Which city is cheaper, La Paz or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Playa del Carmen vs. La Paz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or La Paz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or La Paz? 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 La Paz?
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.
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $57La Paz $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $57, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $82. 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 La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $27La Paz $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $54La Paz $72
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or La Paz? 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 La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $17La Paz $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Shuttle Transfer Cancun Airport - Playa del Carmen: $13
- Private Transfer to Xcaret Park: $15
- Private Transfer to Xplor / Xenses / Xplor Fire: $15
- Transfer in Private Car from-to Xcaret to Cancun Airport (CUN): $32
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Playa del Carmen to Cancún Airport: $33
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport: $40
- El Dorado Maroma to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $41
- Private Transfer to Xavage / Xoximilco: $45
- Playa del Carmen to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $46
- Private Transfer to Xel-Há Park: $50
- Parasailing in Playa del Carmen with transfer: $50
- Departure Private Transfer Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- Airport Transfer In_ Day: $25
- Airport Transfer In_night: $25
- Airport Transfer Out_day: $25
- Airport Transfer Out_night: $25
- Bus Station Transfer In_day: $25
- Bus Station Transfer Out_day: $25
- Bus Station Transfer Out_night: $25
- Day Transfer from Airport to Hotel and Cable Car: $20
- Departure Private Transfer La Paz City to La Paz Airport LPB by Minibus: $25
- Departure Private Transfer La Paz City to La Paz Airport LPB by Minibus: $25
- Departure Private Transfer La Paz City to La Paz Airport LPB by S-Cross Sx4: $25
- La Paz Airport Transfer One Way: $373
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $16La Paz $27
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $12La Paz $8.73
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 La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- Virtual City Tour - La Paz: $4.00
- La Paz City Walking Tour Including Historical Streets: $5.00
- La Paz City Walking Tour: $5.00
- La Paz Walking Tour: $5.00
- Cable Car Tour of La Paz: $8.00
- La Paz city, nomad bohemian tour: $10
- Titicaca Lake - Bus Ticket - From La Paz City - Ow: $12
- Cable Car, Cementery, Shaman and El Alto Adventure in La Paz: $17
- Private Cable Car City Tour: $18
- Full Day Tiwanaku Archeological Site Shared Tour: $20
- Bus City Tour Sightseeing La Paz: $23
- Tiwanaku and Puma Punku - Shared Tour -: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $15La Paz $8.69
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and La Paz, we can see that La Paz 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 La Paz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Paz than you might in Playa del Carmen.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or La Paz?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or La Paz in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and La Paz.
In July, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as La Paz. Temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and La Paz stays around 30°C (86°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun 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 La Paz. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)La Paz 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or La Paz in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as La Paz.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as La Paz in the autumn. The temperature in Playa del Carmen is usually 26°C (79°F) in October, and La Paz stays around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. 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 less sunshine than La Paz. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun.
Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in October than La Paz. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)La Paz 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or La Paz in the Winter?
Both La Paz and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In the winter, Playa del Carmen is a little warmer than La Paz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January are around 23°C (73°F), and La Paz is about 18°C (65°F).
It's quite sunny in La Paz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than La Paz during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than La Paz. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)La Paz 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or La Paz in the Spring?
Both La Paz and Playa del Carmen during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Playa del Carmen is generally a little warmer than La Paz. Temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz stays around 23°C (73°F).
In La Paz, 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 less sunshine than La Paz. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun.
Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in April than La Paz. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)La Paz 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for La Paz and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | La Paz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
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