Which place is cheaper, Playa de las Americas or Lagos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lagos or Playa de las Americas?
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 Lagos and Playa de las Americas. 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: Lagos or Playa de las Americas?
Lagos
A coastal town in the south of Portugal, Lagos is known for its old world charm, plummeting cliffs, and Atlantic beaches. Many come to enjoy a full range of activities from beach-going and watersports to exploring cobbled streets lined with options for shopping and dining. Historic churches and castles add to the charm, as well as a clifftop lighthouse showing the way to Lagos for ships at sea.
Playa de las Americas
If you are looking to escape your life - to relax on a modern day pleasure island, then you need to book a trip to the Playa de las Americas resort town. Located on the south coast of Tenerife, this party, beach, and vacation capital never goes to sleep. Packed with nightclubs, bars, live music, shops and restaurants, Playa de las Americas is the stuff Hollywood movies are made of.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLagos €118Playa de las Americas €195
The average daily cost (per person) in Lagos is €118, while the average daily cost in Playa de las Americas is €195. 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 Lagos and Playa de las Americas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLagos €61Playa de las Americas €115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLagos €122Playa de las Americas €230
Compare Hotels in Lagos and Playa de las Americas
Looking for a hotel in Lagos or Playa de las Americas? 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: Lagos Hotel Prices and Playa de las Americas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lagos €31Playa de las Americas €56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lagos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lagos:
- Private Transfer: Faro/Lagos to Porto: $802
- Private Transfer: Seville to Lisbon: $615
- Private Transfer from Lisbon Airport Up to 8 pax: $487
- Private Transfer: Lagos to Lisbon: $428
- Private Transfer: Faro to Lisbon: $428
- Private Transfer: Albufeira to Lisbon: $396
- Private Transfer: Lagos to Seville: $374
- Private Transfer: Seville to Algarve (Faro district): $374
- Private Transfer: Seville to Lagos: $374
- Private Transfer: Faro/FAO to Seville: $353
- Private Transfer: Albufeira to Seville: $321
- Private Transfer from Quinta Falzina to Faro (FAO) Airport: $141
Is it cheaper to fly into Lagos or Playa de las Americas?
Prices for flights to both Playa de las Americas and Lagos 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 dayLagos €34Playa de las Americas €45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lagos
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lagos.
- Classic Food Tour - Lagos: $97
- Full-Day West Coast Adventure with Hiking, Sunset, Dinner & Wine : $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lagos €26Playa de las Americas €30
Tours and Activities in Lagos
Here are a few actual costs in Lagos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-hour Kayak Tour of Ponta da Piedade Caves and Beaches: $44
- 4x4 Off-road Algarve Natural Park West Coast Tour : $58
- Adventure to the Benagil Caves on a Family Friendly Catamaran - Start at Lagos: $39
- Algarve Private Tour: Sagres and Benagil from Lisbon: $834
- Algarve: Aljezur, Arrifana, and Costa Vicentina Private Tour: $144
- Algarve: Family photoshoot experience: $214
- Algarve: Lagos Sightseeing guided Tour with e-bikes: $63
- Algarve: Lagos sightseeing guided tour with E-bikes: $71
- Amado Beach Walking Tour: $55
- Benagil Caves- Speed Boat Tour: $44
- Boat Cruise to Algar de Benagil from Lagos: $39
- Captivating Corners of Lagos – Walking Tour: $395
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLagos €6.79Playa de las Americas €8.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Lagos
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lagos:
- Lagos Wine Tasting and Tapas: $44
- Small-Group Day Tour of Silves and Monchique with Wine Tasting: $86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lagos and Playa de las Americas, we can see that Playa de las Americas is more expensive. And not only is Lagos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lagos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lagos 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 Playa de las Americas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa de las Americas than you might in Lagos.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lagos Expensive? and Is Playa de las Americas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lagos or Playa de las Americas?
Lagos has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Playa de las Americas. When comparing the sizes of Lagos and Playa de las Americas, 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 Lagos or Playa de las Americas?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Lagos or Playa de las Americas in the Summer?
Both Playa de las Americas and Lagos during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lagos for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Lagos is around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lagos in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Lagos. Lagos usually gets more rain in July than Playa de las Americas. Lagos gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLagos 25°C (77°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Lagos or Playa de las Americas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lagos and Playa de las Americas. Many visitors come to Lagos in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Lagos is generally around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Lagos average around 26°C (79°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lagos usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Lagos gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLagos 26°C (79°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Lagos or Playa de las Americas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lagos as well as Playa de las Americas. Most visitors come to Lagos for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Lagos is a little warmer than Playa de las Americas in the winter. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Lagos usually gets less rain in January than Playa de las Americas. Lagos gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLagos 27°C (81°F)Playa de las Americas 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Lagos or Playa de las Americas in the Spring?
Both Playa de las Americas and Lagos are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Lagos because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Lagos is a little warmer than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lagos in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It's quite rainy in Lagos. In April, Lagos usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Lagos gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLagos 28°C (82°F)Playa de las Americas 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Lagos
| Lagos | Playa de las Americas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 29°C (84°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 316 mm (12.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.