Which place is cheaper, Freeport or Cancun?
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 Cancun or Freeport?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cancun and Freeport can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cancun or Freeport?
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.
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas.
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Cancun Prices
Mexico PricesFreeport Prices
Bahamas Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCancun $155Freeport $291
The average daily cost (per person) in Cancun is $155, while the average daily cost in Freeport is $291. 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 Cancun and Freeport in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCancun $90Freeport $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCancun $180Freeport $282
Compare Hotels in Cancun and Freeport
Looking for a hotel in Cancun or Freeport? 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: Cancun Hotel Prices and Freeport Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cancun $16Freeport $59
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$1.54
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Airport Shuttle (for 2)$13
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Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)$15
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Local Bus (for 2)$1.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cancun
Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Akumal One Way or Roundtrip Private Luxury Transfer: $291
- Isla Mujeres: Private Round-Trip Transfer and Boat from Cancun: $275
- Private Transfer Cancun Airport to Chiquilá Holbox Ferry: $262
- Cancún Airport (CUN) to Tulum - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $257
- Cancun Airport Private Transfer to Tulum (Round Trip): $250
- Cancun VIP Roundtrip Private Airport Transfer to Hotel Zone: $249
- Private Transfer from Cancún Airport (CUN) to Tulum: $234
- Cancun Airport Luxury Arrival Transfer in Mercedes Maybach GLS600: $232
- Holbox Private Transfer from Cancun Hotels or Airport: $229
- Cozumel: El Cielo & KUZÁ Beach & Adventure Park with Transfer: $221
- Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $220
- Private One Way Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $220
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Round Trip Limousine Transfer: $150
- Round-trip Airport Transfers to Castaway Resorts, Freeport: $30
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer Viva Club Fortuna Freeport: $28
- Private Transfer from Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport Port: $65
- Private Transfer from Freeport Port to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): $65
- Private Transfer from FPO to Old Bahama Bay resort: $245
- Private Transfer from FPO to Freeport hotels or resorts: $175
- Old Bahama Bay to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) - Private Transfer: $74
- Luxury SUV Transfer from Airport, cruise port, Celebration Key: $133
- Grand Bahama Airport(FPO) to Freeport -RoundTrip Private Transfer: $149
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay -Round-Trip Transfer: $149
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay - Private Transfer: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Cancun or Freeport?
Prices for flights to both Freeport and Cancun 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 dayCancun $45Freeport $110
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$19
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: $60
- Cancun Street Food Tour with Food Stalls, Local Market and Murals: $64
- Columbus Romantic Dinner in Cancún: $64
- Cancun Food Tour - Taco Attack: Street Food & Tequila Tasting: $69
- Cancun Food Tour: Market 23, Local Flavors & Downtown Culture: $69
- 3hr Cooking Class in Cancun with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $75
- Cancun Historic Downtown Food Tour with 7+ Authentic Tastings: $76
- Puerto Morelos Walking Food Tour: $77
- Cancun Walking Food Tour: Local Food, Markets, and Street Art.: $77
- Cancun Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $78
- Cancun Taco & Mexican Food Tour with Tequila Tasting: $79
- Mexican Cooking Class with fresh Local Market ingredients selection and transpor: $79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cancun $32Freeport $40
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$0.55
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Whale Shark Tour (for 2)$94
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
- 2 in 1 Catamaran to Isla Mujeres Tour from Cancun with Open Bar: $50
- 2 in 1 Parasailing and Jet Sky Tour in Cancun: $135
- 2-day tour: Isla Mujeres catamaran and Chichen Itzá: $111
- 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: $149
- 3-Hour Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Cancun: $86
Typical Entertainment Prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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10 Dive Package$300
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4 Hr. Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
- Bahamas Sea Scooter Snorkeling Adventure: $120
- Bahamian Beer Tour with Beach stop from CelebrationKey/FPO Harbor: $52
- Clear Kayak Tour: $120
- Coopers Castle and Port Lucaya Marketplace Tour: $60
- East End Private Day Trip Experience Tour: $270
- Eleuthera Adventure: Swings, Pigs, and Reefs: $600
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $127
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $125
- Grand Bahama Culture, History & Local Flavors Tour: $280
- Junkanoo Adventure with Bahamian Cuisine Tasting: $850
- Grand Bahama Foodie Tour: $150
- Jet Ski Tour Freeport for 2 Persons @CreativeEcoAdventures: $242
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCancun $12Freeport $30
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: $81
- Bar Crawl Madness Tour in Cancun: $115
- Brewery Tour Craft Beer Tasting Cancun Mexico: $130
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
- Brewery & Taste with Beach & Shop at Largest Market on Freeport 4-hrs: $85
- Grand Bahama Brewery and Distillery Tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cancun and Freeport, we can see that Freeport is more expensive. And not only is Cancun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cancun is in North America and Freeport is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Cancun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cancun 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport than you might in Cancun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cancun Expensive? and Is Freeport Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cancun or Freeport?
Cancun has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Freeport. When comparing the sizes of Cancun and Freeport, 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.