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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis? 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. Playa del Carmen is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a fascinating, under rated, and unexpected city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Saint Louis travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Saint Louis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Playa del Carmen than Saint Louis. While Saint Louis is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Playa del Carmen is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Saint Louis is more popular for its museums and attractions and shopping. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Saint Louis and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Also, Playa del Carmen is famous for La Quinta Avenida. Saint Louis is well known for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Saint Louis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Louis is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Saint Louis on the map. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

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 Saint Louis? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Saint Louis can be difficult as they are each notable 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 Saint Louis. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for nightlife. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

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 Saint Louis has a few options to choose from. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis Better for Resorts?

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

Vacationers flock to Playa del Carmen for its luxury resorts. 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.

Saint Louis is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Louis 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.

Saint Louis is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its beaches. However, Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

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.

Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen offers some nice hiking trails. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis?

Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

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 Saint Louis More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Saint Louis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Playa del Carmen is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. From beautiful beaches to inland jungles, this is a truly stunning destination.

Saint Louis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Louis is very family-friendly. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for romance. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Playa del Carmen is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Saint Louis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.

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

Saint Louis is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Saint Louis offers a very effecient public transportation network. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its walkability. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of 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.

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint Louis or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant 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 fascinating destination of Saint Louis. 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 Saint Louis?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the picture-perfect 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 unexpected city of Saint Louis. 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 museums. 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 Saint Louis?

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.

Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis?

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.

Saint Louis is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the museums. 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 Saint Louis, we can see that Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Saint Louis, 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 Saint Louis?

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 Saint Louis in the Summer?

Both Saint Louis and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Saint Louis because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Saint Louis. Typically, the summer temperatures in Playa del Carmen in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Louis averages at about 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Saint Louis during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Louis receives 309 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 Saint Louis. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis in the Autumn?

Both Saint Louis and Playa del Carmen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year.

In October, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Saint Louis. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Louis fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Saint Louis. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Louis receives 203 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 Saint Louis. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Saint Louis. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint Louis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Louis. Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Saint Louis in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Saint Louis fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Saint Louis during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Louis receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Saint Louis. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Saint Louis in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Saint Louis. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Saint Louis. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Louis averages at about 58°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. 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 Saint Louis. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Louis receives 229 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Saint Louis. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Saint Louis. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Saint Louis and Playa del Carmen