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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Cleveland?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Cleveland? 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. Playa del Carmen is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a authentic, under-rated, and diverse city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Cleveland travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Cleveland. While Cleveland is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Cleveland is more popular for its museums and attractions and music. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Cleveland and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Also, Playa del Carmen is famous for La Quinta Avenida. Cleveland is well known for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cleveland offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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 Cleveland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Playa del Carmen or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for nightlife. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Cleveland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Playa del Carmen or Cleveland Better for Music?

Cleveland is a great destination for its music scene. However, Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Cleveland has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Cleveland Better for Resorts?

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

Cleveland is not a resort destination.

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

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

Cleveland is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Cleveland Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its beaches. However, Cleveland 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.

Cleveland is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Cleveland Better for Hiking?

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

Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Cleveland?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Cleveland 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 Cleveland. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Playa del Carmen or Cleveland More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Cleveland is not a destination known for its beauty.

Playa del Carmen is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. From beautiful beaches to inland jungles, this is a truly stunning destination.

Cleveland is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Cleveland Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cleveland 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 Cleveland. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Playa del Carmen or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

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

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Playa del Carmen. 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.

Cleveland is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There's little in the area that attracts the backpacker crowd.

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

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Playa del Carmen or Cleveland a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its walkability. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its high level of 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.

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Cleveland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Playa del Carmen and Cleveland. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen than in Cleveland. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cleveland.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Cleveland. 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 Cleveland. 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland?

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 live music and shopping around the diverse destination of Cleveland. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Cleveland?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the stunning 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 diverse city of Cleveland. 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 Cleveland?

You'll find nightlife and food around the scenic 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.

Cleveland 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 Cleveland?

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.

Cleveland 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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Cleveland, 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 Cleveland?

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 Cleveland in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Playa del Carmen in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Cleveland averages at about 75°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cleveland. 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 Cleveland. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cleveland. Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in July than Cleveland. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Cleveland 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 Cleveland for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months.

In October, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and Cleveland fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 165 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 Cleveland. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

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

Both Cleveland 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Cleveland can be very cold. Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Cleveland in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Cleveland. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In the spring, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Cleveland averages at about 51°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cleveland 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 Cleveland during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Cleveland. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Playa del Carmen