A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Isla Mujeres vs. Nashville for Resorts, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Isla Mujeres or Nashville?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Isla Mujeres and Nashville. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a laid back, idyllic, and relaxing island. Isla Mujeres is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Isla Mujeres travel costs.

Nashville

Nashville is a southern, country music lovers, and eclectic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food. See Nashville travel costs.

Isla Mujeres and Nashville: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Not as many resort options
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Isla Mujeres or Nashville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nashville. Although Isla Mujeres and Nashville are popular destinations, Nashville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nashville is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Isla Mujeres attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty. Isla Mujeres is more touristy than Nashville and is popular for its award-winning beaches, underwater marine life, and tranquil atmosphere. Nashville is famous for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. It is also well known for The Grand Ole Opry.

How is Isla Mujeres different from Nashville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Isla Mujeres or Nashville?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Nashville is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Isla Mujeres is a mediocre island for its museums and history.

Nashville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Isla Mujeres. Nobody really heads to this island for the museums.


Is the Food Better in Isla Mujeres or Nashville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Dining out at restaurants in both Isla Mujeres and Nashville can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Isla Mujeres. The island has many restaurants, particularly along Hidalgo Street in the Centro area. They typically have a laid back island vibe and serve local seafood or other popular cuisines.

Nashville has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Is Isla Mujeres or Nashville Better for Nightlife?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Nashville is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Isla Mujeres is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its evening party scene.

Nashville has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Isla Mujeres. Many people visit the island as a day trip, but those who spend the night will enjoy hanging out at the beach bars along Playa Norte. Many have a laid back vibe and some have live music or DJs.

Is Isla Mujeres or Nashville Better for Music?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Nashville is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. However, Isla Mujeres is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Nashville The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Isla Mujeres is not a live music destination.


Is Isla Mujeres or Nashville Better for Resorts?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Isla Mujeres is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

Isla Mujeres is a world class resort vacation destination. Despite its small size, there are a range of impressive resorts on the island. Accommodation ranges from affordable hostels to stunning luxury resorts.

With a selection of resorts, Nashville makes a nice vacation spot. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Is Isla Mujeres or Nashville Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Isla Mujeres is a world-class destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Nashville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Isla Mujeres is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are many great snorkeling and diving areas just off the island. It's easy to arrange tours that will take you to the best spots. Popular areas include Manchones Reef, the Underwater Museum of Art, and Garrafon Natural Park.

Nashville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Isla Mujeres or Nashville Better for Beaches?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Isla Mujeres is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Nashville is not a beach destination.

Isla Mujeres is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island has spectacular beaches where the white sand meets the blue water. The idyllic setting is the perfect place to relax with a drink or soak up the island vibe. Playa Norte is an award winning beach that has calm water and stunning snorkeling. Playa Centro has many restaurants and bars, and you'll likely see people sunbathing topless. There's a beach club at Playa Albatros as well as hammocks, umbrellas, and recreational activities.

Nashville is not a beach destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Isla Mujeres or Nashville?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Isla Mujeres is a island with good options for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Isla Mujeres. Head downtown for the best opportunities to pick up gifts or souvenirs. You'll find local jewelry, art, and handicrafts.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.

Is Isla Mujeres or Nashville More Beautiful?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Isla Mujeres is a island with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Nashville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Isla Mujeres is a gorgeous place to visit. Beautiful beaches with white sand and blue water make this a beautiful destination. The underwater world is also spectacular to explore.

Nashville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Isla Mujeres or Nashville Better for Families?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Isla Mujeres is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Isla Mujeres is an extremely popular island to visit for families. Kids will love the outdoor sports, which include kayaking, surfing, cave exploration, and snorkeling or diving. There are also opportunities to get up close with marine life or spend the day playing at a water park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nashville. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.


Is Isla Mujeres or Nashville Better for Couples?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Isla Mujeres is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Isla Mujeres is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's a world class honeymoon destination and couples enjoy the white powdery sand beaches, turquoise blue waters, and laid back island vibe. There's diving and snorkeling as well as romantic hotels and wonderful local restaurants.

Nashville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.

Is Isla Mujeres or Nashville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Isla Mujeres is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Isla Mujeres is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a handful of hostels on the island that offer budget accommodation and a social atmosphere.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nashville. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

Is Isla Mujeres or Nashville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Isla Mujeres is a island with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Isla Mujeres has some public transit options. There are two bus routes around the island that are operated by Isleños Bus.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.


Is Isla Mujeres or Nashville a more walkable city?

Isla Mujeres
Nashville

Isla Mujeres is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Isla Mujeres is very walkable. The most walkable part of the island is the North part, which is the town center.

Nashville is not a walkable island. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Isla Mujeres Worth Visiting? and Is Nashville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nashville or Isla Mujeres?

How long in Isla Mujeres or Nashville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Isla Mujeres and Nashville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nashville than in Isla Mujeres. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Isla Mujeres, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nashville.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Isla Mujeres than Nashville 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 Isla Mujeres.


  • How many days in Isla Mujeres or Nashville? Ideal Length of Stay
    Isla Mujeres 1-2 
    Nashville 2-3

One day in Isla Mujeres or Nashville?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Isla Mujeres. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Isla Mujeres has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Nashville, many people enjoy the live music and food that this southern city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Isla Mujeres or Nashville?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the idyllic destination of Isla Mujeres. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Nashville is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the live music. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.


Five days in Isla Mujeres or Nashville?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the idyllic island of Isla Mujeres. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the country music lovers destination of Nashville. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the live music. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Isla Mujeres or Nashville?

Isla Mujeres 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.

Nashville is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Nashville or Isla Mujeres?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Isla Mujeres Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Nashville Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Isla Mujeres $164
    Nashville $202

The average daily cost (per person) in Isla Mujeres is $164, while the average daily cost in Nashville is $202. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Isla Mujeres and Nashville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Isla Mujeres $71
    Nashville $99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Isla Mujeres $142
    Nashville $198
Compare Hotels in Isla Mujeres and Nashville

Looking for a hotel in Isla Mujeres or Nashville? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Isla Mujeres


Hotels in Nashville


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Isla Mujeres Hotel Prices and Nashville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Isla Mujeres $32
    Nashville $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Isla Mujeres

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Isla Mujeres:

  • Private Transfer: Playa Mujeres to Cancun Airport CUN in SUV: $135
  • Punta Sam / Isla Blanca to Cancún Airport (CUN)- Departure Private Transfer: $62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nashville

Also for Nashville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Reliable Airport Transfer to Downtown Nashville: $35
  • Private Transfer Nashville Airport BNA to Nashville City: $50
  • One Way Airport Transfer Service: $60
  • Airport Transfer Mini Van (Sienna Or Odyssey Or Similar): $65
  • Airport to Downtown Private Transfer: $70
  • Nashville Airport (BNA) to Nashville accomodation - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
  • Private Departure Transfer from Downtown Nashville to Nashville Airport (BNA): $84
  • Private Luxe Transfer: $90
  • Nashville Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Nashville: $90
  • One way Private Transfer from International Airport to Nashville : $97
  • Nashville Airport (BNA) to Nashville Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
  • Transfer from John C Tune Airport-JWN: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Isla Mujeres or Nashville?

Prices for flights to both Nashville and Isla Mujeres change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Isla Mujeres $72
    Nashville $72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nashville

For Nashville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Wine Bar in Nashville: $75
  • Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in Nashville: $75
  • East Nashville Walking Food Tour with 5+ Tastings: $96
  • The Gulch Walking & Tasting Food Tour: $98
  • Food Tour with 5+ Tastings of Local Delicacies: $99
  • East Nashville Sidewalk Food Tour : $99
  • Secret Food Tour Nashville - 12South: $104
  • General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville: $112
  • East Nashville Food Tour: Flavors & Stories of the East Side: $145
  • East Nashville Guided Walking Food Tour: $145
  • Dishing on Downtown: Nashville Food Tour: $145
  • Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Food Tour: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Isla Mujeres $19
    Nashville $27

Tours and Activities in Isla Mujeres

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla Mujeres are as follows:

  • Scuba Diving Adventure WITHOUT CERTIFICATION! Try it today!: $160
  • 3 Hours VIP Semiprivate Tour Isla Mujeres Full Snorkeling Experience : $84
  • ATV Mangrove Adventure: $65
  • Adventure and Snorkel with the Whale Shark From Playa del Carmen: $230
  • Adventure and Snorkel with the Whale Shark departing from Cancun: $200
  • Chill at -18°C Isla Mujeres Ice Bar (tickets): $25
  • Contoy Island Tour from Cancun and Isla Mujeres with Snorkeling: $145
  • Crystal Boat Tour to Isla Mujeres and Reefs: $39
  • Isla Contoy Snorkeling Experience with Buffet: $166
  • Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Adventure at the Underwater Museum: $52
  • Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour: $84
  • Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour Adventure: $53

Tours and Activities in Nashville

For Nashville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Nashville Music City Smart Phone Self-Guided Audio/App Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Nashville Exploration Game and Tour: Sound Heist: $7.16
  • Nashville Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Private Tour: $7.70
  • Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Factory Tour: $8.74
  • Nashville’s Famous Ghosts Self Guided Audio Walking Tour : $9.75
  • Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Mechanical Bull Ride with Skip The Line Access: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Nashville by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Music History Guided Walking Tour: $10
  • Legends of Country Music Museum Entry Ticket: $11
  • Nashville Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Natchez Trace Parkway: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Isla Mujeres $23
    Nashville $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Nashville

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nashville:

  • Nashville's Annual Crawl-O-Ween Pub Crawl: $25
  • Music City Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville's Annual Firecracker Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville's Annual Saint Patrick's Day Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville Drinkers & Thinkers Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville Ghosts: Adults-Only Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • Journey to Jubilee Guided Tour at Belle Meade with Wine Tasting: $29
  • Nashville Live Music Bar Crawl with Local Venues & Drink Specials: $30
  • Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Drinkers & Thinkers Pub Crawl: $33
  • Belle Meade Guided Mansion Tour with Complimentary Wine Tasting: $33
  • Nashville's Haunted Spirits Murder & True Crime Ghostly Pub Crawl: $35


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

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


Which is Bigger, Isla Mujeres or Nashville?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Isla Mujeres. When comparing the sizes of Isla Mujeres and Nashville, 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.