Which place is cheaper, Cancun or Amman?
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 Amman or Cancun?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Amman and Cancun. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Amman or Cancun?
Amman
Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.
Cancun
In the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular destinations. The area that is now Cancun was actually selected specifically by the Mexican government for development as a tourist destination. The area was chosen because it has fourteen miles of beautiful white beaches, nearby Mayan ruins, and turquoise blue water with nearby snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Prior to its development as a tourist destination, there were few inhabitants in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun.
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Amman Prices
Jordan PricesCancun Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmman $135Cancun $167
The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $135, while the average daily cost in Cancun is $167. 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 Amman and Cancun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmman $49Cancun $96
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmman $98Cancun $192
Compare Hotels in Amman and Cancun
Looking for a hotel in Amman or Cancun? 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: Amman Hotel Prices and Cancun Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amman $24Cancun $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:
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Bus Ride (for Two)$0.71
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RIde to Airport$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman
Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Queen Alia Airport to Amman Hotels or visa versa: $29
- Queen Alia Airport Transfers From / To Amman, Petra, Dead Sea.: $45
- Queen Alia Airport Transfer Pick-Up and Drop-Off Service: $50
- Private Transfers from Amman City Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $77
- Private Transfer: Amman Airport to Wadi Rum: $133
- Private Transfer from Madaba Hotel to Amman Airport: $47
- Private Transfer from Amman to the Dead Sea: $53
- Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Dead sea: $95
- Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Araba Border: $153
- Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Aqaba: $110
- Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Amman Hotel: $19
- Private Transfer from Amman Airport QAIA to Your Hotel in Amman: $65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cancun
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:
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Taxi Around Town$1.66
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Airport Shuttle (for 2)$14
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Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)$17
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Local Bus (for 2)$2.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cancun
Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfers between hotels in Cancun hotel strip: $20
- Transfer to Mayan train station Cancun from Cancun: $30
- Transfer in Luxury Mercedes Benz Minivan: $95
- Transfer hotel Cancun to Cancun Airport from 1 to 8 people: $25
- Transfer from chiquila-holbox to airport and hotels in cancun: $142
- Transfer from Puerto de Chiquila to Cancun Airport: $181
- Transfer from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen Hotel: $125
- Transfer from Cancun Airport (CUN) to Cancun/El Dorado Maroma: $59
- Transfer Redondo Private Airport Cancun to Playa del Carmen: $181
- Transfer Private Airport International CUN - Cáncun: $79
- Transfer Airport Cancun Hotel Zone: $91
- Super Combo ATV in Cancun with Zipline, Snorkel, Cenote, transfer: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Cancun?
Prices for flights to both Cancun and Amman 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 dayAmman $58Cancun $49
Typical Food Prices in Amman
For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Pastries$4.23
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Tea$5.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman
For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Amman by Night Tour with Local Dinner: $31
- private cooking with local chef: $40
- Private 2 Hour Cooking Class with the Locals in Amman: $50
- Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $80
- Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Amman: $100
- Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman: $119
- Private Lunch or Dinner at Alee Restaurant in Amman: $120
- Private Food Tour in Amman by Day (inc Citadel & Roman Theatre): $199
Typical Food Prices in Cancun
For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cancun
For Cancun, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour in Cancun with a Local Guide: $62
- Cancun Street Food Tour with Food Stalls, Local Market and Murals: $64
- Salsa Streets Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $69
- Tortilla Trails Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $69
- 4h Cooking Class in Cancun with 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $75
- Cancun Historic Downtown Food Tour with 7+ Authentic Tastings: $76
- Cancun Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $78
- Cancun Taco & Mexican Food Tour with Tequila Tasting: $79
- Cancun Hands-On Mexican Cooking Class: $79
- Couples Special Price! Cancun Pirate Show with Dinner & Drinks: $80
- Pirate Night! Dinner, Fun and Show at Cancun Couples Special: $80
- Couples Special Pirate Show & Dinner! Drinks, Adventure and Fun: $82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amman $32Cancun $35
Tours and Activities in Amman
For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Tour to Amman Jerash and Ajloun castle: $120
- 1-Night Private Overnight Dead Sea Independent Tour from Amman: $145
- 2 Day Group Tour from Amman to Petra Wadi Rum Aqaba Dead Sea: $250
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Aqaba and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $175
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Madaba and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $175
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Madaba and Mount Nebo Private Guided Tour: $175
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Mount Nebo and Dead Sea Private Tour: $175
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Amman City Tour Private Guided Tour: $175
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $185
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $175
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $175
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Tour: $175
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cancun
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Seasick Pills$0.59
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Whale Shark Tour (for 2)$100
Tours and Activities in Cancun
For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day ATV, Horse Ride, Ziplines and Cenote Adventure from Cancun: $40
- 1 Day Tour to Bacalar, Cenotes and 7 color Lagoon with lunch from Cancun: $125
- 1-Day Tour to Bacalar with Kayaking, Marmol Beach Club and Cenote: $119
- 1-hour Clear Boat Tour in Nichupte Lagoon from Cancun: $23
- 2 Day Deluxe Tour Tulum and Chichén Itzá: $120
- 2-day tour: Isla Mujeres catamaran and Chichen Itzá: $121
- 20 minutes Jet Pack flight experience in Cancun!: $119
- 2x1 Tulum tour and Chichen Itza tour for 1 price in 2 days: $139
- 3 Hidden Cenotes Experience & Puerto Morelos Reef Snorkeling: $89
- 3 adrenaline activities Atvs Zipline and a swim experience in a cenote: $60
- 3 in 1 Jungle Tour Adventure Cancun: $69
- 3 in 1 Tour to Coba Cenote and Maya Village Riviera Maya: $139
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmman $14Cancun $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cancun
Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- A bespoke wine tastings crafted for unforgettable moments: $88
- Brewery Tour Craft Beer Tasting Cancun Mexico: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amman and Cancun, we can see that Cancun is more expensive. And not only is Amman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amman is in Middle East and Cancun is in North 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 Amman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Amman 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 Cancun would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cancun than you might in Amman.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amman Expensive? and Is Cancun Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amman or Cancun?
Amman has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cancun. When comparing the sizes of Amman and Cancun, 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.