A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cozumel vs. Ottawa for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Cozumel or Ottawa?

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 Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cozumel

Cozumel is a lively, vibrant, and active island. Cozumel offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Cozumel travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a cultural, friendly, and welcoming city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Ottawa travel costs.

Cozumel and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cozumel or Ottawa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cozumel than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Cozumel, Cozumel has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cozumel is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Ottawa is more popular for its museums and attractions. Cozumel is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for its beautiful beaches and world class dive sites. Also, Cozumel is famous for Palancar Reef. Ottawa is well known for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Cozumel different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ottawa is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Cozumel is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Ottawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

Cozumel offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Check out the Island Museum, the Coral Reefs Monument, and some of the local Mayan ruins. Also worth a visit is Cozumel's Lighthouse.

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

Both Cozumel and Ottawa offer a number of notable 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 Ottawa. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Is Cozumel or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Cozumel is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Cozumel has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Ottawa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

Is Cozumel or Ottawa Better for Resorts?

Cozumel is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Is Cozumel or Ottawa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cozumel is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cozumel or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

Cozumel is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cozumel or Ottawa?

Cozumel is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cozumel. 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.

Ottawa is a great destination for shopping. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is Cozumel or Ottawa More Beautiful?

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

Cozumel offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The beaches and undersea world are stunningly beautiful.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cozumel or Ottawa Better for Families?

Cozumel is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Cozumel. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ottawa. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

Is Cozumel or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Cozumel is a very popular place for couples. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Cozumel makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beaches, resorts, and adventure sports make this the perfect couples destination. There are also great restaurants and plenty of interesting places to explore.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

Is Cozumel or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cozumel is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Cozumel. There are a few hostels in town and it's a safe and easy place to explore independently.

Ottawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is Cozumel or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Cozumel is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Ottawa. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Cozumel is not popular with students.

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

Ottawa is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Cozumel is not known for its public transit.

While Ottawa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

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.

Is Cozumel or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Cozumel is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Ottawa is somewhat walkable. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Cozumel?

How long in Cozumel or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cozumel and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cozumel than in Ottawa. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Cozumel, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

Families should spend more time in Cozumel than Ottawa. 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 Ottawa. 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Cozumel. 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.

In Ottawa, you'll find museums and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Cozumel or Ottawa?

Cozumel 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.

In Ottawa, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Ottawa has to offer.

Five days in Cozumel or Ottawa?

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

Ottawa 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 Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active destination of Cozumel. This island 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ottawa. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Ottawa. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Cozumel and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cozumel. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel and Ottawa, 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.