Which place is cheaper, Tulum or La Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Plata 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 La Plata and Tulum can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Plata or Tulum?
La Plata
Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Plata $8.62Tulum $122
The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $8.62, 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 La Plata and Tulum in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Plata $3.47Tulum $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Plata $6.94Tulum $120
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Tulum
Looking for a hotel in La Plata 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: La Plata Hotel Prices and Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Plata $2.47Tulum $28
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:
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $210
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or Tulum?
Prices for flights to both Tulum and La Plata 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 dayLa Plata $3.37Tulum $34
Typical Food Prices in La Plata
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to La Plata:
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Ice Cream$0.01
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
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Plata $2.16Tulum $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in La Plata
For La Plata, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sciencias Naturales Museum Entrance Fee$0.01
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $90
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $99
- ATV Cenote and Zipline Adventure from Tulum: $119
- ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $137
- ATV Jungle Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote & Tulum Pickup: $75
- ATV Tour with Ziplines and Cenote Swim Experience in Quintana Roo: $59
- Adventure Tulum: $105
- Adventure in the Mayan Jungle with ATV and Zip Line in Tulum: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Plata $1.20Tulum $25
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Plata and Tulum, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is La Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Plata is in South America 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 La Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Plata 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum than you might in La Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Plata Expensive? and Is Tulum Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Plata or Tulum?
La Plata has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of La Plata 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 La Plata or Tulum?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. La Plata is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tulum has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit La Plata or Tulum in the Summer?
Both Tulum and La Plata during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Tulum in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, La Plata is generally cooler than Tulumin July. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 25°C (77°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Tulumin July. La Plata gets 191 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. La Plata usually gets less rain in January than Tulumin July. La Plata gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyLa Plata 25°C (77°F)Tulum 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Tulum in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Plata and Tulum. Furthermore, most visitors come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
La Plata is cooler than Tulum in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 18°C (65°F) in April, and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during autumn. La Plata gets 156 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 April, La Plata usually receives less rain than Tulumin October. La Plata gets 85 mm (3.3 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. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberLa Plata 18°C (65°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Tulum in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to La Plata as well as Tulum. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Tulum because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, La Plata is much colder than Tulum. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Plata in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Tulum averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. In the winter, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Tulumin January. La Plata gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun.
La Plata usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Tulumin January. La Plata gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLa Plata 12°C (53°F)Tulum 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Tulum in the Spring?
Both Tulum and La Plata are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.
In October, La Plata is generally much colder than Tulumin April. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 18°C (64°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Tulum. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during spring. La Plata gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in La Plata. In October, La Plata usually receives more rain than Tulumin April. La Plata gets 100 mm (3.9 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. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilLa Plata 18°C (64°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Tulum and La Plata
| La Plata | Tulum | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.