A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Foz do Iguacu vs. Playa del Carmen for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Hiking

Should you visit Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Foz do Iguacu and Playa del Carmen 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.

Foz do Iguacu

Foz do Iguacu is a spectacular, scenic, and breathtaking park. With stunning beauty, Foz do Iguacu attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Foz do Iguacu travel costs.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a vibrant, picture-perfect, and scenic town. The beauty of Playa del Carmen is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Foz do Iguacu and Playa del Carmen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Playa del Carmen than Foz do Iguacu. While Foz do Iguacu is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Playa del Carmen is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Foz do Iguacu is known for its hiking. Foz do Iguacu is popular for its spectacular beauty and incredible volume of water. Playa del Carmen is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also home to La Quinta Avenida.

How is Foz do Iguacu different from Playa del Carmen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Playa del Carmen and Foz do Iguacu. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen?

Plenty of people visit the decent sights and museums in both Foz do Iguacu and Playa del Carmen.

Foz do Iguacu offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a handful of museums and nature parks in and near town.

While most people don't head to Playa del Carmen specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. If you're willing to head out of town, there are world class Mayan ruins not far away, but if you want to hang out near town, then you'll likely spend most of your time enjoying outdoor water activities.

Is the Food Better in Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Foz do Iguacu and Playa del Carmen.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Foz do Iguacu. You'll find a variety of restaurants around town where you can sample the regional cuisine. A popular item on the menus is Surubí (a local river fish). Also make sure you try the Mbeyú (fried bread), and paraguayan soup (more like bread than an actual soup).

Playa del Carmen is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find a good number of overpriced tourist restaurants in the area, but if you do some research you'll also find amazing and authentic Mexican food as well. There is everything from food trucks to fine dining that offer ceviche, tacos, or burritos. There are also plenty of places to grab pizza or burgers.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Playa del Carmen is a must-see party destination. It rivals some of the country's best nightlife and you'll find plenty of venues to choose from, ranging from dive bars to swanky cocktail lounges. Head to the main walking street for some of the most active venues.

If you're looking for night time activities Foz do Iguacu has a few options to choose from. Head to the intersection of Avenida JK and Avenida Jorge Schimmelpfeng for the most lively nightlife scene in town. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants and bars, many with outdoor areas or live music.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its resorts. However, Foz do Iguacu is not a resort destination.

Playa del Carmen is a world class resort vacation destination. You'll find a huge number of luxury resorts in the area, particularly along the beach. There are fancy pools and beachfront properties that offer the perfect vacation retreat.

Foz do Iguacu is not a resort destination.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its diving and snorkeling. However, Foz do Iguacu is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Playa del Carmen is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. There's not a lot to see right off of the beach, but there are plenty of snorkeling excursions in the area that take you to beautiful reefs. The diving is world class as well and you'll find wonderful reefs, bull sharks, and hidden gems.

Foz do Iguacu is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for the beach. However, Foz do Iguacu is not a beach destination.

Playa del Carmen is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The area is filled with world class beaches, long stretches of white sand, and beautiful blue water. You might even stumble across a sea turtle or two while you're swimming.

Foz do Iguacu is not a beach destination.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen Better for Hiking?

Foz do Iguacu is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Foz do Iguacu. There's a network of trails and walkways at the foot of the falls as well as above the falls. You can also venture into the surrounding rainforest or hike to Devil's Throat for a great view.

Many people include a hike when visiting Playa del Carmen. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Is the Shopping Better in Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Playa del Carmen and Foz do Iguacu.

Foz do Iguacu offers some nice shopping areas. There's shopping in the center of town, particularly around Avenida Brasil, Rua Barbosa, Rua Almirante Barroso, and Quintino Bocaiuva.

Playa del Carmen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen More Beautiful?

Foz do Iguacu and Playa del Carmen are somewhat similar when it comes to the excellent scenery.

The beauty of Foz do Iguacu is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The falls is absolutely breathtaking. The volume of water and enormity in size is something that you can only experience in person.

With stunning beauty, Playa del Carmen attracts visitors from all around. From beautiful beaches to inland jungles, this is a truly stunning destination.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is an extremely popular town to visit for families. From eco parks to kid-friendly snorkeling opportunities, there are many activities for kids of all ages. There are also adventure parks and playgrounds that are perfect for a fun afternoon.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Foz do Iguacu. Of course, the highlight for everyone is a visit to Iguacu National Park, which also offers boat rides, hiking, and spectacular views. In addition to this impressive park, the whole family will also enjoy a visit to Parque das Aves, which is a bird park that includes information on wildlife species and conservation.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Playa del Carmen is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Beautiful beaches and tropical jungles make this a paradise honeymoon destination. You'll find luxury resorts, fine dining restaurants, and countless opportunities to enjoy the stunning setting. Take a sunset cruise of explore one of the many natural wonders in the area.

Foz do Iguacu is a great park if you're traveling as a couple. While the town itself has limited entertainment, the waterfalls is a spectacular sight that has inspired more than a few marriage proposals.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Foz do Iguacu is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Foz do Iguacu is a very popular park for backpackers and budget travelers. This is one of the country's most popular backpacker destinations so you'll find plenty of hostels and young travelers to hang out with. The falls itself is truly incredible and well worth the trip.

Playa del Carmen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's filled with tourists staying at luxury resorts, but you'll also find a couple of hostels tucked away in town. If you're interesting in scuba diving, then it's well worth the trip.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Foz do Iguacu and Playa del Carmen.

You'll find some public transit in Foz do Iguacu, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. It's 12 miles between the park and the town so you'll need to take either a taxi or a public bus. On your way to the park, you should arrange for a ride back because finding a taxi as you leave can be challenging.

While Playa del Carmen offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its high level of walkability. However, Foz do Iguacu is a park with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Playa del Carmen on foot is easy. It's a compact and very walkable town. La Quinta is the main strip and it's pedestrian-only.

Foz do Iguacu is generally not a very walkable park. There are walkways near the waterfalls, but the city isn't particularly walkable and you'll need transportation to travel between the park and the town.

For even more information, also check out Is Foz do Iguacu Worth Visiting? and Is Playa del Carmen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Playa del Carmen or Foz do Iguacu?

How long in Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Foz do Iguacu. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Playa del Carmen that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Foz do Iguacu than Playa del Carmen 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 Foz do Iguacu.

One day in Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the breathtaking destination of Foz do Iguacu. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning destination of Playa del Carmen. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen?

You'll find nightlife and food around the spectacular park of Foz do Iguacu. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen?

Foz do Iguacu is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the picture-perfect destination of Playa del Carmen. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen?

Foz do Iguacu is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful town of Playa del Carmen. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.

When comparing the travel costs between Foz do Iguacu and Playa del Carmen, we can see that Playa del Carmen 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. Even though Foz do Iguacu is in South America and Playa del Carmen is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Foz do Iguacu Expensive? and Is Playa del Carmen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen?

Foz do Iguacu has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu and Playa del Carmen, 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 Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen?

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

Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen in the Summer?

Both Playa del Carmen and Foz do Iguacu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Foz do Iguacu for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Foz do Iguacu is around the same temperature as Playa del Carmen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Playa del Carmen averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. It's quite rainy in Foz do Iguacu. In January, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than Playa del Carmenin July. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen in the Autumn?

Both Playa del Carmen and Foz do Iguacu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Foz do Iguacu in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In April, Foz do Iguacu is generally cooler than Playa del Carmenin October. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 23°C (73°F), and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Foz do Iguacu usually gets less rain in April than Playa del Carmenin October. Foz do Iguacu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Foz do Iguacu and Playa del Carmen. Most visitors come to Foz do Iguacu for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Foz do Iguacu is cooler than Playa del Carmen in the winter. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in January.

In July, Foz do Iguacu usually receives more rain than Playa del Carmenin January. Foz do Iguacu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Playa del Carmen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Foz do Iguacu as well as Playa del Carmen. The spring months attract visitors to Foz do Iguacu because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year.

In the spring, Foz do Iguacu is cooler than Playa del Carmen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Playa del Carmen averages at about 27°C (81°F)in April.

Foz do Iguacu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Foz do Iguacu usually gets more rain in October than Playa del Carmenin April. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Playa del Carmen and Foz do Iguacu