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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Vernon?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Vernon? 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.

Vernon

Vernon is a quiet, peaceful, and relaxing town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food. See Vernon travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Vernon: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Playa del Carmen. Although Playa del Carmen and Vernon are popular destinations, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Vernon attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and hiking. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Vernon and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Vernon is famous for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Vernon is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Vernon. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

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 Vernon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Vernon 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 Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Playa del Carmen or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

Playa del Carmen is a must-see party destination. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Playa del Carmen or Vernon Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its resorts. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is terrific for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Vernon Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for the beach. However, Vernon is not a beach destination.

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.

Vernon is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Vernon 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 Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

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 Vernon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Vernon 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 Vernon. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Playa del Carmen or Vernon More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

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

Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Vernon Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Vernon is a family-friendly town. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Playa del Carmen or Vernon Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for couples. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

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

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Vernon is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Vernon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel in town, but this isn't a popular destination for backpackers.

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

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Vernon is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Playa del Carmen has a few public transit options. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

Public transit is mostly limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Playa del Carmen or Vernon a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town 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.

Vernon is generally not a very walkable town. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Vernon?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Playa del Carmen. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find museums and food around the relaxing destination of Vernon. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Vernon?

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find food and shopping around the quiet town of Vernon. If you have a weekend, this town 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 Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vernon 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 Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning destination of Playa del Carmen. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Vernon 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Vernon, we can see that Playa del Carmen is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Playa del Carmen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa del Carmen than you might in Vernon.

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 Vernon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Vernon?

Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

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 Vernon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Vernon. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Vernon in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than Vernon in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Vernon. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Vernon. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Vernon for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Vernon averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in October than Vernon. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) 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 Vernon in the Winter?

Both Vernon 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 Vernon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vernon can be very cold. In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Vernon. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Vernon 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.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Vernon in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Playa del Carmen usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Vernon. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) 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 Vernon and Playa del Carmen