A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mumbai vs. Cancun for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mumbai or Cancun?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mumbai or Cancun, 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: Mumbai or Cancun?

Mumbai

Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.

Cancun

In the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular destinations. The area that is now Cancun was actually selected specifically by the Mexican government for development as a tourist destination. The area was chosen because it has fourteen miles of beautiful white beaches, nearby Mayan ruins, and turquoise blue water with nearby snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Prior to its development as a tourist destination, there were few inhabitants in the area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun.


Which place is cheaper, Cancun or Mumbai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mumbai is $76, while the average daily cost in Cancun is $162. 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 Mumbai and Cancun in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mumbai $29
    Cancun $94
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mumbai $58
    Cancun $188
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Cancun

Looking for a hotel in Mumbai or Cancun? 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.

Hotels in Mumbai


Hotels in Cancun


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: Mumbai Hotel Prices and Cancun Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mumbai $6.44
    Cancun $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai

Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer to & fro Airports,Cruise Terminal,Hotels or any whichway, one way/time: $65
  • Private Transfer: Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $35
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai to your Accommodation in Pune: $22
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai to Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport: $42
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai hotels to Mumbai Cruise Port: $59
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Hotels: $59
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Hotels: $59
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Airport (BOM): $41
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai Cruise Port: $59
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai: $59
  • Private Transfer from Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport to Mumbai: $42
  • Private Transfer Mumbai Airport by Innova Crysta: $24

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cancun

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:


  • Taxi Around Town
    $1.61
  • Airport Shuttle (for 2)
    $13
  • Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)
    $16
  • Local Bus (for 2)
    $1.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cancun

Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Akumal One Way or Roundtrip Private Luxury Transfer: $291
  • Cancun Airport to Tulum Roundtrip Private Transfer: $290
  • Private Transfer Cancun Airport to Chiquilá Holbox Ferry: $281
  • Limo Transfer Airport Cancun - Puerto Morelos Hotel Zone: $279
  • Cancún Airport (CUN) to Tulum - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $263
  • Private Transfer roundtrip (Cancun Airport-Akumal): $259
  • Cancun VIP Roundtrip Private Airport Transfer to Hotel Zone: $259
  • Cancun Airport Private Transfer to Tulum (Round Trip): $250
  • Private Transfer from Cancún Airport (CUN) to Tulum: $240
  • Luxury Transfers in a Mercedes Maybach GLS 600: $232
  • Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $220
  • Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $220

Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Cancun?

Prices for flights to both Cancun and Mumbai 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mumbai $38
    Cancun $48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai

For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Mumbai Food Tour — 178 Years of Bombay on a Plate: $14
  • Private Street Food Tour with Mumbai Sightseeing Tour including AC vehicles: $19
  • Small Group Authentic Mumbai Virtual Cooking Class with Dessert: $20
  • Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
  • Mumbai Food Tour: $20
  • Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29
  • Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29
  • Experience Mumbai Street Food Tour: $36
  • Flavors of Mumbai Food Tour: $38
  • Mumbai Street Food Tour: $39
  • Mumbai Authentic Street Food Tour: $41
  • Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45

Typical Food Prices in Cancun

For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cancun

For Cancun, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Street Food Tour in  Cancun with a Local Guide: $61
  • Cancun Street Food Tour with Food Stalls, Local Market and Murals: $64
  • Tortilla Trails Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $69
  • Cancun Food Tour: Market 23, Local Flavors & Downtown Culture: $69
  • Salsa Streets Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $69
  • Cancun Food Tour - Taco Attack: Street Food & Tequila Tasting: $69
  • Cancun Historic Downtown Food Tour with 7+ Authentic Tastings: $76
  • Mexican Cooking Class with fresh Local Market ingredients selection and transpor: $79
  • Cancun Taco & Mexican Food Tour with Tequila Tasting: $79
  • Cancun Hands-On Mexican Cooking Class: $79
  • Pirate Night! Dinner, Fun and Show at Cancun Couples Special: $80
  • Couples Special Price! Cancun Pirate Show with Dinner & Drinks: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mumbai $2.33
    Cancun $34

Tours and Activities in Mumbai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.

  • "Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour": $43
  • 2-Hour Guided Tour of Dharavi: $22
  • 3 Days Chatrapati Shambaji Nagar Tour from Mumbai in Pvt Vehicle: $290
  • 3 Hours Early Morning in South Mumbai Heritage Bicycle Tour: $43
  • 3-Day Mumbai to Nashik, Ajanta and Ellora Tour with Car and Guide: $150
  • 7 Hour Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour By Navv Om Namaha Shivaya: $108
  • All in one Combo of City ,Slum,Dhobighat & Dabbawala tour: $77
  • All inclusive Elephanta Caves Guided Tour: $50
  • All-Inclusive Private Full-Day Mumbai Sights & Local Experiences: $163
  • Asia Largest Dharavi Slum Guided Tour: $16
  • Audio Guided Tour of Matunga & Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai: $6.14
  • Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cancun

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Seasick Pills
    $0.58
  • Whale Shark Tour (for 2)
    $98

Tours and Activities in Cancun

For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 Day ATV, Horse Ride, Ziplines and Cenote Adventure from Cancun: $40
  • 1 Day Tour to Bacalar, Cenotes and 7 color Lagoon with lunch from Cancun: $125
  • 1-Day Tour to Bacalar with Kayaking, Marmol Beach Club and Cenote: $119
  • 1-hour Clear Boat Tour in Nichupte Lagoon from Cancun: $23
  • 2 Day Deluxe Tour Tulum and Chichén Itzá: $120
  • 2 Islands Tour - Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen: $160
  • 2 in 1 Catamaran to Isla Mujeres Tour from Cancun with Open Bar: $50
  • 2-day tour: Isla Mujeres catamaran and Chichen Itzá: $119
  • 20 minutes Jet Pack flight experience in Cancun!: $119
  • 2x1 Tulum tour and Chichen Itza tour for 1 price in 2 days: $139
  • 3 Hidden Cenotes Experience & Puerto Morelos Reef Snorkeling: $89
  • 3 adrenaline activities Atvs Zipline and a swim experience in a cenote: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mumbai $3.23
    Cancun $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:

  • Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
  • South Bombay Pub Crawl: $34
  • Sula Vineyards Wine Tasting Day Trip from Mumbai by Train or Car: $131

Sample the Local Flavors in Cancun

Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bar Crawl Madness Tour in Cancun: $115


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mumbai and Cancun, we can see that Cancun is more expensive. And not only is Mumbai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mumbai is in Asia and Cancun 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 Mumbai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mumbai 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 Cancun would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cancun than you might in Mumbai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mumbai Expensive? and Is Cancun Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mumbai or Cancun?

Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cancun. When comparing the sizes of Mumbai and Cancun, 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.