A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Gatlinburg for Nightlife, Resorts, Couples, and Hiking

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg? 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. 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.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a wild, flashy, and high energy city. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Gatlinburg travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Gatlinburg: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Playa del Carmen than Gatlinburg, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Playa del Carmen is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Gatlinburg is more popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, and hiking. Playa del Carmen is well known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Also, Playa del Carmen is famous for La Quinta Avenida. Gatlinburg is well known for its countless entertainment venues as well as its easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Gatlinburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is a popular place for winter skiing. However, Playa del Carmen is not a skiing destination.

Head to Gatlinburg for some great skiing and other winter activities. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski area in Tennessee. The winter activities open after Thanksgiving and include snow skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tubing.

Playa del Carmen is not a skiing destination.

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

Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg. Museums range from gaudy to quirky. Check out the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Titanic Museum. There's also the Gatlinburg Space Needle and the Gatlinburg SkyBridge.

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 Gatlinburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Playa del Carmen is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Gatlinburg is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Gatlinburg. Staying true to form, restaurants in Gatlinburg cater to the tourist scene and serve up burgers, pizza, pancakes, and other classic favorites.

Is Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg has a better nightlife scene.

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.

Gatlinburg is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Live music, theatrical shows, as well as bars and clubs that stay open late into the night give this town a huge party atmosphere. During the peak season the town is packed with people looking to have a good time and you'll find tons of things to do by simply walking down the main drag.

Is Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its luxury resorts. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

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.

Gatlinburg is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are plenty of resorts and vacation clubs near town. Many have pools, waterslides, or hot tubs.

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

Playa del Carmen is renowned for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Gatlinburg 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.

Gatlinburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its beaches. However, Gatlinburg 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.

Gatlinburg is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg Better for Hiking?

Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg. You'll need to head out of town into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but once you're there the hiking is impressive. There are waterfall hikes, trails to viewpoints, and loops that take you through wildflowers. Some of the most popular trails include Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Middle Prong Trail, and the Gatlinburg Trail.

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 Gatlinburg?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg. There are tourist traps and souvenir shops around town, but you can also head to the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community where you can meet local artists and learn about their work.

Is Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Gatlinburg 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.

Gatlinburg is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination.

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.

Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination. Ober Gatlinburg is a combination ski resort and amusement park that is a highlight for many families. During the warmer season, horseback riding and waterparks are popular. There's also a Ripley's Aquarium, minigolf, and Gatlin's Fun Center. Nearby you'll find Dollywood and Pigeon Forge.

Is Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for romance. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

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.

Gatlinburg is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you're looking for a flashy and ostentatious experience, then there are all the typical activities around town - Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Gatlinburg Space Needle, or Ober Gatlinburg. For a bit more nature, you can head out of town and enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also breweries and wineries in the area, as well as a range of resorts.

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

Playa del Carmen is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Gatlinburg is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Gatlinburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a touristy town with plenty of cheap motels in the area. There are also campgrounds and hiking not far away.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Playa del Carmen and Gatlinburg.

You'll find some public transit in Playa del Carmen, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

While Gatlinburg offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free trolley service that offers a convenient way to get around town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its walkability. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of 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.

Gatlinburg is a very walkable town. The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and most of the attractions in town can be reached on foot. If you want to leave town, a car is a must, but in town traffic and parking can be frustrating, so walk when you can.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg. 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 Gatlinburg.

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

With shopping and nightlife around the vibrant town of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the flashy destination of Gatlinburg. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Gatlinburg?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the wild city of Gatlinburg. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. 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 Gatlinburg?

Playa del Carmen, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Gatlinburg 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 head to the area for the nightlife. 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 San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Gatlinburg?

Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg?

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 Gatlinburg in the Summer?

Both Gatlinburg 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Gatlinburg for the hiking.

In the summer, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Gatlinburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Playa del Carmen in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Gatlinburg averages at about 81°F (27°C).

In Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 294 hours of full sun.

Gatlinburg 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 more rain in July than Gatlinburg. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In October, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Gatlinburg. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 2.7 inches (68 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 Gatlinburg in the Winter?

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

Gatlinburg can be very cold during winter. Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Gatlinburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

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 more sunshine than Gatlinburg. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 134 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Gatlinburg. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Gatlinburg. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Gatlinburg 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.

In the spring, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Gatlinburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Gatlinburg averages at about 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Gatlinburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gatlinburg during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 263 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Gatlinburg and Playa del Carmen