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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis? 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. The beauty of Playa del Carmen is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a diverse, dynamic, and innovative city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Minneapolis travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Minneapolis: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Minneapolis. While Minneapolis is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Minneapolis is known for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Minneapolis and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also home to La Quinta Avenida. Minneapolis is popular for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Minneapolis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Minneapolis is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Minneapolis offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman 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 Minneapolis? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis is an experience not to be missed. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

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 Minneapolis Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

People head to Playa del Carmen just to party. 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.

Minneapolis is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

Is Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis Better for Hiking?

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

Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Minneapolis is a world class destination for shoppers. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

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 Minneapolis More Beautiful?

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

Minneapolis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Is Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Minneapolis is a good town for couples to visit. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

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

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Minneapolis is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Minneapolis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a popular destination for backpackers, there is at least one hostel in town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis Better for Students?

Minneapolis is a great destination for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Minneapolis is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Is Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis.

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 Minneapolis offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Minneapolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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.

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable town. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning town of Playa del Carmen. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the dynamic destination of Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the scenic destination of Playa del Carmen. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. 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 innovative city of Minneapolis. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the shopping. 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 Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the vibrant town of Playa del Carmen. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Playa del Carmen. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Minneapolis is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the shopping. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis?

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 Minneapolis in the Summer?

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

In July, Playa del Carmen is generally a little warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Minneapolis. 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 less sunshine than Minneapolis. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 357 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 Minneapolis. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Minneapolis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Minneapolis during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

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

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

The weather in Minneapolis can be very cold. In the winter, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Minneapolis averages at about 15°F (-10°C).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Minneapolis. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 157 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Minneapolis. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Minneapolis. The spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year.

In April, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Minneapolis this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Minneapolis during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 244 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Minneapolis. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Typical Weather for Minneapolis and Playa del Carmen