Which place is cheaper, Castro 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 Castro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Castro? 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 Castro?
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.
Castro
The capital of Chiloe, modern and dynamic, has succeeded in keeping its authenticity even though it now has many gigantic supermarkets, hotels and other touristic infrastructures. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the stunning sites in the region of Chiloe Island. The tourist information is located on the town square in front of the church.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Chile.
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Playa del Carmen Prices
Mexico PricesCastro Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $95Castro $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $95, while the average daily cost in Castro is $122. 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 Castro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $38Castro $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $76Castro $80
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Castro
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Castro? 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 Castro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $23Castro $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- ATV (Shared) Express & Cenote with Transfer from Riviera Maya: $139
- Access to Xel-Há Park with Transfer: $145
- 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 Departure transfer from Playa Paraiso, Playa del Carmen, Playacar: $28
- Cancun Airport Private One-Way Transfer to Riviera Maya Hotels: $99
- Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen Roundtrip Private Transfer: $167
- Cancun Airport: Private Transfers From/To Akumal Half Moon Bay: $97
- Cenote Azul with Private Roundtrip Transfer: $120
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:
- Castro Airport Private Transfer in Chiloe: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Castro?
Prices for flights to both Castro 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 $39Castro $66
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.
- Dinner and Show at the Mayan Planetarium of Chichen: $39
- Flavors of Playa del Carmen, Mexican Food Tour: $63
- Playa del Carmen Food Tour with 8+ Authentic Yucatan Dishes: $81
- local walking food tour Inlakech Playa del Carmen: $83
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $84
- VIP Private Mystery Dinner Murder in the Jungle: $85
- Riviera Maya Luxury Sunset Sailing plus Light Dinner and Open Bar: $89
- Mayan Ceremony in Tulum. Temazcal, Dinner and pick up included.: $92
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $109
- Mayan Cooking Class: Chicken Pibil in Secret Cenote: $114
- Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $16Castro $22
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
- Tulum Legends: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Ancient Mayan City: $6.99
- 4 ADVENTURES 1 DAY Tulum Coba Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $16
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2025: $19
- YAL-KU Park in Riviera Maya Admission Ticket: $22
- Adrenaline ATV Cenote and Zip Lines Experience at Tulum: $25
- Chichen Itza and Cenote Full Day Tour from Playa del Carmen: $28
- Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera: $29
- Chichen Itza Tour Options with Cenote Swim from Playa del Carmen: $31
- ATV Tour, Ziplines, Mayan Cenote, Tacos, Tequila and Transport: $35
- Full Day Chichen Itza Historical Tour: $36
- Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to/from Cozumel: $36
Tours and Activities in Castro
Here are a few actual costs in Castro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Castro Sightseeing Tour in Chiloe: $96
- Bosque Piedra Reserve Tour: $106
- Coastal Nature Adventure in Chiloe: $118
- Chiloé: UNESCO Wooden Churches Full-Day Tour: $176
- Lemuy Island Tour from Castro: $178
- Dalcahue and Quinchao Island Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $209
- Dock of Souls Trekking Tour in Chiloe: $268
- Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour: $284
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $20Castro $18
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:
- Tour to the Brewery with Tasting and Fifth Avenue: $107
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Castro, we can see that Castro is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North America and Castro 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 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 Castro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Castro 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 Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Castro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Castro?
Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Castro. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Castro, 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.