Which place is cheaper, Tulum or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or Tulum?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Tulum, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kingston or Tulum?
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Tulum $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Tulum is $122. 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 Kingston and Tulum in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Tulum $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Tulum $120
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Tulum
Looking for a hotel in Kingston 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Tulum $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
- Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
- Private Transfer to/from Kingston Airport: $42
- Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
- Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
- Kingston International Airport Jamaica - Private Arrival or Depature transfer : $73
- Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from Kingston Hotels to Montego Bay Cruise Port: $118
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $118
- 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Chetumal City to Chetumal Airport CTM Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- EV Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport: $135
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Chetumal With a 2 Hour Stop: $217
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $211
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Private Transfer: Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN in SUV: $138
- Private transfer from Cancun airpot to Tulum up to 7 persons: $191
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Tulum?
Prices for flights to both Tulum and Kingston 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 dayKingston $27Tulum $34
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Tulum Vegan Food Tour: $90
- Gourmet Experience: 5 Course Dinner, Cocktail Class and Wine Pairing: $159
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private Mayan Food Cooking Class and Cenote: $289
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Tulum $32
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Montego Bay: All inclusive tours: $30
- Cannabis Shopping Tour with Lunch: $50
- Ocho Rios Shore Excursion: Bus Tour of Ocho Rios, Fern Gully and Turtle Beach: $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Tour a Jamaican Farm: $70
- Kingston Half Day Community and Art Tour: $70
- Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston): $72
- Shared Tour: Irie Blue Hole & Secret Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $73
- Friday Evening Kingston Harbour Cruise, Sunday Beach Cruise or Charter Our Boats: $75
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $81
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.29
- Skip-the-line Admission Ticket to Tulum Archaeological Zone: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
- Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
- Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
- Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Tulum Mural Tours: $36
- Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Tulum $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When comparing the travel costs between Kingston and Tulum, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Tulum is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Tulum Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Tulum?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Kingston 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 Kingston or Tulum?
Tulum has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kingston experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kingston or Tulum in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Tulum. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as Tulum. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Tulum averages at about 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Tulum during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Tulum. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Tulum 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Tulum in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Tulum. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Tulum. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the autumn, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tulum. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tulum. Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Tulum. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Tulum in the Winter?
Both Tulum and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kingston is a little warmer than Tulum in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Tulum fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
It's quite sunny in Tulum. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Tulum during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Tulum. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Tulum 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Tulum in the Spring?
Both Tulum and Kingston during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kingston is around the same temperature as Tulum. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Tulum averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the spring, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Tulum. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Tulum. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Tulum and Kingston
| Kingston | Tulum | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.