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

Should you visit Cozumel or Reno?

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 Reno 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.

Reno

Reno is a growing, vibrant, and energetic city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Reno travel costs.

Cozumel and Reno: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cozumel or Reno?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cozumel than Reno. While Reno is larger than Cozumel, Cozumel has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cozumel is more touristy than Reno and is known for its beautiful beaches and world class dive sites. Also, Cozumel is famous for Palancar Reef. Reno is well known for its casinos and nightlife scene.

How is Cozumel different from Reno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Cozumel or Reno.

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.

Reno offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums in town range from art and history to local or quirky. The National Automobile Museum, the Nevada Museum of Art, Fleischmann Planetarium, and the Anthropology Museum are some of the favorites.

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

Both Cozumel and Reno 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 Reno. The food scene has been growing in recent years and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants that serve hearty and filling comfort foods.

Is Cozumel or Reno Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find great options in both Cozumel and Reno.

The nightlife in Cozumel has something for everybody. 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.

Reno offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a big nightlife scene with a huge number of bars and entertainment options. There are also a growing number of breweries in town.

Is Cozumel or Reno Better for Resorts?

Cozumel is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reno 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.

Reno is not a resort destination.

Is Cozumel or Reno Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cozumel is renowned for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Reno 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.

Reno is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cozumel or Reno Better for Beaches?

Cozumel is renowned for the beach. However, Reno 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.

Reno is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cozumel or Reno?

Cozumel is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Reno 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.

Reno is a great destination for shopping. In addition to your standard suburban shopping malls and strip malls, there's the Midtown District, which has local retail shops and an eclectic and alternative vibe. The area has thrift shops, music vendors, and more.

Is Cozumel or Reno More Beautiful?

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

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

Reno is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cozumel or Reno Better for Families?

Cozumel is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Reno 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 Reno. You'll find some arcades and entertainment options for kids in some of the casinos. There's also the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, which has kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits, and the largest zoo in Nevado, the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park.

Is Cozumel or Reno Better for Couples?

Cozumel is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Reno 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.

Reno is a nice destination for couples. There are outdoor parks and scenic walks like the Truckee River Walk or the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. There's also several great museums and some interesting restaurants.

Is Cozumel or Reno Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cozumel is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Reno is lacking in options 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.

Reno is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really on the backpacker circuit so you won't find any real hostels in town.

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

Cozumel and Reno both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly 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 generally limited in Reno. There's a public bus system with routes around town.

Is Cozumel or Reno a more walkable city?

Cozumel is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Reno is lacking in options 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.

Reno is generally not very walkable. While there are some reasonably walkable neighborhoods, you really need a car to get around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Reno or Cozumel?

How long in Cozumel or Reno?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cozumel and Reno. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cozumel than in Reno. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Cozumel, and 1-3 days is enough time in Reno.

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Cozumel. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Reno, you'll find nightlife and food. This city 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 Reno?

Cozumel is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Reno, 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 Reno has to offer.

Five days in Cozumel or Reno?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Cozumel. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Reno 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 Reno?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the lively island of Cozumel. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reno. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Reno. 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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and Reno, we can see that Reno 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 Reno would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reno 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 Reno Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Reno?

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