Which place is cheaper, Eureka Springs 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 Eureka Springs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Eureka Springs? 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 Eureka Springs?
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.
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a resort town in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. It offers a variety of dining and shopping such as local crafts and art galleries. Nearby is Beaver Lake. Most of the town is a Victorian village, it has a European look and feel with Victorian cottages and homes spilling over steep winding streets.
The entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is because most of the town contains old history buildings which were constructed as a result of the town's unique history. The town was founded and grew very quickly. On July 4, 1879, the town was founded, and by the end of that year reached a population of 10,000. The reason for the town's growth was the area's numerous cold water springs which at the time were thought to have medicinal healing properties. However, this claim was fairly short lived, and when the tourism boom busted, the new town full of Victorian homes was left in the Ozark wilderness without an economy. Then, few new buildings were built. Hundreds of Victorian homes have remained and been preserved ranging from tiny cottages to huge mansions. In the Spring of 2001, Eureka Springs was named one of 12 Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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 from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Playa del Carmen Prices
Mexico PricesEureka Springs Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $95Eureka Springs $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $95, while the average daily cost in Eureka Springs is $155. 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 Eureka Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $38Eureka Springs $100
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $76Eureka Springs $200
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Eureka Springs
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Eureka Springs? 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 Eureka Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $23Eureka Springs $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Private Van Transfer to Merida: $389
- Private Van Transfer to Valladolid: $348
- Private Van Transfer to Chiquilá (Holbox): $348
- Private Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila Ferry Dock: $299
- ROUNDTRIP Private Transfer Cancun -Tulum/Akumal /Hilton 1-8 pax: $291
- Private Transfer Open 4 - 12 hours Costa Mujeres to Cancun: $283
- Playa del Carmen to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $282
- Airport Transfers to Playa del Carmen - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $268
- Round Trip Private Transfer (Costa Mujeres): $210
- Cozumel El Cielo Tour by Boat from Playa del Carmen & Transfer: $189
- Wedding Transfers Services in Round Trip Playa del Carmen: $180
- Private Transfer from ATO Cancun to Playa del Carmen: $178
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Eureka Springs?
Prices for flights to both Eureka Springs 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 $39Eureka Springs $32
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
- Christmas Eve Dinner in a magical jungle setting: $45
- Carmen Cocina Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $52
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $59
- Flavors of Playa del Carmen, Mexican Food Tour: $67
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Drinks: $77
- Playa del Carmen Food Tour with 8+ Authentic Yucatan Dishes: $81
- Food Tour Through Markets with 7 Tastings: $82
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $84
- VIP Private Mystery Dinner Murder in the Jungle: $85
- Steak or Lobster dinner in a magical jungle setting.: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $16Eureka Springs -
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Cenotes & Kaan Luum Lagoon Adventure from Playa del Carmen: $142
- 3 Hour Tour ATV Single with Underground River from Tulum: $135
- 3-in-1 Tour to Tulum, Cenote and Maya Village Riviera Maya: $99
- 3D Museum of Wonders Admission Ticket: $42
- 4 ADVENTURES 1 DAY Tulum Coba Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $20
- 4 Casa Tortugas Cenotes Tour from Playa del Carmen: $142
- 4x1 Tulum Coba Cenote swim Full tour: $21
- AQUA WONDER (Half-Day Aquatic Tour in Tulum with Snorkeling and Meals): $129
- ATV & Speed Boat Combo Tour: $119
- ATV Adventure with Ziplines & Cenote from Playa del Carmen: $57
- ATV Extreme and Snorkel Adventure from the Riviera Maya: $149
- ATV Single tour, zipline and cenote From Playa del Carmen: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $20Eureka Springs -
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 Local Brewery and Tacos Experience: $58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Eureka Springs, we can see that Eureka Springs 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 Eureka Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eureka Springs 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 Eureka Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Eureka Springs?
Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Eureka Springs. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Eureka Springs, 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.