Which place is cheaper, Tulum or Mandeville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mandeville or Tulum?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mandeville or Tulum? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Mandeville or Tulum?
Mandeville
Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.
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 dayMandeville $81Tulum $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $81, 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 Mandeville and Tulum in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandeville $38Tulum $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandeville $76Tulum $120
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Tulum
Looking for a hotel in Mandeville 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: Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandeville $31Tulum $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:
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Tulum?
Prices for flights to both Tulum and Mandeville 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 dayMandeville $24Tulum $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
- 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.Mandeville $8.31Tulum $32
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 dayMandeville $6.51Tulum $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 Mandeville and Tulum, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Mandeville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands 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 Mandeville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandeville 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 Mandeville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandeville Expensive? and Is Tulum Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Tulum?
Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville 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 Mandeville or Tulum?
Tulum has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mandeville experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mandeville or Tulum in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Tulum. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Mandeville is generally around the same temperature as Tulum. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 29°C (83°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the summer, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Tulum. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tulum. Mandeville usually gets less rain in July than Tulum. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 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 JulyMandeville 29°C (83°F)Tulum 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Tulum in the Autumn?
Both Tulum and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Tulum because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Mandeville is around the same temperature as Tulum in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Tulum. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Tulum during autumn. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. It's quite rainy in Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Tulum. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMandeville 28°C (82°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Tulum in the Winter?
Both Tulum and Mandeville during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.
In the winter, Mandeville is a little warmer than Tulum. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mandeville in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Tulum averages at about 23°C (74°F).
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the winter, Mandeville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tulum. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun.
Mandeville usually gets more rain in January than Tulum. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 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 JanuaryMandeville 26°C (79°F)Tulum 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Tulum in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Tulum. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Also, many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Mandeville is generally around the same temperature as Tulum. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (80°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during spring. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Tulum. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMandeville 26°C (80°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Tulum and Mandeville
| Mandeville | Tulum | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 104 mm (4.1 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.