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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Bangor?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Bangor? 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 scenic, stunning, and vibrant town. With stunning beauty, Playa del Carmen attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Bangor

Bangor is a friendly, laid back, and welcoming town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping. See Bangor travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Bangor: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Playa del Carmen. Although Playa del Carmen and Bangor are popular destinations, 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 Bangor attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and small town charm. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Bangor and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Bangor is famous for its history as a lumber town.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Bangor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bangor 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 Bangor?

Bangor is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bangor. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

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 Bangor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Bangor can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Playa del Carmen area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bangor. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Is Playa del Carmen or Bangor Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

Playa del Carmen has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Is Playa del Carmen or Bangor Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its resorts. However, Bangor 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.

Bangor is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bangor 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.

Bangor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Bangor Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for the beach. However, Bangor 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.

Bangor is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Bangor Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Playa del Carmen. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Bangor?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bangor 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 Bangor. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Is Playa del Carmen or Bangor More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Bangor 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.

Bangor is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Bangor Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Bangor is a family-friendly town. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Is Playa del Carmen or Bangor Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

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.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

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

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Playa del Carmen is a good town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Bangor is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Budget accommodation is available, but most backpackers don't think the visit here.

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

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Bangor is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Playa del Carmen has a few public transit options. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Is Playa del Carmen or Bangor a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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

Bangor is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Bangor?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Playa del Carmen or Bangor to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Playa del Carmen than Bangor because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 1-2 days is enough time in Bangor.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Bangor. 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 Bangor. 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 Playa del Carmen than Bangor 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 Playa del Carmen.

One day in Playa del Carmen or Bangor?

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.

You'll find museums and food around the welcoming destination of Bangor. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Bangor?

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.

You'll find food and shopping around the laid back town of Bangor. If you have a weekend, this town 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 Bangor?

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.

Bangor 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 Bangor?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the vibrant 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.

Bangor 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 Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Bangor, we can see that Bangor 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 Bangor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangor 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 Bangor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Bangor?

Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Bangor, 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 Bangor?

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 Playa del Carmen or Bangor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Bangor. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bangor for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Bangor in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Bangor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Bangor. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Bangor. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bangor because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Bangor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Bangor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in October than Bangor. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

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

Both Bangor and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bangor this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bangor in the winter. In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Bangor. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Bangor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Bangor. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Bangor and Playa del Carmen during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bangor for the small town charm.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Bangor in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Bangor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Bangor. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Typical Weather for Bangor and Playa del Carmen