Which place is cheaper, Tulum or Piriapolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Piriapolis or Tulum?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis 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: Piriapolis or Tulum?
Piriapolis
Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.
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 Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPiriapolis $67Tulum $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $67, 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 Piriapolis and Tulum in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPiriapolis $27Tulum $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPiriapolis $54Tulum $120
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and Tulum
Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis 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: Piriapolis Hotel Prices and Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Piriapolis $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:
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $210
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
Is it cheaper to fly into Piriapolis or Tulum?
Prices for flights to both Tulum and Piriapolis 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 dayPiriapolis $23Tulum $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.Piriapolis $5.89Tulum $32
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
- Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
- Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Tulum Mural Tours: $36
- Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPiriapolis $8.11Tulum $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 Piriapolis and Tulum, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Piriapolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Piriapolis Expensive? and Is Tulum Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Tulum?
Tulum has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Tulum?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Tulum in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and Tulum. Furthermore, many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Piriapolis is cooler than Tulum. Typically, the summer temperatures in Piriapolis in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Tulum averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In Piriapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Piriapolis usually receives more sunshine than Tulum during summer. Piriapolis gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Piriapolis usually receives less rain than Tulumin July. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPiriapolis 23°C (73°F)Tulum 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Tulum in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as Tulum. Additionally, many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In April, Piriapolis is generally much colder than Tulumin October. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 17°C (63°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. In the autumn, Piriapolis often gets less sunshine than Tulumin October. Piriapolis gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tulum. Piriapolis usually gets less rain in April than Tulumin October. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPiriapolis 17°C (63°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Tulum in the Winter?
Both Tulum and Piriapolis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Piriapolis is much colder than Tulum in the winter. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 10°C (50°F) in July, and Tulum fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Tulum. Piriapolis usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during winter. Piriapolis gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Tulumin January. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPiriapolis 10°C (50°F)Tulum 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Tulum in the Spring?
Both Tulum and Piriapolis during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Piriapolis is much colder than Tulum. Typically, the spring temperatures in Piriapolis in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Tulum averages at about 27°C (81°F)in April.
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Piriapolis. In the spring, Piriapolis often gets less sunshine than Tulumin April. Piriapolis gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun.
Piriapolis usually gets more rain in October than Tulumin April. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPiriapolis 16°C (61°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Tulum and Piriapolis
| Piriapolis | Tulum | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.