A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Playa del Carmen vs. Ensenada for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Ensenada?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Ensenada? 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 Ensenada?

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.

Ensenada

Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.

Which city is cheaper, Ensenada or Playa del Carmen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $59, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $71. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Playa del Carmen and Ensenada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Playa del Carmen $28
    Ensenada $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Playa del Carmen $56
    Ensenada $68
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Ensenada

Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Ensenada? 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.

Hotels in Playa del Carmen


Hotels in Ensenada


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 Ensenada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Playa del Carmen $17
    Ensenada $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:

  • Airport Transfers to Playa del Carmen - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $137
  • Cancun Airport Private Transfer One Way:To or From Playa de Carmen Upto 11 Pass.: $85
  • Cancun Airport Private Transfer One Way:To or From Playa del Carmen Up to 3Pass.: $68
  • Cancun Airport Private Transfer One Way:To or From Playa del Carmen Up to 7Pass.: $85
  • Cancun Airport Private Transfer One Way:To or From Playa del Carmen Upto 15Pass.: $150
  • Cancun Airport private departure transfer (Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport): $72
  • Cancun Airport: Private Transfer to Hotels in Playa del Carmen: $60
  • Departure Private Transfer Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan: $52
  • Departure Private Transfer Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport CUN by SUV: $105
  • El Dorado Maroma to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $41
  • Holbox Island Tour with Transfer Options: $119
  • Mexico Private Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Cancun airport: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Ensenada?

Prices for flights to both Ensenada 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Playa del Carmen $17
    Ensenada $28

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.

  • Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $54
  • Local Walking Food Tour: $54
  • Walking Food Tour in Downtown Playa del Carmen: $55
  • Playa del Carmen Food Tour: $65
  • Vegan Mexican Walking Food Tour: $69
  • Playa del Carmen Food Tour: $71
  • Playa del Carmen Authentic Mexican cooking class and Market Tour: $91
  • Hands-on ● Mexican Cooking Class: $92
  • Cooking Class & Local Markets Tour: $99
  • Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $103
  • Playa del Carmen Mexican Cooking class and Local Markets Tour: $105
  • Traditional Mexican Food Cooking Lesson: $109

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Playa del Carmen $12
    Ensenada $7.79

Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen

Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Playa del Carmen Shopping Tour Fifth Avenue and Mamitas Beach Club: $9.99
  • Playa del Carmen City Tour: $27
  • Playa del Carmen Street Art Tour: $27
  • 3D Museum of Wonders Admission Ticket: $32
  • Reef Snorkeling Experience in Playa del Carmen: $34
  • PDC Running Experience w/Breakfast: $35
  • Playa del Carmen PhotoWalk and City Tour: $37
  • Playa del Carmen Private Art Tour and Gallery Visit: $41
  • Playa del Carmen Private PhotoWalk Tour: $41
  • Playa del Carmen Bike Art Tour: $42
  • Chichen itza full day tour: $43
  • Chichen Itza FULL DAY TOUR: $43

Tours and Activities in Ensenada

Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Tourist guide in the Wine Country (Valle de Guadalupe) Ensenada: $11
  • Las Cañadas Canopy Tour in Ensenada: $28
  • The Bufadora Tour: $32
  • La Bufadora Tour in Baja California: $33
  • Scenic Bufadora & Flea Market Shopping Private Tour: $35
  • From La Bufadora Geyser Tour: $36
  • Ensenada Travels Tours: $64
  • best tours ensenada: $64
  • Las Canadas Ecopark and Bufadora private tour: $65
  • Ensenada Shore Excursion: City Tour & La Bufadora: $68
  • Guadalupe Valley Wine Route Tour in Baja California: $77
  • Private tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Playa del Carmen $15
    Ensenada $7.95

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 Del Carmen Private Mexican Wine Tasting: $152

Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada

Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private wine tour: $65
  • Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting Tour: $75
  • Private Full-Day Wine Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $89
  • From Ojos Negros Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour: $94
  • Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tour, All Inclusive by AKA Expeditions.: $140
  • Valle de Guadalupe Off The Beaten Path Wine Tasting: $505

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Ensenada, we can see that Ensenada is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Ensenada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ensenada than you might in Playa del Carmen.

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
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Playa del Carmen vs. Ensenada Travel Comparison

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