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

Should you visit Tulum or Pasadena?

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 Pasadena 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. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food. See Tulum travel costs.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a charming, picturesque, and quaint city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Pasadena travel costs.

Tulum and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Pasadena?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tulum than Pasadena, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tulum is more touristy than Pasadena and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Also, Tulum is famous for the Tulum archeological ruins. Pasadena is well known for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Tulum different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

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

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

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).

Pasadena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

Is Tulum or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

Is Tulum or Pasadena Better for Resorts?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its resorts. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Pasadena Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Pasadena Better for Beaches?

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

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.

Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Is Tulum or Pasadena Better for Hiking?

Tulum is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Pasadena?

Both Tulum and Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is well-known for its shopping. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Is Tulum or Pasadena More Beautiful?

Tulum is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tulum or Pasadena Better for Families?

Tulum is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is a family-friendly town. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Tulum or Pasadena Better for Couples?

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

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Is Tulum or Pasadena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is notable for backpackers. However, Pasadena is a mediocre 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.

Pasadena is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.

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

Both Tulum and Pasadena 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.

Pasadena has some public transit options. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Is Tulum or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Tulum is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Pasadena?

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

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

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.

In Pasadena, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this quaint 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 Pasadena?

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 Pasadena. 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 Pasadena?

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.

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

A week in Tulum or Pasadena?

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.

You'll find food and shopping around the picturesque destination of Pasadena. 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 in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Pasadena, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum than you might in Pasadena.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Pasadena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Pasadena?

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

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 Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tulum is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite rainy in Tulum. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and Tulum during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pasadena in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Tulum is a little warmer than Pasadena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 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 Pasadena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Pasadena. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Tulum is much warmer than Pasadena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Pasadena averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than Pasadena. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Pasadena. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Tulum is generally much warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Tulum usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 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 Pasadena and Tulum