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

Should you visit Curitiba or Tulum?

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 Tulum 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 cultural, active, and vibrant city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Curitiba travel costs.

Tulum

Tulum is a archeological, tropical, and active town. With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Tulum travel costs.

Curitiba and Tulum: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Curitiba or Tulum?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tulum than Curitiba, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tulum is more touristy than Curitiba and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Also, Tulum is famous for the Tulum archeological ruins. Curitiba is well known for its performing arts, walkability, and culture.

How is Curitiba different from Tulum?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Tulum has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

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 Tulum? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Curitiba and Tulum offer a number of great restaurants to choose from.

Curitiba has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Tulum makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Curitiba or Tulum Better for Nightlife?

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

Tulum is a world class party destination. 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.

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 Tulum Better for Resorts?

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

Tulum is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Curitiba is not a resort destination.

Is Curitiba or Tulum Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Tulum is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Curitiba is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Curitiba or Tulum Better for Beaches?

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

Tulum is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Curitiba is not a beach destination.

Is Curitiba or Tulum Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a great town for hiking. However, Curitiba is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Tulum for the hiking trails. 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.

Curitiba is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Curitiba or Tulum?

Tulum is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Tulum. 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.

Curitiba is a great destination for shopping. The city has large shopping malls and many great fashion boutiques. It's a great place to spend some time shopping.

Is Curitiba or Tulum More Beautiful?

Tulum is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Curitiba is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Curitiba is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Curitiba or Tulum Better for Families?

Tulum is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

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

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 Tulum Better for Couples?

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

Tulum is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

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 Tulum Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is a great town 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 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.

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

Curitiba is a well-known place 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.

Visitors to Curitiba can move around easily with public transportation. There's a great public transit system here that includes a metro system, trolleybuses, and buses.

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 Curitiba or Tulum a more walkable city?

Curitiba and Tulum are great 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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Tulum or Curitiba?

How long in Curitiba or Tulum?

In either Curitiba or Tulum, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tulum than Curitiba because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Curitiba, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tulum.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Curitiba. 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 Curitiba. 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 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 Tulum.

One day in Curitiba or Tulum?

In Curitiba, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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 Curitiba or Tulum?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Curitiba. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Curitiba or Tulum?

Curitiba is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Curitiba. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Curitiba or Tulum?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Curitiba. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.

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

Which is Bigger, Curitiba or Tulum?

Curitiba has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Curitiba 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.