A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Playa del Carmen vs. Mexico City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Mexico City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Mexico City? 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 Mexico City?

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.

Mexico City

Mexico City is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. There are an estimated 26 million people living in the greater Mexico City metropolitan area. The area is about 60 kilometers by 40 kilometers and is surrounded by tall mountains and volcanoes on three sides. Mexico City proper has about 8.8 million people and is the capital of the country. More than a third of the country's economy is based here, making it the wealthiest city in all of Latin America.

Which place is cheaper, Mexico City or Playa del Carmen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $77, while the average daily cost in Mexico City is $203. 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 Mexico City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Playa del Carmen $37
    Mexico City $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Playa del Carmen $74
    Mexico City $78
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Mexico City

Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Mexico City? 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.

Hotels in Playa del Carmen


Hotels in Mexico City


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 Mexico City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Playa del Carmen $23
    Mexico City $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:

  • Wedding Transfers Services in Round Trip Playa del Carmen: $144
  • Transfers Mexico (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum): $55
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Playa del Carmen to Cancún Airport: $33
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport: $40
  • Transfer in Private Car from-to Xcaret to Cancun Airport (CUN): $32
  • Transfer from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen - ROUND TRIP: $143
  • Transfer Airport - Hotel - Airport (From Paradisus Esmeralda to Playacar): $56
  • Transfer Airport - Hotel - Airport (From Ocidental Xcaret to Barcelo Palace): $66
  • Super Deal: Cancun Airport-Hotel-Cancun Airport Private Round Trip Transfer: $105
  • Shuttle Transfer Cancun Airport - Playa del Carmen: $13
  • Roundtrip private AC Airport Transfer to Riviera Maya: $70
  • Private Transfer to Xplor / Xenses / Xplor Fire: $15

Typical Local Transportation prices in Mexico City

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:


  • Metro
    $1.14
  • Uber Ride
    $3.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mexico City

Also for Mexico City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Departure Private Transfer Mexico City to Mexico City Airport MEX in an SUV: $100
  • Departure Private Transfers: Mexico City to Mexico Airport MEX in Business Car: $63
  • Departure Private Transfers: Mexico City to Mexico Airport MEX in Luxury SUV: $64
  • Departure Private Transfers: Mexico City to Mexico Airport MEX in Luxury Van: $67
  • Departure Shared Transfer to Mexico City Airport: $28
  • Mexico Airport Transfers : Mexico City to Mexico Airport MEX in Business Car: $60
  • Mexico Airport Transfers : Mexico City to Mexico Airport MEX in Luxury SUV: $67
  • Mexico Airport Transfers : Mexico City to Mexico Airport MEX in Luxury Van: $67
  • Mexico City - Mexico City International Airport(MEX) -Private Departure Transfer: $44
  • Mexico City Airport Round Shared Transfer: $66
  • MEX Airport to/from City Private Transfer: $63
  • Private Airport Transfer between Chiang Mai to/from Chiang Rai: $156

Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Mexico City?

Prices for flights to both Mexico City 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 day
    Playa del Carmen $22
    Mexico City $26

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

Typical Food prices in Mexico City

For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $13
  • Coffee and Snacks
    $4.44
  • Dinner for 2
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mexico City

For Mexico City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traveling Spoon Mexican Tacos and Tortillas Private Online Cooking Class: $27
  • Withlocals The 10 Tastings: Mexico City Private Food Tour: $60
  • Private Contemporary Mexican Cooking Class Inspired by Family Recipes: $68
  • 3–Hour Polanco Food Tour: $75
  • Mexican Cooking Class: $79
  • Mexico City Private Traditional Pre-Hispanic Cooking Class: $83
  • Private Mexican Cooking Lesson in a Coyoacan Apartment: $86
  • Wrestling show and a Mexican dinner: $101
  • Private Market Tour and Authentic Mexican Cooking Class with a Local in Coyoacan: $105
  • Mexican Cooking Lesson in a Local Home: $106
  • Authentic Mexican Cooking Lesson With a Gastronomic Historian in Mexico City: $109
  • Dinner at El Lago Lakeside Restaurant Mexico City: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Playa del Carmen $16
    Mexico City $14

Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen

Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • (4x1) Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Playa del carmen in a full day tour: $53
  • 15-Day Trip in Mexico: South 2 North Adventures: $1,553
  • 2 Cenotes Tour From Playa Del Carmen: $71
  • 2 Cenotes Xpress Tour From Playa Del Carmen: $58
  • 3 Cenotes + 1 Lagoon Extraordinary Tour from Playa del carmen: $83
  • 3 Cenotes + 1 Lagoon Fantastic Tour fom Playa del Carmen: $88
  • 3 Cenotes + 1 Lagoon Tour Full Day from Playa del Carmen: $90
  • 3 days diving tour: $352
  • 3-in-1 Discovery Combo Tour: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling Plus Cenote and Caves: $109
  • 3D Museum of Wonders Admission Ticket: $32
  • 3x1 (Cenotes + Lagoon) Tour Full Day from Playa del Carmen: $88
  • 4 ADVENTURES 1 DAY Tulum Coba Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $52

Tours and Activities in Mexico City

For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • MUCHO Museum of Chocolate Entrance Ticket: $3.79
  • Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal Tour and Tasting: $20
  • City at Night Walking tour: $20
  • Customizable Tour with a Private Guide: $25
  • Tickets to Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera Museum Skip The Line FREE CANCELATION: $25
  • Mexico City Tour with Anthropology Museum entrance fee included: $27
  • Tickets & Transport to Frida Kahlo's Museum & Diego Rivera's Studio: $28
  • National Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral Tour: $29
  • Private tour to Anthropology Museum: $29
  • Full-Day City Tour with Anthropology Museum: $33
  • Teotihuacan + Basilica de Guadalupe + Tlatelolco Tour!: $34
  • Teotihuacan, Shrine of Guadalupe & Tlatelolco All-Inclusive Tour: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Playa del Carmen $20
    Mexico City $20

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Mexico City

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mexico City:

  • Full-Day Peña de Bernal Wine Tours: $220

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Mexico City, we can see that Mexico City 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 Mexico City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mexico City than you might in Playa del Carmen.

Budget Your Trip

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Playa del Carmen vs. Mexico City Travel Comparison

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