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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or San Antonio?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Antonio? 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.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a colorful, festive, and fun city. San Antonio offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums. See San Antonio travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and San Antonio: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or San Antonio?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Playa del Carmen than San Antonio. While San Antonio 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 San Antonio is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, music, and historical sights. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than San Antonio and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Also, Playa del Carmen is famous for La Quinta Avenida. San Antonio is well known for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks.

How is Playa del Carmen different from San Antonio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

San Antonio is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

San Antonio offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

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 San Antonio? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Antonio 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 San Antonio is an experience not to be missed. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

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 San Antonio Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

If you're looking for night time activities San Antonio has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Antonio Better for Music?

San Antonio is a popular place for its music scene. However, Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

The music scene in San Antonio is active and vibrant. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Antonio Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio is not a resort destination.

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

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

San Antonio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Antonio Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Antonio Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

San Antonio offers a nice historic old town area. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Playa del Carmen does not have a historic old town.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Antonio Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or San Antonio?

Shopping is a popular activity in both San Antonio 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 San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Antonio More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio is a beautiful place to visit, too. The RiverWalk feels almost like a European city and its filled with colors and festiveness.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Antonio Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Playa del Carmen or San Antonio.

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.

San Antonio is one of the most popular family destinations. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Antonio Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

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

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for backpackers. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options 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.

San Antonio is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While its not on most backpacker's lists, it does have a fun atmosphere and a social setting.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Antonio Better for Students?

San Antonio is a popular place for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

San Antonio is popular with students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

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

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for its public transit. However, San Antonio is a city 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 mostly limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Is Playa del Carmen or San Antonio a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options 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.

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable town. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in San Antonio or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or San Antonio?

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

Couples should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than San Antonio. 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning 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 colorful destination of San Antonio. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or San Antonio?

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 cultural city of San Antonio. 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 San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the scenic 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.

San Antonio 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 San Antonio?

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.

San Antonio 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 Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or San Antonio?

San Antonio 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 San Antonio, 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 San Antonio?

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 San Antonio in the Summer?

Both San Antonio 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 San Antonio because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as San Antonio. Typically, the summer temperatures in Playa del Carmen in July average around 28°C (82°F), and San Antonio averages at about 87°F (31°C).

It's quite sunny in San Antonio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than San Antonio during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 307 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 San Antonio. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Antonio in the Autumn?

Both San Antonio 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. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.

In October, Playa del Carmen is generally a little warmer than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and San Antonio fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In San Antonio, 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 San Antonio. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 213 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 San Antonio. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 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 San Antonio in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and San Antonio. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Antonio for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than San Antonio in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and San Antonio fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than San Antonio. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or San Antonio in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as San Antonio. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to San Antonio in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than San Antonio. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and San Antonio averages at about 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. 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 San Antonio. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than San Antonio. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for San Antonio and Playa del Carmen