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

Should you visit Tulum or Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia 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 ancient, archeological, and tropical town. The beauty of Tulum is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Tulum travel costs.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a diverse, historic, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Philadelphia is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Philadelphia travel costs.

Tulum and Philadelphia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Philadelphia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Philadelphia. Although Tulum and Philadelphia are popular destinations, Philadelphia has more sights and attractions for tourists. Philadelphia is very popular for its theatre productions, music, historical sights, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Tulum attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Tulum is more touristy than Philadelphia and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Philadelphia is famous for its diverse population, large number of universities, great restaurant and market scene, and its role in American history. It is also well known for The Liberty Bell.

How is Tulum different from Philadelphia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Tulum and Philadelphia have first-rate landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

The museums and tourist attractions in Philadelphia are world-renowned. The city has a rich history with a number of museums and monuments. Popular sites around the city include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Jewish American History.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia Better for Theater?

Philadelphia is a well-known place for theatre. However, Tulum is not a theatre destination.

Philadelphia attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. There are major Broadway shows as well as smaller venues. Head to The Avenue of the Arts along Broad Street for a popular stretch of theaters.

Tulum is not a theatre destination.

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

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

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).

Philadelphia has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It has grown into a well-recognized food destination. It's diversity of cultures and residents have influenced the restaurant scene and you'll find many great places to dine covering a number of international flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Tulum is a world class party destination. 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 Philadelphia know how to have a good time. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the evening with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens. Most of the clubs and bars are found in the downtown area and you'll find places to dance, listen to live music, or sip a trendy cocktails.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia Better for Music?

Philadelphia is a well-known place for live music. However, Tulum is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Philadelphia is very popular with diverse venues. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.

Tulum is not a live music destination.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia Better for Resorts?

Tulum is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Philadelphia is not a resort destination.

Tulum offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Philadelphia is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Philadelphia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Tulum specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Philadelphia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia Better for Beaches?

Tulum is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Philadelphia is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Tulum are among the best in 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.

Philadelphia is not a beach destination.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia Better for its Old Town?

Philadelphia is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Philadelphia to see the historical old town. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.

Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia Better for Hiking?

Tulum is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Philadelphia 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.

Philadelphia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Philadelphia?

Both Tulum and Philadelphia are high quality 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.

Philadelphia is well-known for its shopping. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia More Beautiful?

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

The beauty of Tulum is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Philadelphia offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its diverse neighborhoods and rich history, this city offers its own type of beauty.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia Better for Families?

Both Tulum and Philadelphia are high quality 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, Philadelphia is very family-friendly. The city has many museums and a fascinating history that is interesting to kids and adults alike. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia Better for Couples?

Tulum is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Tulum has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Philadelphia is a good town for couples to visit. Like many large cities, it is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple. This is also a great foodie destination with great markets, food trucks, and diverse restaurants that reflect the city's diverse population.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many 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.

Philadelphia is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia Better for Students?

Philadelphia is a well-known place for students. However, Tulum is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Philadelphia. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.

Tulum is not popular with students.

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

Philadelphia is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Philadelphia can move around easily with public transportation. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.

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.

Is Tulum or Philadelphia a more walkable city?

Philadelphia is terrific for its walkability. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Philadelphia on foot. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Philadelphia or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Philadelphia?

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

Families should spend more time in Philadelphia than Tulum. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Philadelphia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Tulum than Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?

In Tulum, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this archeological 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.

Each neighborhood in Philadelphia has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia?

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.

Philadelphia is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Philadelphia. Lots of people come for the museums. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Philadelphia?

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 shopping and museums around the cultural big city of Philadelphia. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia in the Summer?

Both Philadelphia and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tulum is a little warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 77°F (25°C).

In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun.

Philadelphia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Philadelphia. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Philadelphia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Philadelphia. The autumn months attract visitors to Tulum because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.

In October, Tulum is generally much warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 202 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 Philadelphia. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 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. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.

Should I visit Tulum or Philadelphia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Philadelphia. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Philadelphia. Tulum is much warmer than Philadelphia in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°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 Philadelphia. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Philadelphia. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Philadelphia in the Spring?

Both Philadelphia and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Tulum is much warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 52°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Philadelphia during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 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 in Tulum is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Tulum