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

Should you visit Berlin or Playa del Carmen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berlin or Playa del Carmen, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Berlin

Berlin is a creative, eclectic, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums. See Berlin travel costs.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a picture-perfect, scenic, and stunning town. The beauty of Playa del Carmen is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Berlin and Playa del Carmen: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Berlin than Playa del Carmen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Berlin is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Playa del Carmen is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Berlin and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Berlin is popular for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history. It is also home to the Brandenburg Gate.

How is Berlin 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 Berlin. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Berlin is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Berlin on the map. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island, where you'll find the Pergamon Museum, the James Simon Gallery, the Altes Museum, and the Neues Museum, among others.

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 Berlin or Playa del Carmen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Berlin 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 Berlin is an experience not to be missed. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel. You'll find many diverse food halls, street markets, and local restaurants, as well as a large selection of traditional German restaurants that cater to the tourists.

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 Berlin or Playa del Carmen Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find fantastic options in both Berlin and Playa del Carmen.

The nightlife in Berlin is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.

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.

Is Berlin or Playa del Carmen Better for Music?

Berlin is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

In Berlin you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. From the raves to the techno parties, there is a hugely diverse music scene in the city. It is so much more than the stereotypical punk and techno music that Berlin is known for. Rock, pop, and other genres are popular as well.

Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Is Berlin or Playa del Carmen Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Berlin is not a resort destination.

Playa del Carmen offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Berlin is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Berlin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Playa del Carmen specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Berlin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Berlin or Playa del Carmen Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Berlin is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Playa del Carmen are among the best in 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.

Berlin is not a beach destination.

Is Berlin or Playa del Carmen Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Berlin is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen has hiking trails worth exploring. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Berlin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Berlin or Playa del Carmen?

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

Berlin is a world class destination for shoppers. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.

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 Berlin or Playa del Carmen More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Berlin is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Playa del Carmen is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. From beautiful beaches to inland jungles, this is a truly stunning destination.

Berlin is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Berlin or Playa del Carmen Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. 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.

Berlin is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.

Is Berlin or Playa del Carmen Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Playa del Carmen has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Berlin is a good city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus. For couples who enjoy a night out on the town, there are many great restaurants and nightclubs that you can check out.

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

Berlin is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Berlin is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.

Playa del Carmen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Berlin or Playa del Carmen Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Berlin. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

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

Berlin is an amazing city to visit 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.

Public transit in Berlin is top-notch. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.

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 Berlin or Playa del Carmen a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Berlin is a somewhat walkable city. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods are spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.

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

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

How long in Berlin or Playa del Carmen?

Both Berlin and Playa del Carmen have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Playa del Carmen has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Playa del Carmen than Berlin. In general, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Berlin, and 3-7 days is enough time in Playa del Carmen.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Berlin. 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 Berlin. 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 Berlin 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 Berlin.

One day in Berlin or Playa del Carmen?

People visit Berlin because there is so much to do. 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 Berlin or Playa del Carmen?

People visit Berlin because there is so much to do. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Berlin or Playa del Carmen?

Berlin is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. 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 Berlin or Playa del Carmen?

Berlin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning 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 Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Germany, 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 Berlin and Playa del Carmen, we can see that Berlin is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Berlin 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 Berlin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berlin 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 Berlin Expensive? and Is Playa del Carmen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Berlin or Playa del Carmen?

Berlin has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Berlin 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 Berlin or Playa del Carmen?

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 Berlin or Playa del Carmen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Berlin as well as Playa del Carmen. Many visitors come to Berlin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Berlin is cooler than Playa del Carmen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Berlin in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Playa del Carmen averages at about 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Berlin this time of the year. In the summer, Berlin often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa del Carmen. Berlin gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Carmen receives 223 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. Berlin usually gets less rain in July than Playa del Carmen. Berlin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Playa del Carmen and Berlin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Berlin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Berlin is generally much colder than Playa del Carmen. Daily temperatures in Berlin average around 10°C (50°F), and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. Berlin usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Carmen during autumn. Berlin gets 106 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Carmen receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. In October, Berlin usually receives less rain than Playa del Carmen. Berlin gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

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

Both Playa del Carmen and Berlin during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Berlin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year.

The weather in Berlin can be very cold. Berlin is much colder than Playa del Carmen in the winter. The daily temperature in Berlin averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Berlin often gets less sunshine than Playa del Carmen. Berlin gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Carmen receives 224 hours of full sun.

Berlin usually gets more rain in January than Playa del Carmen. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Berlin and Playa del Carmen. The activities around the city are the main draw to Berlin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Berlin is much colder than Playa del Carmen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Berlin in April average around 9°C (47°F), and Playa del Carmen averages at about 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. Berlin usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Carmen during spring. Berlin gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Carmen receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Berlin usually receives more rain than Playa del Carmen. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Playa del Carmen and Berlin