Which place is cheaper, Tulum or Mar del Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mar del 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 Mar del Plata and Tulum can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Tulum?
Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.
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 Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMar del Plata $8.78Tulum $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $8.78, while the average daily cost in Tulum is $116. 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 Mar del Plata and Tulum in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $3.15Tulum $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $6.30Tulum $120
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Tulum
Looking for a hotel in Mar del 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: Mar del Plata Hotel Prices and Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $2.50Tulum $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 Mar del Plata or Tulum?
Prices for flights to both Tulum and Mar del 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 dayMar del Plata $3.81Tulum $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.Mar del Plata $2.27Tulum $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 dayMar del Plata $1.78Tulum $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 Mar del Plata and Tulum, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mar del 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 Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del 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 Mar del Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mar del Plata Expensive? and Is Tulum Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Tulum?
Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Mar del 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 Mar del 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. Mar del 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 Mar del Plata or Tulum in the Summer?
Both Tulum and Mar del Plata during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Tulum in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Mar del Plata is cooler than Tulum in the summer. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 20°C (69°F) in January, and Tulum fluctuates around 28°C (83°F)in July.
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mar del Plata. In the summer, Mar del Plata often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tulumin July. Mar del Plata gets 221 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. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in January than Tulumin July. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 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 JulyMar del Plata 20°C (69°F)Tulum 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Tulum in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Tulum. Also, most visitors come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Mar del Plata is much colder than Tulum. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mar del Plata in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Tulum averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Tulumin October. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 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. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMar del Plata 15°C (59°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Tulum in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Tulum. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Tulum because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In July, Mar del Plata is generally much colder than Tulumin January. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 9°C (47°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in July than Tulumin January. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 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 JanuaryMar del Plata 9°C (47°F)Tulum 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Tulum in the Spring?
Both Tulum and Mar del 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.
Mar del Plata is much colder than Tulum in the spring. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Tulum. Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during spring. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Tulumin April. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 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. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMar del Plata 13°C (56°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Tulum and Mar del Plata
| Mar del Plata | Tulum | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (69°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (47°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (49°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 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.