Which place is cheaper, Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Fort-de-France? 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 Fort-de-France?
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.
Fort-de-France
As the largest city and capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France serves as the main entryway for visitors traveling to the island. It is a busy city with a significant population, which creates an atmosphere bustling with traffic amidst its historic and cultural sights.
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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Playa del Carmen Prices
Mexico PricesFort-de-France Prices
Martinique Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $95Fort-de-France $225
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $95, while the average daily cost in Fort-de-France is $225. 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 Fort-de-France in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $38Fort-de-France $91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $76Fort-de-France $182
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Fort-de-France
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Fort-de-France? 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 Fort-de-France Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $23Fort-de-France $18
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
- Playa del Carmen to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $280
- Private Transfer to Chiquila one-wey, from Cancún and Playa: $260
- Private Transfer to Xel-Há Park roundtrip, from Playa del Carmen: $260
- Private Transfer Playa del Carmen to Mérida with Flexible Stops: $240
- Round Trip Private Transfer (Costa Mujeres): $210
- Private Transfers to Cancun Airport, from Tulum or Akumal: $198
- Private Transfer to Cenotes at Riviera Maya: $189
- Wedding Transfers Services in Round Trip Playa del Carmen: $180
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort-de-France
Also for Fort-de-France, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Fort de France to Martinique Airport (FDF) - Departure Transfer: $66
- Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France - Arrival Transfer: $68
- Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France - Round-Trip Transfer: $137
- Private Transfer Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France Port: $75
- Private Transfer from Fort de France Port to Fort de France: $75
- Private Transfer from Fort de France to Fort de France Port: $75
- Transfer from Fort de France Port to Martinique Airport (FDF): $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Fort-de-France?
Prices for flights to both Fort-de-France 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 $39Fort-de-France $116
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.
- Flavors of Playa del Carmen, Mexican Food Tour: $67
- 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
- local walking food tour Inlakech Playa del Carmen: $83
- Riviera Maya Luxury Sunset Sailing plus Light Dinner and Open Bar: $89
- Playa del Camen Vegan Mexican Food Tour: $91
- Mayan Ceremony in Tulum. Temazcal, Dinner and pick up included.: $92
- Mexican Cooking Class: $113
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $116
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Romantic Dinner for 2 in Magical Jungle Setting: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort-de-France
For Fort-de-France, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food tour in the rainforest and St Pierre - Pile et Face: $104
- Martinique: Food tour to Saint-Pierre and waterfall: $124
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $16Fort-de-France $36
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 Hour Tour ATV Single with Underground River from Tulum: $135
- 3 in 1 Private Tour Tulum Cenote and Snorkeling in the reef: $210
- 3D Museum of Wonders Admission Ticket: $41
- 4 ADVENTURES 1 DAY Tulum Coba Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $16
- 4 Casa Tortugas Cenotes Tour from Playa del Carmen: $142
- 5X1: Tulum and Coba Ruins, Cenote & Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $83
- AQUA WONDER (Half-Day Aquatic Tour in Tulum with Snorkeling and Meals): $129
- ATV (Shared) & Cenote Jungle Adventure from Riviera Maya: $130
- ATV Adventure with Zipline and Cenote Experience: $92
- ATV Mayan Jungle Adventure: $180
- ATV Shared & Ziplines Adventure in Tulum Jungle from Riviera Maya: $140
- ATV Tour in Playa del Carmen with Zip Lines: $60
Tours and Activities in Fort-de-France
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fort-de-France.
- Habitation Clement - entrance ticket: $15
- Small train tour of a banana farm in Martinique: $22
- Fort-de-France Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $26
- Mangrove Guided Tour: $43
- Karaib Tour: $66
- Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour: $70
- Fort de France - hidden squares and secret corners - a walking tour of FDF: $75
- Martinique: Cruise and Snorkel with Sea Turtles, Fish and Corals: $75
- Martinique Shore Excursion - Unmissable Martinique North tour: $75
- Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
- Martinique Shore Excursion - Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
- Scenic Tropical Rainforest & Island Tour: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $20Fort-de-France $12
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: $106
Sample the Local Flavors in Fort-de-France
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort-de-France:
- Small-Group Tour: Unmissable Martinique with Rum Distillery, Ruins, and More: $75
- North Tour: rainforest, rum distillery, black sand beach etc: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Fort-de-France, we can see that Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Fort-de-France?
Fort-de-France has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Fort-de-France, 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.