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

Should you visit Tulum or Jacksonville?

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 Jacksonville 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. With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Tulum travel costs.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a lively, youthful, and fun city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Jacksonville travel costs.

Tulum and Jacksonville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Jacksonville?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tulum than Jacksonville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tulum is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Jacksonville is more popular for its big city activities. Tulum is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Also, Tulum is famous for the Tulum archeological ruins. Jacksonville is well known for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area.

How is Tulum different from Jacksonville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Tulum has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Jacksonville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

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

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

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).

Jacksonville has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

Is Tulum or Jacksonville Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

The people in Jacksonville know how to have a good time. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

Is Tulum or Jacksonville Better for Resorts?

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

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.

Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Jacksonville Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is renowned for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Jacksonville Better for Beaches?

Tulum is renowned for the beach. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

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.

Jacksonville is considered a top beach destination. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

Is Tulum or Jacksonville Better for Hiking?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Tulum. 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.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Jacksonville?

Both Tulum and Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville is well-known for its shopping. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.

Is Tulum or Jacksonville More Beautiful?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tulum or Jacksonville Better for Families?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Tulum. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Jacksonville. It's filled with adventure parks, zoos, animal farms, nature centers, and gardens. Adults will have as much fun as kids exploring the city and all of its family-friendly attractions.

Is Tulum or Jacksonville Better for Couples?

Tulum is renowned for couples. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Jacksonville is a nice destination for couples. It's a young city that's near nature and has plenty of adventurous activities. There's sailing, botanical gardens, restaurants, and plenty of bars around town.

Is Tulum or Jacksonville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Jacksonville. There are a few hostels in town as well as affordable motels. The city has a young population with plenty to do. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there's a surprising and underrated appeal to the backpacker crowd.

Is Tulum or Jacksonville Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for students. However, Tulum is not popular with students.

Jacksonville is a good city to visit for students. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

Tulum is not popular with students.

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

Both Tulum and Jacksonville offer notable public transit options.

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.

Jacksonville has some public transit options. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Is Tulum or Jacksonville a more walkable city?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Jacksonville is somewhat walkable. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Jacksonville or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Jacksonville?

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

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

In Tulum, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this ancient town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Jacksonville, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this lively destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city 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 Jacksonville?

Tulum is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

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

In Tulum, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this tropical destination offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Jacksonville is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Jacksonville. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Jacksonville?

Tulum is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the lively destination of Jacksonville. Most people come for the beaches. 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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville?

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 Tulum or Jacksonville in the Summer?

Both Jacksonville and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Jacksonville for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Jacksonville. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Jacksonville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Jacksonville. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jacksonville receives 286 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Jacksonville. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Jacksonville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Jacksonville. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Jacksonville in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Tulum is a little warmer than Jacksonville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jacksonville during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Jacksonville receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Jacksonville. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October. The hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Tulum or Jacksonville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Jacksonville. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Jacksonville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Tulum is much warmer than Jacksonville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Jacksonville averages at about 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the winter, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Jacksonville. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jacksonville receives 191 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets less rain in January than Jacksonville. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Jacksonville in the Spring?

Both Jacksonville and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Tulum is generally a little warmer than Jacksonville. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Jacksonville fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jacksonville during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Jacksonville receives 285 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Jacksonville. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum. June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Jacksonville and Tulum