Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Guadalajara? 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 Guadalajara?
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.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $81Guadalajara $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $117. 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 Guadalajara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40Guadalajara $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80Guadalajara $84
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Guadalajara
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Guadalajara? 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 Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Guadalajara $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- One Way Private Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Coba: $276
- Playa del Carmen to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $260
- To Holbox from Playa del Carmen & Riviera Maya -Private transfer: $248
- Airport Transfers to Playa del Carmen - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $235
- Private Transfer to Cenote at Tulum: $213
- Round Trip Private Transfer (Costa Mujeres): $199
- 2x1 Tour: Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres, Open Bar, Lunch and Transfers: $181
- Wedding Transfers Services in Round Trip Playa del Carmen: $180
- Private Transfer From Cancún Airport - Puerto Aventuras: $163
- Contoy and Mujeres Islands Tour with Transfer Options: $159
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Playa del Carmen from CUN: $153
- Tour Bacalar Ponton with Transfer from Cancun & Playa del Carmen : $147
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to Guadalajara Hotels: $119
- Airport-Chapala/Ajijic Transfer: $229
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Tequila - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Transfer to Guadalajara hotels: $173
- Guadalajara hotels to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
- Airport to City Transfer: $156
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Guadalajara, Chalapa & Tequila Hotels: $63
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Manzanillo Port: $76
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara city hotels to Manzanillo Port: $76
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara to Morelia: $224
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Guadalajara?
Prices for flights to both Guadalajara 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 $24Guadalajara $48
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.
- Walking Food Tour: $65
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $80
- Vegan Mexican Walking Food Tour: $86
- Mexican Cooking Class: $103
- Seafood Tour in Playa del Carmen: $105
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $107
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Cultural Coba Sunset Adventure with Dinner and show from Cancun: $130
- Romantic Candlelight Dinner In a Magical Jungle Setting : $150
- Sunset Adventure in Coba and Dinner with Show from Riviera Maya: $155
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $162
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guadalajara
For Guadalajara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guadalajara private food tour: $70
- Authentic Mexican Cooking & Tequila tasting experience-Casa Humo: $114
- Mexican Cooking Classes and Market Visit in Guadalajara: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17Guadalajara $28
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Electric fatbike ecological tour in the Mayan lands: $154
- Romantic tour in Akumal: $115
- Tulum Ruins, Turtle Sightseeing & Underground Cenote from Tulum: $140
- VIP Cenote Scuba Tour, Certified Divers Only: $230
- 3 Hour Tour ATV Single with Underground River from Tulum : $118
- 3D Museum of Wonders Admission Ticket: $43
- 4 amazing places for 1 price and 1 full day tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote and PDC: $57
- 4 to 7 Day Beach Cruiser Rental (Up to 7 Days, includes Ulock): $45
- 5X1: Tulum and Coba Ruins, Cenote & Mayan Village Full Day Tour : $118
- AQUA WONDER (Half-Day Aquatic Tour in Tulum with Snorkeling and Meals): $119
- ATV (shared) Adventure in the Jungle + Transportation from Riviera Maya: $120
- ATV Adventure with Ziplines Cenote from Playa del Carmen: $75
Tours and Activities in Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
- Guadalajara Unique Highlights Walking Tour: $10
- KidZania Entrance Ticket: $12
- 10-Day Audio Guide Tour of Guadalajara: $12
- Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Guadalajara in French: $15
- Downtown Mexico City: App guided tacos and market tour: $18
- Guadalajara City Tour: $20
- Great Experience With A Tour Guide With Spark: $21
- ticket to Michin Aquarium: $28
- Private Guadalajara City Tour Within Your Budget: $31
- Culture, Architecture, and Market Walking Tour: $33
- Private Tour with a Local Guide in Guadalajara: $34
- Guadalajara Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21Guadalajara $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
- Cultural tour, city fields and distillery: $32
- Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour: $58
- Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $77
- full day Tequila tour visiting artisanal distillery and downtown.: $85
- Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $180
- Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
- Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour to Distillery Tequila Ocho and Arandas : $200
- Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $216
- Private Tour to Tequila Ocho Distillery and the Town of Arandas: $216
- Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Guadalajara, we can see that Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Guadalajara?
Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Guadalajara, 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.