in scuba diving, then it's well worth the trip.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen Better for Students?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Zurich is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Zurich offers a very effecient public transportation network. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

While Playa del Carmen offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

Is Zurich or Playa del Carmen a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Playa del Carmen on foot. It's a compact and very walkable town. La Quinta is the main strip and it's pedestrian-only.

Zurich is a very walkable destination. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Zurich Worth Visiting? and Is Playa del Carmen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Playa del Carmen or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Playa del Carmen?

Both Zurich and Playa del Carmen have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen than in Zurich. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 3-7 days is enough time in Playa del Carmen.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Zurich. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Playa del Carmen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Zurich. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Playa del Carmen that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zurich than Playa del Carmen 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 Zurich.

One day in Zurich or Playa del Carmen?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Zurich. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Playa del Carmen. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Zurich or Playa del Carmen?

You'll find shopping and museums around the historic city of Zurich. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the shopping. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Zurich or Playa del Carmen?

Zurich is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Zurich or Playa del Carmen?

Zurich is a great place to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Playa del Carmen. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Playa del Carmen, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and Playa del Carmen is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Playa del Carmen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Playa del Carmen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Playa del Carmen?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Playa del Carmen, 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 Zurich or Playa del Carmen?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Zurich or Playa del Carmen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Playa del Carmen. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Zurich is cooler than Playa del Carmen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Playa del Carmen averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In Zurich, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zurich usually receives more sunshine than Playa del Carmen during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Carmen receives 223 hours of full sun in the summer.

Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Zurich usually receives less rain than Playa del Carmen. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zurich or Playa del Carmen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Playa del Carmen. Many travelers come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Zurich is generally much colder than Playa del Carmen. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. In the autumn, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Playa del Carmen. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Carmen receives 233 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. Zurich usually gets less rain in October than Playa del Carmen. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Zurich or Playa del Carmen in the Winter?

Both Playa del Carmen and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Zurich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. Zurich is much colder than Playa del Carmen in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Carmen during winter. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Carmen receives 224 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zurich usually receives more rain than Playa del Carmen. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zurich or Playa del Carmen in the Spring?

Both Playa del Carmen and Zurich during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Zurich is much colder than Playa del Carmen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Playa del Carmen averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Playa del Carmen. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Carmen receives 259 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in April than Playa del Carmen. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Playa del Carmen and Zurich