Which place is cheaper, Salento or Cozumel?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cozumel or Salento?
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 Salento can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cozumel or Salento?
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.
Salento
Founded in 1850, Salento is one of the oldest towns in Quindio. This colonial Colombian town has retained much of its old world charm, with its colorful buildings, large square and, of course, the obligatory church. Because the main route between Cali and Bogota which used to pass through Salento was diverted, the town didn't develop as quickly as others in the Quindio region. This gave Salento the opportunity to evolve into a thriving community of craftsmen and artisans as well as remaining one of the region's most prolific coffee producers. Salento is located 24 km northeast of the departmental capital Armenia. However, unlike its colorful neighbor, Armenia itself has very little to offer tourists. Salento attracts those wishing to learn about the coffee regions and for those who simply admire breathtaking scenery, and especially the stunning Cocora Valley.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCozumel $118Salento $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $118, while the average daily cost in Salento is $33. 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 Salento in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCozumel $70Salento $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCozumel $140Salento $22
Compare Hotels in Cozumel and Salento
Looking for a hotel in Cozumel or Salento? 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 Salento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cozumel $23Salento $14
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salento
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salento:
- Pereira Airport Private Transfer Service: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or Salento?
Prices for flights to both Salento 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 $24Salento $9.56
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 Salento
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salento.
- Cooking Stories - Cocinando Historias: $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cozumel $44Salento $12
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 Salento
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salento are as follows:
- Book a Private Tourist Guide through the Coffee Region: $139
- Cocoa and Coffee Farm Tours from Pereira or Armenia: $185
- Cocora Valley and Salento Hike Tour: $79
- Cocora Valley and Salento Horseback Riding Day Tour: $137
- Cocora Valley, Salento and Coffee Farm Day Tour : $124
- Cocora, Salento and Filandia Tour: $100
- Coffe Experience: Daily departure from Salento: $89
- Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour with Lunch: $87
- Coffee Tour and Salento Walking Tour with lunch: $94
- Coffee tour in the heart of the coffee region: $28
- Filandia and Salento Coffee Towns Tour: $62
- Filandia and Salento Coffee Towns Tour: $105
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCozumel $11Salento $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and Salento, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is Salento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cozumel is in North America and Salento 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 Salento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salento 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 Salento.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cozumel Expensive? and Is Salento Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Salento?
Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Salento. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel and Salento, 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.