A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Naples for Attractions, Nightlife, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Tulum or Naples?

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 Naples 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 archeological, tropical, and active 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.

Naples

Naples is a relaxing, peaceful, and nature-filled beach town. Naples is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums. See Naples travel costs.

Tulum and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Naples?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tulum than Naples, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tulum is more touristy than Naples and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Also, Tulum is famous for the Tulum archeological ruins. Naples is well known for its white sand, blue water, water sports, and golf resorts.

How is Tulum different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Naples 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.

Naples is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most visitors spend most of their time at the beach, on a rainy day you can check out the town's art museums, history museums, or local spots such as the Palm Cottage.

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

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

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).

Naples has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Seafood is a favorite around town, but you'll also find plenty of Italian food. Everything from casual to fine dining is available with many local favorites to choose from.

Is Tulum or Naples Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Naples 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.

Naples has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are live music venues, cocktail bars, and dance clubs around town.

Is Tulum or Naples Better for Resorts?

Tulum is renowned for its luxury resorts. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

Tulum is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

There are plenty of resorts in Naples to choose from. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly hotels, and a range of prices to choose from. Most have pools and many have oceanfront views with golf facilities available. Many of the major brands such as Marriott are found here.

Is Tulum or Naples Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is renowned for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Tulum is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Naples. Snorkeling and scuba diving are both available in the area, in part because of the impressive artificial reefs that have been constructed. Snorkeling is available at Tigertail Beach, Clam Pass, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.

Is Tulum or Naples Better for Beaches?

Both Tulum and Naples are considered to be world-class beach destinations.

Tulum is considered to be a world-class beach 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.

Naples offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. White sand beaches and calm Gulf waters make this an ideal beach destination. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is a favorite beach spot in the area, but you should also check out Naples Municipal Beach which is where you'll find the Naples Pier. If you want a more natural setting, head to Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park.

Is Tulum or Naples Better for Hiking?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

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.

Naples offers some nice hiking trails. The area is filled with state parks and nature reserves where you can explore and enjoy a scenic hike. There are also greenways and coastal paths nearby.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Naples?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Naples is a great destination for shopping. You'll find shopping centers, outlet malls, and plenty of retail space around town. Some of the favorite shopping spots are the Mercato, Coastland Center, and Waterside Shops. For souvenirs and beach items head to Tin City Waterfront Shops.

Is Tulum or Naples More Beautiful?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and 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.

Naples is a gorgeous place to visit. White sand beaches and beautiful water make this a relaxing and scenic destination.

Is Tulum or Naples Better for Families?

Both Tulum and Naples are great 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, Naples is very family-friendly. You'll find relaxing beaches, nice parks, plenty of playgrounds, and even the Golisano Childrens Museum for rainy days. There are also nature centers with great walks as well as gardens and wildlife viewpoints.

Is Tulum or Naples Better for Couples?

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

Tulum is a great town for couples, as it 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.

Couples visit Naples frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautiful beaches and relaxing spas make this a favorite couples destination. Golf, high end restaurants and plenty of romantic activities will ensure you have the anniversary trip or honeymoon to remember.

Is Tulum or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Naples 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 backpackers visit Naples. There's a hostel or two in the area as well as cheaper accommodation than other parts of Florida.

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

Tulum is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Naples is lacking in options for its public transit.

Tulum has some 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 generally limited in Naples. There's a trolley system as well as a public bus system.

Is Tulum or Naples a more walkable city?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Naples 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.

Naples is somewhat walkable. The downtown area is relatively walkable, but to fully explore the region you'll need your own car.

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Naples?

In either Tulum or Naples, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Tulum has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Tulum than Naples. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 2-5 days is enough time in Naples.

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

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 Naples, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this nature-filled destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the beaches. This beach 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 Naples?

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 Naples. 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 Naples?

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.

Naples is a fun place to experience. In Naples, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the beaches. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tulum or Naples?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively 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 museums and nightlife around the nature-filled destination of Naples. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Naples, 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.