Which place is cheaper, Eagle Beach or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Eagle Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Eagle Beach? 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 Eagle Beach?
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.
Eagle Beach
Aruba, only fifteen miles north of Venezuela, is a top Caribbean tourist destination. It's a small island, only 20 miles long and 6 miles wide, and is an autonomous dependency of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. One of the most popular and beautiful beaches on the island is Eagle Beach. It's a popular beach with the locals, and a common destination for many who are looking for a party. The beach is particularly crowded on Easter weekend. The sand is a sugary white and the waters are a stunning crystal blue color. The beach itself is quite flat and the ocean is so calm it's like swimming in a pool. There are a handful of palm trees if you're seeking shade, but otherwise it's the ideal place to soak up some rays. You'll find some shaded picnic areas as well if you're hoping to enjoy a casual lunch.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $81Eagle Beach $341
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, while the average daily cost in Eagle Beach is $341. 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 Eagle Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40Eagle Beach $227
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80Eagle Beach $454
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Eagle Beach
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Eagle Beach? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Eagle Beach $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Cancun International Airport From/to Akumal - Private Transfer: $130
- Transfer in Private vehicle from Xcaret - Cancun Airport (CUN): $88
- 2x1 Tour: Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres, Open Bar, Lunch and Transfers: $190
- Access to Xel-Há Park with Transfer: $145
- Airport Transfers to Playa del Carmen - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $227
- Akumal to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $77
- Amazing ATV (single) Cenote and Ziplines with Transfer from Playa del Carmen: $80
- CUN Airport One-Way/Round-Trip Transfers to Playa del Carmen: $115
- Cancún Airport Transfer to Playa del Carmen One Way: $118
- Cancun Airport Private Transfer One Way: To or From Akumal area Up to 03 Pass.: $105
- Cancun Airport Round Trip transfer to Puerto Aventuras: $190
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eagle Beach
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eagle Beach:
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Round-trip Bus Ticket$2.22
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One Day Scooter Rental$40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eagle Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Eagle Beach:
- 2 Ways Private Transfers: $45
- Aruba Island to Aruba Queen Airport (AUA) - Departure Transfer: $39
- Aruba Island to Aruba Queen Airport(AUA) Departure Transfer: $39
- Aruba Private Airport Transfer: Personalized Arrival: $31
- Aruba Private Van Airport Transfer (Max 5): $55
- Aruba Queen Airport(AUA) to Aruba Island - Round-Trip Transfer: $79
- Aruba Queen Beatrix Airport(AUA) to Aruba Island-Arrival Transfer: $39
- Platinium Aruba Transport - All Around Luxury Private Transfers: $90
- Private Airport Transfers in Aruba: $58
- Private One-Way Transfer from Aruba To Reina Beatrix Airport: $32
- Private Transfer from Aruba Queen Airport (AUA) to Aruba Island: $75
- Private Transfer from Oranjestad Cruise Port to Oranjestad city: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Eagle Beach?
Prices for flights to both Eagle Beach 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 $24Eagle Beach $68
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: $60
- Walking Food Tour: $65
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $77
- Mexican Cooking Class: $100
- Seafood Tour in Playa del Carmen: $101
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $104
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Cultural Coba Sunset Adventure with Dinner and show from Cancun: $130
- Sunset Adventure in Coba and Dinner with Show from Riviera Maya: $155
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $157
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Eagle Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Eagle Beach.
- Noord, Aruba: Exclusive Private Dinner aboard the Aqua Donut: $90
- Aruba Caribbean Dinner Sail Experience: $92
- Sunset Sail Cruise to Boca Catalina with BBQ Dinner: $110
- Sunset Sail: Aruba Dinner Cruise with Open Bar by Catamaran: $119
- Caribbean Cooking Class in Aruba: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17Eagle Beach $121
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shopping Tour & Tulum Mayan Ruins: $11
- Cancun Airport: Bus Ticket to/from Playa del Carmen: $14
- Tulum Ruins: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Ek Balam: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2024: $20
- YAL-KÚ Park in Riviera Maya Admission Ticket: $23
- Chichen Itza and Cenote Full Day Tour from Playa del Carmen: $28
- Ultramar Ferry, Regular round ticket, Playa del Carmen-Cozumel: $32
- Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera: $34
- Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to/from Cozumel: $35
- Mayan tour 4x1: Tulum, Cobá, Cenote & Playa del carmen: $35
- Tulum Ruins and Amusement Park Shared Tour: $37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Eagle Beach
Here are a few typical costs in Eagle Beach for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Full Day Bike Rental$25
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Kayak & Snorkeling Tour$98
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Horseback Riding Tour$70
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4 Hr Snorkel Trip$74
Tours and Activities in Eagle Beach
Here are a few actual costs in Eagle Beach for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Champagne and Diamond Shopping Experience in Aruba: $5.00
- Aruba Mangel Halto and Baby Beach Snorkeling Guided Tour: $37
- Scenic Aruba Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $40
- Aruba Downtown Historic and Cultural Walking Tour: $40
- Explore Aruba Party Bus Tour: $41
- Aruba Countryside Tour: $41
- The Whole Story Tour + A Ride: $45
- Half-Day Aruba Animal Sanctuary Guided Tour : $45
- Half-Day Aruba Island Tour from Oranjestad: $49
- Aruba Baby Beach Express Tour: $49
- Colorful Beach Bus Sightseeing Tour of Aruba: $54
- Aruba Jet Ski Rentals — Exciting Water Adventures Await: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21Eagle Beach $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Eagle Beach, we can see that Eagle Beach 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 Eagle Beach is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Eagle Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eagle Beach 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 Eagle Beach Expensive?.
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.