Which place is cheaper, Roatan or Cozumel?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cozumel or Roatan?
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 Roatan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cozumel or Roatan?
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.
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCozumel $118Roatan $38
The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $118, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $38. 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 Roatan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCozumel $70Roatan $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCozumel $140Roatan $22
Compare Hotels in Cozumel and Roatan
Looking for a hotel in Cozumel or Roatan? 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 Roatan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cozumel $23Roatan $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $30
- Cozumel to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM)Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer from Cozumel hotels to Cozumel Cruise Port: $44
- Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport CZM Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Island hotels to Cozumel Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Island Transfers: $70
- Wild Jade Cavern Private ATV Tour With Transfer: $86
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel Island Hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
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Water Taxi$4.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- Roatan Buggy Adventure, Snorkeling, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
- Roatan Buggy Adventure, Monkey & Sloth Park, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
- North Side Blue Channel & Starfish Snorkeling, 20min JetSki, Transfer Included: $165
- Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $142
- Horseback Riding, Beach with Palapa and Transfer: $130
- East Sightseeing, Mangrove Tunnel Snorkel, Hole in the Wall, with Transfer: $130
- Parasailing adventure with round trip transfers included: $130
- South Side Horseback Riding, Beach Break & Roundway Transfer: $120
- Roatan Special Catamaran for Cruise Ship Passengers plus Transfer: $113
- Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $110
- Transfers, Zip Line and Monkey Park: $110
- Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or Roatan?
Prices for flights to both Roatan 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 $24Roatan $9.43
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 Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Tiki Boat Sunset Cruise in Roatan with Snorkeling and Dinner : $100
- Cooking classes from a Local!: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cozumel $44Roatan $27
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 Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Mangrove cruise garífuna Culture sightseeing and Lunch : $89
- Shore Excursion: VIP Island City Tour and Drift Snorkel : $60
- Shore Excursion: Zip & Dip Adventure: $69
- Sloths Sanctuary/Monkeys Play + Dune Buggy/ATV Adventure & Private Beach Resort: $139
- 2 Hour Zip Lining Private Tour in Mahogany Bay: $65
- 4-Hour East Side Roatan Private Guided Tour with Canoe Ride: $120
- ATV Safari and Horseback Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $110
- Adventures of Roatan ATV Pineapple beach break: $120
- Animal Sightings and Walking Tour at Gumbalimba Park with Addons: $90
- Atv Island Tour: $85
- Cruise Excursion – 2 Scuba Dives with transport (for certified divers): $175
- Cruise Ship Family Sloth & Monkeys, West Tour, Beach plus Private Vehicle: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCozumel $11Roatan $7.07
Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and Roatan, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cozumel is in North America and Roatan is in Central 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cozumel Expensive? and Is Roatan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Roatan?
Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel and Roatan, 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.