A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cozumel vs. New Bern for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Cozumel or New Bern?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cozumel and New Bern can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cozumel

Cozumel is a lively, vibrant, and active island. Cozumel is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Cozumel travel costs.

New Bern

New Bern is a laid back, quaint, and charming town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See New Bern travel costs.

Cozumel and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cozumel or New Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cozumel. Although Cozumel and New Bern are both popular with visitors, Cozumel has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cozumel is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while New Bern is known for its small town charm. Cozumel is more touristy than New Bern and is popular for its beautiful beaches and world class dive sites. It is also home to Palancar Reef. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is Cozumel different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cozumel or New Bern?

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Cozumel or New Bern.

Cozumel is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the Island Museum, the Coral Reefs Monument, and some of the local Mayan ruins. Also worth a visit is Cozumel's Lighthouse.

New Bern offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

Is the Food Better in Cozumel or New Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cozumel and New Bern offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cozumel. You'll find a mix of tourist restaurants and hidden gems that serve up authentic Mexican dishes. Wander off the main streets to find the restaurants that are tucked away from the cruise ship crowds.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in New Bern. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

Is Cozumel or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

Cozumel is well known for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Cozumel is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is filled with cocktail lounges, beachfront bars, and wild weekend parties. There is something for everyone, whether you'll looking to sip wine by the ocean or party into the early morning.

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Is Cozumel or New Bern Better for Resorts?

Cozumel is well known for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

Cozumel is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are hotels in the city center, and resorts by the beaches. For diving and snorkeling, stay in Southern Cozumel. Golfing and waterfront properties are popular in Northern Cozumel.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Cozumel or New Bern Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cozumel is an unbeatable place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Cozumel a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. Many people visit Cozumel specifically for the world class diving. Palancar Reef is one of the best dive spots in the area, and thanks to conservation efforts it is rebounding and offers a diverse environment.

New Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cozumel or New Bern Better for Beaches?

Cozumel is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Cozumel. The island is lined with beautiful beaches and you'll find great snorkeling and tourist-friendly amenities. Some of the best beaches are Playa Punta Morena, Playa El Cielo, and Playa Chen Rio.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cozumel or New Bern?

Cozumel is well known for shopping. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Cozumel is an extremely popular place for shoppers. For the best shopping head to Plaza del Sol, the Royal Village Shopping Center, or Los Cincos Soles. Expect cruise ship crowds and no shortage of tourists.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is Cozumel or New Bern More Beautiful?

Cozumel is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Cozumel is a gorgeous place to visit. The beaches and undersea world are stunningly beautiful.

New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cozumel or New Bern Better for Families?

Cozumel is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Cozumel is a very family-friendly place to visit. The area is filled with water parks, snorkeling opportunities and, of course, fun-filled beaches. There are also wildlife reserves and Mayan ruins that aren't too far away.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is Cozumel or New Bern Better for Couples?

Cozumel is well known for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Cozumel frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beaches, resorts, and adventure sports make this the perfect couples destination. There are also great restaurants and plenty of interesting places to explore.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

Is Cozumel or New Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cozumel is well known for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Cozumel. There are a few hostels in town and it's a safe and easy place to explore independently.

New Bern is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not popular with backpackers in part because it's a small town that most people breeze through on their way to the beach.

Is Cozumel or New Bern Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cozumel is a island with a few options for its public transit. However, New Bern is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Cozumel. Local buses don't efficiently travel to the beaches or the hotel areas, so most tourists don't use them.

Public transit is quite limited in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Is Cozumel or New Bern a more walkable city?

Cozumel is well known for its walkability. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Cozumel is very walkable. It's easy to walk around the downtown as it's compact and fun to explore on foot.

New Bern is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cozumel Worth Visiting? and Is New Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Cozumel?

How long in Cozumel or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cozumel or New Bern to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cozumel than New Bern because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Cozumel, and 1-2 days is enough time in New Bern.

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

Couples should spend more time in Cozumel than New Bern. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cozumel that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cozumel than New Bern 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 Cozumel.

One day in Cozumel or New Bern?

The island of Cozumel offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

New Bern is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Cozumel or New Bern?

Cozumel 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.

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Bern has to offer.

Five days in Cozumel or New Bern?

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

New Bern is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Cozumel or New Bern?

Cozumel is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cozumel has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Bern. Since New Bern is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and New Bern, we can see that New Bern is more expensive. And not only is Cozumel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cozumel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cozumel 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 New Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Bern than you might in Cozumel.

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

Which is Bigger, Cozumel or New Bern?

Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel and New Bern, 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.