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

Should you visit Cozumel or Valdivia?

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 Valdivia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Cozumel or Valdivia?

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.

Valdivia

Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Valdivia 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 Valdivia is $69. 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 Valdivia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cozumel $70
    Valdivia $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cozumel $140
    Valdivia $80
Compare Hotels in Cozumel and Valdivia

Looking for a hotel in Cozumel or Valdivia? 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 Valdivia


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 Valdivia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cozumel $23
    Valdivia $8.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel

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

  • Cuban Cigar Master Class & Beach Break® with transfer: $153
  • Cozumel Private Airport Transfer: $150
  • Private Transfer from Cozumel Airport: $110
  • ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $93
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) Cozumel - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $87
  • Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel Island Hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
  • Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
  • Wild Jade Cavern Private ATV Tour With Transfer: $86
  • Cozumel Island Transfers: $70
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $44
  • Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $44
  • Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport CZM Departure Private Transfer: $44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valdivia

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

  • Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or Valdivia?

Prices for flights to both Valdivia 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
    Valdivia $21

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cozumel $44
    Valdivia $13

Tours and Activities in Cozumel

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

  • Island Tour With Private Driver : $56
  • 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: $6.03
  • 15-minute Private Parasailing Experience in Cozumel: $69
  • 2 Hour Discover Mermaid Experience : $20
  • 2 Hour Diving Experience in San Miguel de Cozumel: $88
  • 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
  • A Pirate's Adventure in Cozumel with Captain Draco : $80
  • A snorkeling adventure in a glass-bottom boat at Cozumel's reef.: $70

Tours and Activities in Valdivia

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

  • Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia : $76
  • Valdivia SUP Cruises for 6 People with Transportation Included: $35
  • Private City Tour: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cozumel $11
    Valdivia $4.79


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and Valdivia, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is Valdivia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cozumel is in North America and Valdivia 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 Valdivia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valdivia 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 Valdivia.

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


Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Valdivia?

Valdivia has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Cozumel. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel and Valdivia, 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.