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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Phoenix?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Phoenix? 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.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Phoenix travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Phoenix 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 Phoenix. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science 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 Phoenix? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Phoenix can be difficult as they are each nice 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 Phoenix. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Playa del Carmen or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Playa del Carmen is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Playa del Carmen or Phoenix Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Playa del Carmen is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Playa del Carmen is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Playa del Carmen is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Playa del Carmen and Phoenix 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 Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Phoenix?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Phoenix 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 Phoenix. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Phoenix More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.

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

Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Phoenix Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Playa del Carmen or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Playa del Carmen is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

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

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Playa del Carmen is a good town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

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

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix 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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Playa del Carmen or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known 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.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Phoenix?

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

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

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 sprawling destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

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 sprawling city of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Playa del Carmen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Playa del Carmen is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

In Phoenix, 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 Phoenix. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 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 Phoenix. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Phoenix. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 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 Phoenix. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 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 Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Phoenix. The winter months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. 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 less sunshine than Phoenix. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Phoenix. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Phoenix and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year.

Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Playa del Carmen