A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Olympic National Park for Resorts, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park? 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 scenic, stunning, and vibrant 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.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a stunning, vast, and pristine park. With stunning beauty, Olympic National Park attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking and museums. See Olympic National Park travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Olympic National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Playa del Carmen. Although Playa del Carmen and Olympic National Park are both popular with visitors, Playa del Carmen has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Playa del Carmen is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Olympic National Park is known for its museums and attractions and hiking. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Olympic National Park and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also home to La Quinta Avenida. Olympic National Park is popular for its diverse landscapes and its frequent rainfall.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Olympic National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park?

Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park. There are several museums near the park that highlight the region's history, culture, and geology. These include the Makah Cultural & Research Center Museum, Forks Timber Museum, Sequim Museum, and Squaxin Island Museum, Library and Research Center.

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 Olympic National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its restaurants.

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.

Olympic National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Most of the lodges have restaurants within the park, but they can be overpriced. There are also restaurants just outside of the park's border.

Is Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park 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.

Olympic National Park doesn't offer many options. You can enjoy a peaceful natural setting after the sun sets.

Is Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its resorts. Also, Olympic National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its luxury resorts.

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.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Olympic National Park. There are several lodges within the park as well as cabins and inns. Some have a historic atmosphere while others are more rustic. It's best to book well in advance, particularly if you're visiting during the peak summer months.

Is Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

The clear water and abundant marine life make Playa del Carmen a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. 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.

Olympic National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park Better for Beaches?

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

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Playa del Carmen. 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.

Olympic National Park is not a beach destination. The park has a rugged coastline with sandy beaches. Many people enjoy exploring the tidal pools or watching the sun set. Some of the best beaches include Kalaloch Beach, Beach 4, and Ruby Beach.

Is Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park Better for Hiking?

Olympic National Park is an amazing park to visit for its hiking experiences. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

People visit Olympic National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hiking trails will take you through the diverse range of landscapes. There are mountain climbs, coastal trails, and routes that wander through old growth forests. You'll also find a mix of day hikes and backcountry wilderness hikes. Mount Storm King, Marymere Falls, and the High Divide are favorite hikes in the park, but there are countless others.

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 Olympic National Park?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its shopping areas.

Playa del Carmen offers some nice shopping areas. Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.

Olympic National Park has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There's a park store where you can pick up books, informational resources, and souvenirs.

Is Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of high quality scenery and beauty in both Playa del Carmen and Olympic National Park.

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

Olympic National Park is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The diversity of landscapes give the park a unique beauty. You can explore old growth rainforests, wander down pristine beaches, or take in the stunning mountain views.

Is Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Olympic National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Playa del Carmen is a very family-friendly destination. 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 family-friendly things to do in Olympic National Park. Kids will enjoy exploring the tidal pools and running around the beach. It's also fun to lose yourself in the old growth rainforests and spend some time kayaking or canoeing at Lake Crescent.

Is Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Olympic National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for couples.

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.

Olympic National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy hiking, camping, and natural beauty will love exploring this park together. There are a diversity of ecosystems and landscapes where you can enjoy a couples retreat together.

Is Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Olympic National Park is an amazing park to visit for backpackers. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Olympic National Park is a very popular park to visit for backpackers. There are many beautiful backcountry destinations that let you experience this park in depth. Make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

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.

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

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for its public transit. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for times when you don't have a car.

Playa del Carmen has a few public transit options. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

Public transit is mostly limited in Olympic National Park. There are buses and ferries to the park, but the park is large and requires a private vehicle to fully access it.

Is Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its ease of walking around.

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

Olympic National Park is not a very walkable town. The park is large and you'll need a car to reach most of the trailheads.

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

Should I spend more time in Olympic National Park or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park?

In either Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Olympic National Park because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 2-5 days is enough time in Olympic National Park.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Olympic National Park. 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 Olympic National Park. 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 Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park?

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find museums around the stunning destination of Olympic National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It offers something for everyone.

You'll find museums around the pristine park of Olympic National Park. If you have a weekend, this park 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 hiking. 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 Olympic National Park?

Playa del Carmen is a fun place to experience. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Olympic National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park?

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

Olympic National Park 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 hiking. 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 Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park?

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 Olympic National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Olympic National Park. The summer months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Olympic National Park this time of year.

In July, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 210 hours of full sun in the summer.

Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Olympic National Park. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Olympic National Park. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Olympic National Park for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Olympic National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Olympic National Park. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 113 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Olympic National Park. Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in October than Olympic National Park. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 10.4 inches (263 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 Olympic National Park in the Winter?

Both Olympic National Park and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Olympic National Park in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Olympic National Park can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Olympic National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Olympic National Park averages at about 41°F (5°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Olympic National Park. In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 13.7 inches (349 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Olympic National Park in the Spring?

Both Olympic National Park and Playa del Carmen during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Olympic National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 47°F (8°C).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Olympic National Park. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 148 hours of full sun.

Olympic National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Olympic National Park. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Olympic National Park and Playa del Carmen