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

Should you visit Tulum or Ketchikan?

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 Ketchikan 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. 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.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a local, scenic, and quaint town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Ketchikan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping. See Ketchikan travel costs.

Tulum and Ketchikan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Ketchikan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and Ketchikan 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, and shopping, while Ketchikan is known for its food, hiking, and small town charm. Tulum is more touristy than Ketchikan and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also home to the Tulum archeological ruins. Ketchikan is popular for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture.

How is Tulum different from Ketchikan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Ketchikan 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.

Ketchikan offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

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

Ketchikan is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Ketchikan have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

Tulum has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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).

Is Tulum or Ketchikan Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is renowned for nightlife. However, Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

Is Tulum or Ketchikan Better for Resorts?

Tulum is renowned for its resorts. However, Ketchikan 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.

Ketchikan is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Ketchikan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is renowned for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Ketchikan 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.

Ketchikan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Ketchikan Better for Beaches?

Tulum is renowned for its beaches. However, Ketchikan 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.

Ketchikan is not a beach destination.

Is Tulum or Ketchikan Better for Hiking?

Ketchikan is terrific for the nearby hiking options. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Around Ketchikan visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Ketchikan?

Tulum is notable for shopping. Also, Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

Is Tulum or Ketchikan More Beautiful?

Tulum and Ketchikan both are comparable with their superb 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.

The beauty of Ketchikan is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's located at the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage, so you can expect dramatic natural beauty and a breathtaking setting.

Is Tulum or Ketchikan Better for Families?

Both Tulum and Ketchikan are superb 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, Ketchikan is very family-friendly. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

Is Tulum or Ketchikan Better for Couples?

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

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.

Ketchikan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

Is Tulum or Ketchikan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is notable for backpackers. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ketchikan. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

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

Tulum is very good for its public transit. However, Ketchikan 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 mostly limited in Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.

Is Tulum or Ketchikan a more walkable city?

Tulum and Ketchikan both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Ketchikan is a very walkable town. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ketchikan or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Ketchikan?

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

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

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 Ketchikan, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this quaint destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Ketchikan?

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 Ketchikan. 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 Ketchikan?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the active 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.

Ketchikan is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Ketchikan. 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 Ketchikan?

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 food and shopping around the local destination of Ketchikan. 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 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Ketchikan?

Tulum has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan?

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 Ketchikan in the Summer?

Both Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Tulum is much warmer than Ketchikan in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. It's quite rainy in Tulum. In July, Tulum usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or Ketchikan in the Autumn?

Both Ketchikan 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tulum is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Ketchikan averages at about 46°F (8°C).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets less rain in October than Ketchikan. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 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 Ketchikan in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Ketchikan in the winter. In January, Tulum is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or Ketchikan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Ketchikan. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Ketchikan for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Tulum is much warmer than Ketchikan in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 44°F (6°C).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Ketchikan. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 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 Ketchikan and Tulum