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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Greensboro?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Greensboro? 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 vibrant, picture-perfect, and scenic town. The beauty of Playa del Carmen is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Greensboro

Greensboro is a welcoming, under-rated, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Greensboro travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Greensboro: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Playa del Carmen than Greensboro. While Greensboro is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Playa del Carmen is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Greensboro is known for its museums and attractions. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Greensboro and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also home to La Quinta Avenida. Greensboro is popular for its interesting museums and diverse restaurants.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Greensboro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Greensboro 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 Greensboro. The Greensboro Science Center is a highlight for families. Other interesting museums around town include the Elsewhere Modern Art Museum, the Greensboro History Museum, the International Civil Rights Center, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

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 Greensboro? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Greensboro may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find a good selection of restaurants around town with Mexican, southern, Italian, and Chinese all being popular options.

Is Playa del Carmen or Greensboro Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Playa del Carmen is a world class 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Greensboro has a few options to choose from. Head downtown for the most trendy bars, breweries, and nightclubs.

Is Playa del Carmen or Greensboro Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Greensboro is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Playa del Carmen for its luxury resorts. 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.

Greensboro is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Greensboro is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Playa del Carmen. 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.

Greensboro is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Greensboro Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Greensboro is not a beach destination.

Playa del Carmen offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Greensboro is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Greensboro Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Greensboro is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen offers some nice hiking trails. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Greensboro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Greensboro?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Greensboro 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 Greensboro. There are shopping centers and shopping malls around town as well as some interesting local boutiques.

Is Playa del Carmen or Greensboro More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Greensboro is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Playa del Carmen is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. From beautiful beaches to inland jungles, this is a truly stunning destination.

Greensboro is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Greensboro Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Playa del Carmen is very family-friendly. 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.

Greensboro offers lots of family activities. Kids will love visiting the Greensboro Science Center, which has hands-on science exhibits and a small zoo. Younger kids will also enjoy a visit to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. During the summer months the Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is a great way to spend a day. Other times of the year, there are indoor play spaces and movie theaters around town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Greensboro Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for couples.

Playa del Carmen is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Greensboro is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The Carolina Theater makes a great date night activity. There is also a diverse selection of restaurants around town and a few parks for a daytime outing.

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

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for backpackers. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Greensboro is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of budget hotels nearby but no real hostels.

Is Playa del Carmen or Greensboro Better for Students?

Greensboro is a popular place for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Greensboro is popular with students. University of North Carolina at Greensboro attracts students to the city. There are also several smaller colleges in the area.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

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

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for its public transit. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Greensboro. There are several bus routes around town, but you really can depend on them to get where you're going. A car is important for making the most of your trip.

Is Playa del Carmen or Greensboro a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

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

Greensboro is generally not a very walkable town. Most areas aren't walkable, but for the most pedestrian-friendly sections head to College Hill, downtown, or Brice Street.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Greensboro?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Playa del Carmen or Greensboro to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Playa del Carmen than Greensboro 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 Greensboro.

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

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 museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Greensboro. 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 Greensboro?

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 nightlife and shopping around the under-rated city of Greensboro. 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 Greensboro?

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.

Greensboro 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 Greensboro?

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.

Greensboro 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 New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Greensboro?

Greensboro has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Greensboro, 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 Greensboro?

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 Greensboro in the Summer?

Both Greensboro and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Greensboro because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Greensboro. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Greensboro fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Greensboro. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Greensboro during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Greensboro receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Greensboro. It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Greensboro. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Greensboro receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Greensboro and Playa del Carmen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Greensboro this time of year.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Greensboro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Greensboro fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In Greensboro, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Greensboro. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Greensboro receives 212 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in October than Greensboro. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Greensboro receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Greensboro. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Greensboro for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Greensboro. In the winter, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Greensboro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Greensboro averages at about 40°F (4°C).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Greensboro during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Greensboro receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Greensboro. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Greensboro receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Greensboro. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Greensboro. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Greensboro fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Greensboro. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Greensboro. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Greensboro receives 248 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Greensboro. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Greensboro receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Greensboro and Playa del Carmen