Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Cozumel?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cozumel or Paracas?
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 Paracas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cozumel or Paracas?
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.
Paracas
Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCozumel $118Paracas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $118, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $63. 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 Paracas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCozumel $70Paracas $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCozumel $140Paracas $44
Compare Hotels in Cozumel and Paracas
Looking for a hotel in Cozumel or Paracas? 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: Cozumel Hotel Prices and Paracas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cozumel $23Paracas $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $93
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel Island Hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Island Transfers: $70
- Cozumel Island hotels to Cozumel Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport CZM Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Private Airport Transfer: $150
- Cozumel to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM)Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $30
- Cuban Cigar Master Class & Beach Break® with transfer: $153
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- Private Transfer From Paracas To Lima With 2 Stops: $175
- Direct Private Transfer From Paracas to Lima, English Speaking Driver: $163
- Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
- Private Transfer from Pisko Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $87
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $87
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $87
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $78
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $78
- Oneway Transfer from San Juan Airport, Hotel, Airbnb to Bayamon: $60
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or Paracas?
Prices for flights to both Paracas 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
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Food Meals for one dayCozumel $24Paracas $23
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 Food Tour: $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paracas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paracas.
- From Lima:Paracas,Ica and cooking class Ceviche semi-private: $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cozumel $44Paracas $25
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
- 1 Hour and Half Private Tropical Fitness Experience in Cozumel: $6.03
- Cozumel!! Guacamole And Margarita Fiesta!!! ( Virtual Experience): $12
- Skip the Line: Admission Ticket to El Cedral Town and Mayan Temple: $16
- 2 Hour Discover Mermaid Experience : $20
- Cozumel El Cielo 3x1 Reefs Tour: $29
- Clear Boat & Snorkel Cozumel Tour with Drinks: $37
- Amazing Cozumel Buggy Adventure with Snorkeling Tequila and More: $39
- Cozumel Buggy Adventure: Snorkeling and Tequila Tasting: $40
- Off Road Adventure with ATVs and El Cedral Ruins: $40
- Cozumel Beach Horseback Riding Tour: $40
- VIP Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkeling 3 Reefs Tour: $40
- Guided Day Tour in Cozumel on a Clear Boat and Electric Scooter: $41
Tours and Activities in Paracas
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hour Tour to the Ballestas Islands from Puerto San Martín: $49
- 2D: Tour Ica, Huacachina, Sandboarding, Ballestas Islands: $215
- 4-Hour Guided Tour Paracas National Reserve: $20
- 7-Hours Tour in Paracas National Reserve with Pickup: $38
- ATV Tour Adventure in Reserva Nacional de Paracas: $45
- Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $26
- Ballestas Islands Group Tour from San Martin Port: $50
- Ballestas Islands Sightseeing Boat Ride from Paracas: $24
- Ballestas Islands Tour: $24
- Ballestas Islands Tour - Paracas: $25
- Ballestas Islands Tour for passengers of the Puerto San Martin Cruise: $32
- Ballestas Islands Tour from Puerto San Martin Cruise: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCozumel $11Paracas $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and Paracas, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is Paracas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cozumel is in North America and Paracas is in South 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 Paracas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paracas 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel than you might in Paracas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cozumel Expensive? and Is Paracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Paracas?
Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel and Paracas, 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.