A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Martha's Vineyard for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard? 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.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and food. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Playa del Carmen. Although Playa del Carmen and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is very popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors for its food, shopping, and small town charm. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Martha's Vineyard and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Martha's Vineyard is famous for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard.

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 Martha's Vineyard specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Martha's Vineyard is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Martha's Vineyard is an experience not to be missed. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

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.

Is Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen and Martha's Vineyard offer a relatively similar set of amazing luxury resort options.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Playa del Carmen is a great 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.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Martha's Vineyard is a perfect choice. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Is Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for the beach. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its beaches.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Is Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Playa del Carmen and Martha's Vineyard both have nice trails.

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for hiking. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Many people include a hike when visiting Martha's Vineyard. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard?

Martha's Vineyard is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Playa del Carmen. Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.

Is Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of superb scenery and beauty in both Playa del Carmen and Martha's Vineyard.

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

Martha's Vineyard is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-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.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Playa del Carmen and Martha's Vineyard make for a amazing place to visit.

Playa del Carmen makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

For those traveling as a couple, Martha's Vineyard has plenty to offer. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Is Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for backpackers.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.

Is Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Martha's Vineyard 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 generally limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island 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.

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Playa del Carmen Worth Visiting? and Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Martha's Vineyard or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard?

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

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard?

With shopping and nightlife around the scenic town of Playa del Carmen, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Martha's Vineyard is a small town with plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With nightlife and food 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. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Martha's Vineyard is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Playa del Carmen is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Martha's Vineyard is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Playa del Carmen during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Martha's Vineyard because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Martha's Vineyard, 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 Martha's Vineyard. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 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 July than Martha's Vineyard. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Martha's Vineyard. The autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 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 Martha's Vineyard. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Martha's Vineyard. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Martha's Vineyard. In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 28°F (-2°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 Martha's Vineyard. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Martha's Vineyard. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Playa del Carmen