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

Should you visit Mumbai or Tulum?

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

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

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.

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 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Tulum 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 Tulum is $140. 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 Tulum in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mumbai $29
    Tulum $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mumbai $58
    Tulum $114
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Tulum

Looking for a hotel in Mumbai 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.

Hotels in Mumbai


Hotels in Tulum


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 Tulum Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mumbai $6.44
    Tulum $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai

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

  • Mumbai Airport Transfer: $12
  • Mumbai Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $20
  • Mumbai Airport Transfer to Hotel with a Private Transport: $20
  • Mumbai Private Airport Transfer to Hotel Easy & Safe: $23
  • Mumbai Airport BOM Private Transfer to Mumbai City Central/Hotels: $24
  • Private Transfer Mumbai Airport by Innova Crysta: $24
  • Mumbai After Dark: Private Night Tour with AC Transfers: $25
  • Mumbai Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $26
  • Mumbai Airport Transfer to and from Hotel: $31
  • One way Private transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $37
  • Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
  • Mumbai - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport: $39

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:

  • Tulum Airport: One-Way or Roundtrip Private Transfer: $302
  • Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $244
  • Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
  • Private Luxury SUV Transfers from Tulum Airport: $206
  • Tulum Archaeological Zone: Cenote, Lunch & Transfer: $203
  • Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $194
  • Private transfer from Cancun airpot to Tulum up to 7 persons: $191
  • One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $180
  • Round Trip Transfer from Tulum Airport to Hotels: $166
  • Tulum Archaeological Zone and El Jaguar Park, with Transfer and Lunch: $163
  • Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport – Safe & Comfortable: $158
  • Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $155

Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Tulum?

Prices for flights to both Tulum 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
    Tulum $57

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
  • Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
  • Mumbai Food Tour: $20
  • Mumbai Street Food Tour: Taste the City's Best Local Flavors: $25
  • 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
  • Lights, Flavour, Action- A Story-Driven Food Tour: $31
  • Experience Mumbai Street Food Tour: $36
  • Mumbai Authentic Street Food Tour: $41
  • Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
  • Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Mumbai in a Local Home: $49
  • Private Authentic Bengali Cooking Class & Market Tour in Mumbai: $52

Typical Food Prices in Tulum

Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:


  • Lunch
    $2.86

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.

  • Salsa Class,Mezcalita Workshop & Mexican Dinner: $87
  • Yucatecan cooking class with a local chef in Tulum: $89
  • Tortilla & Taco Cooking Class – Mexican Cuisine from scratch: $93
  • Tulum Vegan Food Tour: $96
  • Mexican Cooking from Scratch in a Local Home in Tulum: $100
  • Mexican Cooking class experience in Tulum: $138
  • Private Authentic Mayan Cooking Class with Tulum Hotel Transfers: $280
  • Private Mayan Food Cooking Class, Cenote and Coba Ruins: $289
  • Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more): $299

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mumbai $2.33
    Tulum $30

Tours and Activities in Mumbai

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

  • Dharavi Slum tour in Mumbai by local resident: $4.30
  • Private Mumbai City Tour + Dharavi Slum Slumdog Millionaire Tour: $4.30
  • Mumbai Self-Guided Walking City Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
  • Mumbai Malabar Self-Guided Walking City Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
  • Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32
  • Elephanta Caves Audio Guided Walking Tour, Mumbai on HopOn India App: $5.34
  • Audio Guided Tour – Mumbai Cricket Walk by HopOn India: $5.34
  • Mumbai's Historical Architecture: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
  • From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $5.64
  • Audio Guided Tour of Matunga & Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai: $6.14
  • Dharavi Slum Tour in Untold Stories with Local Guide: $6.44
  • Best Slum Tour Dharavi Small Group with a Local: $6.98

Tours and Activities in Tulum

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:

  • 2 Cenotes Guided Snorkeling Adventure in Tulum: $149
  • 2 Cenotes Private Tour – VIP Adventure with Expert Guide: $175
  • 2 tanks Cenote Diving Adventure in Tulum for Certified Divers: $200
  • ATV Cenote and Zipline Adventure from Tulum: $129
  • ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $151
  • ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $156
  • Adventure at Chichen Itza! Cenote and Valladolid from Tulum City: $98
  • Akumal Private Tour: Turtles, Coral Reef, Cenote, Beach, Lunch: $203
  • Authentic Mexican Tacos Flavors and 5th Av Tour: $129
  • Azulik Uh May Ticket Pass: $82
  • Bacalar Full day Experience Kayacs from Tulum: $138
  • Birdwatching in Sian Ka´an Muyil from Tulum - Shared Group Tour: $119

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mumbai $3.24
    Tulum $24

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mumbai and Tulum, we can see that Tulum 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 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 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 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 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 Tulum Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mumbai or Tulum?

Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 1510 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Mumbai 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 Mumbai or Tulum?

Tulum has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mumbai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Mumbai or Tulum in the Summer?

Both Tulum and Mumbai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mumbai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Mumbai is around the same temperature as Tulum in the summer. The daily temperature in Mumbai averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Tulum fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Mumbai often gets less sunshine than Tulum. Mumbai gets 73 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mumbai. Mumbai usually gets more rain in July than Tulum. Mumbai gets 640 mm (25.2 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mumbai 28°C (82°F) 
    Tulum 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Mumbai or Tulum in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mumbai and Tulum. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mumbai year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Mumbai is around the same temperature as Tulum. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mumbai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Tulum averages at about 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In Mumbai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mumbai usually receives more sunshine than Tulum during autumn. Mumbai gets 240 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 October, Mumbai usually receives less rain than Tulum. Mumbai gets 90 mm (3.5 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mumbai 29°C (84°F) 
    Tulum 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Mumbai or Tulum in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mumbai as well as Tulum. Mumbai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Mumbai is generally around the same temperature as Tulum. Daily temperatures in Mumbai average around 24°C (75°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mumbai this time of the year. In the winter, Mumbai often gets more sunshine than Tulum. Mumbai gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun.

Mumbai usually gets less rain in January than Tulum. Mumbai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mumbai 24°C (75°F) 
    Tulum 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Mumbai or Tulum in the Spring?

Both Tulum and Mumbai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mumbai throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Mumbai is around the same temperature as Tulum in the spring. The daily temperature in Mumbai averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, 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 Mumbai. Mumbai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tulum during spring. Mumbai gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mumbai usually receives less rain than Tulum. Mumbai gets 10 mm (0.4 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mumbai 29°C (84°F) 
    Tulum 27°C (81°F)

Typical Weather for Tulum and Mumbai

Mumbai Tulum
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (78°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 560 mm (22 in) 29°C (83°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 640 mm (25.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 520 mm (20.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (74°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)