Should you visit Cozumel or La Paz?
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 La Paz 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.
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
Which city is cheaper, La Paz or Cozumel?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $62, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $77. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Cozumel and La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $60 in Cozumel For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The average price for accommodation for two people in La Paz is $68. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
Cozumel food costs typically run travelers around $16 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
The average traveler spends about $25 per day in La Paz for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Cozumel $16
La Paz $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Local Transportation
To get around in Cozumel, the average visitor spends $15 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
The average price of local transportation around La Paz is $14 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Arrival Transfer: Cozumel International Airport to Hotels (1 - 6):
$60
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Cozumel International Airport (1 - 6):
$60
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Cozumel International Airport 5 - 8:
$147
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
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Private Transfer: La Paz to El Alto International Airport (LPB):
$622
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La Paz Airport Transfer One Way:
$373
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La Paz International Airport (LAP) to La Paz hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$157
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La Paz hotels to La Paz International Airport (LAP) - Departure Private Transfer:
$78
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La Paz International Airport (LAP) to La Paz hotels - Arrival Private Transfer:
$78
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Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City:
$70
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Private Transfer From Bus Station to Hotel in La Paz City:
$62
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Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City:
$62
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Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City:
$62
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Private Transfer From Bus Station to your Hotel in La Paz City:
$49
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Private Transfer from your Hotel to Airport in La Paz City:
$49
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Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City:
$49
Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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.
Entertainment
In Cozumel, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $29 per person, per day.
La Paz's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $8.23 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
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Discover Mexico Cozumel Park Tickets:
$26
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VIP Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkeling 3 Reefs Tour:
$32
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All Inclusive Beach Adventure with Snorkeling:
$44
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Cozumel Island Tour by Open-Top Safari Bus Including Tequila Tasting:
$49
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Thriller Jet Boat Adventure:
$50
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Jet Boat Experience:
$50
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Cozumel City Tour with Lunch:
$57
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West Coast E-Bike Snorkeling Tour:
$57
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Mayan Laser Tag Adventure at Chankanaab Park:
$65
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Discover Mexico & Chankanaab National Park Combo Tour:
$65
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Catamaran Snorkeling Tour with Open Bar and Lunch:
$67
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Cozumel...Your Tourist Guide:
$67
Tours and Activities in La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
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1 Day Espiritu Santo Island Wonders, Sea Lions and Paddleboard Adventure:
$390
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1-4 Private Group Rate Tour: Espiritu Santo Island, Sea Lions and Paddleboarding:
$739
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2 Days: Private Tour to Parque Nacional Sajama from La Paz:
$545
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2-Day Private Lake Titicaca and Sun Island Tour from La Paz:
$482
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4 Days Bolivia Private Luxury Tour with English Guide from La Paz Bolivia:
$1,538
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4 Days Bolivia: Group tour with English Guide from La Paz Bolivia:
$696
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4-Day Bolivian Amazon Pampas Adventure from La Paz:
$774
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5 Day Death Road + Uyuni Salt Flats Tour:
$442
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5-Day Bolivian Amazon Pampas Adventure from La Paz:
$729
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5-Day Uyuni Salt Flats and Desert Adventure from La Paz:
$492
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6 Days Private Best of Bolivia Tour from La Paz with Flights VIP:
$1,898
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6-Day Bolivia Private Tour: La Paz-Uyuni Salt Flats-Lake Titicaca-Tihuanacu:
$1,846
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Cozumel, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $7.46.
The average person spends about $8.19 on alcoholic beverages in La Paz per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and La Paz, we can see that La Paz 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 La Paz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Paz than you might in Cozumel.
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