A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fortaleza vs. Tulum for Attractions, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza 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.

Fortaleza

Fortaleza is a vibrant, cultural, and lively city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Fortaleza travel costs.

Tulum

Tulum is a archeological, tropical, and active town. The beauty of Tulum is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Tulum travel costs.

Fortaleza and Tulum: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Fortaleza or Tulum?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tulum. Although Fortaleza and Tulum are popular destinations, Tulum has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tulum is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Fortaleza attracts visitors for its big city activities. Tulum is more touristy than Fortaleza and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also well known for the Tulum archeological ruins. Fortaleza is famous for its beaches, nightlife, and local culture.

How is Fortaleza different from Tulum?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Fortaleza or Tulum?

Tulum is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Fortaleza is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Tulum are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Fortaleza. Dragão do Mar is the cultural center in town. There are shows and concerts that highlight the local culture. Also part of the complex are a planetarium and two museums - the Museu de Arte Contemporânea and the Memorial da Cultura Cearense. Also worth seeing the Metropolitan Cathedral of Fortaleza, which is the third largest cathedral in the country.

Is the Food Better in Fortaleza or Tulum? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tulum is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Fortaleza is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Tulum has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Fortaleza area. The city has a number of great restaurants that range from Brazilian barbecue restaurants to international cuisine. Many dishes are heavy and use a lot of meat. Local favorites include paçoca and escondidinho de carne seca.

Is Fortaleza or Tulum Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Fortaleza is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Tulum is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Fortaleza offers plenty to do in the evening. Like much of Brazil, the city has a vibrant nightlife scene. There are beachfront bars, live music venues, and many places where you can enjoy a good party. You'll find a high concentration of places around Praia de Iracema and the Casario.

Is Fortaleza or Tulum Better for Resorts?

Tulum is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Fortaleza 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.

Fortaleza is not a resort destination.

Is Fortaleza or Tulum Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. However, Fortaleza 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.

Fortaleza is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Fortaleza or Tulum Better for Beaches?

Tulum is renowned for the beach. Also, Fortaleza is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

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.

Many people visit Fortaleza for it's beautiful beaches. There are 5 kilometers of sandy beach in town and many visitors enjoy taking long walks. While there are technically four beaches in the area, they all kind of merge together and it can be difficult to tell one from the other. The most popular beach is Meireles, which has a boardwalk and is lined by high rise buildings.

Is Fortaleza or Tulum Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a great town for hiking. However, Fortaleza 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.

Fortaleza is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Fortaleza or Tulum?

If you're looking to go shopping, Fortaleza and Tulum both offer plenty of great spots.

Fortaleza is well-known for its shopping. It's a large city with plenty of shopping malls and other local boutiques which are fun to explore.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Is Fortaleza or Tulum More Beautiful?

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

The beauty of Tulum is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Fortaleza is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Fortaleza or Tulum Better for Families?

Tulum is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. However, Fortaleza is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Tulum is very family-friendly. 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.

Fortaleza is not the most family-friendly destination. There are several beaches and parks where kids will enjoy running around and stretching their legs.

Is Fortaleza or Tulum Better for Couples?

Tulum is renowned for its romantic activities. However, Fortaleza is not known for couples.

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.

Fortaleza is not always the best place to visit for a couple. While it's often overlooked by couples, those who have a few days in town can enjoy the beaches or take a stroll down the beachfront promenade.

Is Fortaleza or Tulum Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Fortaleza is not known for backpackers.

Many 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.

Fortaleza is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most backpackers skip this city for the more popular destinations.

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

Fortaleza and Tulum both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Fortaleza offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Metro system includes a rail and light rail system.

Tulum has a few 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 Fortaleza or Tulum a more walkable city?

Tulum is a great town for its high level of walkability. Also, Fortaleza is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Fortaleza is a somewhat walkable city. It's a relatively walkable city with some neighborhoods easier to explore on foot than others. It's important to understand the area you're in because safety could be a concern.

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

Should I spend more time in Tulum or Fortaleza?

How long in Fortaleza or Tulum?

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

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Fortaleza. 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 Fortaleza. 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 Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza or Tulum?

In Fortaleza, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the town of Tulum. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Fortaleza or Tulum?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fortaleza. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the active destination of Tulum. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Fortaleza or Tulum?

Fortaleza is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Fortaleza. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the ancient town of Tulum. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

A week in Fortaleza or Tulum?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Fortaleza. Most people come for the beaches. 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 popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in 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 Fortaleza and Tulum, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza.

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

Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Tulum?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 290 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza 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.

When is the best time to visit Fortaleza or Tulum?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Fortaleza is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tulum has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Fortaleza or Tulum in the Summer?

Both Tulum and Fortaleza during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Fortaleza because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.

In January, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as Tulumin July. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 28°C (82°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Fortaleza. In the summer, Fortaleza often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tulumin July. Fortaleza gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun.

Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually gets less rain in January than Tulumin July. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. July to January is the dry season in Fortaleza. January to July is the rainy season in Fortaleza.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Tulum in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Tulum. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Fortaleza this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Tulum in the autumn. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. Fortaleza usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during autumn. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fortaleza gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Tulumin October. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Tulum in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Tulum. Many travelers come to Fortaleza for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Fortaleza is a little warmer than Tulum. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fortaleza in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Tulum averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fortaleza this time of the year. In the winter, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Tulumin January. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun.

Fortaleza usually gets more rain in July than Tulumin January. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, July to January in Fortaleza is the dry season. January to July in Fortaleza is the rainy season.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Tulum in the Spring?

Both Tulum and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Fortaleza in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In October, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as Tulumin April. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 28°C (82°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Tulum. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tulum during spring. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Tulumin April. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.

Typical Weather for Tulum and Fortaleza