A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Asheville for Nightlife, Resorts, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Tulum or Asheville?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Asheville can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tulum

Tulum is a tropical, active, and lively town. The beauty of Tulum is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Tulum travel costs.

Asheville

Asheville is a eclectic, outdoorsy, and progressive mountain town. Asheville is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Asheville travel costs.

Tulum and Asheville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Asheville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and Asheville are popular destinations, Tulum has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tulum is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Asheville attracts visitors for its music, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Tulum is more touristy than Asheville and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also well known for the Tulum archeological ruins. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue.

How is Tulum different from Asheville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Asheville and Tulum. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tulum or Asheville?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Tulum are among the most recognizable in the world. It's famous for its world-renowned archeological ruins. The Tulum Archeological Site is very popular for its Mayan temples and castles. You can also travel a bit further to see the Cobá Ruins.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tulum or Asheville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Tulum and Asheville.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Tulum makes for a great culinary experience. Despite being well established as a top tourist destination in Mexico, you'll still find authentic and delicious local cuisine. Favorite dishes around town include the ceviche, tacos al pastor, and sopa de lima (chicken soup).

Asheville has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Is Tulum or Asheville Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Tulum is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It's world renowned for its wild nightlife scene and you'll find iconic beach parties, jungle raves, and trendy Tuluminati parties. Most of the local places that are a bit more affordable are in town, and the more touristy and expensive places are around the Middle Beach Zone.

Many people head to Asheville for the nightlife scene. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Is Tulum or Asheville Better for Music?

Asheville is a well-known place for live music. However, Tulum is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Asheville is very popular with diverse venues. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Tulum is not a live music destination.

Is Tulum or Asheville Better for Resorts?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its resorts. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers flock to Tulum for its luxury resorts. If you're on a budget, you can stay in town for a more reasonable price, but if you want a classic beach vacation, head to the Zona Hotelera stretch along the coast. There are luxury hotels as well as resorts with beachfront pools and luxury restaurants.

Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Is Tulum or Asheville Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Asheville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Tulum. The water along the coast is shallow and clear, which is perfect for snorkeling. There are also dive trips that take you a short distance out to diverse and beautiful reefs.

Asheville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Asheville Better for Beaches?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Tulum offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. World class beaches with turquoise water and long stretches of sand make this a true beach-lovers paradise. Playa Paraíso is a favorite beach in the area and many consider it among the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Tulum or Asheville Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its historic old town. However, Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Asheville is a good place to visit the old town. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Is Tulum or Asheville Better for Hiking?

Both Tulum and Asheville are destinations which offer very good hiking.

Tulum is a popular spot for hiking. There are coastal walks and routes that take you through the jungle or by archeological ruins. There are many places where you can enjoy a stroll through nature.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Asheville. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Asheville?

Both Tulum and Asheville are very good shopping destinations.

Tulum is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Quirky souvenir shops, local artisan boutiques, and colorful bazaars make shopping a fun experience. Make sure you check out Mercado Maya or the Tulum Bazaar while you're in town.

Asheville is well-known for its shopping. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Is Tulum or Asheville More Beautiful?

Tulum is well known for its scenery and beauty. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Tulum is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Asheville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With the surrounding mountains and the charming town, the area is filled with natural beauty.

Is Tulum or Asheville Better for Families?

Both Tulum and Asheville are very good to visit with kids.

Tulum is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the beaches and archeological sights as much as adults. You can also visit a cenote or see the sea turtles at Akumal Bay. If you're open to getting out of town, there are many adventure parks in the area as well.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Asheville is very family-friendly. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Is Tulum or Asheville Better for Couples?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Tulum is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Beautiful beaches, world famous archeological sights, and a wild nightlife scene make this a great honeymoon or couple's destination. There are also spas, cenotes, and even cooking classes that you can take together.

Asheville is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Is Tulum or Asheville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Tulum and Asheville are very good destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Tulum. It's no longer an undiscovered backpacker paradise, but there are still affordable options in the area and there's a great nightlife scene.

Many backpackers visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Is Tulum or Asheville Better for Students?

Asheville is a well-known place for students. However, Tulum is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Tulum is not popular with students.

Is Tulum or Asheville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tulum is a good destination for its public transit. However, Asheville is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Tulum, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shared vans, Collectivos, that provide transportation through the area. The Tiburon is also a local bus that runs along the coastline.

Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around by using their own vehicle. In particular, if you plan to hike or explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll need a car. Many of the downtown hotels offer shuttle buses to the Biltmore area.

Is Tulum or Asheville a more walkable city?

Tulum is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Tulum is a very walkable town. It's easy to walk around downtown Tulum and explore on foot.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable town. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to reach restaurants and shops on foot. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Tulum Worth Visiting? and Is Asheville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Asheville or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Asheville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tulum and Asheville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tulum than in Asheville. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 2-3 days is enough time in Asheville.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Asheville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tulum, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Tulum than Asheville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tulum that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tulum than Asheville 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 Tulum.

One day in Tulum or Asheville?

You'll find nightlife and food around the town of Tulum. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Asheville, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this open-minded destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tulum or Asheville?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the lively destination of Tulum. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tulum or Asheville?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the lively town of Tulum. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

Asheville is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Asheville. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Asheville?

Tulum is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find live music and food around the progressive destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours 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 Tulum and Asheville, we can see that Asheville is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Asheville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asheville than you might in Tulum.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Asheville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Asheville?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Asheville, 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 Tulum or Asheville?

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 Tulum or Asheville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Asheville. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tulum is around the same temperature as Asheville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Asheville averages at about 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Asheville during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tulum usually receives around the same amount of rain as Asheville. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or Asheville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Asheville. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Asheville in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Tulum is generally much warmer than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the autumn, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 229 hours of full sun.

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Asheville. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Tulum or Asheville in the Winter?

Both Asheville and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Tulum is much warmer than Asheville in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Asheville fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Asheville during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than Asheville. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or Asheville in the Spring?

Both Asheville and Tulum during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Asheville because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Tulum is much warmer than Asheville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Asheville averages at about 64°F (18°C).

In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the spring, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 266 hours of full sun.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Asheville. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Typical Weather for Asheville and Tulum