A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Portland, Maine for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine? 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 vibrant, picture-perfect, and scenic town. With stunning beauty, Playa del Carmen attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a picturesque, seaside, and laid-back coastal town. With stunning beauty, Portland, Maine attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Playa del Carmen. Although Playa del Carmen and Portland, Maine are popular destinations, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Portland, Maine and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Portland, Maine is famous for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

Playa del Carmen is a town with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Is Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Portland, Maine has a few options to choose from. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Is Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its resorts. However, Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

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.

Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Portland, Maine 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.

Portland, Maine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for the beach. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

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.

Portland, Maine is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Is Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Playa del Carmen and Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of high quality scenery and beauty in both Playa del Carmen and Portland, Maine.

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

Portland, Maine is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

Is Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Portland, Maine offers lots of family activities. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Portland, Maine is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for backpackers. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known 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.

Portland, Maine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It isn't so much a backpacker destination, but there are some budget accommodation options around town.

Is Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine 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, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable town. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine?

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

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Portland, Maine. 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 Portland, Maine. 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 Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

The vibrant destination of Playa del Carmen offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the laid-back destination of Portland, Maine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine?

The town of Playa del Carmen offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find nightlife and food around the scenic coastal town of Portland, Maine. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Portland, Maine?

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

The vibrant town of Playa del Carmen offers shopping and nightlife. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Portland, Maine 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine?

Portland, Maine has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Portland, Maine, 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 Portland, Maine?

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 Portland, Maine in the Summer?

Both Portland, Maine and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.

Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Portland, Maine in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Portland, Maine. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Portland, Maine during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Portland, Maine. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

Both Portland, Maine and Playa del Carmen during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Portland, Maine averages at about 49°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Portland, Maine. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 196 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 October than Portland, Maine. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Portland, Maine. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Portland, Maine can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Portland, Maine. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Portland, Maine in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Portland, Maine. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 212 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Portland, Maine. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Playa del Carmen