Which place is cheaper, Banos or Playa del Carmen?
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 Playa del Carmen or Banos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Banos? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Playa del Carmen or Banos?
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.
Banos
Banos (de Agua Santa) is a small city in the Andean highlands of Ecuador under volcano Tungurahua. Its name, which is Spanish for "Baths (of sacred water)," comes from the famous hydrothermal springs in the area. It's equally popular with foreigners as with Ecuadorians, and is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador. The streets are lined with hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour agencies. Although it is very touristy, lots of people love it, more for the activities and surroundings than for the city itself. It is an important hub for outdoor sports and jungle tours.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Playa del Carmen Prices
Mexico PricesBanos Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $89Banos $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $89, while the average daily cost in Banos is $57. 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 Playa del Carmen and Banos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $36Banos $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $72Banos $32
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Banos
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Banos? 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: Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices and Banos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $22Banos $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $83
- CUN Airport One-Way/Round-Trip Transfers to Playa del Carmen: $115
- Cancún Airport Transfer to Playa del Carmen One Way: $127
- Cancún: Cozumel 2-Tank Diving Tour with Lunch & Transfers: $327
- Cancun Airport and Secrets Moxche Playa del Carmen Transfer: $120
- Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen Roundtrip Private Transfer: $165
- Cancun, Riviera Maya and Tulum Airport Transfers : $190
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $130
- Chetumal Airport to Bacalar - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $108
- Chetumal to Chetumal Airport (CTM) - Departure Private Transfer : $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Banos?
Prices for flights to both Banos and Playa del Carmen 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $37Banos $26
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: $56
- Flavors of Playa del Carmen, Mexican Food Tour: $63
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $79
- Yucatecan Cooking Class & Unlimited Margaritas – Playa del Carmen: $85
- Playa del Camen Vegan Mexican Food Tour: $85
- Temazcal Mayan Ceremony and Dinner in Mayan Village: $89
- Mayan Cooking Class: Chicken Pibil in Secret Cenote: $95
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $109
- Riviera Maya Luxury Sunset Sailing plus Light Dinner and Open Bar: $109
- Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
Typical Food Prices in Banos
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Banos:
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Dinner$13
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Ice cream$1.50
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Coffee$2.50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $15Banos $19
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: $6.43
- Mexico City Self-Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Isla Mujeres Sailing tour from Riviera Maya: $16
- 4 ADVENTURES 1 DAY Tulum Coba Cenote and Playa del Carmen : $16
- 4X1 Enjoy a tour to Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Playa del Carmen : $18
- Full day tour Chichen Itza : $18
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2025: $19
- Ice Bath Experience on the Beach: $20
- Full day Chichén Itzá Tour from Cancún and Riviera Maya: $22
- Chichen Itza Tour Options with Cenote Swim from Playa del Carmen: $31
- Adrenaline Atv tour from Playa del Carmen : $35
- Wild Tulum Day: ATV Tour + Zip Lines + Cenote + Rappel & Lunch!: $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Banos
Here are a few typical costs in Banos for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Two Rented Bikes for the Day$10
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Cost to see Waterfall$2.00
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Day at the Spa$45
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2 Bike Rentals (1 Day)$10
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Entrance to Waterfall$2.00
Tours and Activities in Banos
Here are a few actual costs in Banos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Pailón del Diablo | Waterfall Route | Tour for 3 hours: $20
- The Hands of God | Tours | The highest viewpoint in the city: $22
- Adventure Circuit 4 activities in 1. All within an impressive cascade: $25
- Canopy Ziplining in Puntzan Adventure Park: $26
- 2 Hours Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Banos: $30
- Canyoning Adventure Tour in the Ravine: $30
- City Viewpoint Night Tours: $35
- 1 day jungle tour: $35
- Puyo Jungle Tour in 1 Day: $35
- One day tour in the jungle. all inclusive.: $35
- Adventure and Fun River Rafting in Baños Ecuador: $35
- Full Day Amazon Jungle Tour: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $19Banos $9.74
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:
- Madness tour bar crawl Playa del carmen open bar: $99
- Tour to the Brewery with Tasting and Fifth Avenue: $100
Typical Alcohol Prices in Banos
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Banos from other travelers:
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Beer$4.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Banos, we can see that Playa del Carmen is more expensive. And not only is Banos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North America and Banos is in South 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 Banos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Banos 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 Playa del Carmen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa del Carmen than you might in Banos.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Banos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Banos?
Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Banos. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Banos, 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.