A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Cozumel vs. Cancun for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Cozumel or Cancun?

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 Cozumel and Cancun can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cozumel

Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Cancun or Cozumel?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $63, while the average daily cost in Cancun is $99. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cozumel and Cancun in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cozumel $31
    Cancun $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cozumel $62
    Cancun $134

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cozumel $16
    Cancun $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel

Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Cozumel International Airport 5 - 8: $147
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Cozumel International Airport (1 - 6): $60
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Cozumel International Airport to Hotels (1 - 6): $60

Typical Local Transportation prices in Cancun

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:


  • Taxi Around Town
    $1.40
  • Airport Shuttle (for 2)
    $12
  • Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)
    $14
  • Local Bus (for 2)
    $1.70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cancun

Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Licenced Transfer - Cancun International Airport or Hotels to Merida Return: $895
  • Luxury SUV R/T Transfer-Airport-Isla Mujeres Ferry Dock-Airport W/ Ferry Tickets: $622
  • Private Roundtrip Transfer-Airport-Hotel-Airport- Cozumel Hotels W/Ferry Tickets: $606
  • Chichen Itza Private Transportation, Round Trip Transfer: $485
  • Licenced Transfer - Cancun International Airport or Hotels to Merida One-Way: $465
  • Luxury SUV Private Roundtrip Transfer- Airport-Hotel-Airport - Tulum Hotels: $459
  • Luxury SUV Private Roundtrip Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport - Akumal Hotels: $459
  • Private R/T Transfer-Airport-Isla Mujeres Ferry Dock-Airport With Ferry Tickets: $439
  • Private VAN Roundtrip Transfer- Airport-Hotel-Airport - Tulum Hotels: $405
  • Cancun Airport Private Transfer One Way:To or From Holbox Ferry Up to 15 Pass.: $400
  • Private VAN Roundtrip Transfer- Airport-Hotel-Airport - Akumal Hotels: $352
  • Luxury SUV Private R/T Transfer- Airport-Hotel-Airport Playa del Carmen Hotel: $331

Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or Cancun?

Prices for flights to both Cancun and Cozumel 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cozumel $16
    Cancun $18

Typical Food prices in Cancun

For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cancun

For Cancun, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Captain Hook: Pirate Show and Dinner Cruise in Cancun: $35
  • Cancun Authentic Untouristed Food Tour: $43
  • Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $44
  • Dinner and Show on a Pirate Ship in Cancun with Open Bar: $50
  • Dinner-Show-Party on a Pirate Ship from Cancun! (Open bar included).: $55
  • Experience a Pirate Party Dinner Show at Cancun with Open Bar included!: $56
  • Dinner Show on a Pirate Ship from Cancun with Open Bar: $62
  • Mexican Dinner and Sprits Tasting in Cancun with transportation: $79
  • Captain Hook - Pirate Show and Dinner (Grilled Chicken) 2X1: $85
  • Captain Hook 2X1 - Pirate Show & Dinner with Open Bar: $85
  • Combo Capitan Hook chicken dinner + Isla Mujeres Catamaran: $86
  • Captain Hook - Pirate Show & Dinner (Grilled Chicken) 2X1: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cozumel $29
    Cancun $24

Tours and Activities in Cozumel

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.

  • Amazing Cozumel Race: Scavenger Hunt/Sightseeing Tour: $79
  • Amazing Private Jeep Adventure in Cozumel: $82
  • Cozumel Adventure: $124
  • Cozumel Adventure: $124
  • Cozumel Dune Buggy Off-Road Adventure to Punta Sur: $85
  • Cozumel Island Tour by Open-Top Safari Bus Including Tequila Tasting: $49
  • Cozumel Island: Half-Day Private Jeep Tour and Eco Park: $238
  • Cozumel Motorcycle Tour Aboard a Harley-Davidson or KTM 1290: $256
  • Cozumel Shore Excursion: ATV, Ziplines and Cenote Tour Extreme Adventure Park: $75
  • Cozumel Xtrem Adventure Zipline in Chankanaab: $70
  • Cozumel...Your Tourist Guide: $67
  • ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern: $65

Typical Entertainment prices in Cancun

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Seasick Pills
    $0.50
  • Whale Shark Tour (for 2)
    $85

Tours and Activities in Cancun

For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • (4x1) Tour Plus Coba,Tulum,Playa del Carmen & Cenote - from Riviera Maya: $67
  • (4x1) Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Playa del Carmen a complete tour from Cancún: $69
  • (4x1) Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Playa del Carmen in Our Full Day Tour: $75
  • (All inclusive) Catamaran Tour to Isla Mujeres from Cancun for the less: $65
  • 1 Day Tour to Bacalar, Cenotes and 7 color Lagoon with lunch from Cancun: $109
  • 1 Lagoon + 3 Cenotes Tour Plus from Cancun and Playa del Carmen: $85
  • 1 Lagoon and 3 Cenotes Tour Departure form Cancun: $81
  • 1-Day Coba-Tulum Tour (Cancun departure) EMC1T: $158
  • 1-day Chichen Itza Classic Tour ( Cancun departure) ( EMC1CE ): $122
  • 10-Day Wildlife Adventure Ecofriendly Tour from Cancun: $2,595
  • 10-Day Yucatan Heritage Ecofriendly Tour from Cancun: $2,495
  • 11 Day-Birdwatching Ecofriendly Tour from Cancun: $3,490

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cozumel $7.58
    Cancun $8.96

Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:

  • Seaside Chocolate Workshop and Wine Tasting: $35

Sample the Local Flavors in Cancun

Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cancun Private Mexican Wine Tasting: $161

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and Cancun, we can see that Cancun is more expensive. And not only is Cozumel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cozumel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cozumel 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 Cozumel.

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Veracruz vs. Cozumel
Veracruz vs. Cancun
Tulum vs. Cozumel
Tulum vs. Cancun
San Cristobal de Las Casas vs. Cozumel
San Cristobal de Las Casas vs. Cancun
Playa del Carmen vs. Cozumel
Playa del Carmen vs. Cancun
Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Cozumel
Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Cancun
Merida vs. Cozumel
Merida vs. Cancun
Isla Mujeres vs. Cozumel
Isla Mujeres vs. Cancun
Cozumel vs. Mexico City
Cozumel vs. Acapulco de Juarez
Cozumel vs. Cabo San Lucas
Cozumel vs. Puerto Vallarta
Cozumel vs. Mazatlan
Cozumel vs. La Paz
Cozumel vs. Guadalajara
Cozumel vs. Ensenada
Mexico City vs. Cancun
Cancun vs. Acapulco de Juarez
Cancun vs. Cabo San Lucas
Cancun vs. Puerto Vallarta
Cancun vs. Mazatlan
Cancun vs. La Paz
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Cozumel vs. Cancun Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.