A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. Redwood National Park for Beaches, Hiking, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Tulum or Redwood National Park?

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 Redwood National Park 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.

Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is a grand, impressive, and monumental park. You'll find world class beauty in Redwood National Park as well. It's also known for beaches and hiking. See Redwood National Park travel costs.

Tulum and Redwood National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Redwood National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tulum than Redwood National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tulum is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Redwood National Park is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Tulum is more touristy than Redwood National Park and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Also, Tulum is famous for the Tulum archeological ruins. Redwood National Park is well known for being the home of the world's tallest trees.

How is Tulum different from Redwood National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Redwood National Park 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 Redwood National Park?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Redwood National Park. There is little in the form of museums, but you can visit the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center on the south side of the park and see exhibits about Yurok culture and the area's ecology.

Is the Food Better in Tulum or Redwood National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tulum is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Tulum is an experience not to be missed. 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).

While Redwood National Park is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. There are no dining or grocery options within the park but there are some options just outside the park.

Is Tulum or Redwood National Park Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its evening party scene. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Redwood National Park The laid back setting offers little in the form of nightlife.

Is Tulum or Redwood National Park Better for Resorts?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for its resorts. However, Redwood National Park 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.

Redwood National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Redwood National Park Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Redwood National Park 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.

Redwood National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or Redwood National Park Better for Beaches?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for the beach. Also, Redwood National Park is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

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.

Redwood National Park is a good option for a beach vacation. The park runs along the Pacific coastline and there are 70 miles of coastal trail in the park. Beaches are rugged and sandy and favorite sections include Gold Bluff Beach, Crescent Beach, and Enderts Beach, which has great tidal pools.

Is Tulum or Redwood National Park Better for Hiking?

Redwood National Park 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 Redwood National Park visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Hikes range from coastal trails to world-renowned hikes through the redwoods. You'll feel humbled in the presence of these grand and majestic trees. Several of the most well-known hikes include Fern Canyon, the Cathedral Trees Trail, and Redwood Creek Trail.

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 Redwood National Park?

Tulum is well known for its shopping areas. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Shopping in Redwood National Park can be found for those interested. You'll find park stores at the visitor centers if you want to pick up a small gift or souvenir.

Is Tulum or Redwood National Park More Beautiful?

Redwood National Park is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Redwood National Park as well. The majestic redwood trees will take your breath away. These ancient forests offer a truly unique experience and you'll feel small in comparison to their grand height.

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.

Is Tulum or Redwood National Park Better for Families?

Both Tulum and Redwood National Park are very good 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, Redwood National Park is very family-friendly. There are plenty of kid-friendly hikes in the park and the kids will love exploring the varied landscapes and diverse ecosystems. Less than a mile long, Fern Canyon is the perfect hike for little kids and it's not-to-be-missed. Cathedral Trees Trail is three miles, and also a highlight of any trip to the park.

Is Tulum or Redwood National Park Better for Couples?

Tulum is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Redwood National Park is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Redwood National Park is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. There are historic lodges that make for a romantic getaway. You can fill your days with hikes through magical landscapes and breathtaking settings surrounded by the impressive redwoods.

Is Tulum or Redwood National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Redwood National Park is terrific for backpackers. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Redwood National Park is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are miles of backcountry trails that let you can explore the park in relative peace and solitude. This is an amazing way to experience the park, but do make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

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.

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

Tulum is a good destination for its public transit. However, Redwood National Park 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 Redwood National Park. There's no public transportation within the park.

Is Tulum or Redwood National Park a more walkable city?

Tulum is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Redwood National Park is not a very walkable town. The park is large and spread out, so you'll need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Tulum Worth Visiting? and Is Redwood National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Redwood National Park or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Redwood National Park?

In either Tulum or Redwood National Park, 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 Redwood National Park. However, 3-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Redwood National Park. 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 Redwood National Park. 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 Redwood National Park 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 Redwood National Park?

In Tulum, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Redwood National Park, many people enjoy the that this impressive destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This park 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 Redwood National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tulum. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Redwood National Park. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tulum or Redwood National Park?

Tulum is a fun place to experience. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Redwood National Park is a fun place to experience. In Redwood National Park, many people enjoy the that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tulum or Redwood National Park?

You'll find nightlife and food around the lively destination of Tulum. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find around the monumental destination of Redwood National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 comparing the travel costs between Tulum and Redwood National Park, we can see that Redwood National Park is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Tulum or Redwood National Park?

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 Redwood National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Redwood National Park. 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 Redwood National Park for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tulum is generally much warmer than Redwood National Park. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Redwood National Park fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Redwood National Park this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Redwood National Park during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Redwood National Park receives 274 hours of full sun in the summer.

Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than Redwood National Park. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 0.1 inches (3 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or Redwood National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Redwood National Park. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Redwood National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Tulum is much warmer than Redwood National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Redwood National Park fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the autumn, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Redwood National Park. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Redwood National Park receives 177 hours of full sun.

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Redwood National Park. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 2.7 inches (68 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.

Should I visit Tulum or Redwood National Park in the Winter?

Both Redwood National Park and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Tulum is much warmer than Redwood National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Redwood National Park averages at about 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Redwood National Park during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Redwood National Park receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Redwood National Park. In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than Redwood National Park. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 6 inches (152 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or Redwood National Park in the Spring?

Both Redwood National Park and Tulum during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Redwood National Park because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Tulum is generally much warmer than Redwood National Park. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Redwood National Park fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In Redwood National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the spring, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Redwood National Park. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Redwood National Park receives 254 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Redwood National Park. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 2.9 inches (73 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, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Redwood National Park and Tulum