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

Should you visit Tulum or New Bern?

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 New Bern 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 active, lively, and ancient town. Tulum is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Tulum travel costs.

New Bern

New Bern is a laid back, quaint, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See New Bern travel costs.

Tulum and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or New Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and New Bern are both popular with visitors, Tulum has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tulum is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while New Bern is known for its small town charm. Tulum is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also home to the Tulum archeological ruins. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is Tulum different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

New Bern offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

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

Tulum is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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).

New Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

Is Tulum or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Tulum is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Is Tulum or New Bern Better for Resorts?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Tulum is a great 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.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or New Bern Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Tulum a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. 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.

New Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or New Bern Better for Beaches?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Tulum. 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.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Tulum or New Bern Better for Hiking?

Tulum is well known for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or New Bern?

Tulum is well known for shopping. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is Tulum or New Bern More Beautiful?

Tulum is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, New Bern is not a destination known for its 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.

New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tulum or New Bern Better for Families?

Tulum is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known 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.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is Tulum or New Bern Better for Couples?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Tulum makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

Is Tulum or New Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is well known for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known 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.

New Bern is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not popular with backpackers in part because it's a small town that most people breeze through on their way to the beach.

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

Tulum is a popular place for its public transit. However, New Bern is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Tulum, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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 New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Is Tulum or New Bern a more walkable city?

Tulum is well known for its walkability. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

New Bern is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Tulum or New Bern to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Tulum than New Bern because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 1-2 days is enough time in New Bern.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than New Bern. 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 New Bern. 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 New Bern 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 New Bern?

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 New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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 New Bern?

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 New Bern. 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 New Bern?

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.

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

A week in Tulum or New Bern?

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.

New Bern is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or New Bern?

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

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 New Bern in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and New Bern. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to New Bern in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Tulum is around the same temperature as New Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tulum usually receives less rain than New Bern. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or New Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tulum as well as New Bern. Many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In the autumn, Tulum is a little warmer than New Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and New Bern averages at about 65°F (18°C).

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than New Bern. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 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, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Should I visit Tulum or New Bern in the Winter?

Both New Bern and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to New Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Tulum is generally much warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than New Bern. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or New Bern in the Spring?

Both New Bern and Tulum during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.

Tulum is much warmer than New Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Tulum usually gets less rain in April than New Bern. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 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.

Typical Weather for New Bern and Tulum