A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tulum vs. The Hamptons for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Tulum or The Hamptons?

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 The Hamptons 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. Tulum is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Tulum travel costs.

The Hamptons

The Hamptons is a wealthy, opulent, and lavish beach destination. The Hamptons is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See The Hamptons travel costs.

Tulum and The Hamptons: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or The Hamptons?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tulum. Although Tulum and The Hamptons 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, and impressive beauty, while The Hamptons is known for its shopping. Tulum is more touristy than The Hamptons and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. It is also home to the Tulum archeological ruins. The Hamptons is popular for its long sandy beaches, charming seaside communities, opulent villas, and vacationing celebrities.

How is Tulum different from The Hamptons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tulum is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. However, The Hamptons does not have museums and landmarks.

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 Hamptons does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Tulum is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, The Hamptons 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).

The Hamptons has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of fine dining restaurants in the area and seafood is a favorite. Some restaurants are known to be frequented by vacationing celebrities, so if you're hoping to spot someone famous, do some research and you may have some luck.

Is Tulum or The Hamptons Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

People head to Tulum just to party. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities The Hamptons has a few options to choose from. There are plenty of nightclubs and bars throughout the area. Head to East Hampton for some of the best options.

Is Tulum or The Hamptons Better for Resorts?

Tulum is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury 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 The Hamptons to choose from. Known as a hangout for the rich and famous, there is no shortage of luxury hotels and resorts in the area.

Is Tulum or The Hamptons Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is a world-class destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, The Hamptons is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

The Hamptons is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tulum or The Hamptons Better for Beaches?

Tulum is a world-class destination for its beaches. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

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.

The Hamptons offers a nice beach destination. The beaches in the area feature long stretches of soft sand and plenty of space to spread out. Many beaches do come with a hefty price tag though as they require you to pay for parking or a permit.

Is Tulum or The Hamptons Better for Hiking?

Tulum is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

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.

The Hamptons offers some nice hiking trails. There are a number of picturesque walks through the dunes and wetlands around the area. There is plenty of peaceful nature to explore if you're looking for a break from city life.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or The Hamptons?

The Hamptons is terrific for shopping. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

The Hamptons is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Known as a playground for the rich and famous, you can be assured there are plenty of shopping opportunities where you can flash your cash around town.

Tulum is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Tulum or The Hamptons More Beautiful?

Tulum is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and 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.

The Hamptons is a beautiful place to visit, too. For a beautiful, upscale setting, this is a great destination near NYC.

Is Tulum or The Hamptons Better for Families?

Tulum is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

The Hamptons offers lots of family activities. The area has a family-friendly setting with many outdoor activities and a children's museum. There are music events, children's parks, small zoos, and, of course, the beach. Also make sure you pick up some ice cream and enjoy that quintessential beach experience.

Is Tulum or The Hamptons Better for Couples?

Tulum is a world-class destination for romance. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

The Hamptons is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy beaches, dining out, and escaping the chaos of city life will enjoy a retreat here. The area has many beautiful parks and outdoor spaces, but there are also amazing restaurants that make for a great date night.

Is Tulum or The Hamptons Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is a great destination for backpackers. However, The Hamptons is a beach destination with minimal options 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.

The Hamptons is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's more popular with the rich and famous than it is with the budget crowd, so you may struggle to find an affordable place to stay, much less a hostel.

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

Tulum is a town with good options for its public transit. However, The Hamptons is a beach destination with minimal options 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 The Hamptons. While there are trains between towns, there aren't many options when it comes to public transit.

Is Tulum or The Hamptons a more walkable city?

Tulum is a great destination for its walkability. Also, The Hamptons 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.

The Hamptons is a somewhat walkable place. While some of the towns offer a nice place for a stroll, most of the Hamptons is not very walkable and it's best to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in The Hamptons or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or The Hamptons?

Both Tulum and The Hamptons have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in The Hamptons than in Tulum. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 3-7 days is enough time in The Hamptons.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than The Hamptons. 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 The Hamptons. 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 The Hamptons 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 The Hamptons?

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.

In The Hamptons, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this wealthy destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the shopping. This beach destination 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 The Hamptons?

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 The Hamptons. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 The Hamptons?

In Tulum, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this archeological 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.

The Hamptons is a fun place to experience. In The Hamptons, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the shopping. 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 The Hamptons?

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.

In The Hamptons, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this wealthy destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. 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 shopping. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or The Hamptons?

Tulum has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of The Hamptons. When comparing the sizes of Tulum and The Hamptons, 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 The Hamptons?

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 The Hamptons in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and The Hamptons. The summer months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to The Hamptons this time of year.

Tulum is a little warmer than The Hamptons in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and The Hamptons fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).

The Hamptons receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than The Hamptons. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tulum or The Hamptons in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tulum as well as The Hamptons. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to The Hamptons for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tulum is much warmer than The Hamptons. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and The Hamptons averages at about 58°F (14°C).

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than The Hamptons. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 3 inches (77 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 The Hamptons in the Winter?

Both The Hamptons and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to The Hamptons in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The Hamptons can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tulum is generally much warmer than The Hamptons. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and The Hamptons fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than The Hamptons. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tulum or The Hamptons in the Spring?

Both The Hamptons and Tulum during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tulum in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to The Hamptons for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Tulum is much warmer than The Hamptons in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and The Hamptons fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Tulum usually gets less rain in April than The Hamptons. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 3.8 inches (96 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 The Hamptons and Tulum