A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Beaufort for Attractions, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Tulum or Beaufort?

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 Beaufort 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 ancient, archeological, and tropical town. Tulum is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Tulum travel costs.

Beaufort

Beaufort is a charming, historic, and character-filled town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Beaufort is a gorgeous place to visit. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping. See Beaufort travel costs.

Tulum and Beaufort: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Beaufort?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and Beaufort are both popular with visitors, Tulum has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tulum is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Beaufort is known for its historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Tulum is more touristy than Beaufort and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also home to the Tulum archeological ruins. Beaufort is popular for its Lowcountry cuisine and historic homes.

How is Tulum different from Beaufort?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Tulum that are not to be missed. 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.

Beaufort offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town's museums highlight the region's past. There are four popular museums that you can visit - the Beaufort History Museum, Parris Island Museum, Verdier House Museum, and York W. Bailey Museum.

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

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

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).

Beaufort has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Soak up the charming atmosphere by dining at one of the local restaurants. Many serve Lowcountry cuisine which includes She-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, shrimp burgers, and barbecue.

Is Tulum or Beaufort Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is renowned for nightlife. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

Tulum is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Beaufort. You'll find bars, grills, and taverns in town, but most people don't visit for the nightlife scene.

Is Tulum or Beaufort Better for Resorts?

Tulum is renowned for its resorts. However, Beaufort is not a resort destination.

Tulum offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Beaufort is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Beaufort Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is renowned for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Beaufort is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Tulum specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Beaufort is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Beaufort Better for Beaches?

Tulum is renowned for its beaches. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

The beaches in Tulum are among the best in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Beaufort. The town has a nice waterfront, but you have to head about half an hour out of town for a real beach. One of the best options is Hunting Island State Park.

Is Tulum or Beaufort Better for its Old Town?

Beaufort is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Beaufort is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Historic homes, some that were built before the Civil War, offer a glimpse into the past. Beaufort is the second oldest town in South Carolina and it holds on to much of its charm and character.

Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Is Tulum or Beaufort Better for Hiking?

Tulum is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Beaufort is not a hiking destination.

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.

Beaufort is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Beaufort?

Tulum is notable for shopping. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Beaufort. Head downtown for some souvenir shopping or to check out the art galleries or fashion boutiques.

Is Tulum or Beaufort More Beautiful?

Tulum is notable for its scenery and beauty. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its scenery and beauty.

Tulum is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Beaufort is a beautiful place to visit, too. There are many beautiful spots to take in nature or watch the sunset.

Is Tulum or Beaufort Better for Families?

Tulum is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Beaufort is not always a place people visit with their families. There are parks and outdoor activities in the area, but one of the best options is to head out of town to the beach.

Is Tulum or Beaufort Better for Couples?

Tulum is renowned for romance. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

Tulum has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Beaufort makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many charming and romantic spots around town as well as historic inns where you can stay. Couples will enjoy the waterfront area or exploring one of the nature parks that are nearby. There are also quaint local restaurants that make for a nice date night.

Is Tulum or Beaufort Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is notable for backpackers. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Beaufort is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't any real places for backpackers to stay in the area.

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

Tulum is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Tulum has a few public transit options. 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 quite limited in Beaufort. There is no reliable public transportation system in the area.

Is Tulum or Beaufort a more walkable city?

Tulum and Beaufort both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Beaufort is a very walkable town. The quaint downtown is walkable and offers easy access to art galleries, restaurants, and shops.

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

Should I spend more time in Beaufort or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Beaufort?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tulum and Beaufort. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tulum than in Beaufort. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 1-3 days is enough time in Beaufort.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Beaufort. 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 Beaufort. 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 Beaufort 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 Beaufort?

The beautiful town of Tulum offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Even though Beaufort is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tulum or Beaufort?

Tulum 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beaufort. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Beaufort?

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

Beaufort is a fun place to experience. Beaufort is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Beaufort?

Tulum is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Beaufort is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Tulum and Beaufort, we can see that Beaufort is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Beaufort?

Beaufort has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Beaufort, 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 Beaufort?

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 Beaufort in the Summer?

Both Beaufort and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Beaufort because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tulum is around the same temperature as Beaufort in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Beaufort fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Beaufort. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Beaufort during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Beaufort receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beaufort. It's quite rainy in Tulum. In July, Tulum usually receives less rain than Beaufort. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Beaufort receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or Beaufort in the Autumn?

Both Beaufort and Tulum during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Tulum because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Beaufort this time of year.

In the autumn, Tulum is a little warmer than Beaufort. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Beaufort averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In Beaufort, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the autumn, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaufort receives 223 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Beaufort. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.8 inches (71 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.

Should I visit Tulum or Beaufort in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Beaufort. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Beaufort for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Tulum is generally much warmer than Beaufort. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Beaufort fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Beaufort during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Beaufort receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than Beaufort. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or Beaufort in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Beaufort. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Beaufort in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Tulum is a little warmer than Beaufort in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Beaufort fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beaufort. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the spring, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaufort receives 275 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Beaufort. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.9 inches (74 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. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.

Typical Weather for Beaufort and Tulum