Intro

As a local expert, before diving into which location might be the best for you, it’s important to understand a little history. Tourism development in this area started in Cancún about 55 years ago, moving southwards toward Tulum. Playa del Carmen developed after Cancún, and Tulum came last. There are other destinations further south, like Bacalar or Mahahual, but for this blog, we will focus only on where to stay in Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

Choosing the best location depends heavily on your plans, interests, and style of travel. The Hotel Zone in Cancún is beautiful, with stunning turquoise waters, but it is more densely packed with tourists compared to Playa del Carmen. I love Cancún for its beaches, weather, and especially its nightlife.

Playa del Carmen grew as a vibrant town with a mix of hotels and Airbnbs along the Riviera Maya. Some of its beaches have eroded, but there are still amazing spots. Tulum, once my favorite, has faced overdevelopment, poor planning, and high costs, which makes it less appealing now.

Planning Your Stay

The perfect location is not just about what you want to do; it is also about where your activities are. Cancún and Tulum are about two hours apart. If your activities are closer to Tulum, staying in Cancún does not make sense. Likewise, if your plans are in Cancún, Tulum is less convenient.

Many travelers choose Playa del Carmen because it sits between Cancún and Tulum, offering a central base. Others divide their stay, spending a few days in Cancún, then moving to Playa del Carmen or Tulum to be closer to their activities.

Fun Fact: Chichen Itza Is Not a Factor

Imagine a triangle with Cancún on one side, Tulum on the other, and Chichen Itza at the top point. Playa del Carmen sits between Cancún and Tulum at the base. From any point—Cancún, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum—reaching Chichen Itza takes roughly the same time, about two hours and twenty minutes. So when planning your stay, Chichen Itza does not change your decision.

Activities Nearby

Cancún:

• Isla Mujeres
• Xochimilco
• Cocobongo, Cancún
• Hotel Zone and bars
• Webrunners in the mangroves
• Speedboats and pirate ships

Playa del Carmen:

• Xcaret, Xenses
• Cenotes nearby
• Cozumel
• Fifth Avenue
• Cocobongo, Playa del Carmen
• Río Secreto
• Mexxtremo

Tulum:

• Tulum ruins, Cobá ruins
• Underground rivers and cenotes
• Xel-Ha
• Akumal
• Tulum Hotel Zone
• Bohochick bars like Rosa Negra or Tabú

My Personal Opinions

Cancún 8.5 out of 10
Cancún has always been a solid choice and continues to be so. Its beaches are beautiful and the area offers a classic Caribbean tourist experience. Perfect for partying, romantic getaways, or relaxing with great climate. Hotels are plentiful and generally high quality. Food options are varied and it is conveniently close to the airport. It does not have big parks nearby, but that is balanced by other activities.

Playa del Carmen 9.5 out of 10
Playa del Carmen is perfect if you want a mix of everything. Activities to either Cancún or Tulum are no more than fifty minutes away. Parks, cenotes, and underground rivers are close by, and one of my favorite beaches, Xpujá, is highly recommended. Fifth Avenue combines tourist attractions with walkable local spots something Cancún lacks. Pricing ranges from very affordable local options to luxury experiences. The nightlife is lively, but daytime activities are enjoyable too. For versatility, attractions, prices, and accessibility, Playa del Carmen scores a 9.5.

Tulum 8 out of 10
Tulum is not my favorite compared to Cancún or Playa del Carmen. Its ruins and parks are beautiful, but the town and the hotel zone are separated. Unlike Playa del Carmen, you cannot easily walk from the local area to the beach. To access the beaches from the town you often need transport and expensive day passes. The hotel zone caters to a bohochick, Instagram-focused crowd, and prices are extremely high from parking to food and drinks. Poor planning and lack of focus on visitor satisfaction make it less appealing. Once popular and vibrant, Tulum’s recent decline reflects a focus on profit over experience.

Bonus: A Word About Tulum’s Past and Future

Twelve years ago, Tulum was my favorite destination. It had a spectacular charm, it was clean, affordable, and beautiful. But tourism is also about reputation and long-term trust. You cannot mistreat visitors thinking they will always return for the same treatment. Tourism is a long-term business. Thinking only about short-term profits without valuing your visitors harms your future.

It saddens me to see the path Tulum has taken. I hope service providers understand that the few visitors who still come today are there because of past efforts. By improving the present, they can also secure a better future. I wish Tulum prosperity, but that will only come when those serving visitors focus on creating experiences that make guests fall in love with the destination, its culture, food, and people, rather than seeing them only as opportunities to maximize profits.

I wish the best for Tulum and his people and I hope Tulum will return to be super cool =).

Conclusion

Choosing where to stay depends on what you value most: accessibility, versatility, affordability, or atmosphere. Playa del Carmen offers the best mix, Cancún remains reliable and lively, and Tulum is now more exclusive and costly.