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

Should you visit Brussels or Tulum?

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 Brussels and Tulum. 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.

Brussels

Brussels is a multicultural, historic, and cosmopolitan 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 Brussels travel costs.

Tulum

Tulum is a tropical, active, and lively town. Tulum is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Tulum travel costs.

Brussels and Tulum: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Tulum?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brussels. Although Brussels and Tulum are both popular with visitors, Brussels has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Brussels is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Tulum is known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Tulum is more touristy than Brussels and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Brussels is popular for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also home to La Grand Place (Grote Markt).

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brussels different from Tulum?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Brussels or Tulum?

Tulum is renowned for its museums and landmarks. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Brussels offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Brussels and Tulum.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Brussels makes for a great culinary experience. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).

Tulum has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 Brussels or Tulum Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is renowned for nightlife. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Tulum is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Brussels has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.

Is Brussels or Tulum Better for Resorts?

Tulum is renowned for its resorts. However, Brussels is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Tulum for its luxury resorts. 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.

Brussels is not a resort destination.

Is Brussels or Tulum Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is renowned for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Brussels is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Tulum. 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.

Brussels is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brussels or Tulum Better for Beaches?

Tulum is renowned for its beaches. However, Brussels is not a beach destination.

Tulum offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Brussels is not a beach destination.

Is Brussels or Tulum Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Brussels is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.

Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Is Brussels or Tulum Better for Hiking?

Tulum is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Brussels is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Brussels is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Tulum?

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

Brussels is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.

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 Brussels or Tulum More Beautiful?

Tulum is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Brussels 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.

Brussels is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Brussels or Tulum Better for Families?

Both Brussels and Tulum are very good family-friendly destinations.

Brussels is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and chocolate shops around town.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Tulum is very family-friendly. 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 Brussels or Tulum Better for Couples?

Tulum is renowned for romance. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Tulum is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Brussels is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.

Is Brussels or Tulum Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels and Tulum are very good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Brussels. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.

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 Brussels or Tulum Better for Students?

Brussels is a well-known place for students. However, Tulum is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Brussels. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

Tulum is not popular with students.

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

Brussels 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 Brussels can take you anywhere. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

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 Brussels or Tulum a more walkable city?

Brussels and Tulum both are very good when exploring on foot.

Brussels is very walkable. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Tulum or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Tulum?

In either Brussels or Tulum, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Tulum has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Tulum than Brussels. In general, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Brussels, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tulum.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Brussels. 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 Brussels. 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 Tulum than Brussels 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 Brussels or Tulum?

Each neighborhood in Brussels has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the shopping. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The beautiful town of Tulum offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Brussels or Tulum?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brussels. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brussels or Tulum?

Brussels is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Brussels has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Lots of people come for the shopping. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Tulum is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tulum, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Brussels or Tulum?

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic big city of Brussels. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Tulum is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Tulum, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brussels 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 Brussels would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brussels 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 Brussels Expensive? and Is Tulum Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Tulum?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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 Brussels or Tulum?

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 Brussels or Tulum in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Tulum. Most visitors come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Brussels is much colder than Tulum in the summer. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 18°C (65°F) in July, and Tulum fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during summer. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Brussels usually receives less rain than Tulum. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brussels or Tulum in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Tulum. The autumn months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.

In the autumn, Brussels is much colder than Tulum. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Brussels in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Tulum averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. In the autumn, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Tulum. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tulum. Brussels usually gets less rain in October than Tulum. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Should I visit Brussels or Tulum in the Winter?

Both Tulum and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Brussels in the winter. In January, Brussels is generally much colder than Tulum. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 3°C (38°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Tulum. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during winter. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Brussels usually receives more rain than Tulum. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brussels or Tulum in the Spring?

Both Tulum and Brussels during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Brussels for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Tulum in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Brussels is much colder than Tulum in the spring. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 10°C (49°F) in April, and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Tulum. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in April than Tulum. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.

Typical Weather for Tulum and Brussels