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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Halifax?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Halifax? 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.

Halifax

Halifax is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Halifax travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Halifax: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Halifax. While Halifax is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Halifax is more popular for its museums and attractions. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Halifax and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Also, Playa del Carmen is famous for La Quinta Avenida. Halifax is well known for its maritime past.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Halifax 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 Halifax. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

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 Halifax? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Halifax can be difficult as they are each notable 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 Halifax. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is Playa del Carmen or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for nightlife. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Playa del Carmen is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Halifax has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is Playa del Carmen or Halifax Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Halifax 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.

Halifax is not a resort destination.

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

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

Halifax is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Halifax Better for Beaches?

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

Halifax is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Halifax Better for Hiking?

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

Halifax is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Halifax?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Halifax 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 Halifax. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is Playa del Carmen or Halifax More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Halifax 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.

Halifax is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Halifax Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Halifax 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 Halifax. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Playa del Carmen or Halifax Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for romance. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Halifax makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

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

Playa del Carmen and Halifax are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Halifax is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Playa del Carmen or Halifax 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 Halifax.

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 Halifax offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

Is Playa del Carmen or Halifax a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its walkability. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Halifax is a somewhat walkable place. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Halifax?

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

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

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Halifax. 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 Halifax?

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find shopping and museums around the friendly city of Halifax. 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 Halifax?

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Playa del Carmen has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Halifax 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 Halifax?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. In Playa del Carmen, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Halifax 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 G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Halifax, 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 Halifax?

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 Halifax in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in Playa del Carmen in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Halifax. 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 around the same amount of sunshine as Halifax. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in July than Halifax. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Halifax 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 Halifax for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Halifax. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) 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 Halifax in the Winter?

Both Halifax 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 Halifax because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Halifax can be very cold. Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun.

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

It's quite cold in Halifax in the spring. In the spring, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Halifax. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Halifax and Playa del Carmen