Which place is cheaper, Granada or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Granada?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Granada? 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 Granada?
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.
Granada
Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.
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 Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $81Granada $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, while the average daily cost in Granada is $40. 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 Granada in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40Granada $17
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80Granada $34
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Granada
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Granada? 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 Granada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Granada $8.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Private Transfer to Xplor / Xenses / Xplor Fire from Playa del Carmen: $25
- Shared transfer from Playa del Carmen tu Cancun airport: $25
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Playa del Carmen: $31
- Akumal to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Maroma Beach: Entry Ticket to Maroma Beach Club & Transfer: $47
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Puerto Aventuras: $48
- Private Transfer to Xel-Há Park from Playa del Carmen: $53
- Private Transfer Airport-Costa Mujeres/Playa Mujeres 1-8 pax: $59
- Shared roundtrip transfer from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen: $71
- Transfer in Private vehicle from Akumal City - Cancun Airport (CUN) : $74
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Granada?
Prices for flights to both Granada 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $24Granada $14
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
Typical Food Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:
-
Pizza$2.29
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17Granada $10
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 Granada
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:
-
Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour$8.17
Tours and Activities in Granada
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:
- Granada Kayak Tour: $30
- Colonial Granada Horse Carriage & Walking Tour: $35
- Paddle Boarding and Meditation Wellness Experience in Las Isletas: $39
- Las Isletas: Kayak Tour: $39
- Granada City Tour: $40
- Granada's City Tour: $40
- Las Isletas: Boat Tour: $45
- Masaya Night Tour Minimum 2 People from Granada: $45
- Las Isletas 2-Hour Kayak Adventure in Granada with Pickup: $48
- City Walking Tour and Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride: $50
- Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
- Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21Granada $7.50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:
-
Tequila$1.36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Granada, we can see that Playa del Carmen is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North America and Granada is in Central 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 Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Playa del Carmen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa del Carmen than you might in Granada.
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 Granada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Granada?
Granada has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Granada, 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.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Granada?
Playa del Carmen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Granada experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Granada in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Granada. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Granada in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Granada fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Granada during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.
Granada receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Granada. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Granada receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)Granada 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Granada in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Granada. The autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year.
In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Granada. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Granada averages at about 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Granada. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 195 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Granada. Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in October than Granada. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Granada receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)Granada 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Granada in the Winter?
Both Granada and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Playa del Carmen is generally cooler than Granada. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Granada fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Granada. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Granada during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Granada. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Granada receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)Granada 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Granada in the Spring?
Both Granada and Playa del Carmen during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Granada in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Granada fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Granada. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 242 hours of full sun.
Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in April than Granada. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Granada receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)Granada 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Granada and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | Granada | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
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.