A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cozumel vs. Duck Key for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cozumel or Duck Key?

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 Duck Key can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Cozumel or Duck Key?

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.

Duck Key

If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Duck Key or Cozumel?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $118, while the average daily cost in Duck Key is $143. 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 Cozumel and Duck Key in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cozumel $70
    Duck Key $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cozumel $140
    Duck Key $112
Compare Hotels in Cozumel and Duck Key

Looking for a hotel in Cozumel or Duck Key? 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.

Hotels in Cozumel


Hotels in Duck Key


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: Cozumel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cozumel $23
    Duck Key $69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel

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

  • Wild Jade Cavern Private ATV Tour With Transfer: $86
  • Private Transfer from Cozumel hotels to Cozumel Cruise Port: $44
  • Private Transfer from Cozumel Airport: $110
  • Private Transfer between Cozumel Airport or Ferry, and Hotels: $40
  • Private One Way Transfer in Cozumel Airport To/From Cozumel: $29
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $44
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) Cozumel - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $87
  • Cuban Cigar Master Class & Beach Break® with transfer: $153
  • Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $30
  • Cozumel to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM)Departure Private Transfer: $44
  • Cozumel Private Airport Transfer: $150
  • Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport CZM Departure Private Transfer: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or Duck Key?

Prices for flights to both Duck Key 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 $24
    Duck Key $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel

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

  • Authentic Mayan Cooking Class in Cozumel: $61
  • Cozumel Food Tour: $90
  • Cozumel Cooking Class: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cozumel $44
    Duck Key $30

Tours and Activities in Cozumel

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

  • Private Cozumel Jeep Tour & Jade Caverns Cenote: All-Inclusive: $85
  • Romantic tour in Cozumel: $127
  • 1 Hour and Half Private Tropical Fitness Experience in Cozumel: $6.00
  • 15-minute Private Parasailing Experience in Cozumel: $69
  • 2 Hour Discover Mermaid Experience : $20
  • 2 Hour Diving Experience in San Miguel de Cozumel: $88
  • 2 Hours ATV Jungle, Caverns and Mayan Ruins Tour: $80
  • 4 Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel: $65
  • 4 Hours Experience the turtle sanctuary on La Chula Catamarán : $78
  • 4-Hour Jeep and ATV Tour with Snorkel in Cozumel with Lunch: $99
  • 4-Hour Private Tour in Cozumel with Pickup: $70
  • A Pirate's Adventure in Cozumel with Captain Draco : $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cozumel $11
    Duck Key $7.99

Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:

  • Chocolate Seaside Workshop & Wine Tasting: $49
  • Cozumel 5-Hour Private Bar Crawl Tour: $110


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and Duck Key, we can see that Duck Key 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 Duck Key would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Duck Key than you might in Cozumel.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cozumel Expensive? and Is Duck Key Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Duck Key?

Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel and Duck Key, 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.