Which place is cheaper, Tulum or Dar es Salaam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Tulum?
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 Dar es Salaam and Tulum can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Tulum?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
-
Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesTulum Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $463Tulum $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $463, while the average daily cost in Tulum is $135. 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 Dar es Salaam and Tulum in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $424Tulum $55
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $848Tulum $110
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Tulum
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Tulum? 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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices and Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Tulum $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zanzibar Airport Shared Taxi Transfer to Any Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $50
- Half-Day City Tour with Transfers: $59
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Private Airport Transfers in Dar: $60
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
- Transfer from dar es salaam to morogoro: $203
- Dar es Salaam Aya Sophia Wildlife, Beach, Lunch and Transfers: $217
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
-
Scooter Rental$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Tulum Airport: One-Way or Roundtrip Private Transfer: $302
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Chetumal With a 2 Hour Stop: $286
- Tulum to Cancun Airport Private Departure Transfer with Beer: $275
- Private Roundtrip Transfer from Tulum Airport to Tulum Hotels: $270
- Luxury SUV Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport: $261
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Mahahual With a 2 Hour Stop: $259
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $251
- Luxury Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $250
- Private Transfer Tulum to Mérida with Flexible Stops: $247
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $241
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Tulum Hotels to Merida Rejon Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $207
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Tulum?
Prices for flights to both Tulum and Dar es Salaam 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 dayDar es Salaam $31Tulum $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dar es Salaam
For Dar es Salaam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dar es Salaam Old Town Walking and Food Tour With Transfers: $70
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
-
Lunch$2.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Salsa Class,Mezcalita Workshop & Mexican Dinner: $86
- Mexican Cooking Class with Tacos, Ceviche and Margaritas in Tulum: $95
- Temazcal Mayan Ritual, Cenote, Yucatecan Dinner from Tulum: $149
- Private Authentic Mayan Cooking Class with Tulum Hotel Transfers: $280
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more): $299
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Tulum $29
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Dar es Salaam Walking Tour Old Town, History and Hidden Gems: $15
- Nightlife and Local Food Experience in Dar es Salaam: $20
- Dar es Salaam Swahili City Walking Tour: $25
- Dar es Salaam Masaki Walking Tuk-Tuk Fish Market & Sunset Tour: $30
- Dar es Salaam City Tour: Experience & Insights Tanzanian culture: $41
- Private Sinda Island Tour Snorkeling Swimming and Nature Walk: $65
- Private Mbudya Island Retreat Adventure from Dar Es Salaam: $82
- Zanzibar Spice Farm and Stone Town Tour: $90
- Dar es Salaam Full-Day City Tour and Tanzanian Food Experience: $90
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
- Dar es Salaam City Tour & 360 Degree Revolving Dining Experience: $99
- Dar es Salaam City Walking tour - Explore the Life of the Local People!: $100
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- 5 Cenotes Half Day Experience Riviera Maya Cliff Jumping: $40
- ATV Cenote and Zipline Adventure from Tulum: $129
- ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $156
- ATV cenote tour Tulum – Mayan Jungle ATV & Cavern Experience: $98
- Adrenaline ATV Cenote and Zip Lines Experience at Tulum: $25
- Adventure at Chichen Itza! Cenote and Valladolid from Tulum City: $98
- Akumal Bay: Swim with Sea Turtles and Cenote Private Tour: $180
- Akumal Private Tour: Turtles, Coral Reef, Cenote, Beach, Lunch: $203
- Akumal: Cenote and Swimming with Turtles Half-Day Tour from Tulum: $100
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Authentic Gastronomic Mexican Food Experience in Downtown Tulum: $61
- Authentic Mexican Tacos Flavors and 5th Av Tour: $129
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.49Tulum $23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Tulum, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Tulum is in North 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 Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Tulum.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Tulum Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Tulum?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 320 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Tulum, 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.
When is the best time to visit Dar es Salaam or Tulum?
Tulum has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dar es Salaam experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Tulum in the Summer?
Both Tulum and Dar es Salaam during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Tulum in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Dar es Salaam is cooler than Tulum in the summer. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Tulum fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the summer, Dar es Salaam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tulum. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun.
Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Tulum. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Tulum 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Tulum in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Tulum. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Also, most visitors come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Tulum. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dar es Salaam in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Tulum averages at about 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Tulum during autumn. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Tulum. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Tulum in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Tulum. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Tulum because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Dar es Salaam is generally a little warmer than Tulum. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 28°C (82°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the winter, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Tulum. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Tulum. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Tulum 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Tulum in the Spring?
Both Tulum and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Tulum in the spring. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Tulum. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during spring. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Dar es Salaam. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Tulum. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Tulum and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Tulum | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
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.