A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Everglades National Park for Families, Couples, Hiking, and Backpackers

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park? 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 picture-perfect, scenic, and stunning 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.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a pristine, adventure-filled, and unique national park. Everglades National Park offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking. See Everglades National Park travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Everglades National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Playa del Carmen. Although Playa del Carmen and Everglades National Park are popular destinations, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Everglades National Park attracts visitors for its hiking. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Everglades National Park and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Everglades National Park is famous for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Everglades National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park.

Playa del Carmen offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. 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.

While most people don't head to Everglades National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.

Is the Food Better in Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Playa del Carmen is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Playa del Carmen is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Playa del Carmen is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.

Is Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Playa del Carmen is a perfect choice. 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.

Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Everglades National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Playa del Carmen is not to be missed. 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.

Everglades National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Playa del Carmen is a very popular vacation 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.

Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Everglades National Park. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Many people include a hike when visiting Playa del Carmen. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park?

Playa del Carmen is very good for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known for shopping.

Playa del Carmen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.

Is Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is a great town for its scenery and beauty. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its scenery and beauty.

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

Everglades National Park is a gorgeous place to visit. The natural beauty is impressive and it's easy to see why this is a highlight for many visitors to southern Florida.

Is Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its family-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Everglades National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Is Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Playa del Carmen 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.

Everglades National Park is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.

Is Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Everglades National Park is a very popular national park for backpackers and budget travelers. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

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 Everglades National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Playa del Carmen is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Is Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its walkability.

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

Everglades National Park is generally not very walkable. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.

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

Should I spend more time in Everglades National Park or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Playa del Carmen and Everglades National Park. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen than in Everglades National Park. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 2-3 days is enough time in Everglades National Park.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Everglades National Park. 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 Everglades National Park. 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 Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the picture-perfect town of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find around the pristine destination of Everglades National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the picture-perfect destination of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find around the wild national park of Everglades National Park. If you have a weekend, this national park makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Everglades National Park?

With shopping and nightlife around the stunning town of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Everglades National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Everglades National Park?

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Everglades National Park is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park?

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 Everglades National Park in the Summer?

Both Everglades National Park and Playa del Carmen during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Everglades National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Everglades National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the summer, Playa del Carmen often gets less sunshine than Everglades National Park. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Everglades National Park receives 316 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Everglades National Park. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Everglades National Park receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Everglades National Park. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Everglades National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Everglades National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Everglades National Park averages at about 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Everglades National Park this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Everglades National Park during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Everglades National Park receives 275 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Everglades National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Everglades National Park. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Everglades National Park receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season. June to November in Everglades National Park is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Everglades National Park. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Everglades National Park for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Playa del Carmen is generally a little warmer than Everglades National Park. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Everglades National Park fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets less sunshine than Everglades National Park. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Everglades National Park receives 243 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Everglades National Park. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Everglades National Park receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Everglades National Park in the Spring?

Both Everglades National Park and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Everglades National Park because of the natural beauty.

Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Everglades National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Everglades National Park fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Everglades National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Everglades National Park during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Everglades National Park receives 300 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Everglades National Park. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Everglades National Park receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October. The hurricane season in Everglades National Park is June to November.

Typical Weather for Everglades National Park and Playa del Carmen