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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Victoria?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Victoria? 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 stunning, vibrant, and picture-perfect town. With stunning beauty, Playa del Carmen attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a cultural, scenic, and relaxing city. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Victoria travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Victoria: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Victoria. While Victoria is larger than Playa del Carmen, 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 Victoria attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Victoria and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Victoria is famous for its colonial buildings and public parks.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Victoria 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 Victoria. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

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 Victoria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Victoria 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 Victoria. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is Playa del Carmen or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

Victoria has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

Is Playa del Carmen or Victoria Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not a resort destination.

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

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Victoria Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for the beach. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not a beach destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Victoria Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Playa del Carmen and Victoria both have nice 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 Victoria. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Victoria?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Victoria 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 Victoria. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is Playa del Carmen or Victoria More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Victoria Better for Families?

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

Victoria is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

Is Playa del Carmen or Victoria Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Couples visit Victoria frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.

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

Playa del Carmen and Victoria 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.

Victoria is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

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

Playa del Carmen is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Victoria is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is Playa del Carmen or Victoria a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Victoria is very walkable. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

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

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

How long in Playa del Carmen or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Playa del Carmen or Victoria. 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 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

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

The beautiful town of Playa del Carmen offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the relaxing destination of Victoria. 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 Victoria?

Playa del Carmen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the relaxing city of Victoria. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Playa del Carmen or Victoria?

Playa del Carmen is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Playa del Carmen, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Victoria 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 Victoria?

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Playa del Carmen has to offer. This town offers something for everyone.

Victoria 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 Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Victoria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Victoria. 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 Victoria because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Victoria and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Victoria. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Playa del Carmen during the winter are popular places to visit. 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 Victoria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. In January, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Victoria gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Victoria. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Victoria. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Playa del Carmen