Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Acapulco de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Medellin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Medellin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Acapulco de Juarez or Medellin?
Acapulco de Juarez
Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Acapulco de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAcapulco de Juarez $92Medellin $29
The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $92, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $29. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Acapulco de Juarez and Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAcapulco de Juarez $35Medellin $4.64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAcapulco de Juarez $70Medellin $9.28
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez or Medellin? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices and Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $15Medellin $4.05
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:
- Private - One Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $66
- Acapulco Airport (ACA) to Acapulco hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Acapulco Airport Roundtrip Transfers: $75
- Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $45
- Airport Transfer In Suburban: $45
- Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
- Private Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
- Private Transfer to Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $27
- Roundtrip Shared Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $27
- Shared Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
- Shared Transfer to Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Airport Transfers : $120
- Airport Transfers Medellín (per way): $50
- Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport to City by Sedan: $137
- Arrival Transfer Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $132
- Arrival Transfer from Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin by Minibus: $156
- Medellín - Arboletes, Antioquia Transfer by Van: $50
- Medellín Airport Private Transfer Service (Departure): $35
- Medellín Private Transfer from Medellín City to Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport: $48
- Medellín Private Transfer: José María Córdova Airport : $30
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $78
- Medellín: Guatapé and Medellín City Door-to-Door Transfer: $93
- Medellín: José María Córdova Airport Private Transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin and Acapulco de Juarez change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAcapulco de Juarez $45Medellin $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.
- Lucha Libre-Wrestling FiestaExper Taco Dinner Beer ONLY SUNDAYS: $62
- High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner + Two Drinks plus SUNSET: $66
- Wrestling-Lucha Libre Experience Tacos Beer Dinner Only On SUNDAY: $74
- Sunset Dinner and Cliff Divers in Acapulco: $91
- Mexican Cooking Class & Market Tour with a Professional Chef: $100
- Mexican Fiesta Show & Dinner: $115
- Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $253
- Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $286
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $11
- Medellín: Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13: $19
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $30
- A night in Medellín: food tour and bars in El Poblado!: $32
- Laureles Food Tour: $35
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $38
- Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
- Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $56
- Private Night City Tour on Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $59
- Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
- Medellin Night E-Bike Tour with Gourmet Dinner Included: $60
- Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $16Medellin $12
Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez
Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kayaks Tour to El Morro Islet: $22
- Acapulco Malibu, Avenida Kids Tour : $50
- Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $53
- Different Faces Of Acapulco Tour: $55
- Acapulco Port Tour in 4 hours: $56
- 4hr Fun Guide Tour For Cruisers or Hotels Guests with Divers Show: $58
- 4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels, Divers, Chapel & Mural.: $60
- Acapulco City Tour: $65
- Acapulco Historical Tour with Cliff Divers Show: $65
- City Tour & Sunset High Cliff Divers by Night w/Different Choices: $67
- 4 Hrs Exclusive to Cruise Ship Passengers Sightseeing Experience : $67
- Tour Isla de la Roqueta Stand up paddle Acapulco: $67
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- History and Street Art Tour in Comuna 13: $8.00
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour with Snacks and a Local Guide: $9.75
- Medellín: Comuna 13 and Graffiti Walking Tour with Snacks: $10
- Entry Ticket to the Museum of Modern Art of Medellin: $11
- Medellín: Explore Downtown And Live The Real City Experience: $11
- Medellin Historic Walking Tour: $11
- Medellín Explore Downtown And Live The Real City Experience: $11
- Comuna 13: Graffiti tour & Street Food/drink with telesferic: $11
- Medellin Commune 13 Historic Tour With Snacks and Drinks : $12
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour with Spray Painting and ice cream : $12
- Shared Tour of Medellin's Historic & Cultural Downtown: $12
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour Through Color, Snacks & History: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAcapulco de Juarez $9.81Medellin $7.04
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks, Games and VIP: $7.50
- Medellin Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks Games and VIP: $12
- Guided Medellin Pub Crawl: $18
- The Medellin Pub Crawl: $20
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl : $49
- Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $85
- Night Out Gay Bar Crawl in Medellin: $130
- NightOUT Medellin Gay Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellin LGBTQ Rooftop Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Medellin, we can see that Acapulco de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez is in North America and Medellin is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Acapulco de Juarez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Acapulco de Juarez than you might in Medellin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Medellin?
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Acapulco de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Medellin, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.