“Which is better, Playa del Carmen or Cancun?” is a question that many travelers visiting the Riviera Maya ask themselves when deciding where to stay. Let’s explore how we can answer this…
It’s no secret that the Mexican Caribbean is among the best destinations for enjoying a well-deserved vacation, with paradisiacal beaches, delicious cuisine, and top-notch tourist services as part of the offering.
The Mexican Caribbean is considered to include the entire Cancun and Riviera Maya area (from Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, to Tulum). So let’s examine some details and differences…
Which is Better? Cancun VS Playa del Carmen
Choosing a favorite destination in the Mexican Caribbean is a challenging task. It’s not just Playa del Carmen and Cancun competing; there are also beautiful destinations along the Riviera Maya such as Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Bacalar, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Mahahual, along with all the other little towns along the coast leading to the state capital, Chetumal.
However, there’s a significant advantage to having such a wide array of beautiful places: they are all relatively close to each other.
This allows you to enjoy an incredible trip tailored to your chosen destination, and if you have time and desire, you can venture to explore more.
This same idea applies perfectly to this “pseudo” dispute between Cancun and Playa del Carmen; less than an hour separates one destination from the other, so the first thing to have in mind is that you can enjoy one or both in the same trip according to your preferences…
Where is Better to Stay: Playa del Carmen or Cancun?
Returning to the idea of this post “Playa del Carmen or Cancun: Which is better?”, we must say that there are certain aspects and differences of each destination that make it a favorite for many tourists. Let’s discover some reasons…
Cancun
Cancun is a fascinating destination; its extensive coastline with beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise waters captivates visitors. The city is quite large and has well-defined areas for strolling as well as more remote areas frequented by locals.
In its famous hotel zone, you will find all the tourist services needed for a dream vacation. Additionally, Cancun has two other areas that are also enjoyable: the downtown area where you can find craft markets and shopping plazas, plus a new area Costa Mujeres, located north of the city—an area with more jungle and in recent development.
The hotel offering is vast; there are 5-diamond luxury hotels as well as more affordable options that do not compromise on quality.
You can even choose to stay in a hostel or an Airbnb. The gastronomy is excellent; there are options for all budgets and menus that will delight you—snacks, dishes from Mexican and Yucatecan cuisine, Asian cuisine, Mediterranean food, Argentinean dishes, and even various international food chains offering cafes, hamburgers, pizzas, and more.
Pros and Cons of Staying in Cancun
There are many positive aspects of Cancun; first is the sea—its color is incredibly beautiful and along the coast you have many public beaches, some with calm waters due to being part of a bay while others have rougher seas in open water—ideal for all ages and tastes.
Moreover, staying in the hotel zone has its advantages since there are plenty of hotels located right by the beach. If not directly on the beach, you will only need to walk a short distance to reach it.
If you’re staying downtown, a plus is that there are some beaches like Playa Delfines, Playa Marlin, and Playa Langosta that have palapas (thatched roof shelters), bathrooms, and showers—perfect for spending the day with public transport dropping you off just steps away.
Additionally, a significant advantage is that along the 25 km of hotel zone you will find shopping plazas, supermarkets, restaurants, archaeological sites, golf courses, water parks, craft markets, nightlife areas—and much more to enjoy.
Another positive point is that you can explore the hotel zone on foot or by bicycle or take public transportation which runs frequently at very accessible prices—allowing you to see everything you wish.
If you want to visit Isla Mujeres or take a yacht tour, there are several points along the coast from which ferries and other vessels depart—a highly recommended option.
The extensive hotel offering also stands out; having options for all types of budgets and a variety of services is something highly valued in such a touristy place like Cancun.
Additionally, this destination is chosen by many national and international artists for their concerts and is closest to Cancun International Airport.
If We Have to Point Out a “Con” of Cancun…
We might say that downtown does not have many picturesque places for strolling; you’ll find large avenues that are hard to traverse in the city’s intense heat.
This situation forces you to plan well where you want to go—like the Craft Market, Parque de las Palapas (Palapas Park), Parque Kabah (Kabah Park), Santuario de la Virgen Desatanudos (Sanctuary of Our Lady Desatanudos), or any shopping plaza—and then take a taxi or public transport accordingly.
On another note, downtown Cancun can be quite dark and lonely at night which detracts from your stroll’s tranquility and safety—not forgetting it’s one of those cities with transportation issues through digital platforms and taxis.
If we seek another downside, we must mention that there are no beach clubs on the beach itself—the fact that so many hotels occupy almost all coastal areas makes it difficult to enjoy nightlife on the beach unless you’re staying at one of those hotels.
However, alternatives exist such as buying drinks and food at convenience stores before entering beaches so you can still enjoy your day.
If you’re a traveler who enjoys parties, ultra-luxury hotels, and huge shopping plazas—Cancun will surely delight you.
Playa del Carmen
If you’re heading to the Mexican Caribbean it’s definitely worth getting to know beautiful “Playa,” one of the most visited destinations in Riviera Maya that dazzles with its lovely corners not only on the beach but also on famous Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) and downtown.
Playa del Carmen has a smaller hotel zone compared to Cancun; it’s found in what’s called Playacar—a residential area with several luxury hotels and houses located right on the beachfront up until the highway.
Quinta Avenida serves as a meeting point for tourists visiting the city; here you’ll find numerous restaurants, bars, small shopping plazas, various shops, museums, cafes—among other places you’ll enjoy discovering.
The sea is just two streets parallel to Quinta Avenida; its waters are calm allowing you to take a refreshing dip whenever you wish—just remember lifeguard instructions.
Pros and Cons of Staying in Playa del Carmen
Among Playa’s first positive impressions is that you can walk everywhere—the tourist strip encompassing sea views, hotels, and downtown forms a kind of rectangle parallel to the beach where everything can be found.
This setup allows visitors to stroll comfortably discovering charming little streets filled with thematic cafes and craft stalls while easily accessing the sea.
A stroll during afternoon or evening along Calle 38 (38th Street) is highly recommended; it’s called Playa del Carmen’s prettiest street—and indeed it has everything needed for such acclaim.
Complementing this point is that you can enjoy Playa del Carmen’s nightlife whenever you prefer; Calle 12 (12th Street), leading from Quinta Avenida down towards the sea hosts many well-known nightclubs where just walking through you’ll find plenty of fun.
Another excellent detail about this destination is its proximity to many cenotes (natural sinkholes); it shares equal distance with Cancun from Ruta de los Cenotes (Cenote Route) in Puerto Morelos but also lies close to other cenotes located on route towards Tulum.
Even within Playa itself at Punta Esmeralda Beach there’s a small open cenote ideal for enjoying with little ones—and it’s free!
And let’s not forget about its closeness to Cozumel—a new magical town in Mexico.
Among The Cons…
Playa del Carmen feels slightly more like a town compared to Cancun—which might be seen as a downside by those who prefer visiting huge shopping plazas with more store variety.
Another downside for Playa del Carmen is that there’s only one road leading from Cancun Airport which takes about an hour; this can affect your arrival as well as your departure from town since traffic can be quite complicated depending on peak hours or accidents—as well as road repairs or heavy truck traffic.
This situation necessitates planning ahead according to your flight schedules so as not to encounter delays. Regarding accommodation options—there’s great variety; some places are near downtown making them easily accessible while others might be further out along highways requiring taxi rides which could be somewhat pricey.
If you’re a traveler who enjoys relaxed environments preferring charming walks through “smaller” cities—this would be your best choice.
Conclusion: Which is Better?
Ultimately choosing between Cancun and Playa del Carmen largely depends on your personal preferences:
- If you’re looking for an animated destination with many entertainment options and all-inclusive resorts—Cancun would be your best bet.
- If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere with local bohemian touches allowing for walking access alongside various cultural activities—and easy access to other tourist destinations—then Playa del Carmen would be ideal.
Both destinations possess their unique charm ensuring memorable experiences in beautiful Riviera Maya.