Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Isla Mujeres?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Isla Mujeres or Medellin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Isla Mujeres and Medellin. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Isla Mujeres or Medellin?
Isla Mujeres
About eight miles from the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Mujeres is an island in the Mexican Caribbean Sea. The town, of the same name, has a population of about 13,000. Tourism has grown in the area since the 1970s and today it is a significant part of the island's economy. As such, there are plenty of amenities that cater specifically to visitors. The island's proximity to Cuba make it a common transit point for Cubans in route to the United States.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Isla Mujeres Prices
Mexico PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIsla Mujeres $162Medellin $36
The average daily cost (per person) in Isla Mujeres is $162, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $36. 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 Isla Mujeres and Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIsla Mujeres $70Medellin $5.72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIsla Mujeres $140Medellin $11
Compare Hotels in Isla Mujeres and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Isla Mujeres or Medellin? 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: Isla Mujeres Hotel Prices and Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Isla Mujeres $31Medellin $4.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Isla Mujeres
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Isla Mujeres:
- Punta Sam / Isla Blanca to Cancún Airport (CUN)- Departure Private Transfer: $59
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Medellin Airport (EOH) to Medellin - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
- Medellin to Medellin Airport (MDE) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Medellín Private Transfer: José María Córdova Airport: $34
- Private Airport Transfer: $35
- Medellín: José María Córdova Airport Private Transfer: $36
- Medellin Airport (EOH) to Medellin - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Private Airport Transfer in Medellín: Arrival Service: $43
- Medellín Airport Private Transfer Service (Departure): $43
- Medellín Private Transfer from Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport to Medellín City: $46
- Pereira to or from Salento Private Transfer: $47
- Private Airport Transfer: $48
- Night-time Private transfer service from or to Medellín Airport: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Isla Mujeres or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin and Isla Mujeres 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 dayIsla Mujeres $71Medellin $20
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $14
- 4hr Cooking Class in Medellín with Traditional Recipes and Drinks: $29
- Medellin El Poblado Street Food Tour: $34
- Empanada Cooking Class with Local Chef - Comuna 13: $34
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $44
- Laureles Food Tour: $45
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $48
- Medellin Food Tour in Laureles: $54
- Medellin Private Nighttime City Sightseeing Tour by E-Bike + Gourmet Dinner: $59
- Medellín: Street Food Tour with Local Tastings: $62
- Medellín: Empanada-Making Small-Group Cooking Class: $63
- Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Isla Mujeres $18Medellin $15
Tours and Activities in Isla Mujeres
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla Mujeres are as follows:
- Tour Isla Mujeres excursion in Collective Transparent Boat: $37
- Crystal Boat Tour to Isla Mujeres and Reefs: $38
- Excursion Crystal Boat Tour at the Caribbean: $41
- Transparent Boat Tour Isla Mujeres and Underwater Sightseeing: $52
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Adventure at the Underwater Museum: $59
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour Adventure: $63
- Snorkeling tour at 3 spots, Underwater Museum and reefs!: $70
- Snorkeling Adventure at Isla Mujeres Underwater MUSA & more: $74
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour: $82
- 3 Hours VIP Semiprivate Tour Isla Mujeres Full Snorkeling Experience: $88
- MUSA and the Manchones Reef: 2 Tank Dive Tour: $125
- Whale Shark Snorkeling Adventure in Isla Mujeres Season May-Sept.: $136
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Fly over Medellín Metrocable: Transformation Tour: $10
- Medellín: Explore Downtown And Live The Real City Experience: $12
- Entry Ticket to the Museum of Modern Art of Medellin: $12
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour with Snacks and a Local Guide: $13
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Local History Tour with Graffiti & Snack: $13
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour With Local Snacks Included: $13
- Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour| Local Guide & Historia & Street Food: $14
- Virtual Tour: Colonial Santa Fe de Antioquia: $14
- Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with a Local & Artisan Ice Cream ⭐: $14
- Full Comuna 13 Tour: Graffiti, History and the Famous Comuna 13 Ice Cream: $14
- Medellin Historic Walking Tour: $15
- Medellin Commune 13 Historic Tour With Snacks and Drinks: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIsla Mujeres $23Medellin $8.68
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- The Medellin Pub Crawl: $20
- The "Beyond Local Pub Crawl" Now in Medellín!: $24
- The "Beyond Local Pub Crawl" Now in Medellín!: $25
- Medellín Pub Crawl in Poblado with 5 Drinks and Bilingual Hosts: $29
- VIP Pub Crawl & Nightclubs in Provenza: $30
- Medellín: Pub crawl in Provenza, music, dancing, and shots: $30
- Medellin Private Bar Crawl with private transportation: $138
- Night Out Gay Bar Crawl in Medellin: $150
- Medellin Pub Crawl with transport Including Food and City Tour: $166
- Medellín: San Francisco Wine Tour with Tastings & Lunch: $332
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Isla Mujeres and Medellin, we can see that Isla Mujeres is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Isla Mujeres is in North America and Medellin 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 Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Isla Mujeres would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Isla Mujeres than you might in Medellin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Isla Mujeres Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Isla Mujeres or Medellin?
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Isla Mujeres. When comparing the sizes of Isla Mujeres and Medellin, 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.