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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Arlington?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Arlington? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a stunning, vibrant, and picture-perfect town. With stunning beauty, Playa del Carmen attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Arlington

Arlington is a educational, international, and historical city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Arlington travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Arlington: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Arlington. While Arlington is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Arlington attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and food. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Arlington and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Arlington is famous for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Arlington is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Arlington offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

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

Arlington is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Arlington is an experience not to be missed. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

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 Playa del Carmen or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

The people in Arlington know how to have a good time. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

Is Playa del Carmen or Arlington Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Playa del Carmen offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is terrific for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Arlington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Arlington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Arlington Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Playa del Carmen are among the best in the world. 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.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Arlington Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington 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.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Arlington?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Arlington and Playa del Carmen.

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arlington. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Playa del Carmen or Arlington More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Arlington is not a destination known for its beauty.

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

Arlington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Arlington Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Playa del Carmen or Arlington Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Playa del Carmen has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

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

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

Arlington is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

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 Playa del Carmen or Arlington Better for Students?

Arlington is a great destination for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Arlington is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

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

Arlington is an amazing city to visit 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.

Public transit in Arlington is top-notch. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

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 Playa del Carmen or Arlington a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Arlington is very walkable. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Playa del Carmen or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 2-4 days is enough time in Arlington.

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

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

One day in Playa del Carmen or Arlington?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the town of Playa del Carmen. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the international destination of Arlington. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Arlington?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Playa del Carmen. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the educational city of Arlington. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Playa del Carmen or Arlington?

You'll find nightlife and food around the vibrant town of Playa del Carmen. 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.

Arlington is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

A week in Playa del Carmen or Arlington?

Playa del Carmen is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Playa del Carmen, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Arlington is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Arlington, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington 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 Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Arlington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Arlington, 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 Playa del Carmen or Arlington?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

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

The summer brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Arlington. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Arlington in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Arlington in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Arlington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the summer, Playa del Carmen often gets less sunshine than Arlington. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in July than Arlington. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Arlington and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Arlington averages at about 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Arlington. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

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

Both Arlington and Playa del Carmen during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Arlington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Arlington can be very cold. In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Arlington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Arlington. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Arlington. The spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Arlington in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Arlington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Arlington. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Arlington and Playa del Carmen