Which place is cheaper, Playa del Carmen or Nadi (Port Denarau)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Nadi (Port Denarau) or Playa del Carmen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nadi (Port Denarau) or Playa del Carmen, 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: Nadi (Port Denarau) or Playa del Carmen?
Nadi (Port Denarau)
Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
Fiji PricesPlaya del Carmen Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNadi (Port Denarau) $199Playa del Carmen $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $199, while the average daily cost in Playa del Carmen is $88. 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) and Playa del Carmen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNadi (Port Denarau) $107Playa del Carmen $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNadi (Port Denarau) $214Playa del Carmen $70
Compare Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau) and Playa del Carmen
Looking for a hotel in Nadi (Port Denarau) or Playa del Carmen? 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: Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices and Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.86Playa del Carmen $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):
- (Private Transfer) Nadi Airport to The Marriot Momi Bay Resort: $28
- Airport Transfers: $71
- Arrival Shared Transfer : Airport to Hotel: $38
- CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Hotel: $15
- CFC APPROVED Private Departure Transfer - Fiji Marriott Resort, to Nadi Airport: $28
- CFC APPROVED Private Departure Transfer - Outrigger or Bedarra to Nadi Airport: $41
- CFC APPROVED Private Departure Transfer - Sofitel Resort Denarau to Nadi Airport: $15
- CFC APPROVED Private Departure Transfer - Westin Resort, Denarau to Nadi Airport: $15
- CFC APPROVED Private Roundtrip Transfer -Nadi Airport to All Maui Bay Properties: $71
- CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Maui Bay Properties: $44
- CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Outrigger & Bedarra Inn: $41
- CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Radisson Blu Resort: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Private Transfer Cancun Airport: $11
- One way shared transfer to Chiquila: $34
- Playa del Carmen to Cancun private transfer, option to stop: $60
- CUN Airport One-Way/Round-Trip Transfers to Playa del Carmen: $60
- Cancun Airport: Private Transfer to/from Akumal Hotels: $61
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- One Way Transfer Costa Mujeres ↔ Xcaret Xailing/Ultramar Ferry: $69
- From One way shared transfer to Holbox: $69
- Cancun Airport: Private Transfers: From/to Playa del Carmen: $70
- Round trip Private Transfer Cancun -Costa Mujeres/ Playa Mujeres: $71
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $80
- Private Airport Transfer to Playa Del Carmen: $82
Is it cheaper to fly into Nadi (Port Denarau) or Playa del Carmen?
Prices for flights to both Playa del Carmen and Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 dayNadi (Port Denarau) $70Playa del Carmen $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nadi (Port Denarau).
- Capt Cook Cruises Super Saver Combo: Day Sail + Dinner Cruise: $201
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $55
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour and Local Tastes: $57
- Carmen Cocina Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $65
- Playa Plates Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $65
- Flavors of Playa del Carmen, Mexican Food Tour: $67
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Drinks: $77
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $78
- Playa del Carmen Food Tour Discover Hidden Mexican Culinary Gems: $80
- Playa del Carmen Food Tour with 8+ Authentic Yucatan Dishes: $81
- Food Tour Through Markets with 7 Tastings: $82
- Playa del Camen Vegan Mexican Food Tour: $84
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nadi (Port Denarau) $32Playa del Carmen $15
Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:
- Kava Factory Tour and Flavored Kava Tasting Experience: $55
- Sabeto Waterfall Tour (Nadi): $59
- Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool Tour: $74
- Cultural Night Tour: $80
- Private Tour: Hot spings & Sleeping Giant Garden hiking Adventure: $80
- Finding Nemo - Half Day Cruise to South Sea Island: $82
- Nadi Heritage Tour: $83
- Nadi Sightseeing Include Viseisei Village, Market, Garden& Temple: $87
- Discover Nadi Tour: $89
- 6 Hours Giant Zipline Adventure Park in Fiji: $92
- Fiji Lautoka Shore Excursions Tour: $92
- Colo-i-Suva Waterfall Tour (Suva): $92
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bus Ticket connecting Cancun Central and Playa del Carmen: $7.20
- Ek Balam Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $8.99
- Tulum Legends: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Ancient Mayan City: $8.99
- Tour of Chichén Itzá, 2 cenotes and Valladolid: $17
- 4 ADVENTURES 1 DAY Tulum Coba Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $20
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2025: $20
- Akumal Beach : VIP Swimming Tour with Turtles and Corals: $25
- Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera: $29
- Tulum Cancun ATV Tour Experience: $29
- Tour to visit the archeological site of Tulum, Coba and a Cenote in one day: $30
- Chichen Itza Cenote and Valladolid All Inclusive Tour: $32
- Behind the Scenes – German-language Cultural Tour.: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNadi (Port Denarau) $11Playa del Carmen $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Playa del Carmen:
- Playa After Dark: 5th Ave Social Pub Crawl, Playa del Carmen: $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nadi (Port Denarau) and Playa del Carmen, we can see that Nadi (Port Denarau) is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nadi (Port Denarau) is in Pacific and Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nadi (Port Denarau) than you might in Playa del Carmen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive? and Is Playa del Carmen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Nadi (Port Denarau). When comparing the sizes of Nadi (Port Denarau) and Playa del Carmen, 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.
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.