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

Should you visit Berlin or Tulum?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berlin or Tulum, 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 cultural, artsy, and creative city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Berlin travel costs.

Tulum

Tulum is a ancient, archeological, and tropical town. The beauty of Tulum is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Tulum travel costs.

Berlin and Tulum: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Berlin or Tulum?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Berlin. Although Berlin and Tulum are popular destinations, Berlin has more sights and attractions for tourists. Berlin is very popular for its music, shopping, and big city activities, while Tulum attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Tulum is more touristy than Berlin and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Berlin is famous for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history. It is also well known for the Brandenburg Gate.

How is Berlin different from Tulum?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Berlin and Tulum.

The museums and tourist attractions in Berlin are world-renowned. 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.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Tulum on the map. 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.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Berlin and Tulum can be an enjoyable experience.

Berlin has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Dining out in Tulum is an experience not to be missed. 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).

Is Berlin or Tulum Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find first-rate options in both Berlin and Tulum.

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.

Tulum is a world class 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.

Is Berlin or Tulum Better for Music?

Berlin is terrific for live music. However, Tulum is not a live music destination.

Berlin is a world class music destination. 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.

Tulum is not a live music destination.

Is Berlin or Tulum Better for Resorts?

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

Tulum offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Berlin is not a resort destination.

Is Berlin or Tulum Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

People travel to Tulum specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Berlin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Berlin or Tulum Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches in Tulum are among the best in the world. 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.

Berlin is not a beach destination.

Is Berlin or Tulum Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a great town for hiking. However, Berlin 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.

Berlin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Berlin or Tulum?

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

Berlin is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

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 Berlin or Tulum More Beautiful?

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

The beauty of Tulum is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Berlin is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Berlin or Tulum Better for Families?

Berlin and Tulum are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Berlin is very family-friendly. 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.

Tulum is known to be 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.

Is Berlin or Tulum Better for Couples?

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

Tulum has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

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 Tulum Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berlin is terrific for backpackers. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Many 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.

Is Berlin or Tulum Better for Students?

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

Berlin is a very popular city for students. 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.

Tulum is not popular with students.

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

Berlin 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 Berlin can take you anywhere. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.

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 Berlin or Tulum a more walkable city?

Tulum is a great town for its high level of walkability. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

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 Tulum Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tulum or Berlin?

How long in Berlin or Tulum?

In either Berlin or Tulum, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Berlin than Tulum because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Berlin, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tulum.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Berlin. 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 Berlin. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tulum that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berlin than Tulum 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 Tulum?

Each neighborhood in Berlin 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.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Tulum. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Berlin or Tulum?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berlin. 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.

Tulum 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 Tulum?

Berlin is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Berlin 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tulum. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Tulum?

Each neighborhood in Berlin 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the archeological destination of Tulum. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Germany, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berlin and Tulum, we can see that Berlin is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Berlin is in Europe and Tulum 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 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 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 Tulum.

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

Which is Bigger, Berlin or Tulum?

Berlin has a larger population, and is about 410 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Berlin and Tulum, 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 Tulum?

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 Tulum in the Summer?

Both Tulum and Berlin during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Berlin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Berlin is generally much colder than Tulum. Daily temperatures in Berlin average around 19°C (66°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Berlin. In the summer, Berlin often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tulum. Berlin gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun.

Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Berlin usually gets less rain in July than Tulum. Berlin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berlin or Tulum in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Berlin and Tulum. Many travelers come to Berlin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Berlin is much colder than Tulum in the autumn. The daily temperature in Berlin averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. Berlin usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during autumn. Berlin gets 106 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Berlin usually receives less rain than Tulum. Berlin gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 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. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Should I visit Berlin or Tulum in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Berlin as well as Tulum. Many visitors come to Berlin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Berlin can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Berlin is much colder than Tulum. Typically, the winter temperatures in Berlin in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Tulum averages at about 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. In the winter, Berlin often gets less sunshine than Tulum. Berlin gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun.

Berlin usually gets less rain in January than Tulum. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berlin or Tulum in the Spring?

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

In April, Berlin is generally much colder than Tulum. Daily temperatures in Berlin average around 9°C (47°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Tulum. Berlin usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during spring. Berlin gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Berlin usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tulum. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 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. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.

Typical Weather for Tulum and Berlin