A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Durham for Attractions, Nightlife, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Tulum or Durham?

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 Durham 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 lively, ancient, and archeological town. With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food. See Tulum travel costs.

Durham

Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Durham travel costs.

Tulum and Durham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Durham?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tulum than Durham, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tulum is more touristy than Durham and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Also, Tulum is famous for the Tulum archeological ruins. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Tulum different from Durham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Tulum on the map. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Durham can be an interesting and educational experience. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

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

Tulum is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Tulum is an experience not to be missed. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Is Tulum or Durham Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Tulum has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Is Tulum or Durham Better for Resorts?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its resorts. However, Durham is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Tulum is a perfect choice. 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.

Durham is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Durham Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Durham is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Tulum is not to be missed. 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.

Durham is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Durham Better for Beaches?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for the beach. However, Durham is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Tulum is a very popular vacation destination. 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.

Durham is not a beach destination.

Is Tulum or Durham Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Durham 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.

Durham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Durham?

Tulum is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Tulum. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Is Tulum or Durham More Beautiful?

Tulum is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tulum or Durham Better for Families?

Tulum is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Tulum is known to be 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.

Durham is a family-friendly town. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Is Tulum or Durham Better for Couples?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Tulum has plenty to offer. 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.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Tulum or Durham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tulum is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. It's no longer an undiscovered backpacker paradise, but there are still affordable options in the area and there's a great nightlife scene.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Tulum or Durham Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Durham. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Tulum is not popular with students.

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

Tulum is very good for its public transit. However, Durham is not a good city 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 mostly limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Is Tulum or Durham a more walkable city?

Tulum is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

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

Durham is generally not a very walkable town. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Durham or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Durham?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Tulum. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Durham, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this diverse destination offers. This city 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 Durham?

Tulum 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Durham. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Durham?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tulum. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Durham is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Durham. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Durham?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the ancient destination of Tulum. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the sports oriented destination of Durham. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Durham?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Durham, 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 Durham?

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 Durham in the Summer?

Both Durham and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tulum in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Durham. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Durham fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Durham. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Durham during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Durham. It's quite rainy in Tulum. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than Durham. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or Durham in the Autumn?

Both Durham and Tulum during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Durham because of the shopping scene.

Tulum is much warmer than Durham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Durham fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In Durham, 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 Durham. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Durham. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Durham 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. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.

Should I visit Tulum or Durham in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Durham. The winter months attract visitors to Tulum because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Durham this time of year.

It's quite cold in Durham in the winter. In the winter, Tulum is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Durham averages at about 40°F (5°C).

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Durham during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than Durham. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or Durham in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Durham. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.

In April, Tulum is generally much warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the spring, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Durham. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Durham. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 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.

Typical Weather for Durham and Tulum