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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Seattle?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Seattle? 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 scenic, stunning, and vibrant 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.

Seattle

Seattle is a cultural, outdoorsy, and laid-back city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Seattle offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, theater, and nightlife. See Seattle travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Seattle: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Seattle than Playa del Carmen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Seattle is very popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, music, hiking, and big city activities, while Playa del Carmen attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Seattle and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Seattle is famous for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also well known for The Space Needle.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Seattle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art 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 Playa del Carmen or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Playa del Carmen is not a theatre destination.

With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Playa del Carmen is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle 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 Seattle is an experience not to be missed. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Playa del Carmen is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Playa del Carmen or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a great destination for its music scene. However, Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Seattle has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Playa del Carmen is not a live music destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Seattle Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its resorts. However, Seattle is not a resort destination.

Playa del Carmen offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Seattle is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is renowned for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Seattle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Playa del Carmen specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Seattle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for the beach. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

The beaches in Playa del Carmen are among the best in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Is Playa del Carmen or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Many people include a hike when visiting Playa del Carmen. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Seattle?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Seattle 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 Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Playa del Carmen or Seattle More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is notable for its scenery and beauty. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its scenery and beauty.

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

Seattle is a gorgeous place to visit. Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, the city has both natural and architectural beauty. It's also beautifully situated on the water with lots of parks and vegetation throughout.

Is Playa del Carmen or Seattle Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly town. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Playa del Carmen or Seattle Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Playa del Carmen has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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

Playa del Carmen and Seattle are nice places to visit 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.

Seattle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Playa del Carmen or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is a great destination for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Seattle is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Playa del Carmen and Seattle.

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.

While Seattle offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Playa del Carmen or Seattle a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Seattle?

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

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Seattle. 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 Seattle. 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 Seattle than Playa del Carmen 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 Seattle.

One day in Playa del Carmen or Seattle?

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.

People visit Seattle because there is so much to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Seattle?

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.

People visit Seattle because there is so much to do. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Seattle. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Seattle in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle 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 Seattle during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Seattle. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Seattle. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Seattle averages at about 54°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in October than Seattle. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 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 Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Seattle because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Seattle. In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Seattle. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Seattle and Playa del Carmen during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Seattle in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 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 Seattle and Playa del Carmen