Is Tulum cheaper than Playa del Carmen?

Cost. In choosing Playa del Carmen or Tulum for your vacation, cost will be a big factor. While both destinations offer a range of cost options, Tulum's price point is roughly 20-30% higher than Playa del Carmen when you factor in accommodation, restaurants, and travel.



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Playa del Carmen is ideal for all budgets, from backpackers to bougies. At the same time, Tulum remains one of the most expensive cities in all of Mexico. Still, if you're looking for a back-to-nature escape with verdant jungle views, Tulum is your best bet.

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Good weather, great prices – The shoulder months of May, July and August are some of the best times of the year to explore Tulum if saving a few dollars and having more space for your beach towel are dealbreakers. Local hotel rates and airfare to the Riviera Maya tend to be lowest during these less-crowded months.

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All that's left to do is map out what you will do and see during your time in Tulum. In just 3-5 days, you could easily check off all of Tulum's highlights, splash in a handful of cenotes, and include a fun day trip to nearby Coba and other incredible Riviera Maya destinations.

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Whether you're there for a single night or an entire month, any trip to Tulum is memorable. As a baseline, we think that 5-7 days is a perfect amount of time to enjoy everything the city offers. You'll have time for the beach, to visit Mayan ruins, and even have enough extra days for a trip to a nearby destination.

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Discover the ancient Mayan ruins in Tulum History hunters are spoiled for choice in Tulum. The town was once the location of a Mayan walled city, situated on a cliff facing the sun, and the astonishingly well-preserved ruins can be followed by a dip in the sea on the beach below.

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While a lot can be seen in just a day or even in 36 hours in Tulum, I recommend a minimum of at least three days. These three days should be ideal for experiencing Tulum's vibrant culture, upscale nightlife, and most of the famous cenotes, ruins, and beaches.

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Playa del Carmen started out as a Fisherman's village, as many as 110 years ago. The white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and laid-back feel have made it a popular destination for tourists.

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Taxis to Tulum from Playa del Carmen usually cost around 600 pesos (around 30 USD), but if you're traveling with a few other people the split cost isn't too terrible.

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If it's a competition, then Tulum is the clear winner here. Though both destinations tout luxury accommodations, great dining experiences, and amazing exploits, Tulum's tend to be more affordable, with a 7-day trip costing roughly $2,000 for a single person, while the same would cost closer to $3,000 in Cabo.

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It is more expensive than most other Mexican cities. Many things are imported to Playa and this adds to the cost as well. Once you travel out of the area you start to notice how things are cheaper but after a while you get used to what things cost and how to stretch your budget if you live in Playa Del Carmen.

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Worst Times to Visit Tulum Travelers in search of rest and relaxation — sans large crowds — should avoid visiting during peak season, which includes the holidays and spring break. Budget-conscious travelers should also steer clear of these months, since their high demand causes airfare and hotel prices to skyrocket.

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Tulum has many beautiful traces of Mayan culture and history, much like the rest of the Yucatán Peninsula and Quintana Roo. Visiting Tulum is worth it simply for the experience of seeing the historical Tulum Ruins in person.

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Where do Celebrities Stay in Tulum? A few celebrities, such as Paris Hilton, Kristen Cavallari, and Drew Barrymore, have been spotted in Tulum at Habitas, Azulik, and Amansala Resort & Spa.

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Waves will not get to big, this is a not a surfers paradise so swimming can be done every day! Playa del Carmen and the bays are protected by natural reef systems or in the case of Playa, the island of Cozumel so high waves just don't happen very often.

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While Tulum is trendy, note that most of the best hotels offer eco-chic luxury (if you're looking for a large resort experience, look elsewhere) and are located along the 6-mile-long stretch of beachfront from the Tulum Ruins to the soft sand beach in the south end.

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It is said that the waters of Playa del Carmen are among the world's most beautiful.

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November and early December are great times to visit Tulum since the weather is pleasant (temperatures range from the low 70s to low 80s) and the crowds are thinner than they are in late winter and early spring.

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