A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Saint Simons for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons? 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 Simons

Saint Simons is a scenic, relaxing, and laid back island. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Saint Simons offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and food. See Saint Simons travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Saint Simons: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Playa del Carmen than Saint Simons, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Playa del Carmen is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Saint Simons is more popular for its food, shopping, and small town charm. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Saint Simons and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Also, Playa del Carmen is famous for La Quinta Avenida. Saint Simons is well known for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Saint Simons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons.

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.

While most people don't head to Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.

Is the Food Better in Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons is an experience not to be missed. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

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 Saint Simons Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its resorts. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

With a selection of resorts, Saint Simons makes a nice vacation spot. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

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

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Simons 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.

Saint Simons is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its beaches. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

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.

Saint Simons is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Playa del Carmen and Saint Simons both have notable 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 Saint Simons. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

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

Saint Simons 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 Simons. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

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 Simons More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and 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 Simons is a beautiful place to visit, too. Beautiful beaches and live oaks with Spanish moss give the island a southern charm.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Simons 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Simons is very family-friendly. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

Saint Simons is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is a popular place for backpackers. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options 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.

Saint Simons is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are campgrounds in the area that offer access to the island.

Is Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons 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, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options 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 Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

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

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Saint Simons 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 Simons is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons?

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

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

In Playa del Carmen, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this scenic town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Saint Simons is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. 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 island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons?

Playa del Carmen is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Saint Simons is a small town with plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this island 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 Saint Simons?

In Playa del Carmen, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this vibrant destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Saint Simons 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Saint Simons?

Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Saint Simons, 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 Simons?

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 Simons in the Summer?

Both Saint Simons 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, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year.

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

It's quite sunny in Saint Simons. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Saint Simons during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Saint Simons. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Saint Simons 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. Also, many travelers come to Saint Simons for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Playa del Carmen is generally a little warmer than Saint Simons. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Simons fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In Saint Simons, 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 Simons. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 214 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 Simons. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.9 inches (73 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 Simons in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Saint Simons. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Saint Simons in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Saint Simons in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Saint Simons fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Saint Simons during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Saint Simons. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Saint Simons. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Saint Simons. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Simons averages at about 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. 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 less sunshine than Saint Simons. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 285 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Saint Simons. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Saint Simons and Playa del Carmen