A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Curitiba vs. Cancun for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Curitiba or Cancun?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Curitiba and Cancun can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Curitiba

Curitiba is a active, vibrant, and cultural city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Curitiba travel costs.

Cancun

Cancun is a adventurous, wild, and party-hard city. With stunning beauty, Cancun attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Cancun travel costs.

Curitiba and Cancun: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Curitiba or Cancun?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cancun than Curitiba. While Curitiba is larger than Cancun, Cancun has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cancun is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Curitiba is known for its food. Cancun is more touristy than Curitiba and is known for its water sports, white sand beaches, popularity at spring break, and access to Mayan ruins. It is also home to . Curitiba is popular for its performing arts, walkability, and culture.

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How is Curitiba different from Cancun?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Curitiba or Cancun?

Cancun is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Cancun. It's possible to do a day trip to visit the impressive Chichén Itzá, but closer by you'll find El Rey Maya Ruins and El Meco Archaeological Site. You can also visit the Maya Museum in town. For something truly unique, you can take a diving or snorkeling trip to the Cancun Underwater Museum.

Curitiba is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a variety of museums around town that include a number of history museums, a few art museums, and other cultural museums that are worth checking out.

Is the Food Better in Curitiba or Cancun? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Curitiba is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Cancun is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Curitiba has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The official dish of the town is carne de onça, which first originated here and is a beef tartare that's served on flat bread. There are also many other traditional and authentic Brazilian restaurants around town, so this is a great place for a foodie to explore.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Cancun area. If you step away from the tourist scene, you'll find some amazing local restaurants that serve authentic and fresh Mexican cuisine. Favorite dishes in the area include tamales, sopa de lima, and tacos al pastor.

Is Curitiba or Cancun Better for Nightlife?

Cancun is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Cancun is a world class party destination. It's long been known as a party destination and there are large world famous clubs as well as smaller bars where you can hang out. The party never stops here, so be prepared for all night dancing and drinking, and it will definitely live up to its reputation.

Curitiba offers plenty to do in the evening. Like most cities in Brazil, you'll find a great nightlife scene with plenty of bars and restaurants. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Batel, which is one of the most international parts of the city, Itupava Street, which is lined with Brazilian restaurants and bars, and São Francisco, which is popular with the student population because of its affordability.

Is Curitiba or Cancun Better for Resorts?

Cancun is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Curitiba is not a resort destination.

Cancun is a world class resort vacation destination. You'll find most of the accommodation options in the Hotel Zone, which runs along Boulevard Kukulkan. The stretch can be divided into three areas, which each have a slightly different personality.

Curitiba is not a resort destination.

Is Curitiba or Cancun Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cancun is a must-visit destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Curitiba is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Cancun is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. Beautiful reefs and world class dives make this a popular destination for those who want to explore the undersea world. You'll find plenty of snorkeling and dive excursions in the area with diverse coral and marine life.

Curitiba is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Curitiba or Cancun Better for Beaches?

Cancun is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Curitiba is not a beach destination.

Cancun is considered to be a world-class beach destination. There are stunning white sand beaches and turquoise blue water that make this a beautiful beach destination. There are miles of sandy coastline with many of the beaches found in the Hotel Zone.

Curitiba is not a beach destination.

Is Curitiba or Cancun Better for Hiking?

Cancun is a city with good options for hiking. However, Curitiba is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Cancun. There are some beautiful walking paths and hiking trails that are within the area.

Curitiba is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Curitiba or Cancun?

If you're looking to go shopping, Curitiba and Cancun both offer plenty of good spots.

Curitiba has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has large shopping malls and many great fashion boutiques. It's a great place to spend some time shopping.

Cancun is a great destination for shopping. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife, there are shopping malls and markets where you can enjoy some retail therapy.

Is Curitiba or Cancun More Beautiful?

Cancun is a great city for its scenery and beauty. However, Curitiba is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Cancun attracts visitors from all around. White sand beaches and clear blue waters make this a beautiful vacation destination. Nearby jungle offers adventure, and the undersea world is magical.

Curitiba is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Curitiba or Cancun Better for Families?

Cancun is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Cancun is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Although this part of Mexico has long had a reputation for its party scene, the area also attracts many families, who come for the family-friendly resorts, world class snorkeling, and fascinating jungle tours. You can snorkel at the Garrafon Natural Reef Park or have fun on the water slides at Ventura Park. Xel-Ha Park is also worth a visit.

Curitiba is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has parks and museums that are great for kids. In particular, the botanical gardens and Bosque Alemao appeal to young visitors.

Is Curitiba or Cancun Better for Couples?

Cancun is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Cancun is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. As a world class honeymoon destination, you'll find stunning white sand beaches, amazing snorkeling and diving, and a huge range of entertainment options. You can enjoy the nightlife scene or check out Cirque du Soleil. Sunset boat cruises and romantic horseback rides all make this an amazing honeymoon destination.

Curitiba is a nice destination for couples. The city has some great parks and restaurants that make it a pleasant place to explore with your significant other.

Is Curitiba or Cancun Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cancun is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Cancun. Mixed in between the luxury resorts are a few hostels that cater to the backpacker crowd. There are so many activities in the area, from diving to partying, that appeal to the backpacker crowd, that it won't be long before you find your people.

Plenty of backpackers visit Curitiba. The nightlife and music scene, combined with a great public transit system, make this a good, but often overlooked destination for backpackers in Brazil.

Is Curitiba or Cancun Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Curitiba is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cancun is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Curitiba can get you around easily. There's a great public transit system here that includes a metro system, trolleybuses, and buses.

You'll find some public transit in Cancun, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The buses are an efficient way to get around. They stop along Boulevard Kukulcán and throughout the downtown.

Is Curitiba or Cancun a more walkable city?

Curitiba and Cancun are superb when it comes to walkability.

Curitiba is a very walkable destination. It is a walkable city that is fun to explore on foot, but as always, take precautions in certain areas, particularly at night.

Cancun is very walkable. The Hotel Zone is where most tourists spend their time, and this area is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Curitiba Worth Visiting? and Is Cancun Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cancun or Curitiba?

How long in Curitiba or Cancun?

Both Curitiba and Cancun have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cancun than in Curitiba. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Curitiba, and 4-7 days is enough time in Cancun.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cancun than Curitiba 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 Cancun.

One day in Curitiba or Cancun?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Curitiba. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Cancun 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.

A weekend in Curitiba or Cancun?

Curitiba is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Cancun 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 Curitiba or Cancun?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Curitiba. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in Curitiba or Cancun?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Curitiba. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Cancun 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 Cancun has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Curitiba or Cancun?

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