A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Playa del Carmen for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Resorts

Should you visit Paphos or Playa del Carmen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Playa del Carmen, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Paphos

Paphos is a coastal, overlooked, and ancient town. With stunning beauty, Paphos attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Paphos travel costs.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a vibrant, picture-perfect, and scenic town. Playa del Carmen is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Paphos and Playa del Carmen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Playa del Carmen?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Paphos than Playa del Carmen, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Paphos is better known for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Playa del Carmen is more popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and hiking. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Paphos and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Paphos is well known for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. Also, Paphos is famous for Paphos Archaeological Park.

How is Paphos 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 Paphos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Paphos or Playa del Carmen?

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Paphos on the map. The area is well known for its impressive archeological ruins, many of which are found at Paphos Archaeological Site. Other impressive sights include the Tombs of the Kings, the Chrysopolitissa Basilica & St. Paul's Pillar, Agia Paraskevi, and Paphos Fort.

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 Paphos or Playa del Carmen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Paphos is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Food is a huge part of the culture and family life in the area. The cuisine is influenced by the surrounding areas and you'll see similarities to Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Popular dishes include koupepia (vine leaves stuffed with a filling called gemista), souvlaki (a meat and salad filled pita), and makaronia tou fournou (a pasta dish made with halloumi and béchamel sauce).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Playa del Carmen. 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 Paphos or Playa del Carmen Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for nightlife. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Playa del Carmen is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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 Paphos has a few options to choose from. Most people think of history, culture, beaches, and wine, but the city also has its share of clubs and bars. It's not the party-hard beach destination that you'll find at some Mediterranean tourist areas, but there are still plenty of bars and clubs with atmosphere and style. Head to Agiou Antoniou Street for the most action.

Is Paphos or Playa del Carmen Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, fantastic resorts can be found in both Paphos and Playa del Carmen.

Paphos offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The area is filled with all types of resorts. There are many all-inclusive resorts that cater to families, honeymooners, or luxury vacationers. If you want to experience more of the local culture, there are also smaller boutique hotels or local apartments available.

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.

Is Paphos or Playa del Carmen Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its diving and snorkeling.

People travel to Playa del Carmen specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Paphos. There are many snorkeling and dive spots that aren't far away. You'll also find a number of scuba or snorkeling excursions that you can join. The water conditions for snorkeling and diving are best during the summer months.

Is Paphos or Playa del Carmen Better for Beaches?

Both Paphos and Playa del Carmen have fantastic beaches worth visiting.

The beaches in Paphos are among the best in the world. Many people head to the area specifically for the beaches. This region has the longest coastline of any region in Cyprus, but keep in mind that some of the best beaches are found outside of the main tourist areas. However, they most are usually accessible by city bus with many remote stretches found along the Akamas Peninsula. Within town the beaches are often rocky and pebbly.

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.

Is Paphos or Playa del Carmen Better for its Old Town?

Paphos is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Paphos offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is a pleasant area to walk around with a number of interesting buildings. The area was revitalized in 2017 and there are many historical sites. It's also fun to go shopping at Kennedy Square and Makariou Avenue.

Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Is Paphos or Playa del Carmen Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Paphos is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen has hiking trails worth exploring. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Paphos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Playa del Carmen?

Paphos is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Paphos. There are outdoor markets, major shopping streets, and international fashion brands. You can pick up local souvenirs or beach gear that you may have forgotten.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Playa del Carmen. Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.

Is Paphos or Playa del Carmen More Beautiful?

Paphos and Playa del Carmen both are comparable with their very good scenery and beauty.

Paphos is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The area is known for its world-renowned archeological ruins, stunning beaches, and beautiful outdoor setting.

The beauty of Playa del Carmen is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. From beautiful beaches to inland jungles, this is a truly stunning destination.

Is Paphos or Playa del Carmen Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Paphos is very family-friendly. There are plenty of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Head to the beach or take a walk along the coastline. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to the zoo, bird park, or aquarium and young thrill seekers will enjoy a day at the Aqua-park of Aphrodite. And, of course, there's also the ruins that kids can have fun exploring.

Is Paphos or Playa del Carmen Better for Couples?

Paphos and Playa del Carmen are both fantastic to visit as a couple.

Paphos has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Honeymooners who enjoy history, nature, beaches, and culture will find it all in the area. There are stunning beaches where you can relax in the sun, world renowned archeological ruins where you can immerse yourself in a historical world, and beautiful views around every corner. There are also excellent restaurants and wine tasting opportunities that will make for a memorable trip.

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.

Is Paphos or Playa del Carmen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Paphos is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. The area is generally accessible with a few good hostels and budget accommodation options sprinkled about. There are great beaches and restaurants as well as plenty of beautiful places to enjoy a walk.

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

Paphos is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Paphos offers a very effecient public transportation network. It's possible to get around by city bus to most places. Buses connect many touristy areas such as Kato Paphos, Tombs of the Kings, Chloraka, Kissonerga, Coral Bay and Paphos Center.

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 Paphos or Playa del Carmen a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its walkability. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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.

Paphos is a somewhat walkable place. The main tourist area is Kato Paphos which is small, compact and easy to walk around, but if you want to head to areas further away then you likely won't be able to travel on foot. It's important to understand where your hotel is located if you're planning to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Playa del Carmen or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Playa del Carmen?

Both Paphos 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 Paphos. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 3-7 days is enough time in Playa del Carmen.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Paphos 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 Paphos.

One day in Paphos or Playa del Carmen?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the ancient destination of Paphos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Playa del Carmen. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Paphos or Playa del Carmen?

You'll find shopping and museums around the cultural town of Paphos. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Paphos or Playa del Carmen?

Paphos is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Paphos or Playa del Carmen?

Paphos is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning destination of Playa del Carmen. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Cyprus, The Best Tours for Seniors to Cyprus, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos 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 Paphos or Playa del Carmen?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Paphos or Playa del Carmen in the Summer?

Both Playa del Carmen and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Paphos in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Paphos is generally around the same temperature as Playa del Carmen. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 27°C (80°F), and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Playa del Carmen during summer. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Carmen receives 223 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. In July, Paphos usually receives less rain than Playa del Carmen. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Paphos or Playa del Carmen in the Autumn?

Both Playa del Carmen and Paphos during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Paphos for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Paphos is cooler than Playa del Carmen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Paphos. In the autumn, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Playa del Carmen. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Carmen receives 233 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Paphos usually gets less rain in October than Playa del Carmen. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Should I visit Paphos or Playa del Carmen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Playa del Carmen. The winter months attract visitors to Paphos because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year.

In the winter, Paphos is much colder than Playa del Carmen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paphos in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Playa del Carmen averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. Paphos usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Carmen during winter. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Carmen receives 224 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Paphos usually receives more rain than Playa del Carmen. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Paphos or Playa del Carmen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Playa del Carmen. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Paphos is generally much colder than Playa del Carmen. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 17°C (62°F), and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the spring, Paphos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa del Carmen. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Carmen receives 259 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in April than Playa del Carmen. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Playa del Carmen and Paphos